Founded in 2005, Leyla Uluhanli Studio is known for creating impeccable space. In Moscow, Baku, Lisbon and New York and other major cities in the world have their elegant and refined works. Leyla Uluhanli's timeless design combines top trends and refined classics. Create unique interior presents elegant and timeless eclecticism and fashion, this is not just a design statement, but also the expression of lifestyle. Leyla Uluhanli pays special attention to the details, believing that they play a crucial role in harmony, beauty and outstanding interior spaces. Attach great importance to the use of artwork and antiques in the project. Often with the world's leading designers to combine the latest trends with long traditions.

Yinji：What kind of opportunity did you set up your own firm? Is it convenient for us to introduce your life experience?
Leyla Uluhanli：For me, interior design is a huge, important part of my life. I grew up in a cosmopolitan Baku and then moved to very dynamic and diverse Moscow. Since the childhood and was interested in design, being it interior of my small room or a dress for my doll. I have started professionally practicing interior design more than 15 years ago and since then all my business activities, being it furniture design or books writing, are connected with it. It is really a happiness to make people's lives more comfortable and more colourful, even if sometimes you only use half-tones. It is a great pleasure to communicate with people who understand you and to create beauty for them ...

Yinji：Is it convenient for us to explain the size of your team and your business sector?
Leyla Uluhanli：We have a medium-size company yet, it is a very creative and young of incredibly talented architects and designers. The talent and style is something what one could not learn in school, but only develop. Finding the right people has been always a challenge for design firms and while seeing a number of my former employees having their names in different top designers lists, I really feel flattered. Our main area of expertise is luxury residential properties, however we also are engaged in hospitality sectors. With the main team located in Moscow, we also have a group of designers working for us in different locations around the world which gives us opportunity to take on the projects internationally in the current restricted travel environment.

Yinji：From interior design to furniture design, what do you think is the biggest challenge?
Leyla Uluhanli：The major challenge is being able to set the trends. Not keeping up to date, but to introduce something new, fresh. I feel happy when I see the prevailing color pattern I used in a project becoming “the color” for the next year among colleagues. And I am not upset to see people trying to copy my interior design style or producing a piece of furniture, say 95% similar with what we have created – I am proud of it.

Yinji：Have you designed any projects in Asia? Your impression of China? What do you think is the biggest challenge for the implementation of foreign projects?
Leyla Uluhanli：I have travelled to China and since then I have been actively using a lot of Chinese art, furniture and accessories. I am fascinated by them and believe that the Chinese art and furniture could be fit perfectly in any residential project whether in London, Moscow or Istanbul. By the way, we have completed a Feng Shui–compliant project in Russia once. We have not completed a project in China yet, in fact discussing one right now, so I am sure we will have an opportunity to work in your great country soon.

Yinji：What impact do you think the epidemic has on the design circle in Russia? How do you see the impact of the epidemic on design?
Leyla Uluhanli：The pandemic has affected the industry across the world. The hospitality sector has frozen some projects, in the meantime, people now spend more time at home, hence the residential property-oriented designers are very busy these days. But the main problem is the limitation in seeing and talking “live” to people. Obviously, we all have quickly learned how to use the online meetings software and are successfully doing that. But could it replace a real live communication? Not, really. The travel restrictions also cause a significant inconvenience, as one could not shop around for an inspiration, for a unique vintage or antique pieces or for a new material. With a number of vaccines being announced, we all believe that the world recovers quickly from COVID19 and I have a chance to visit your beautiful country again.