We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Lizaveta Odintsova ("LO").
Lizaveta Odintsova is a mastermind and founder of the interior design studio “Design Buro Odintsova”, which is specialized in commercial interiors. She was born in the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia in a family of engineers and musicians. The art heritage and technical master's degree made her career choice predictable. In 2015 Lizaveta accomplished her first design project – an open space office with an area of 1000 m2, for which she received her first Design Award. Today her design studio has over 30 accomplished projects in its portfolio, including a cosmetology clinic, cafes and restaurants, beauty salons, educational institutions, and private homes. The geography of design projects has expanded globally, including NY, USA, and Munich, Germany. Lizaveta`s projects were featured in AD, Elle Decoration, Design Hunter, etc. The studio received prestigious awards including IDA and Interium.
Lizaveta Odintsova Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Lizaveta Odintsova.
Lizaveta Odintsova Design - The Larks Cafe Space
Designer Interview of Lizaveta Odintsova:
DI: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
LO : From a young age, I possessed a strong creative drive, aspiring to be an artist. Born into a family of musicians and engineers, I was naturally drawn to the worlds of architecture and design. As a child, I was captivated by construction, spending countless hours building and creating miniature homes for my toys from whatever materials were at hand. By the age of 14, I had firmly decided to pursue a career in interior design. This led me to prepare for admission to an engineering academy, which was followed by an architectural course and numerous private design classes. My musical education has profoundly shaped my artistic perception, enabling me to discern its nuanced layers and appreciate its subtleties. Furthermore, my stage experience has equipped me with the confidence to present to audiences and the ability to captivate their attention, not only with my presence but also with the merit of my ideas. Every step in my journey has been intentional, contributing to the success I've achieved.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
LO : I run a boutique design bureau, comprising a dedicated team of five. We cultivate an intimate design studio atmosphere that fosters close collaboration. Each member of my team is a true gem in the world of professional architects and designers. We approach every project collaboratively, drawing upon our collective knowledge and extensive experience. I deeply value the contribution of each individual and am immensely grateful for the opportunity to create together.
DI: What is "design" for you?
LO : For me, design embodies the harmonious integration of form and content, beauty and function—a potent synthesis of creativity and science. Design is inherent in everything that surrounds us, and I consider it a genuine privilege to be able to contribute to this realm.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
LO : I derive the greatest satisfaction from designing for commercial projects. These commercial projects encompass a range of spaces, including hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, salons, clinics, offices, and schools. This is where my particular strength lies: empowering businesses to develop and achieve greater success through thoughtful and impactful design.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
LO : My favorite design is invariably the one I will create next. This is because each new project builds upon the last, refined by new knowledge and accumulated experience, and approached with even greater diligence, meticulous attention, wisdom, and a profound passion for the craft. My most anticipated design is always the one I am about to create. The allure lies in the unknown, not yet knowing its final form. It is precisely this sense of discovery and unfolding potential that I find most compelling in my work.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
LO : My first project was a 1200-square-meter loft-style office for a major company specializing in automation and engineering. It represented an incredible degree of creative freedom, especially for a young designer, as I was only 23 years old at the time. Although the implementation process was lengthy and we navigated considerable challenges with both the client and the construction, I remain profoundly grateful for that experience and for the opportunity to conceive, develop the design, and see it come to fruition. This project garnered me my first award at the Interium 2018 international competition, led to my initial publications in professional media, and marked my first significant recognition within the design sphere.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
LO : Whenever I step onto a project site before work begins, I already perceive a distinct vision, a guiding principle, and the central theme of design that will shape it. Then, every time I am on-site during the renovation process, I experience a profound sense of joy and anticipation. It is deeply gratifying to witness everything taking form—the walls transforming, the space becoming infused with new energy—knowing that what is currently materializing was once merely a concept in my mind, and now it is becoming a tangible reality.
DI: What makes a design successful?
LO : Successful design is fundamentally timeless. It is a design that takes on a life of its own, growing more beautiful and resonant with time. And ultimately, it is design that contributes to the success of its owner.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
LO : I find that my most profound inspiration often emerges once I am already engaged in the work. It might seem counterintuitive, but for me, the creative process truly ignites only when I take those initial, tangible steps: settling at my laptop, picking up a pencil or stylus, drafting the first layout sketches, and identifying the key focal points of the interior. And, as a natural part of this, I always listen to music that I feel resonates with the specific project I am developing.
DI: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
LO : I create designs that are emotional and evocative—often striking and vibrant, inherently dynamic, and imbued with a distinct energy that is palpably felt the moment one enters the space. I am particularly drawn to curvilinear shapes, biomorphic elements, geometric clarity, and the use of rhythm in composition. Furthermore, I embrace experimentation with a diverse range of textures and materials.