Ciao.
Biography
Karen Eliza is an Interior Designer who integrates experimentation and sustainability into her work, drawing deeply upon her diverse background as a Contemporary Dancer, dedicated Meditator, and innovative movement teaching artist.
During her years living in Berlin, Germany, from 2014 to 2018, Karen discovered how thoughtful design can profoundly transform one’s mood, experience, and overall well-being. The city, with its unique architectural spaces and elegant minimalistic yet captivating design aesthetic, naturally draws you in and encourages free expression. This inspiration compelled Karen to change her career trajectory and embark on a journey as an interior designer.
In recent years, Karen Eliza has carved out a new life path by earning a bachelor’s degree in interior design, all while juggling the role of a part-time design consultant for a commercial health and wellness interior design firm. Karen’s design philosophy is an intricate tapestry woven from her rich and diverse background in fine art, music, and choreography. These experiences have honed her ability to visualize composition, harmony, and spatial flow in any given environment.
Karen also holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Contemporary Dance from the renowned North Carolina School of the Arts. After earning her degree in 2004, she relocated to New York City, where she flourished as a freelance contemporary dancer for nearly ten years. Her choreography, characterized by a blend of innovation and emotional or sensory expression, has been performed on stages throughout NYC and internationally, captivating audiences in Mexico, Japan, Berlin, Spain and Vienna. In 2014, she moved to Berlin, where she dedicated herself to teaching dance and significantly expanded her movement repertoire by incorporating diverse European improvisation techniques, before ultimately returning to the United States in 2018.
In her extensive dance career, Karen has delved into the realms of improvisation and site-specific dance, disciplines that have enriched her sense of presence, playful exploration, and heightened body awareness. Her numerous musical collaborations, which involved creating original scores for dance performances, combined with her comprehensive meditation teacher training, strongly underscore her holistic yet experimental approach to both art and life.
As an interior designer, Karen values sustainability, embraces biophilia, and integrates trauma-informed design principles into her work. She carefully considers the sensory impact of each environment she creates, aiming to craft spaces that not only look beautiful but also feel nurturing and calming. Her approach prioritizes designing fluid yet efficient spatial layouts that supports the well-being of its users. Karen’s portfolio spans both residential and commercial projects, emphasizing the creation of serene environments that echo nature’s tranquility while being infused with modern touches and artistic or whimsical elements to inspire and delight.
