Inna Baranova is the co-owner and principal designer of Baranova Design, established in 2024 in San Francisco, California, with her sister Olena Baranova, as a full-service, boutique, interior architecture and design firm that brings a range of skills and many years of expertise to every project. Born in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Inna Baranova always exemplified an aptitude for architecture and design. With tenacity and perseverance, she has diligently worked her way to the successful position she is recognized for today.
After graduating with a diploma from the Kharkiv Children’s Art Studio and Art School No. 1 at the age of 15, Ms. Baranova attended Kharkiv Construction College and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in architecture in 1995. Thereafter, Ms. Baranova received a Master of Fine Arts in architecture from the Kharkiv State Technical University of Construction and Architecture in 2000. Equipped with advanced degrees and a newfound passion for design, she became an interior designer at Kharkiv-based Akkord Ltd., where she remained until 2003.
Ms. Baranova immigrated to the United States to seek higher education, studying AutoCAD, building systems, English, and public speaking at the Community College of Philadelphia between 2003 and 2004. Following her childhood dream, she first worked as a junior architectural designer with the New York-based architectural firm Peter Marino Architect from 2004 to 2007, then relocated to San Francisco, California, to work as a junior architectural designer for the Grossman Design Group in 2007. Shortly thereafter, Ms. Baranova served as an associate architectural interior designer for ForrestPerkins, a hospitality firm, in 2008 and as a project interior designer for Steven Volpe Design Studio, a residential design firm, in 2009.
During this time, Ms. Baranova earned credentials through the National Architecture Accrediting Board with an additional Master of Fine Arts in Architecture in 2009. In 2010, she joined NICOLEHOLLIS in San Francisco, where she was a senior architectural designer as well as an associate partner and the director of the residential interior architecture department. During her stint at the company, Ms. Baranova maintained responsibility for the growth and expansion of the interior architecture department and shared her expertise with her team of colleagues to improve their projects. Notably, during Ms. Baranova’s time there, the company was recognized as Best Interior Designer and was included on Architectural Digest’s 100 List between 2021 and 2023. To remain abreast of developments in the architecture industry, Ms. Baranova serves as an associate member of the American Institute of Architects. She holds a National Council of Architectural Registration Boards record of completion of the AXP program for education and training.
Married with three children – Alexander, Angela, and Julia – Ms. Baranova enjoys attending museums, reading, photography, cross-country skiing, mountaineering, hiking, playing tennis, sketching, and embroidery in her leisure time. She lives and works by the motto, “Behind every great person is another person who makes things happen for them.” In this regard, she is exceptionally grateful for the influence of her mother and sister, who have served as unwavering beacons of support.