Meet Camila | Interior Designer, Art Consultant & Founder of Nlumec

We had the good fortune of connecting with Camila and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Camila, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’ve always been someone who values autonomy and intention. I knew early on I wanted to work for myself. Starting my own business wasn’t about having one singular product or service, but about creating a world that reflects my aesthetic values. With Nlumec, I wanted to offer more than candles. I wanted to offer presence, stillness, and sculptural beauty in everyday rituals.

At the same time, interior and art consulting became a natural extension of my eye ,people were constantly asking me for guidance on how to bring harmony and refinement into their homes. I realized I could offer something deeply personal and elevated, helping clients create spaces that feel not only beautiful but emotionally resonant. Working for myself has allowed me to move at my own rhythm, protect the integrity of my work, and stay rooted in what I believe: that beauty is a form of care.

Where are you from and how did your background and upbringing impact who you are today?
I’m originally from San Francisco, California born and raised but I moved back and forth between New York and California throughout my childhood. That duality definitely shaped me. It’s what ultimately drew me back to New York for college, where I studied art history. Looking back, that decision gave me so much clarity if I hadn’t chosen to go to school in Manhattan, I think my path would have been a lot more foggy and winding.

Studying art history helped me recognize how much I’m drawn to the dialogue between art, design, interiors, and architecture. They’re all part of the same conversation, and that connection really fuels me. Over the past few years, I’ve been fully immersed in that world learning, observing, and building a life around it. I’ve prioritized spending time in galleries, museums, and with mentors who inspire me, even when it meant saying no to things that are more typical at my age. I’m someone who values beauty and meaning, and I’ve always been willing to take the slower, more intentional route if it brings me closer to that.

What is the most important factor behind your success / the success of your brand?
Curation, without a doubt. Everything I do whether it’s interiors, creative direction, or the lifestyle pieces I share is about being intentional. I don’t chase trends or overproduce. I believe in a slower, more refined approach that makes space for quality and emotion.

I think people connect with my work because it feels considered. There’s restraint in it, but there’s also warmth. I’m always asking myself if something feels aligned not just aesthetically, but energetically. That sense of alignment is what has guided my brand and helped it grow in a way that feels organic but lasting.

What value or principle matters most to you? Why?
Integrity. It guides everything for me how I create, how I communicate, and how I show up in the world. I think there’s a quiet power in doing things with intention and not cutting corners, especially in a space where so much is fast and surface-level.

I’m very aware of how things make people feel visually, emotionally, energetically and I always want that feeling to be rooted in honesty. Whether I’m designing a home, consulting with a client, or sharing something online, I want it to feel aligned, not performative. That kind of consistency and care builds trust, and I think that’s everything.

What’s the end goal? Where do you want to be professionally by the end of your career?
I want to build a world something cohesive, beautiful, and lasting. Whether it’s through interior design, art consulting, or product creation, my goal is to continue shaping spaces and stories that feel elevated, intuitive, and soulful.
Eventually, I’d love to open a physical space a kind of living gallery or studio that blends design, curation, and lifestyle. A place where people can come to feel inspired and held. I’m not interested in scale for the sake of it I care more about longevity, intimacy, and leaving a body of work that feels deeply intentional and quietly influential.

Why did you pursue an artistic or creative career?
Because I’ve always been moved by beauty—by space, by emotion, by the quiet power of thoughtful design. Creativity has never felt like a choice; it’s how I process the world.

For me, art and design aren’t separate from life—they shape how we feel, how we connect, how we heal. I’ve always known I wanted to build a life around that—around creating spaces, objects, and experiences that feel meaningful. A creative career has allowed me to express myself while also helping others feel more at home in their own lives. That’s the part that keeps me inspired.

Tell us about a book you’ve read and why you like it / what impact it had on you.
Ways of Seeing by John Berger shifted something in me. It made me more conscious of how we experience images how context, framing, and even gender shape the way we perceive art, beauty, and the world around us.
As someone who works in interiors and visual storytelling, it helped me approach design less like decoration and more like language. It gave me permission to question, to edit more thoughtfully, and to create with intention. It’s the kind of book that stays with you not just in how you think, but in how you see.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Mornings would start with a smoothie from Sunlife Organics, or a light breakfast at Pura Vida. We’d get a workout in at Anatomy, then reset at the Sanctuary sauna, cold plunge, and a full body recharge.

We’d spend late mornings or early afternoons at Soho Beach House, swimming in the ocean, walking the beach, or having a simple lunch by the pool.

One day we’d walk through the Design District, visiting galleries, shops, and getting design inspiration. Another day, we’d head to Bal Harbour Shops for more refined shopping, with lunch at Makoto.

For art, we’d visit Gary Nader Art Centre for the incredible Botero collection, or spend an afternoon at The Bass Museum depending on what’s showing that week.

Evenings would be about ambiance:

Amara at Paraiso or Casadonna for waterfront dinners.

Drinks and aperitivo at The Lido at The Standard, right on the water with friends.

Cecconi’s at Soho Beach House for a romantic, garden dinner.

Sitting outside at Barceloneta for hours over Spanish tapas, catching up and having long conversations.

For something more casual: Mila, Pastis, or Lucali in Sunset Harbour.

Some nights would end quietly at home candles lit, music playing, and just being present. That’s the Miami I love a balance of beauty, wellness, connection, and calm.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My biggest inspiration is my family. Each of them has shaped me in their own way my grandmother for her timeless sense of style, my mom for her deep care and approach to wellness, and my dad for introducing me to art and design. They’ve each given me pieces that continue to inform my work and how I see the world.

Website: https://www.camilanavas.com

Instagram: @camimaecool

Other: https://www.nlumec.com