Interior designer Ivanka Kowalski has been passionate about design her entire life. After studying mathematics, she decided to pursue what she truly loved, studied design, and has now been in the field for over 20 years. Her studio is based in Prague, where she completes most of her projects, though she designs for clients all across the Czech Republic.

She focuses on high-end residential interiors, private villas, and apartments, and occasionally designs commercial spaces as well. For Ivanka, the ideal client is someone who knows what they don’t want, has an idea of what they’d like, but is willing to grant her a degree of creative freedom.

Ivanka believes it’s essential to connect with the client stylistically. She maintains a consistent style across her projects, and most people who reach out to her have seen her work and understand the aesthetic to expect.

According to Ivanka, it’s important to remember that renovations are both time- and cost-intensive, often taking longer and costing more than clients initially anticipate. At the beginning of any collaboration, it’s crucial to think everything through, develop a comprehensive concept for the interior—whether on your own, with an architect, or with a designer—before starting to purchase furniture.

Ivanka’s process involves gathering as much information as possible from the client about their intentions and expectations. She then fine-tunes the layout, materials, and colors, as well as the overall atmosphere of the interior. In the final phase, she creates a detailed design, after which the project moves to the execution stage, culminating in the final form of the new living space.