Oh My Styled Life

Meet Bhavana – A Senior Designer Blending Creativity, Experience, and Innovation 

With over a decade of experience, Minneapolis interior designer Bhavana Bhimavarapu has been a driving force behind some of O’Hara Interiors’ most distinctive and celebrated projects. Known for her refined aesthetic, thoughtful approach, and a deep understanding of the lifestyles and needs of those she designs for, Bhavana brings a balance of creativity and expertise to every home she designs. 

As she marks 10 years with OHI, Bhavana reflects on the evolution of her design philosophy, the projects that have shaped her career, and the inspirations that continue to fuel her work. Whether you’ve collaborated with her firsthand or are just getting to know her, this designer dialogue offers an inside look at her approach to creating timeless, livable interiors. 

How did you start in interior design?  

“I always liked to work with my hands. I was always rearranging our house back home in India and then when I moved to the United States to pursue higher education, I specialized in accessory and furniture design. That educational experience led me to getting my master’s in interior architecture. So, I went from studying how to work with individual pieces and now I get to put the pieces together to design whole spaces. After finishing school out East, I moved to Minnesota with my husband to continue my career in interior design.” 

From vacation home to everyday living – read how Bhavana helped this Minneapolis family achieve their vacation home and city home goals.

What are examples of custom design you’ve done?  

“I designed a few rugs for Fay + Belle, including the Kuru pattern, which has been so rewarding to see other designers incorporate into their projects. 

One of my favorite custom pieces was a rug inspired by the Chartres Cathedral labyrinth. My client wanted something deeply meaningful—more than just a rug, but an experience—so we designed a true labyrinth, both beautiful and interactive. Every detail, from the proportions and materials to the color palette, was thoughtfully crafted to honor the original while feeling completely at home in their space. It was such a special process, blending history, symbolism, and design into something truly one-of-a-kind.” 

Check out more custom rug designs available through Fay + Belle Rugs.

Where do you find inspiration? 

“Travel gives me a lot of inspiration. I’ve traveled extensively all over India. One of the places I love is Jaipur because of the architectural details of buildings and block printing and natural dyes. Also, culturally, different design communities use materials differently. For example, in Indian design, we use a lot of marble floor flooring, and instead we use wood more often to create patterns or interesting details.  

Most recently, my favorite place to go is Hawaii, specifically Oahu, because it refreshes me and helps me see things from a new perspective. When I travel, I explore a lot of local craft or farmers markets to see what artists are doing in other places. I always take note of the details of antiques at flea markets and those inspirations often make their way into my work.” 

Looking for your next vacation home? Visit here for more design inspiration:How To Build Your Dream Vacation Home – O’Hara Interiors 

What excites you most as a Minneapolis interior designer? 

“It’s so personal. Every client is different, and I get to work with different styles, instead of doing similar things over and over again.” 

“It’s so personal. The clients I work with in Minneapolis bring such a unique sense of style and purpose to their spaces. Whether it’s designing a French Country Estate with all the charm and warmth of old-world elegance or crafting a relaxed yet refined vacation lake home or mountain home – where family and friends can enjoy time spent with each other in a beautiful setting. 

I love that no two designs are alike here, and I have the chance to create something that truly reflects the people and places that make this city so special.” 

Whether it be the countryside of France or along the bluffs of St. Paul, this French Country Chateau finds inspiration from several avenues. Read about the design here.

What’s your favorite part of the design process? 

“I love it all, however I especially love construction and spatial planning. I like a challenge, so getting to do creative problem solving for remodels or new builds is always a great opportunity. I prefer to be part of the entire process from start to finish and the construction phase is when you are able to see the unique, permanent details that can be included in the home. Furnishings and other design elements can move and create different layouts, but construction is the part of the design that lasts. I want to make sure my work there is livable for as long as the family is staying there.” 

What’s one piece of advice you’d give someone looking to elevate their own home design?  

“Keep it simple. Even just changing your paint color can make a dramatic difference. There are so many subtle changes you can do that will give you the look that you want without too much work.”  

Read our recent paint guide blog to see what shades are catching the eye of our design team.