Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to another SL2M Your host, Alvar Aluen, to bring you another exciting conversation in the luxury space. Today we're going to have with us our super guest, Dani Guardini. She's an architect from Brazil with over 24 years of experience. She's also an interior designer here in Miami with an office for almost a decade.
Oh, Vondia, Dani, come over. Gia, how are you? How is everything? Really nice to be here.
Thank you so much. Thank you so much for being our guest. And thank you for taking the time to tell us all about the exciting projects that you're working on as well as your story. Because you're an architect by profession with over 20 years of experience, 24 years as the office in Brazil.
You're a interior designer here in Miami since 2014. So how are you managing both worlds? How did you decide to come from Brazil all the way here? And how has it been so far?
Yeah, it's really amazing because I love to be doing a lot of different things. For me, it's very hard to be doing always the same thing. So since I like this different kind of things to do, the perfect life is living a little bit here and there and going back and forth. Oh my god.
Yeah, I like it a lot. And we have our office for 24 years, as you said, in Brazil. I am an architect there and here I work with interior design. We start working here because of our clients.
We were doing in Brazil. I don't know if no limo will go from the computers. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, big company. And we were doing all their offices in Brazil, some factories in Brazil.
And then they asked us to do here in the US as well. So then we need to open our office here and start our business here. Yes, and after that I start to do it because my clients in Brazil, they knew, oh, you were in Miami now. So can you make our apartment there?
So I start doing interior design for my clients as well. I was going to tell you because we've seen a big migration of Brazilians coming to Miami over the last few years. I have a lot of clients from Brazil, a lot of second homes here and some of them are moving to Miami as well. So besides that, I know that we discussed that the region where you come from in Brazil.
That's also where Alessandro Mesquita is from, right? Yes. So for Rino, Rino, an artist here in Miami, and she's amazing. And I was following her and seeing, oh, she's, oh, her work is so fancy and so unique.
And I was like in love about her artist. And then she sent me a message, hello, you're part of this. And I, oh, come on. Are you Brazilian?
Yes, I'm from Brazil. Oh, good. Let's, let's see through this ourselves. Let's meet.
And then when we were talking, she said, oh, I'm from Brazil. Oh my God, you can't believe so. Such a small world. Yes.
That's a small world. But this also brings me to the point on collaboration, right? Because as a interior designer, working with the right people, it's what really makes it unique. And in this case, it kind of works really.
Yeah. And I knew her because I used her, some of her piece in an apartment that I was doing here in his counter. And then she texts me, oh, you use my piece of wood. Oh, really?
It was your because I get it from Montefato. So I didn't know exactly who was the artist, but I just fell in love about her paintings. And then she, no, it was mine. Oh, I get to live and then we start.
So, yeah, that work can be in the two people. And in this small world, it's amazing. So let me ask you, Dany, would you say that most of your clients come from Brazil, or you have a variety of brands? So most of them are from Brazil.
I think one reason is because as a Brazilian, we have some different lifestyle. And most of my clients, they don't speak English. So they prefer to talk in Portuguese with their designers. So it helps them a lot.
No, for sure. At the end of the day, it's about having that connection and understanding, which is one of the most important things is how many times have you seen scenarios where clients are saying one thing, they're two designers, they understand a different thing, and then nobody's happy at the end of the day. And I have a very, for me, it's really important to understand the client. I have a really, I call resilient design because I really want to be more for my clients and not about myself.
And let me ask you, how has it been transitioning from being an architect to focus as an interior designer here in Miami? Does it bring lots of value and having all that knowledge as an architect? For sure. Yes.
Because when we know about the construction of the house, about the, I think it helps a lot. And in Brazil, I work with interior design as well. So what I really like to do is the complete project from the, the site with nothing. And then we decide everywhere where it's going to be the bedroom, where it's going to be everything, how it's going to be the facade, how it's going to be the roof.
And I love to do all the process. Well, what's the hardest part would you say about being an interior designer, especially here in Miami? Here Miami is when we need to do a small remodeling. Yeah.
When you need a contractor, when you need a permit, this is the worst. Obviously you're generating a lot of this business through social media as well. Because you build yourself a very great platform, verify a good following, great content. So how did you decided to go this route or did this game naturally?
It came naturally when I moved to Miami. I was like, oh my God, it's so amazing. Everything that I'm seeing, like I went to four stars and I went to four stars and I went to the table. And I'm learning and all this building is so different, so amazing.
And I'm only going to need to show to everybody. Obviously when it comes to this whole career that you've had, because it's 24 years as an architect now, since 2014, in the City of Miami, what's been the biggest lesson? I think the humble, because we always need to learn more. We will never know enough.
I tried to do sustainable projects as well. If it's possible to keep what they have in the part of the line, do we need to change everything? So I did like a project and two designed for some reaches. And my client, she was like me.
She was okay, I can't change everything, but I don't want, I don't need to. So we keep all the closets, but it was a dark wood. So we just cover it with vinyl. I like vinyl, it looks like a fabric, so it was lighter.
But we don't need to change everything because they were fine. They were okay. So we just change what was necessary, but not like, just remove everything and what's everything new. No, I can't do it, but I don't need to.
And I think it's, how can I say it? I think the people are more conscious. So this is the future. We can't just move on.
I don't care. I have money. I will do everything. I have money.
I can do. I can have whatever I want, but I don't want to just don't think about people. Don't think about the word and just do it. So talking about that, Dani, let me ask you, because we always ask this question to all of our guests.
I'm touching on this. It's interesting what you have to say. What is luxury to you? I think it's being happy and comfortable and healthy.
I'm studying a lot about well-being, well-being, and standards, healthy design. So I think luxury is living well, well-being, you know? But you don't need to spend a lot of money. You can if you want.
It's okay. I don't have a problem to spend. I like, I like, I like, I like everything. I'm not saying I don't want it.
I don't like it. It's good. But we need to be like in harmony with the planet, you know? So I think this is luxury too.
Very good. Very, very interesting. Very interesting. Talking about Miami.
What's your favorite spot? Do you have a favorite spot for really need or going out? I love everything. I don't use to go out a lot.
I love to be at home. I don't know. I think because I'm out every day everywhere. I'm going to a lot of places.
Talking to a lot of people. So when I have a chance, I just love to be at home. I live in San Diego. So it's amazing video.
The ocean. I can see the blue. And from it's amazing. I love to be at the beach.
And I love to go to boats and see this amazing video and stay all day doing nothing. This is what I like to do. Just complaining. Complaining, complaining, complaining, complaining, complaining.
I was like, very much complain about it. No, complaining, complaining. Gotcha. Gotcha.
All right. Look, amazing. If I wanted to ask you because we always do this as a gymid abs in order for people to feel inspired, to acquire some knowledge, especially in the field, because I know that a lot of interior designers are trying to make it to the top. You are obviously an example of what determination and goodwill takes to get to the top.
If you have one takeaway that you can share with the audience, what would it be? Oh my God. I think we should actually be positive of most parts of the time helps a lot. I'm like, oh, I got a mindset.
I can change everything. So if you are positive, you really want to do things. Just go for it. Don't wait too much because when you wait, you are losing a lot of time.
So if you want something, go for it. And if I can give you an advice for future, I think this healthy issue about where we live is important. And here in the US, we have a lot of clothes and spaces. We have a lot of light.
Here in Miami, this is amazing. Natural light helps us a lot inside space. But we also need fresh air and everything is so closed. So maybe start thinking about the things we can improve in our homes to have more life quality to more healthy and safe spaces.
Because here in Miami, most places are amazing. But sometimes they are not so healthy that we think. So I think this is a way that we are starting to work with. I always say before, when I was young, we didn't know food was so important to our healthy.
We didn't know exercise was so important for our healthy. We thought it was more for being shaped. But now we know it's important. And I think for construction, we will be the same.
We don't know yet how it is important. But I know, but people don't know yet. And I think this is a way that we can ignore. I agree with you.
And listen, if you come to my place, you are going to be like, what's going on? Is this a lab? Because I have all the machines for pure oxygen, red light therapy, the PMF, even from water. We use the can and water machines.
Everything is, you know, air purifier, 5G blockers. It's great. I'm really to help. So I love, as you said, have a place that is equally as healthy as what I'm trying to be.
And for you as an interior designer, to educate some clients on the importance of it is crucial. So I like that you make those points. Yes. I think it's really important.
I think it's going to be a light change for a lot of people. Absolutely. Well, listen, Danny. I appreciate your time.
Okay. And I want to make sure that everybody is watching this or listen to it to follow you. Okay. Thank you.
And I just want one more thing. I have two books. And after we finish here, I will talk to you because I want to give you two one for you. This is the book we have.
Oh my God. I love it. This is a lot of projects here. So if anybody else wants to text me, I can send a link for purchasing, but for you, I will give you one.
So I will give you a little bit of the entire video. Thank you. Well, thank you so much for your time. I appreciate everything that you said today.
I look forward to seeing you soon. And have an amazing rest of your day. Thank you so much. It was amazing to talk to you and to all of you.
Thank you so much. Thank you guys for watching. Bye bye. And thanks again for everybody tuning in today.
We hope you enjoyed it. And remember, embrace it's beautiful success in life. My name is Alvaro and I'll see you next time.