After graduating from Kadıköy Anadolu College, Elif Kınıkoğlu studied Interior Architecture and Environmental Design in Fine Arts Academy of Marmara University.
Her advance English education took place in London, St. Giles College and in Oxford Masterson’s School. She also learnt Italian in the International Language School in Milan and she is fluent in both English and Italian.
During her continuous visits to Italy, she successfully attended to courses such as “Furniture Design” held by the Domus Academy and “Lighting Design”
in the Instituto Europeo di Disegn.
She had her first internship practice in Fil Design-Reşit Soley before deciding to expertise in the design sections of trendsetter firms such as Koleksiyon Mobilya, Metex Perugia, Derishow Mimarca, and Deka A.Ş. in which she has created Dekaneo brand.
Since 2005 to this day, Elif Kınıkoğlu has been continuing her authentic interior design projects with success under the name of her family company, Şema Mimarlık.