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Meet the interior designer behind some of the world’s top hotels: Tara Bernerd’s clients include Four Seasons, Rosewood and Belmond, with her latest project being Thompson Hollywood

Tara Bernerd, interior designer of The Hari. Photo: Rafael Faux Gstaad Photography
Tara Bernerd, interior designer of The Hari. Photo: Rafael Faux Gstaad Photography
XXIV 2021

  • After The Hari Hong Kong in 2020, Bernerd’s London-based company worked on Four Seasons Hotel Fort Lauderdale in Florida, and Conrad Grand Avenue Hotel with Frank Gehry
  • Bernerd used to be at Yoo with Philippe Starck, draws inspiration from Yves St Laurent and the Bauhaus movement, and her favourite timepiece is the Patek Philippe 5168G Aquanaut

If you have visited The Hari Hong Kong you have experienced the interior design of Tara Bernerd. Since opening her London-based design company in 2002, her clients have included Rosewood Munich; Four Seasons’ London, New York and Fort Lauderdale hotels; Zentis Osaka; as well as residential projects in New York, London and Hong Kong. Her latest finished project is the boutique hotel Thompson Hollywood, which opened a few months ago.
The penthouse of The Hari. Photo: Tara Bernerd
The penthouse of The Hari. Photo: Tara Bernerd
“Following on from the hugely successful launch of The Hari Hong Kong in Wan Chai at the end of [2020], which was a project very close to my heart and that has been so warmly embraced by the city, in August this year we opened Thompson Hollywood in Los Angeles, our latest project for Thompson Hotels,” says Bernerd.
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“The next six months ahead are very exciting, as we complete the model rooms phase with Belmond, for a [new] resort. In December our Four Seasons Hotel Fort Lauderdale launches in Florida.” Then early next year, Conrad Grand Avenue Hotel will open in the heart of the Grand Avenue Arts District in Los Angeles, opposite Disney Concert Hall. “We worked closely with architect Frank Gehry on this remarkable destination project, that is set to transform the area,” she continues.

Tara Bernerd, interior designer. Photo: Rafael Faux Gstaad Photography
Tara Bernerd, interior designer. Photo: Rafael Faux Gstaad Photography

With such a busy life, Bernerd attributes having a good team as helping her attain a balanced lifestyle. “I count myself extremely fortunate in that I love what I do,” says Bernerd, who worked alongside Philippe Starck at Yoo before she opened her own design company. “I am heavily involved in every project we design so my schedule tends to be extremely busy. However, I have great partners and a team that I work closely with; the synergy in the studio means that we have strong communication, which is key. They are exceptionally talented and dedicated and this allows balance.”

Main lobby of the Hari. Photo: Tara Bernerd
Main lobby of the Hari. Photo: Tara Bernerd

She says she thrives off a routine, with weekdays starting at 8 to 9am and working up until 7pm. “These times shift depending on calls when we have to take in different time zones between Asia and the US, as I am based in Europe. However time off and time with family is of huge importance and unless I am travelling to a project, I will usually always honour the weekend.”

I count myself extremely fortunate in that I love what I do
Tara Bernerd, interior designer