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Yeşim Kozanli is a visionary in architecture and interior design, known for her ability to craft spaces that tell a story. With over 25 years of experience, she has built a career on innovation, blending bold materials, thoughtful simplicity, and a deep understanding of functionality. In this edition of Love Happens’ Design Questionnaire, we spotlight one of Yeşim Kozanli’s standout residential projects, Ladybug House, exploring her inspirations, philosophies, and the genius behind her transformative spaces.

A graduate of Bilkent University’s Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design, Yeşim began designing residential and office spaces before founding her namesake firm. Today, Yeşim Kozanli Architecture & Interior Design is internationally recognized for its exceptional hospitality projects, collaborating with global brands and luxury hotel chains. Yet, her work in residential design is equally celebrated, seamlessly merging beauty and purpose to enhance everyday living.

As a founding member of the Idealist Interior Architecture Association, Yeşim is a passionate advocate for the seamless integration of architecture and interiors. Her work embodies precision, creativity, and a commitment to pushing boundaries—all while staying true to the art of timeless design.

Read on to meet Yeşim Kozanli, the woman behind the architecture and interior design firm, and explore her stunning Ladybug House project where architecture, interiors, and nature unite in this edition of Love Happens’ Design Questionnaire!

Lh Design Questionnaire with Yeşim Kozanli at Ladybug House

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Perfect happiness is about finding inner balance and feeling a deep connection in every aspect of life. This connection reveals itself in our relationships with both nature and people. From a design perspective, happiness comes from blending the natural beauty around us with the inner peace of the spaces we inhabit. When designing a home or a hotel, ensuring that people find tranquility in these spaces and enhancing their quality of life is, for me, one of the most tangible expressions of happiness.

Moreover, happiness is supported by a continuous process of growth and learning. When I complete a project, seeing the value it adds to people’s lives, and understanding both nature and life better through this journey, brings me indescribable joy. Ultimately, the purest form of happiness is found in that moment of balance where creativity, nature, and humanity come together.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

My greatest achievement stems not only from the aesthetic and functional aspects of my projects but also from having created a company culture that evolves and improves each day. In the world of architecture and interior design, it’s not enough to simply design beautiful buildings; building a team capable of producing creative, innovative, and modern solutions is also a significant success. The most important element of this culture is the presence of an environment where everyone can inspire one another, creative ideas are shared, and continuous learning is encouraged.

Additionally, the progress in my professional career is another key success criterion for me. With every project, I strive to better understand nature, develop functional solutions, and enhance the value that spaces bring to human life. Looking back today, seeing that my projects are not just architectural works but also spaces that touch people’s lives, inspire them, and harmonize with their surroundings is something I consider one of my greatest achievements.

Ladybug House by Yeşim Kozanli

What profession does your alter ego have?

My alter ego would definitely be a fashion designer. Fashion has far more in common with interior design than one might think. Both disciplines are built on the art of telling an original story through the combination of form, function, colour, and texture. In fashion design, clothing, much like the elements of a space, reflects the individual’s identity, mood, and lifestyle. Similarly, an interior space serves as a canvas for the user to express their personality and way of life.

As in interior design, there are trends in fashion, but the greatest art lies in creating something timeless. Whether in clothing or space, true iconic and lasting impact is achieved when timeless elegance and functionality are combined with a personal touch. If I were a fashion designer, just as I do in architecture, I would strive to find the balance between functionality and aesthetics.

A Spotlight on Ladybug House by Yeşim Kozanli

Overlooking the Aegean Sea, nestled along a hillside in the mountains of Bodrum, Turkey, Ladybug House is a beautiful estate that includes a main house, two guest houses, a pool house, multiple terraces, and a greenhouse area.

Inspiration

The inspiration for the design of Ladybug House was born from Bodrum’s natural texture and the desire to create a living space intertwined with this magnificent geography. Drawing from design movements like Japandi and Wabi-Sabi, we created a space that blends simplicity and functionality, offering a peaceful environment closely connected to nature. Our goal was to seamlessly bring the beauty of the outdoors into the interior spaces.

Favorite Piece

My favourite element of the project is the dynamic facade systems. These facades not only merge the interior and exterior spaces but also maximise natural light and ventilation. The aesthetic of the spaces is constantly renewed by the ever-changing play of light throughout the day.

Favorite Room

The central “hayat” living area is my favourite spot. With its wide openings and high ceilings, it creates a sense of spaciousness and offers an uninterrupted enjoyment of the surrounding views.

The Thing I Learned

This project has once again demonstrated the importance of shaping architectural design by embracing the natural environment. In our design, where the boundary between inside and outside is eliminated, I witnessed how the structure acts as a canvas, impressively capturing nature inside. This lesson has become a source of inspiration for all of my designs.

Your favorite business tool or resource.

My favorite work tool is my sketchbook, which I always carry with me. I always prefer to take the first step of my ideas by drawing them by hand, because I believe that the physical and artistic aspect of putting a thought on paper allows creativity to flow freely.

In terms of resources, I find inspiration not only from technological tools but also from design books and exploring different corners of the world. Design books continuously provide me with new perspectives in the fields of interior design, art, and architecture. Studying the works of great masters from the past and present plays an important role in helping me generate ideas that transcend time.

Every detail I encounter during my travels, from the stonework of a building to a woven rug in a market, adds new dimensions to my designs. Observing the world around me, discovering nature and cultural heritage, forms the soul of my projects and enables me to tell a story with each design.

Ladybug House by Yeşim Kozanli

The most timeless design.

A timeless design is one that transcends fashion and trends, remaining functional and aesthetically relevant over time. A timeless design captures the spirit of its era while maintaining a balance that appeals to future generations. Such designs prioritize simplicity and functionality, blending natural materials with correct proportions without excess.

The most important factor in making a design timeless is the natural quality of the materials used and the emotional experience the space offers to people. Natural materials like wood, stone, and marble provide a beauty that withstands the test of time and expresses itself across different eras. The warmth and sense of permanence that these materials bring to a space form the foundation of timelessness. Additionally, a space planned with the right proportions offers timeless elegance; because the flow and functionality of a well-designed space continue to meet user needs without compromising aesthetics.

Timelessness in design also stems from a concept. The concept that forms the soul and story of a space is one of the key elements that make a design timeless. If a design tells a story and establishes an emotional connection with its users, the space becomes more than just a living area—it transcends time. In this context, timeless designs are often simple yet full of meaning, enriched in the details with a minimalist approach. This allows the space to preserve its character across eras, ensuring it remains continually relevant.

Greenhouse Guesthouse at Ladybug House by Yeşim Kozanli

The biggest design faux pas.

The biggest design mistake is focusing solely on the aesthetic aspect of a space while neglecting functionality. Design is not just an art form that appeals to the eye; it is also a tool that touches human life and makes it easier. No matter how beautiful a space is, if it does not meet the needs of the user, the design has failed in its purpose. Good design must strike a perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality. Any design that is created without considering how people will live, move, and experience emotional and physical sensations in that space remains incomplete. Thoughtfully designing a space to touch people’s lives, souls, and needs transforms it from just a structure into a living experience. Therefore, any design that does not center around the human experience or enhance their life contains the greatest flaw.

Your design motto.

“Design is about touching human life by balancing aesthetics and function.”

Yeşim Kozanli

This motto forms the foundation of my design approach. When designing a space, it’s not only important to create aesthetic beauty, but also to consider how that space contributes to human life. Aesthetics shape the soul of a space, while function brings that soul to life. The true power of design lies in its ability to make daily life more comfortable, enjoyable, and meaningful. Designs where every detail has a purpose, and every material invites people to connect with nature, the space, and themselves, genuinely improve life. This flawless balance between functionality and aesthetics not only ensures that a space looks beautiful, but also makes every moment spent in that space more valuable. For design to truly touch people, it needs to create both a mental and emotional impact, and achieving this balance is the essence of my design philosophy.

Our publisher, KOKET, makes statement décor. If you were to design a room around one of their pieces, which would it be, and why?

KOKET’s “Intuition” catches my attention. With its organic and flowing lines that evoke nature, this piece can serve as a focal point in any living space. The table’s elegant and dramatic curves not only add a strong character to the room but also reflect the beauty of natural flow.

Love Happens When

…a person fully dedicates themselves to something or someone, transcending time and space. It’s like in the process of creating a design, when you passionately commit to an idea and feel that passion in every detail. Love reveals itself in the emotional bond between two people or in the deep connection a person has with the meaning behind something they’ve created. It’s when you become one with the soul of a space, the touch of light, the warmth of the materials, and feel as though the space is speaking to you… That’s when love truly exists.

Explore more from Yeşim Kozanli at yesimkozanli.com

Feature Image Ladybug House by Yeşim Kozanli

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