Our studio is built on what we believe in, ideas that shape our work & flow into every space we design. It’s more than just aesthetics; it’s a reflection of who we are. Shared with those who wish to see the world like we do.

ethos

We embrace our role within the wider cultural landscape—honouring regional heritage, customs, and creative legacy. Our work contributes to a design language rooted in authenticity and meaning.
We believe in evolving—both as individuals and as a practice—while staying anchored to the principles that define us. We grow by learning, collaborating, and creating together.
We design with care and clarity. Every space begins with a foundation—woven thoughtfully through materials, mood, and memory. Intention is our foundation.
Our work is shaped by experience—both lived and learned. Years of practice, travel, and discovery inform the way we see and shape the world. We find inspiration everywhere, and translate it into spaces that resonate.

about

IDST began as a quiet sketchbook - a repository of thoughts, textures, and imagined atmospheres - before evolving into a design studio grounded in emotion, narrative and material sensitivity.

Founded in 2020 by Hana Akram, IDST was born from the desire to slow down the pace of design, stripping away excess to what truly matters: story, soul and spatial harmony. With a background in Interior Design and Fine Art, and nearly a decade of experience across the UAE’s hospitality, commercial and retail sectors, Akram built a practice that honours individuality and depth. Her time with renowned studios and a global furniture brand sharpened her instinct for balance, material storytelling, and emotional impact.

IDST is where art and design converge, where interiors are treated as living, breathing expressions of identity. We approach each project with care and curiosity, believing in the quiet power of intentional spaces to shape how people feel, connect, and remember. Our process is rooted in deep listening, collaborative spirit, and a sensitivity to the cultural and emotional contexts of each environment. Over the years, IDST has grown organically, project by project, crafting spaces that feel lived in, loved, and longed for.