Meet Oxana Khan | Interior Designer

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

Hi Oxana, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I work as an interior designer, a profession that demands complete dedication to my projects. Constant learning, attending master classes, conferences, and interacting with colleagues and clients are all essential aspects of my career. Striking a harmonious equilibrium between my professional and personal life has been my ultimate aspiration.

Throughout history, achieving work-life balance has posed a unique challenge for women, primarily due to entrenched traditional gender roles and societal expectations. I hail from Asia, where the traditional role of a woman is often seen as more conservative. Here, the customary path involves a woman first fulfilling her role as a wife, then as a mother, with personal fulfillment taking a back seat. This upbringing shaped my early aspirations.

After marriage and the birth of my child, I temporarily set aside my career aspirations. It was only when our daughter became more independent, completing junior school, that I contemplated my personal growth. I enrolled in advanced training courses and earned a diploma as an interior designer, and I couldn’t have done it without the support of my husband.

However, despite technological advancements and societal progress, women continue to grapple with challenges when pursuing self-fulfillment. The expectation to balance both professional responsibilities and domestic duties adds an extra layer of complexity. I placed my family at the forefront of my priorities, constantly juggling between my projects and home life.

The pandemic prompted me to reevaluate my profession. I discovered that my work could be done remotely, offering increased flexibility in managing my work and personal life. Embracing this newfound flexibility allowed me to blend my career goals with family and personal commitments. I transitioned to remote work, a novel experience that brought me immense satisfaction. I shifted from seeking a rigid balance to embracing the concept of integrating work and personal life.

Undoubtedly, my family and friends play an indispensable role in maintaining harmony in my pursuit of self-realization. Additionally, professional online resources have been instrumental in expanding my knowledge and staying updated in my field, all without the time-consuming commute.

Work-life balance is a continually evolving concept for women, shaped by societal changes, technological advancements, workplace dynamics, and personal choices. Achieving a healthy equilibrium necessitates a combination of personal strategies, workplace support, and societal changes to ensure that women can advance in their careers while enjoying a fulfilling personal life.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve always harbored a deep passion for design. From my earliest years, I found joy in rearranging the furniture in my room and sketching out floor plans for the sheer pleasure of it. I possessed an innate talent for envisioning the latent potential within a space and weaving it into something truly beautiful. As I matured, my fervor for interior design only intensified, and it became undeniably clear that this was my calling in life.

I pursued my educational journey by completing courses at an art school and construction college. However, it took some time for me to realize my dream. Only once my daughter had grown a bit did I finally enroll in a prestigious design school. The path was fraught with challenges, demanding unwavering dedication, tireless effort, and numerous late nights. Yet, every moment I invested in study and skill refinement felt like a step closer to my aspirations.

During my tenure at design school, I seized the opportunity to engage in diverse projects, ranging from modest apartments to commercial spaces. Each undertaking presented its own set of unique challenges and opportunities. I honed my ability to attentively listen to my clients, comprehend their visions and desires, and translate these dreams into tangible reality.

It’s a common fallacy to perceive the profession of an interior designer as straightforward and uncomplicated. In truth, interior design is a multifaceted and intricate discipline that demands a fusion of skills, creativity, and hands-on experience.

As my career progressed, I found myself entrusted with increasingly intricate projects, each of which expanded the boundaries of my creativity and expertise. I had the privilege of working on a multitude of spaces, each exuding its own distinct character and allure.

In 2019, my husband was offered a job opportunity in the USA, prompting our family to relocate. Concurrently, the global pandemic unfurled, and it dawned on me that I could offer my design services remotely. I embarked on a journey to learn English and immerse myself in American design culture. Simultaneously, I crafted a remote business strategy.

Initially, the endeavor appeared daunting, nearly unattainable. However, a pivotal moment arrived when I recognized that life had bestowed upon me a singular opportunity to meld Eastern and Western cultures within a single space, as design transcends boundaries.

My path to this profession was arduous, yet exceedingly rewarding. Interior design extends beyond mere furniture arrangement and color selection—it’s a nuanced craft that involves orchestrating beauty within spaces. As I continue along this path, I am fully aware that fresh opportunities for transformation and the creation of beauty in the world will always beckon.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
1. GETTY CENTER 2. GETTY VILLA
3. PACIFIC PARK IN SANTA MONICA
4. RICHARD J. RIORDAN CENTRAL LIBRARY
5. PUBLIC ART “URBAN LIGHT”
6. WAYFARERS CHAPEL
7. RANCHO PALOS VERDES
8. U.S. BANK TOWER
9. WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL
10. GREYSTONE MANSION AND PARK

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family, my husband and my daughter always support me. In addition, my parents did everything possible for me to make my life successful. I will always be grateful to my mom and dad for instilling in me a passion for learning and learning something new.

Website: https://design-project.studio/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/design_project.studio/

Image Credits
Locations: Pacific Design Center Kneedler | Fauchère showroom Arsin Rug showroom showroom Photo by: Avalanche film