Meet Etienne
I am Etienne Grossi, founder and creative director of Shantam Interiors.
For more than two decades, I have helped clients transform homes, new builds, renovations, and commercial environments into spaces that are personal, functional, and deeply connected to the people who inhabit them.
I am an artist by nature, an interior designer by practice, and a builder at heart. My work brings together design, art, construction knowledge, project management, craftsmanship, and curation.
I do not approach a project by imposing a predetermined style. I begin by listening.
I want to understand who you are, how you live, what is changing, what is no longer working, and what you would like your environment to make possible.
My Path into Design
My journey into interior design began with art.
Years of travel, observation, and exposure to different cultures shaped the way I see colour, material, architecture, craftsmanship, and everyday beauty. I became interested not only in how a space looks, but also in how it feels and how it influences the lives unfolding within it.
Over time, my artistic practice grew into a comprehensive interior design practice. I learned to move between the creative and practical sides of a project—from the first idea and architectural planning to construction coordination, custom fabrication, furnishings, artwork, and the final placement of an object.
This combination allows me to see both the complete vision and the details required to bring it to life.
Designing from the Inside Out
I believe that our surroundings influence how we feel, think, rest, connect, and create.
A space can support us, but it can also hold patterns, memories, clutter, and unresolved areas that no longer reflect who we are.
My Inner–Out Design approach begins with the relationship between the person and the environment. Together, we identify what feels disconnected or unsupported and determine what needs to be cleared, reorganized, repaired, redesigned, or introduced.
From there, the space develops outward through architecture, layout, light, colour, materials, furniture, art, and meaningful objects.
I sometimes describe this work as space healing: restoring clarity, function, beauty, and emotional connection so that an environment can better support the people living or working within it.
Experience Grounded in Execution
My work has included:
- Custom homes and new builds
- Whole-home renovations
- Penthouses and condominiums
- Kitchens and bathrooms
- Custom millwork and furnishings
- Restaurants and hospitality environments
- Retail and office spaces
- Show suites and multifamily properties
- Art, object, and textile curation
Because I understand both design and construction, I can work closely with clients, architects, builders, trades, artists, and craftspeople throughout the entire process.
My role may begin with reviewing plans and developing the design direction, or it may continue through construction, sourcing, installation, and final styling.
Every project is approached as one connected vision.
A Deeply Personal Process
I work best with people who value individuality, quality, depth, and thoughtful collaboration.
My clients are often entering a new phase of life. They may be building a home, renovating a familiar space, moving after a transition, simplifying their surroundings, or creating an environment that better reflects who they have become.
They are not looking for a space copied from a trend.
They want a home or business with character, meaning, beauty, and a true sense of belonging.
My responsibility is to listen carefully, see what may not yet be visible, and help translate their ideas, needs, and aspirations into a tangible environment.
I approach a space the way a shell forms a pearl: through layers, refinement, and care over time.
