WHEN Karina Matalon walks into a room, she doesn’t just see walls, windows and floors; she sees potential stories waiting to unfold in textures, colours and light. Before becoming one of Jamaica’s most captivating voices in interior design, Matalon was navigating a very different path in the world of law.

“I’ve always been a creative at heart,” she says. “The traditional legal path just didn’t excite me.”

Her journey from conveyancing lawyer to interior designer isn’t just a career pivot, it’s a testament to the power of following one’s passion, even when the destination isn’t yet clear.

Born in Jamaica and shaped by years of living in New York, London and Toronto, Matalon brings a world view of sophistication to her work without ever losing sight of her roots. She describes her signature aesthetic as “laid back luxury”, a seamless blend of refined style and island ease.

“It’s that sweet spot between comfort and elegance,” she explains, comparing her redesigned spaces to boutique resorts you can live in.

Her design style is naturally influenced by her Jamaican roots, often featuring elements drawn from blending elements from the tropical landscape.

“It’s about highlighting the beauty of our land of wood and water,” she says.

It’s no surprise then, that indoor-outdoor living is one of her biggest inspirations, reflecting the effortless fluidity of island life.

Being a mother of two and married to someone in the construction field, Matalon brings both creativity and practicality to every project.

“Design has to work in real life,” she emphasises. “I always consider flow, storage, and materials that support durability without compromising style.”

That balance was on full display in one of her more high-profile projects: designing four Kohler showroom spaces in Jamaica. Her vision was clear, to let the fixtures shine while crafting a space that was as approachable as it was aspirational. The result? A collection of spaces that tell individual stories, grounded in natural light, clean lines, and subtle elegance.

While her personal style leans toward airy and a soft neutral palette, Matalon wasn’t afraid to take bold risks in the showroom. The men’s bathroom, for example, is a dramatic contrast with moody tones and brass accents. “It pushed my creative boundaries,” she says.

However, it’s the details that set her work apart. From vintage Kohler posters selected to echo the mood of each room, to curved white tiles that mimic ocean waves, every choice reflects her intention.

“I wanted to emphasise the connection to water,” she says, nodding to both the product and its place in Jamaican life.

Looking ahead, she hopes to see more modern elements integrated into Jamaican homes, black-framed windows, Crittall-style doors, and deep blues paired with dove greys. Her advice to anyone embarking on their own design journey is to start small, choose your anchor piece, and layer in texture and colour for depth and personality.

Karina Matalon’s story is more than a tale of career reinvention; it’s a master class in trusting your intuition, staying rooted in your culture, and daring to dream in a soft airy palette.

Jamaican-born interior designer Karina Matalon with a smile as inviting as the spaces she designs.