At the Luxury Lounge during KBIS 2026, journalist and author Sophie Donelson had a chat with Mandy Cheng, an interior designer from Los Angeles. They touched on several topics, central to which are interior design, Cheng’s career journey and personal experiences and a glimpse into her home renovation projects.
Cheng embodies design that balances elegant aesthetics with day-to-day practicality. She shared how a well-curated environment can help individuals focus and thrive, demonstrating that beauty and function work best together.
Professional Journey
Cheng’s path from production design in film to interiors has strongly influenced her approach. Her film background honed her resourcefulness, spatial storytelling and fast decision-making – skills that now help her create homes tailored to routines and personal needs. Her transition highlights how creative skills can cross industries and inspire new perspectives.
Design for Real Life
The designer’s personal experience renovating her home gave her firsthand insight into the real-life challenges clients face. Managing a limited budget meant making difficult choices – opting for creative solutions over luxury splurges when necessary. This process deepened her empathy for clients and reinforced her belief that restraint, not excess, often leads to the most satisfying designs.
Cheng’s acknowledges that being in Los Angeles provides access to unique opportunities and exposure but credits her growth to a realistic design process and clarity of vision. Despite her success, she shares a grounded perspective on budgeting, acknowledging the financial surprises that come with personal projects compared to client work.
Personal Philosophy
Through her career and projects, Cheng offers valuable lessons: Prioritize spaces that work for real life, use every professional experience as a steppingstone, embrace creative constraints and recognize that acclaim comes from steady, intentional work. Her story reminds designers and creatives that strong results stem from adaptability, authenticity and a deep understanding of both the practical and aspirational sides of home.
Click HERE to learn more about the 2026 Luxury Lounge at KBIS.
