We had the good fortune of connecting with Grania Murray and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Grania, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?

Clarity. Helping my clients make complicated decisions with a sense of calm and direction – that’s where I come in.

I’ve been an Interior Designer for over 25 years. Originally from Ireland, now based in Los Angeles, I’ve worked all over the world – from Europe to the Middle East to California. Wherever I’ve been, one thing has stayed the same: I care deeply about how spaces feel. But more than that, I care about how my clients feel when making big decisions about those spaces.

My real skill? Helping people cut through the noise. I distill the overwhelming into something calm, clear, and doable – so they can move forward with confidence.
That drive toward clarity became deeply personal after the LA wildfires, when my daughter and her wife lost their home. Watching them navigate the loss, the red tape, and the flood of decisions shook me. As a designer, I’d sat in countless conversations like those. But as a Mom? It hit me in the gut.

I realized how many people are thrown into builds or renovations without a guide -and how much money, time, and sanity could be saved with the right support at the start.
That’s what led me to create something new. The Design Align. It’s not about sofas or swatches. It’s about clarity – early, strategic clarity. I bring everything I’ve learned over decades in this business to help clients get their footing before they lock in costly decisions. It’s high-level, high-impact support that helps them see the bigger picture – clearly.

I still run a full-service interior design studio, but this added layer is work I’m incredibly proud of. It’s how I pay forward what I’ve learned. And when a client tells me, “I feel so much clearer now” – I know I’m doing exactly what I’m meant to do.
That’s my calling.

Alright, so let’s jump right in! The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So, is there a person, group, organization, book, etc that you want to dedicate your shoutout to? Who else deserves a little credit and recognition in your story?

Jane McDonnell is at the top of my list. She’s the Co-Founder and Publisher of The Gloss Magazine and Co-Founder of DESIGN WEEK DUBLIN.
Years ago, Jane saw how I had designed my home in Ireland and suggested I become an Interior Designer. Then she went further and published a story about me. From that article I started getting clients and I’ve never looked back!

Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

As a kid, I was constantly buzzing around the house, rearranging every piece of furniture I could move. I probably drove my poor mother mad – but she got it. She made all my clothes by hand. Creativity ran in the family. Apparently, so did strong opinions about where things should go.
I’ve always been hyper-tuned to how spaces feel. Design became the way I made sense of the world. Whether I’m shaping a new build or reimagining a room, I focus on the mix of form and function -anchoring everything in how people actually live. My goal? To create spaces that whisper, “home at last.”
I get achieve that through a mix of old and new – art, vintage finds, handmade pieces, and often the treasures my clients already own. But what really sets my work apart isn’t just the aesthetic – it’s the experience behind it. Strategic, empathetic, and deeply tuned in to what makes people feel grounded and at ease in their space. That’s the magic I chase.
I didn’t get here by following trends or pitching harder than the next person. I got here by listening. By saying no to work that didn’t align with my values – especially around sustainability. And yes, sometimes that meant turning down jobs when the bills still needed paying.
There’ve been dry spells. Detours that didn’t pan out. Big moves that left me wondering if I’d made a huge mistake -like relocating to LA and starting over. But if anything’s kept me going, it’s resilience. More than talent, it’s been the quiet determination to keep showing up.
And here’s what I’ve learned: You don’t need all the answers. You just need to know what matters most and move with that. Great design isn’t about the perfect light fixture or sofa. It’s about clarity. Knowing the purpose of a space, aligning it with real life – budget, timing, emotion – and letting the beauty rise from there. The magic.
One of my favorite quotes is from Paulo Coelho: “When you want something, all the Universe conspires in helping you achieve it.” In my life, it’s been true time and again.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

I’ve lived all over LA so it’s hard to pick one over another but these come to mind first…
Day Trips…
Take a drive up to Lake Arrowhead, visit the lake and the brewery and have dinner
Go wine tasting for a day up to Santa Ynez – Buttonwood is one of my favorite spots
Drive up or down the PCH to show off the spectacular beaches and quintessential LA vibe

Any Morning or Afternoon…
The Huntington Gardens in Pasadena – Have lunch there too
The Norton Simon Gallery in Pasadena
Take a clay class at Green & Bisque in Pasadena

Lunch or Dinner…
Star Leaf – Asian Fusion
Redbird – Downtown LA
All time – Los Felix

A Drink…
The Pasadena Hotel
Good Clean fun

Do not Miss!
Blah Blah Karaoke
Any show at The Pantages

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Jane McDonnell – Co-Founder and Publisher of The Gloss Magazine and C0-Founder of DESIGN WEEK DUBLIN.

Jane saw my work in my own home in Ireland, published it and recommended I become an Interior Designer and I’ve never looked back!

Website: https://graniamurray.com/

Instagram: @studiograniamurray

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grania-murray-2827246

Other: The Design Align –
https://connect.graniamurray.com/

Image Credits
Headshots all by LKR photo – Lisa Kelley Remerowski. Interiors shots all by Tim Hirschmann

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.