We design interiors built for the human experience — planned with intention, designed for life.
History & Evolution
2019-2022
Studio Josef Karol was established in 2019 by Principal Designer Idr. Josef Karol Egwaras. It began as a freelance design practice formerly known as Pope the Studio.
Side story: our Principal Designer was named after the late Pope John Paul II, Karol Józef, because he was visiting her home country, the Philippines, when she was born. The firm was originally named after her college nickname, Pope.
Her first projects were from friend referrals for mural illustrations and home renovations. The firm’s client ecosystem slowly grew and was bound by a shared love for the Principal Designer’s hobbies: climbing, cycling, surfing, and traveling.
2023-2024
The firm was on full throttle. It evolved into a professional interior design studio based in Bonifacio Global City. However, our Principal Designer went on almost year-long leave due to a medical emergency. This pause led to a profound call to go back to her roots — Pope the Studio was renamed to our Principal’s legal name and became Studio Josef Karol.
She returned in 2024 with a more intentional approach to work and design.
2025
As the studio settled into its rhythm, our Principal Designer followed another calling — to pay it forward and teach. She taught design and history at her alma mater, University of the Philippines Diliman — a year-long stint that sharpened her communication skills, deepened her appreciation for history, and honed her discipline.
2026-Present
Studio Josef Karol is back — operating full-time, building momentum, and moving at a seasonal pace. Planting seeds. Harvesting. Staying through winters.
As our Principal Designer evolves, so does the studio. Spaces grounded in conversation, driven by curiosity, inspired by life.
Don’t be serious, be sincere.
Alan Watts
Our North Star
We are Life Bound
Our Human Centric Approach
We lead our design process by asking: What does your average day in the space look like? There are many lifestyles, daily rhythms, and individual habits — each design choice we make is anchored to the user’s unique design brief.
Sincere at Heart
Alan Watts once said, “Don’t be serious, be sincere.” Following this lighthearted approach, we work with integrity, execute processes thoughtfully, and do our best to keep a smile on our faces while at it too!
A Multiverse
Great design is a crossover of worlds. It happens when beauty meets practicality and when a multiverse of trades collaborate. We act as the conductor of this orchestra of builders, artisans, suppliers, engineers, and different professionals. We trust that the most inspiring, livable spaces are born when diverse elements work together.
Adaptable and Seasonal
Charles Darwin once said, "It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent; it is the one most adaptable to change." Like life, design is full of surprises. While we plan ahead, we understand that we can only foresee to an extent. We recognize that turning a dream space into reality involves glitches, tight budgets, and unforeseen construction problems.
Instead of going against the grain with these practical constraints, we embrace them. We remain grounded through agile risk mitigation and creative alternatives. We believe that some of the best solutions are born within limitations.
Much like life's seasons, we also respect the natural course of action. Planning, designing, constructing, fine-tuning—each step has a purpose, and each part flows naturally into the next.
Our Heartfelt Gratitude
At the end of the day, we are building a space out of nothing. This sheer act of creation is a privilege. We see each project as a quest that deepens our interior design practice.
There is beauty in harmonizing practicality, efficiency, and aesthetics. Inspired by the great NBA coach Phil Jackson, we live by his words: “The most we can hope for is to create the best possible conditions for success, then let go of the outcome. The ride is a lot more fun that way.”