Check Out Anna Suzdal’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Suzdal.

Hi Anna, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Working as an accountant back in Russia, I started to build my own house from choosing the exterior look to picking all the materials for the interior. It was worrying and not easy for a person who did it for the first time but an the same time exciting and fun. So I wanted to know more about it and dip my toes into it. And that’s how I got into interior design. Finishing a private design school that I found in my hometown, I completed several design projects for clients. And after pandemic was over I moved to the US and continued my journey studying design and architecture leaving all “accounting” behind. I’ve studied interior design in Portland, OR, and now here in LA I decided to continue with architecture to expand my knowledge from what’s inside the house to what’s outside of it, I mean exterior assemblings (walls, roof, foundation), a site and a landscape. It also really helps me to understand building codes, and all the requirements specific for the region.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s definitely not a smooth road, especially for a person coming from a different country and background. At first, it’s hard to find your first clients and be confident in yourself and your skills. Secondly, moving to another country is difficult due to the language barrier and specific industry terminology. And mostly it’s not easy to start from the beginning and start looking for your first clients again.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I started my design experience with residential interior design projects, mostly in a contemporary style. I worked on some renovations and remodeling projects for houses and apartments, not only making an interior design, floor plans, and decor, but also worked on remodeling the entire space, changing walls when necessary. Even though, at first interior design was more like a hobby additionally to my main work, I always loved to draw, sketch, draft and do something creative. Now here in the United States, I decided to go for it more professionally, and put more effort into architecture in general. It teaches me to see things and work with them not only directly but also abstractly. I realized that I enjoy creating not only residential projects but also commercial ones, not only interiors but also exteriors. I find delight in making spaces that are useful and comfortable for the users, as well as beautiful and interesting from an experiential point of view. Diving into the topic of waste and energy problems around the world, I also started to look more towards sustainability in construction industry, which excites me a lot in terms of how many new materials have been produced in order reduce carbon emissions and to improve our health in spaces where we live. I am proud of who I am, being part of the culture where I come from, having the opportunity to travel, study, attend design events and industry conferences. I believe that it is crucial to develop and expand your professional skills and knowledge, as well as knowing how to use it. I’m grateful that step by step I go to my dream doing what I love.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
As I mentioned before, it is very important to learn and improve your skills. It gives you the opportunity to move forward, and not stand still all the time. Be confident in yourself and always try to do your best to make things good. There are too many “specialists” to make it bad or not working at all. I think it is very respectful to put effort into your work and be a little better version of yourself today than yesterday and every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://annasuzdaldesign.com
• Instagram: @annasuzdaldesign