Today we’d like to introduce you to Stina Funch.
Hi Stina, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born and raised in Denmark, where design is simply part of daily life. It isn’t about trends or decoration — it’s about function, honesty, and creating spaces that feel good to be in. That mindset stayed with me long before I ever called myself a designer.
My career actually began in hotel management, working in hotels in Copenhagen, London, and Dubai. Those years were incredibly formative. I learned hospitality from the inside out — how guests move through a space, how staff uses it, what holds up over time, and what quietly fails. That experience shaped how I approach design to this day. I don’t design from a desk alone; I design from an operational point of view, always thinking about how a space will live, breathe, and perform.
When I later transitioned fully into design and eventually moved to Los Angeles, hospitality felt like the natural intersection of everything I had learned. It allowed me to combine storytelling, function, and emotion — and to create environments that are both beautiful and deeply practical.
That led me to establish Atwater Inc., a hospitality-focused interior design studio rooted in intention, warmth, and a strong sense of place. Starting my own studio was equal parts exciting and terrifying. It meant trusting my instincts, building something from the ground up, and doing it while raising my son — but it also gave me the freedom to design honestly and with clarity.
Over time, Atwater has grown into a studio known for boutique hotels, destination properties, and thoughtful conversions across the U.S. Our work blends Scandinavian restraint with California ease, always grounded in the guest experience and long-term use.
Today, I lead Atwater with a deep appreciation for collaboration, craftsmanship, and spaces that feel quietly memorable. At the end of the day, my goal is simple: to create places people want to return to — spaces that feel considered, welcoming, and real.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it hasn’t been smooth — but it has been meaningful.
Building a studio comes with challenges on every level, from earning trust and managing finances to navigating complex hospitality projects with constantly shifting timelines and expectations. There were early moments of uncertainty, and plenty of lessons learned the hard way.
Balancing the growth of a business while raising my son added another layer — it required resilience, clarity, and learning to lead with empathy, both for myself and for others.
Those challenges shaped how I work today. They strengthened my instincts, sharpened my perspective, and helped me build a studio that feels grounded, intentional, and true to who I am.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Atwater Inc. is a Los Angeles–based, hospitality-focused interior design studio specializing in boutique hotels, destination properties, and thoughtful brand conversions. Our work spans independent hotels as well as select soft-brand projects, including Tribute Portfolios, Tapestry Collections, and Vignette Collections, always grounded in a strong sense of place.
What we’re known for is designing with a deep understanding of how hotels operate. With a background in hotel management, our approach is rooted in the guest journey, operational flow, and long-term durability — ensuring spaces are not only beautiful, but intuitive and functional.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the trust we’ve built with our clients and the confidence we’ve earned from both independent owners and established hospitality brands. Many of our clients return for multiple projects, which speaks to our collaborative approach and consistency. What sets Atwater apart is a balance of European restraint and California ease, paired with hands-on hospitality expertise. We don’t chase trends; we design spaces that feel timeless, welcoming, and built to last.
What I want readers to know is that Atwater designs with intention, creating environments that feel meaningful, work beautifully, and invite people to return again and again.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I’m at my best when I stay grounded and curious. I recently finished Let Them by Mel Robbins, and I loved it — a simple, powerful reminder to let go of what isn’t mine to control and focus on what truly matters.
Movement is essential for me, and Bikram yoga in Encino is where I reset and clear my head. Animals are also a big part of my life — two large dogs who are often in the studio with me, and chickens at home (Chicken and Grace), which somehow keep everything in perspective.
Travel feeds my creativity in a big way. I travel often for work and with my family, and being in new places — observing how people live, move, and gather — continually inspires how I design and how I see the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.atwaterinc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atwaterincstudio/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atwdesignstudio
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/11500546/admin/dashboard/
Image Credits
Robert Miller
Bethany N. Mendez
