About Chanova
Interior Design
Designed in Sierra Madre, Los Angeles
Chanova Design is a boutique interior design studio based in the foothills of Sierra Madre, Los Angeles, California.
The name Chanova comes from two words: Chan, meaning calm and mind, and Nova, meaning new energy. Written as 千诺 in Chinese, the name carries a sense of intention that reflects how we approach our work.
Our design philosophy is rooted in mindfulness, Feng Shui, and architectural clarity. We think about how a space works, how it feels, and how it fits into the place around it.
We’re proudly local and independently owned, working with clients throughout California.
Feng Shui, and architectural clarity that's guided by intention and grounded in place. We are a proudly local, independently owned studio serving clients throughout California.
About Zilia Zhou
In January 2025, the Eaton Fire tore through the foothills where Zilia lives. After evacuating for seven days and returning to find more than 80 neighboring homes destroyed, while her family’s home miraculously survived, she knew it was time to stop waiting.
That experience became part of the reason she founded Chanova.
It reinforced something she had already believed: our homes are more than backdrops. They’re where we recover, reconnect, and find our footing, especially when life feels uncertain.
Zilia is a California Certified Interior Designer (CID #7550). 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. She is also LEED AP BD+C certified.
Before founding Chanova Design, Zilia worked with top luxury agents at Compass and on Gensler’s strategy team. That background shaped the way she approaches design today: with a strong focus on strategy, practicality, and how a space needs to work in real life.
Outside of design, Zilia is a certified yoga teacher and mindfulness practitioner and an active member of Sierra Madre Chamber of Commerce. She can usually be found at a local coffee shop or trying a new restaurant around Los Angeles.
Let’s Talk
Whether you’re planning a renovation, rethinking a room, or creating a more intentional environment for your business, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity.