Miriam and Alex, graduates of the Heritage School of Interior Design (HSID) in Seattle, turned their diverse backgrounds and shared passion for design into a thriving business—UMA Design Studio. Their journey into interior design was a bold leap from their previous careers, one that required both perseverance and a deep love for creativity.

Miriam, originally from Berlin, was influenced by her family’s work in architecture and home construction. After a rewarding career as a Special Education Teacher in Germany, and then working as a photographer for Samsung Mobile Germany a serious health challenge led her to reevaluate her goals, prompting her to move to the U.S. and pursue interior design. Alex dedicated a decade to social work, but always had a passion for design, believing in its ability to impact emotions and interactions.

The two found their footing at HSID, where they earned their Master’s Certificates in Interior Design in 2023. During their time at HSID Miriam appreciated the nurturing environment that expanded her creativity, while Alex learned to balance design aesthetics with practical, efficient execution—crucial skills in a fast-paced design world. After meeting at HSID they co-founded UMA Design Studio, a women-owned firm based in Seattle that specializes in modern, European-inspired residential design.

Together, they are building a studio that reflects a shared passion for design, commitment to excellence, and dedication to empowering women in the industry. Their work focuses on creating spaces that are both beautiful and functional, with an emphasis on personalization and client collaboration.

Photo Credit: Stormy Peterson

Through their journey, both Miriam and Alex learned the power of supportive networks and the importance of pushing past fear to pursue their dreams. Their advice to others? Everything you want is on the other side of fear, embrace opportunities outside your comfort zone.

Looking to the future, they aim to grow UMA Design Studio into a long-lasting, successful firm, “being featured in a design magazine would be a significant milestone, and designing a space for a prominent client, such as Pedro Pascal, would be an exciting and rewarding achievement”, says Miriam humorously.

Their story is a testament to the transformative power of passion, hard work, and a strong support system. At Heritage School of Interior Design we are proud to count them as part of our Alumni and are thrilled to see their careers progress.

Website: www.umadesign.studio

Social Media: UMA Design Studio

Photo credits: Miriam Buhlmann for UMA Design Studio