Her Story
About Gabriela
Gabriela Campos brings more than 20 years of experience to interior design and architecture, with over 15 years specializing in kitchen design. After studying architecture at Central University in Costa Rica and interior design at UNESC, she spent a decade working in her home country before relocating to the New York area. There she established her own firm, allowing her greater control over projects from initial concept through material selection and execution. Campos credits her drive to the challenge of being generalized as Latina rather than recognized for her Costa Rican identity, which motivated her to exceed expectations. She draws on her architecture background to visualize spaces holistically and collaborates frequently with her husband, a realtor, on layout improvements. In her practice she prioritizes listening to clients and setting aside personal ego to deliver spaces that reflect their tastes and daily needs. She embraces emerging AI tools while applying her seasoned judgment to guide execution, and she considers respect and open dialogue essential both professionally and personally.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Gabriela
01What do you attribute your success to?
The stigma around Latin culture after moving to New York motivated me to set high expectations for myself and prove that I am more than just another Latina. Being generalized as Latina rather than Costa Rican pushed me to work harder and achieve success.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
My piano teacher taught me that it is much harder to unteach someone with prior knowledge than to teach someone from scratch. This became my key advice when moving to New York: forget everything you know from your previous career and country, be open and humble, and learn from scratch in the new environment.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Listen more to your clients and put your ego aside. Never forget that it is the client's taste, not yours - they are the ones who will live in and enjoy the space every day. Guide them based on what they want rather than imposing your own vision.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
AI is both a challenge and opportunity. Young generations already know the tools, but I want to apply my experience to new AI tools. Clients now come with AI-generated designs, making it challenging yet they still seek professional guidance on execution.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Respect is the most important value in both work and personal life. It means having trust, open dialogue, and conversations rather than assumptions. This has become even more important post-COVID.
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