Today we’d like to introduce you to Ekaterina Baklan.
Hi Ekaterina, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
“Spaces are not neutral — they define the emotion and energy of human experience.”
I believe spaces are not neutral.
They shape how we feel, how we connect, and how we experience everyday life — often more deeply than we realize.
Every space carries a certain responsibility for the emotional states it evokes, whether it’s a home designed to support balance and comfort, or a restaurant created for energy, connection, and shared experience.
I’m Ekaterina, an interior designer and co-founder of SOIA DESIGN — a Los Angeles–based architecture and interior design studio. My work exists at the intersection of space, human well-being, and emotional perception. I don’t approach interiors as decoration; I design environments that influence emotional states, daily rituals, and the overall quality of human experience.
I was born in Russia and grew up in Sochi — a city where mountains meet the sea, and where nature naturally teaches you how to celebrate life. It’s a place I hold with deep gratitude, and for many years, it was Home.
Until the moment came when expanding my comfort zone felt stronger than staying within familiar borders.
So we moved — from one set of palm trees to another — from Sochi to Los Angeles.
By the time we arrived in LA, my partner and I were already established professionals. We didn’t come to start from zero. We came with our own design studio, years of experience, and a portfolio of ambitious residential and hospitality projects behind us.
Curiosity has always guided my path — both in life and in design. Dance, snowboarding, attention to the body, conscious nutrition, detox and fasting practices — for me, these were never trends. They were tools for self-observation and for understanding how different conditions affect energy, emotional state, and inner balance.
Interior design has never been about surface aesthetics for me. It’s about meaning, atmosphere, and the emotions that arise the moment someone enters a space. It’s about creating a scenario for life — and, in commercial projects, shaping a shared experience for many people at once.
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?
The journey hasn’t been entirely smooth. Relocating to a new country meant rebuilding both professional and personal contexts, adapting to a new market and mentality, and rethinking familiar life structures.
At the same time, this transition pushed me inward. It challenged my previous definitions of comfort and success and encouraged deeper reflection on what kind of work truly feels meaningful.
These challenges became turning points. They helped clarify my values, strengthen my design philosophy, and shape my work with greater intention and depth.
I’m deeply grateful to Los Angeles and to the people I’ve met here. This environment challenged me, supported me, and helped shape a new version of myself — one that feels more conscious, grounded, and honest, both personally and professionally.
Working with clients and projects across different cultural and geographic contexts has only reinforced my belief that meaningful design isn’t tied to one place. Inspiration, collaboration, and thoughtful work can happen anywhere — and that openness feels essential to who I am today.
As you know, we’re big fans of SOIA Design. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
SOIA DESIGN is, first and foremost, about creativity and thoughtful design. We operate as an architecture and interior design studio, specializing in residential and commercial spaces with a highly individual, client-centered approach.
Design, to me, is inseparable from human psychology. It is always about people — their emotions, perceptions, and lived experiences within a space. Even when we speak about business success in commercial projects, everything begins with emotion: what a person feels the moment they enter a restaurant, hotel, or public interior.
What sets us apart is our focus on emotional perception and well-being. We don’t replicate trends or work from templates. Every project is shaped around the people who will inhabit the space. The goal is not only a visually strong result, but an environment that feels intuitive, balanced, and supportive.
One of the things I’m most proud of, brand-wise, is trust. Many of our clients come to us through personal recommendations and stay with us for years, returning with new projects. That continuity and mutual trust matter to us far more than any metric.
What does success mean to you?
For me, success isn’t measured solely by scale or numbers.
It’s the ability to do work that brings genuine joy and inspiration — work that doesn’t drain time, but fills it with meaning and presence. In our profession, this joy is inseparable from responsibility and real results.
Success is also about awareness. Even when I’m deeply immersed in projects, I remain attentive to the beauty of the moment — in people, in spaces, and in everyday life.
By my own definition, I do feel successful — because I get to do meaningful work that aligns with who I am, while creating environments that positively affect others.
And that, for me, is the most honest form of success.
Pricing:
- Pricing depends on project scope, scale, and level of involvement and is discussed individually with each client. We invite prospective clients to reach out through the contact form on our website.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.soiadesign.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soia.archdesign/
Image Credits
Photo: Vlad Feoktistov, Misha Chekalov
