We lead with action, design with intention, and live what we create—mindfully and in harmony with our surroundings.
Our Studio
We are a boutique interior design studio nestled in the tranquil foothills of Sierra Madre, California. Surrounded by mountains and nature, we draw daily inspiration from the stillness and beauty of our environment.
Rooted in mindfulness, Feng Shui, and architectural clarity, our work is guided by intention and grounded in place. We are proud to be locally owned and deeply connected to our community, serving clients throughout Sierra Madre, Pasadena, and surrounding neighborhoods.
We currently offer in-person services with no additional travel charges to clients located in our Preferred Service Area.
Our Founder
In February 2025, Chanova Design was founded by Zilia Zhou after a life-changing experience during the Eaton Fire. After evacuating for seven days and returning to find over 80 homes destroyed—while her family home miraculously survived—Zilia felt called to pursue her long-held dream: to create a design studio rooted in intention, resilience, and beauty.
Zilia’s background blends creative and strategic expertise. She holds a Bachelor's in Graphic Design from Boston University, an Interior Design Certificate from UCLA Extension, and a Master’s in Interior Architecture from Cal Poly Pomona. Her career began at Compass, working with top real estate agents on luxury properties, deepening her understanding of housing aesthetics and the unique character of Pasadena and the Foothills. She later joined Gensler’s strategy team, where she was selected from over 300 applicants worldwide to participate in an elite design strategy program.
While her time in corporate design sharpened her strategic thinking, Zilia’s true passion remains creating spaces that offer peace, timeless beauty, and tangible impact on people's lives. Chanova Design isn’t just a business—it’s Zilia’s way of helping others create spaces where they feel grounded, peaceful, and truly at home in a world that’s always changing.