Anila Hetoja

In Conversation with Art is an Irreplaceable Way of Understanding and Expressing the World

By Rudina Hoxha

TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN caught up with talented, Albaniabased interior designer, Anila Hetoja who not only develops the interior design plans and oversees the works implementation until completion but incorporates her artwork/paintings in every design. Such combined skills have given her a name not only in Albania but abroad as well.

“The elements I use in most interior design projects are bright cheerful colors, lighting, balance, harmony, contrast of natural lighting and details that always make the difference,” Anila said in this exclusive interview.

The artwork/paints incorporated in each design project are “like my creatures that I have given life to and that have been taken from my emotions.”

For over a decade of hard work, sacrifices and dedication, she managed to build a refined and admirable profile. Studying at

RCC Institute of Technology of Art in Toronto, Canada, one of the most well-known universities in North America in the field of Interior Design, Hetoja founded Hetoja Designer Consulting in 2012. Since then, she has opened many personal exhibitions not only in Tirana and Shkodër but also abroad, such as in Germany and Canada while multiple projects are building up day by day in the field of interior design.

“The love for interior design is unquestionable because it gives me the opportunity to learn and build my skills in many fields, both inside and outside of design,” she states.

Full interview below:

Thank you so much for sitting down with us Anila! Let’s start with what comes so natural to you: how did you get into the interior design of hotels and resorts specifically? Wat it a desire or an outcome of your other artistic talents? Right after finishing my studies, I started to design the interiors for residential and commercial space (villas, apartments, bars and restaurants), and a few years later I had the chance to deal with larger interior design projects for hotels and guesthouses. Over the years, I managed to establish my professional profile not simply by being best in matching client goals by visualizing and sketching design plans in full adherence to building codes and inspection requirements but also by professionally caring and treating clients’ requirements and expectations for functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing spaces.

Quite often, my customers ask my advice to help them not only selecting materials, furnishings, and décor but also determining wall-paint and suggesting paintings so to give the interior the final touch. Perhaps, the combination of interior design plans and the realizations of paintings and drawings matching the same ambience, has set me somehow apart from other professionals in the field as I create and compose with aesthetic taste, incorporating art into my design work. Obviously, it is a must for any interior designer to keep abreast and maintain knowledge on trends, materials and techniques in the interior design field.

What special factors do you consider when you create spaces for hotels? Can you illustrate that with some examples? The design of spaces for a hotel is of vital importance when it comes to creating a positive experience for guests, event planners, staff, and anyone else who steps foot into the property. Besides the usual core elements of any space design (functional use, right materials and affordable budget), efficient planning and creative appearance are prime considerations while designing a hotel.

Interior design encompasses a wide range of elements ranging from floor plan to wall color, furniture style, lighting, flooring, decorative stone, wallpaper, wood paneling, indoor waterfalls, decorative elements, plants, good light management etc. All of these are some of the elements that interior designers use to make guests relax, even though they are away from home, offering them the comfort and convenience of being at home. All these aspects carefully curated and put together can create a unique design.

Architects tend to experiment with hotel bedrooms and not only. The lobby is the main point of the hotel. The modern philosophy of hotel design is about telling a unique story with the basic elements used while conducting the vision. Moreover, continuing with the comfort and accessibility thought and created for all customers, especially for people with limited abilities and inclusive details for the community.

What is the best hotel you have stayed in and how has it inspired you in your job?

I have been fortunate to travel quite a lot and experienced different cultures all around the world mostly in Europe, but also Americas, which have marvelous hotels with stunning architecture. The imagination of interior architects has no limits. One of the most unique hotels that has left a mark on me is Hotel das Cataratas in Brazil which splashes in a tropical area. My family and I were lucky enough to visit this gorgeous place for a while. The view was spectacular from Iguassu Falls, but truly the whole environment was like heaven on earth.

In terms of the interior design, the approach and adaptability to nature, the place was highly impressive. The tropical character was greatly achieved by combining warm colors, artistic and traditional elements, natural yet slightly dim lighting and much more. It is definite that art is an irreplaceable way of understanding and expressing the world, which always reflects in my work and the artistic elements that are attached in my memories.

Tell us some of the properties you have worked on. What are the special elements you have used?

For over a decade of hard work and dedication, there are lots of projects that I vividly remember. The love for interior design is unquestionable because it gives me the opportunity to learn and build my skills in many fields, both inside and outside of design. Working in a team is challenging, considering that artists represent individual and specific visions, but thankfully everyone that I’ve worked with have had similar approaches in professional and visionary aspects. Additionally, team work is crucial because you get to share experiences, learn, expand perspectives also boosting productivity and lastly, it creates and diversifies workplace.

However, some projects I consider as challenges in my professional journey are Hotel “Sokrat,” Hotel “Labeatan” in addition to many residences I designed throughout Albania, specifically in Shkodër, Tirana, Tepelënë, Pogradec, Durrës and many more. In these design projects, I not only developed the interior design plans and oversaw the works implementation until completion; I also incorporated my artwork/paintings adapted to every design. The elements I use in most interior design projects are bright cheerful colors, lighting, balance, harmony, contrast of natural lighting and details that always make the difference.

What emotions do you experience when you see your work completed?

The emotions are indescribable, they are positive feelings gained thanks to work finally completed. Each completed project, although the journey is long, has challenges in its uniqueness, not only from the compositions, the furnishings which are different, but also from the problems which are a good lesson and help you to progress.

The artwork/paints I incorporate in each design project are like my creatures that I have given life to and that have been taken from my emotions.

Needless to say, you must be an avid traveler. What do you spot first when you check in a hotel or resort?

For work and family reasons, I have traveled to different countries of the world and the first impressions I got out of these hotels were the elements of art which include basic structures that consist of lines, shapes, colors, textures, light radiation, space, etc. These create a visual impact which evoke emotion and inspiration in me as an interior designer.

In addition to the hotel lobby, an important role is also played by the exterior of a building, which affects the emotional side. I think that a building can have a psychological impact even at the most basic level, if it has a well-thought-out visual appearance, it is likely to make us happy, conversely if a poorly designed building will have the opposite effect and consequently as a customer you wouldn’t want to go back again.

Where will you spend your summer holidays this year? Sea or mountains? What is next for you?

After quite a busy period, I look forward to the holidays, which surely helps to recover from the busy schedules and hard work. It is a moment where I find peace and enjoy my time to the fullest with family and my dearest people.