We were lucky to catch up with Dilara Kizrak recently and have shared our conversation below.

Dilara, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Bringing an idea to life does not end with just dreaming; foreseeing the problems and obstacles we may encounter to turn it into reality, and understanding the importance of gaining the knowledge and experience – in other words, the ability – to overcome these obstacles was a critical step. However, I did not always do this consciously; sometimes, I managed this process consciously, sometimes intuitively, and sometimes with what my experiences taught me.
I have always been interested in painting and art as a child. My interest in painting, which started at a young age, was initially my way of expressing myself. Colors, forms, and spaces always fascinated me. I was 7 years old when I discovered different techniques, with the desire to express myself and produce, and I started to apply them to my paintings. All my primary and high school years passed by applying the knowledge I acquired to the paintings I made, in short, by experimenting.
When I started my university life, which I considered one of the first steps of my professional life, I took special talent exams where I would stand out with my drawings, earn a degree, and be accepted to the interior architecture department. From the first day of university, I wanted to have a multidisciplinary design studio one day. What I actually mean is more than wanting; I aimed.
Throughout my education, I focused on what I could do to open my studio and how I could improve myself in this context. Of course, painting and being interested in art was not enough to establish an interior architecture & design studio. At this point, I realized that being interested in art or having talent was insufficient. I realized that I needed to acquire the following skills to turn an idea into reality:
1. The most important thing is communicating correctly. I had to explain my ideas effectively and establish connections with people.
2. Understanding user needs and the spirit of spaces; the design was about aesthetics, functionality, and establishing an emotional bond.
3. I had to be able to create timeless designs that are fit for purpose. I had to follow current trends and still produce independent, long-term designs that did not lose meaning.
4. I also had to make the correct business plan to ensure that all this design and fiction was produced properly at the right time.
I was in the middle of my four-year university education when I realized I needed to internalize all of these without wasting time. While continuing my last 2 years at university, starting to work in [specific details about the architecture office, such as its reputation, size, and notable projects] without getting paid was my first step towards putting my ideas into practice. It was a very valuable process where I understood how to blend theoretical education with my ideas and put them into practice, as well as the importance of networking and communication skills. Thus, I graduated with an experience that took me at least 1 step ahead and discovered my potential.
Unlike interior architecture, the idea of establishing a multidisciplinary studio was born with a holistic perspective that would design not only interior design but also many accessories, furniture, artwork or the brand identity of an institution. I understood that there were many sectors I needed to know the details of to implement all of these. This was a challenging and fundamental issue that I needed to solve. For this reason, I gained experience in different architectural projects and positions. While gaining application experience in positions such as architect, design office manager and quality control manager in the construction field, it seemed like a good strategy to work as a post-sales architect, understand the needs of my potential customers, win them over and improve my communication skills by meeting with many people one-on-one.
This process was not only about technical knowledge and experience but also about psychological resilience. Putting an idea into practice is possible not only with design talent but also with determination, strategic thinking, and time management. I have encountered many challenges throughout my journey, but each one taught me something new.

Dilara, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am Dilara Kızrak Çelik; I started working actively after graduating from Istanbul Kültür University, Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design in 2010, where I was accepted as the top student in 2006. Since graduation, I have worked in leading corporate companies in Türkiye; I have held various positions as Field Architect, Design Office Manager, and Quality Control Manager in large-scale and qualified housing and hotel projects.
At DILARAKIZRAK DESIGN STUDIO, we’ve combined our experience and knowledge to create a multidisciplinary interior architecture and design studio. Based in Istanbul, we specialize in interior and environmental design across various areas and scales, including housing, residence, and office projects. What truly sets us apart is our belief that spaces have a soul. We’re dedicated to ensuring that this soul is not just preserved, but also integrated into the user’s lifestyle, creating a unique and inspiring connection.
At DILARAKIZRAK DESIGN STUDIO, we don’t just do interior design. We offer various multidisciplinary services, including personalized furniture accessory design, and brand identity creation. By combining these different areas of design, we aim to create aesthetic but also personalized and functional spaces.
To date, I have gained significant experience in implementation processes and post-operational operations by working as a consultant for global hotel chains such as Four Seasons. As DILARAKIZRAK DESIGN STUDIO, we have accomplished successful works at different scales with over twenty housing, residence and office projects we have completed. The most significant difference that makes us valuable and distinguishes us from others is that we believe that design is not only an aesthetic concern. Our top priority is getting to know the user, understanding their needs, and creating a space that identifies with them. With our design team that closely follows the dynamics of the era and the changes in the world order, we act with an understanding that aims to produce characteristic and timeless designs that are identical to the users’ spirits and meet their needs. This sets us apart from our competitors.
I am most proud of approaching each project with the same passion and giving each space a unique identity. At DilaraKızrak Design Studio, we see design not as a luxury but as a part of good living. We will continue to produce projects that touch the lives of our users, integrate with them, and reflect their souls.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

It seems fitting to share my first work experience. In 2010, at the age of 20, I embarked on my professional journey as the sole field architect on a construction project. My role was not just a job but a significant responsibility to ensure the correct execution of architectural applications on the construction site.
Undertaking a high-end housing project adjacent to the US Consulate in Türkiye was no small feat. The job was demanding, requiring me to be on the construction site for more than nine hours a day, six to seven days a week, and to brave all weather conditions.
While it was undeniably the most challenging period of my life, it was also the most rewarding. Looking back, I can see how much I’ve grown and learned from that experience.
It was a relentless effort to oversee all the field applications and personally engage in the interior design of each villa. Despite the long hours and the inevitable decrease in motivation, I persevered. The demanding work pace and lack of experience posed physical and mental challenges, but I was determined to learn and excel. I had to sacrifice many social activities, even my social media accounts, to maintain focus and discipline. Yet, I persisted without giving up, determined to complete the job.
At the end of this whole process, thanks to the good communication I established with the experience I gained and the trust I gained, the owner of the company I worked for directed me to an interior design project, from that project, as the first step, I would take to my own business. The reward I received after this challenge was not a thank you but an interior design, and this increased my belief and motivation to start my own business. That day was a turning point.
Thanks to my effort and determination, I secured my first private job. This was not just a job, but the first step in my entrepreneurial journey, a testament to my belief in my potential. That day, I realized that difficulties are not roadblocks, but opportunities for transformation and growth. No matter how much you resist and try, life has a way of opening unexpected doors. If it hadn’t been for that first step, I might not have established my studio today. Success is not just talent or luck; it is a journey shaped by discipline, belief, and determination.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Our passion for our work, attention to detail, and unique perspective on projects have been our best source of customers. This passion, combined with the references of our satisfied customers, creates a natural and authentic flow of new projects.
Strategic partnerships and prompt communication with the appropriate individuals have also significantly influenced our role in customer acquisition strategies. Nevertheless, our distinctive approach to work and the value we contribute have had the most substantial impact.
I can say that the most solid foundation for sustainable growth for us is to approach every project with the same excitement and care as our experience increases.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dilarakizrak.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dilarakizrak_designstudio/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/t-dilara-kizrak-%C3%A7elik-77138a59/?originalSubdomain=tr