Meet Alina Tokar | Interior Designer/Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alina Tokar and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alina, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started my interior design business almost by accident when I remodeled my own home. At the time, I was working for a large furniture company, so I came into the industry with staging and real estate experience, but full remodels were something completely new to me. In the beginning, it was really just fun. My partner at the time and I started posting the process and the finished spaces on social media, and some of it unexpectedly went viral. Before long, friends and family began asking for help with their own homes.

There was something really exciting about the idea that pure creativity could turn into a business. For most of my life, I had always thought that kind of path was risky or unrealistic. But because it all started so organically—and honestly, because it still felt like fun—we didn’t feel the pressure that people often feel when they set out to start a business intentionally. It never felt like this huge, scary leap, which I think is something that holds a lot of people back.

Starting that way also gave me the freedom to put my work out into the world without feeling like everything had to be perfect. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that it’s better to just start and figure things out along the way than to wait until every detail is perfectly planned. Eventually, the work grew to the point where I was able to leave my job and pursue design full time. The risk is definitely high, but the rewards have absolutely been worth it.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
There are many talented interior designers out there, especially in Los Angeles. At the end of the day, it often comes down to chemistry and the power of relationships. During my initial meeting with a potential client, it’s important to figure out whether we’re truly the right fit for each other. How is the communication? Am I understanding their needs? Are they receptive and open to my expertise? Simply put—are we vibing?

While I’m a creative, I believe attention to detail is everything. Interior design is maybe 10% glamour; the rest is all about the details. It’s spreadsheets, numbers, measurements, and scaling. It’s identifying the right colors and textures within the right lighting and environment. It’s also about understanding the purpose of each space. Is it a family home with small children or pets, where functionality and durability are just as important as aesthetics? Or is it a commercial space with high traffic that requires materials and fabrics built to stand the test of time?

I take a lot of pride in honing in on those details and really considering the needs of my clients. Sometimes clients require multiple revisions, which can feel discouraging in the moment, but it’s ultimately part of the process. Getting to know a client takes time. Their needs—and even their understanding of what they want their space to be—can evolve, and you have to evolve along with them. There’s really no room for ego in this profession.

If there’s one thing I would want people to know about me and my firm, it’s that my clients’ needs always come first. My role is not only to create a beautiful space, but also to make the entire process feel as seamless and stress-free as possible.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting, I’d probably start with some of my favorite food neighborhoods in LA. Little Tokyo and Koreatown are two of my go-to spots for date night or a night out with friends. There’s nothing I love more than throwing on a cool casual fit and going somewhere with amazing food and a fun atmosphere. Whether it’s Korean BBQ at Parks BBQ or a low-key yakitori spot followed by soft serve at SomiSomi, you really can’t go wrong. Those areas always feel lively and the food is incredible.

Since we live in the San Fernando Valley, a lot of our everyday favorites are close to home. La Crème Café and M Street Coffee Roastery are two of my favorite coffee spots to start the day. If we’re out late and want something fun and easy, grabbing a slice at Prince Street Pizza always hits the spot.

For weekends with family, the Studio City Farmers Market is one of our regular stops—it’s actually my three-year-old’s favorite place to go. And if we’re up for a little chaos, we’ll put our names on the two-hour waitlist at Din Tai Fung at Westfield Century City and let our toddler run around the mall while we wait. It sounds crazy, but it’s absolutely worth it.

For a livelier night out, you really can’t go wrong with Bestia—great Italian food, a buzzing atmosphere, and usually loud rap playing in the background. And of course, if someone’s visiting LA, we have to do at least one beach day. Heading out to Malibu for a walk, some sun, and ocean views is always a perfect way to slow things down.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a shout-out to my husband, Paul Tokar, who had enough faith in me to support the decision to leave my very stable job. I’m forever grateful for the sacrifice he made for our family and for believing in me pursuing something that came with absolutely no guarantees. He also helped me navigate all of the technical and legal steps of starting the business—things that definitely aren’t my forte—and made sure everything was set up the right way. I honestly don’t know if I would have had the courage to get on this rollercoaster without him.

Website: https://www.alinatokarinteriors.com

Instagram: alinatokarinteriors

Linkedin: Alina Tokar

Image Credits
Alina Zamaltdinova Photographer Los Angeles – IG: California.Mood
Amy Photographer- IG: truth_honored