Meet ania krawiec | Interior Designer
We had the good fortune of connecting with ania krawiec and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi ania, how do you think about risk?
The word “risk” often makes me uneasy. By definition, it means a situation involving exposure to danger, harm or loss. This can scare people away from taking chances in life, making them opt for a safe and predictable path.
Instead of thinking in terms of “risk,” I prefer to look at life as a series of choices, without strict rights or wrongs. Each choice has its own journey. It took me a while to adopt this perspective, but it has made big decisions less daunting.
When I face a major choice, I ask myself a simple question: “If I imagine being in the same current situation a year from now, how will I feel?” This helps me figure out the right path to take. Following this approach has led me to live a more authentic life.
One of my favorite quotes, by Mark Twain, perfectly captures this idea: “Twenty years from now, you’ll be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.”
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Currently I find myself right in the middle of a transformative journey, both personally and professionally. Twelve years ago, I left the corporate interior design world to embark on a four-year backpacking adventure across the globe. Upon returning to California, I realized how unhappy my previous job had made me. I made a promise to myself never to settle for work that didn’t align with my values or makes me miserable. I then ventured into self-employment, spending the next eight years teaching Pilates and Yoga.
Towards the end of 2022, after deep reflection, I made a significant decision. I sold everything, bid farewell to my Santa Monica bungalow, and relocated to Bali, Indonesia, to pursue a new career opportunity. It was a tough choice, even though I loved my life in LA, I felt a sense of stagnation in my life and career. Teaching Pilates brought me joy, but I missed the creative spark of design.
After six months in Bali, fully immersed in designing, opening a retail shop, and dealing with lots of unexpected hiccups along the way, I realized it wasn’t where I truly wanted to be. My heart was in California, so I decided to move back.
I’m now redefining who I am, my life, and my professional journey as a Designer and Creative. I’m in the process of unearthing my unique identity, molding my brand’s essence, and sharing my story. The journey has been challenging, packed with valuable lessons and growing pains, yet I’m grateful for the decisions I’ve made. They’ve pushed me in a direction I might not have taken if I’d stayed stagnant. It’s a reminder that as humans, we are constantly evolving and our viewpoints and values change.
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.
Los Angeles has so much to offer, and our ideal weather makes it perfect for outdoor adventures. I’d start off with a hike in Topanga, one of my favorite hikes is the Mesa Overlook trail. It has incredible views of the ocean and canyons, and the air is filled with the scent of California sages. You might even spot red-tail hawks gliding above or tarantulas strolling along the trails.
Once we’ve worked up an appetite, we’d make our way to the Malibu Country Mart. We’d grab some lobster rolls from the Broad Street Oyster Company and then make our way to the beach to relax and enjoy the sunset.
We are so lucky to have access to incredible year-round farmers markets. We’d explore the market and collect some fresh seasonal ingredients. With the guidance of my Ottolenghi cookbook, I’d recreate one of his remarkable dishes.
Being a food enthusiast who loves exploring international flavors, I’d take them to Little Ethiopia. Our destination would be Meals by Genet, a local restaurant known for its deliciously authentic Ethiopian cuisine.
To wind down from the week and soak in some wellness vibes, we might join a strong vinyasa flow yoga class. It’s the perfect way to stretch and strengthen the body.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to dedicate this to my wonderful family and my soul family, which includes my dearest friends. I can’t express how fortunate I am to have such an incredibly supportive group of people in my life. Whenever I’ve made significant decisions that might have seemed unconventional to others, my family and friends have consistently backed me 100%. They’ve given me the space to be myself and understand that each of us has a unique path in life to nurture and pursue.
Instagram: 7_tribes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ania-krawiec-21507860/
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