We are proud to announce the launch of an exciting year-long campaign at HALI in 2025 – We Live In Your World – a series of events and features celebrating Australian creatives at home.
The series debuts with leading Melbourne-based interior designer Brahman Perera, renowned for his layered, emotive and highly textural approach to design.
Image: Brahman Prerera's home brimming with his personal collection including the Moghul Ivory and Denver Ivory rugs from Hali.
With a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and materiality, Perera’s design philosophy aligns with Hali’s dedication to timeless, high-quality pieces. His residence, a reflection of his distinct perspective, highlights the artistry of his approach. Through In Your World, Perera embodies the very heart of the series: the importance of creating spaces that feel personal, warm and deeply connected to those who inhabit them.
“A home should reflect the life you lead and the experiences that shape you. It’s more than aesthetics – it’s about creating a space that feels personal, where your passions, travels and culture come through. Every material, texture and collected piece tells a story. Surrounding yourself with meaningful objects – built on the foundations of a beautifully crafted rug – adds depth and warmth to everyday life.”
– Brahman Perera
Perera kindly sat down with us for a Q+A on all things home, rugs and design. Watch it now or keep reading for thoughtful insights on his approach, one that centres around function, story and emotion to create a style that speaks to the inhabitants of the space.
What are three words to describe your living space?
Three words to describe my living space would, I hope, would be comforting, textured and layered.
Why did you choose this specific rug?
There's a certain heritage sensibility to it, but then the colours are slightly muted and a little softer, which I think is really beautiful. It helps when we're trying to mix a few different eras and a few different pieces from our collection. I quite like how punchy the plume sofa looks on it. I think that there's enough colour in the mogul rug to bring out the tones in the artwork and still feel quite warm.
How do you incorporate pieces with history, whether heirlooms, vintage finds or personal mementos into a contemporary design or with contemporary pieces?
I think the challenge is always to incorporate new and vintage or inherited pieces. There's certainly a trend for it now. Part of that is not taking it too seriously and not having a prerequisite that things have to match necessarily. There's a certain joy and a bit of a jolt to the senses when it's done properly and sensitively so that it's actually highlighting the piece. Then it becomes the point of conversation. I don't mind mixing pieces so that the space feels eclectic and truthful.
Image: BMDO's Chair 09 sits atop the Moghul Ivory rug, contrasting the hard edged chrome frame of the chair with the heritage aesthetic of the Moghul.
What's the design detail that brings you joy in your everyday life?
I think for me layering is really important. It's an important detail to get across. I do like spaces to feel very three-dimensional, whether it's through the physical sculptural elements of furniture, but then layering onto that texture in a fabric and color. I think that that's what helps to elevate different pieces.
So your work is known for its expressive use of colour, texture and form. How do you feel this translates best in your home?
I hope that the home is a reflection of who I am. And ultimately it's my private space as well. So the house is definitely layered. It's got a lot of memories, a lot of kooky weird things. But all things that I like to show people and tell them a story about their provenance. It tends to be quite full. But then on occasion we like to move things around a little bit too just to make it feel a bit refreshed.
How do you create spaces that feel truly personal and not just styled?
Spaces that feel personal are the ones that say something about you. Often with interior design, there can be a trend or a particular look that's in fashion, but these things tend to swing like a pendulum and go in and out. The spaces that speak the most are the ones that say something about you and then feel really authentic. They need to tell a story that represents who you are and what your beliefs are and talk about your life.
How do you design for the way people actually live rather than just for aesthetics?
In my design practice, I think that aesthetics are really important, but function comes first. I never have any fear that the space is going to look good and reflect who the person is, but the functionality of it is critical to the initial thinking.
How can people make their homes feel more like a reflection of their personality?
I think that you need to be authentic to yourself and what your house says about you and what it means to you. Ultimately, that's a combination of memories and functionality. I don't think that people should feel influenced too much by whatever is particularly trending in social media or a magazine. They're a good way in which to stimulate your brain, but ultimately, the space needs to say something about you and your morals and your beliefs and how you live.
I think that those are the most sincere places. Then you want to stay there. You want to show people your space. You want to experience it with others.
What role does emotion play in good interior design?
It's huge. Emotion is everything. It's when you see something delicious or I use the word delicious to describe furniture too. It's when you see something and you have an emotional reaction. I think you can't have things in your house that you don't have an emotional reaction to or why did you purchase it in the first place.
Decorating and curating your space takes an investment and it's not just monetary. It's emotional as well. You want to make sure it's all the right emotions when you make your selections. And then stand by them.
Texture or pattern, which do you prefer in a rug?
It depends on the room. I think depending on the furniture arrangement and what the styling is going to be, sometimes it's best for a rug to be more textured, but simple in its form and a really beautiful landing zone to help frame the room. Sometimes when the rug is more in focus or there's more open areas of it to be seen, it needs to have a little bit more weight. Having a pattern on it helps to ground the rest of the furniture and the rest of the space.
Image: The intricate pattern and motifs of the Moghul rug are in perfect balance with the strong pillowy form of a Ligne Roset Plume Sofa
What do you feel this rug brings to your space?
The Moghul rug brings a comfort and warmth to the space. It lightens the room considerably.
It helps to highlight some of the punchy pieces of furniture that are quite solid and solid in form and also in colour. I think it has a lot of interest. As we traverse along the rug, there's different patterns and motifs that are really alluring.
Visit Perera's Instagram and website for more inspiration
Shop the Brahman Perera Edit
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Dan Swart, managing director of Hali Rugs, is excited for We live in Your World to connect design lovers and top creatives, offering a rare glimpse into otherwise private spaces. “In Your World celebrates how Australia’s leading designers create spaces that tell their personal stories,” Swart says. “Our working partnership with Brahman makes him a natural choice to kickstart this series. We share a passion for craftsmanship and design, and are aligned in the understanding that thoughtfully composed spaces evoke a feeling – that irreplaceable sense of home.”
Look out for more In Your World content to inspire you in the months ahead, as we continue to celebrate the enduring beauty of spaces shaped by the country’s most inspiring design minds.
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Event Coming Up – In Your World: A Conversation on Creating Meaningful Interiors
We are hosting an exclusive panel discussion on March 20 in our Richmond showroom. Moderated by Hali’s Managing Director Dan Swart, the event brings together leading designers Brahman Perera, Shona McElroy, and Simone Haag. This conversation will delve into the power of craftsmanship, materiality, and storytelling in shaping interiors. From layering textures to curating meaningful pieces, the panelists will share insights on designing spaces that reflect individuality and personal histories.
March 20, 6–8 PM
492 Church St, Richmond
Tickets available via Eventbrite
