We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ksenya Malina, founder of New York-based interior design studio Time & Place Interiors, a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ksenya, thanks for joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

At the height of the pandemic, I was under acute stress between my corporate job and mounting health struggles. I urgently needed a change to help myself get back on a path of wellness. Without having another job lined up, I left behind a decent salary and great benefits. Instead, I resolved to give myself the space to recover my physical and emotional health. I refocused my attention on my recently launched interior design side hustle, and worked on an interior design business training course. It was scary, unconventional, and not something I’d ever thought I would do. People definitely questioned my decision, and probably rightly so!

As luck would have it, I landed my first big client design project exactly one day after I quit my corporate job. Not a week later, I was interviewed for a part-time day job supporting a seasoned interior designer whose work I admired — a role that would become pivotal for my own design career. In addition to running my own startup design firm, I’ve also become this designer’s right-hand person, which is excellent training for my own business. I find gratification in my work every day.

Call it kismet… or perhaps it was me opening myself up to these exciting possibilities that were a better match for my skills and interests.

Ksenya, 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’m Ksenya Malina, founder of Time & Place Interiors, a New York-based interior designer studio specializing in mixing vintage and modern decor for personalized, curated spaces. I translate my clients’ personalities into uniquely special designs through pieces sourced from all eras and corners of the world. I love working on historic properties as well as contemporary new builds. I have a background in art as well as a business degree, and I came to this industry by translating my passion for artistry, sustainability, and preservation.

My journey started with the gut renovation and furnishing of my own Pre War apartment in Manhattan. I was mindful of its Art Deco architecture, and sought to introduce original fixtures while juxtaposing them with my love for Mid Century style. I delved deep into the fascinating world of vintage furniture, lighting, and old house parts, and came out if it with a determination to bring these beautiful treasures for the everyday enjoyment of others.

Now, in my interior design work, I prioritize using vintage and antiques. They not only make a space feel special by bringing a unique history and style; they’re also the greenest way to decorate. Vintage reduces fossil fuel emissions, water pollution, and deforestation. I’m trying to turn sustainable design on its head: instead of throwing in an occasional antique accessory, I make it a point to turn to vintage whenever I can, and only add new productions as necessary.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Having a unique point of view and a niche helps me stand out. People respond to genuine passion. I write a monthly design blog with tips and inspiration on authentic design, which helps me convey my approach. When I meet clients in person, they tell me they feel like they know me already, thanks to my extensive blog content. And I share my ideas freely in client consultation sessions, conveying my belief that well-designed homes provide the background for living our best lives.

I love connecting dots and meeting new people to partner with, particularly if their business serves my same target audience but is in a parallel vertical: florists, stylists, booksellers, realtors, divorce concierges. But I also try to leverage my own network from my past jobs; it’s valuable to keep those bridges intact.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

As a career changer trying to pave a new path for myself, I often have to learn lessons the hard way. Not long ago, I made a significant investment trying to cultivate a certain category of client group in a particular geography, only to eventually realize that target market will probably never get me where I want to be in my business. When you’ve already gone so far, admitting a mistake and turning around feels like having to start from scratch all over again. It’s daunting and, frankly, discouraging.

I’m trying to practice being gentler on myself by celebrating my own achievements thus far, building on the knowledge I’ve gained through the process, realizing that mistakes are a natural part of entrepreneurship, and being more nimble about adjusting my business strategy.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://timeandplaceinteriors.com/
• Instagram: @timeandplaceinteriors
• Facebook: facebook.com/timeandplaceinteriors
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ksenya-malina

Image Credits
My headshot photo was taken by Arielle Joffe Photography. Some of the images of the interiors were taken by Angela Newton Roy Photography.