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Toronto expat  Boyana Popvassilev  made the move to New York City in 2009, where she founded 26 Street Interior Design + Architecture Inc. Having worked with organizations like Case Development Inc. and Barney’s New York, Popvassilev continues to use Manhattan's eclectic culture as a source of inspiration, delighting in the everyday sights and sounds that inform her creative process. Yet, travel always elicits a relationship with rich new ideas, from the classic interiors of Miami yachts to Istanbul’s richly patterned textiles. Along with this, Popvassilev's admiration for historical art methods drew her toward Unica Zürn (1916-1970), a German surrealist writer, photographer and artist who's become a unique source of creative stimulation. With her architecture and interior design agency, Popvassilev showcases her innovative style in a diverse range of spaces, from private homes to corporate offices. Among other projects, she is currently designing the headquarters of Pencils of Promise Inc., a not-for-profit dedicated to equal access to education. Popvassilev’s interiors often combine a number of muted colours - grays, navys, creams, and caramels - with elements that reflect a mid-century modern style, showing her preference for clean lines and texture over fuss and glitz. But Popvassilev was initially drawn to interior design because it allowed her to connect her aesthetic sensibilities with her interest in people. “Interior designers and architects are sociologists as much as producers of design or construction,” says Popvassilev. "I get to see many dynamics with my residential clients: husband and wife dynamics, different ways of raising children; loneliness, expression, money." ### Her initial design process begins with a clear window into how her clients live, work, shop and celebrate, telling attributes that help her to tailor their space to be both practical and picturesque. And so, when working on office spaces, she's observed the changes in modern workplace design through "start-up" culture. What Popvassilev calls "the dorm room" office might require spaces for play, such as a Wii area and wall space designated for employees to display their ideas and inspiration. These elements stimulate creativity and conversation in the workplace. Another way an interior architect's influence on daily office life takes form might be the decision to include a bike room, shower, or dry-cleaning closet; design features that advocate for running or biking to work with details that extend beyond the 9-5. Ultimately, Popvassilev enjoys reinterpreting a wide range of design elements into physical spaces, and collaborating with her clients to design interiors that are both functional and joyful. There’s no formula for creating a successful atmosphere, but Popvassilev’s work with 26 Street Interior Design + Architecture Inc. illustrates an aptitude for producing empathetic spaces that integrate her ever-expanding repertoire of creative influences.

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