Even before entering these apartments, interior designer Dovilė Švilpienė paused at the building’s door — the renovated early 20th-century Old Town house immediately captivated the Vilnius-based creator.
‘A distinctive exterior element is the ornate upper masonry details, visible through the arched windows of the apartments, which envelop the entire space in the romantic aura of old Vilnius,’ said Dovilė, who approached the design of this space with great inspiration.’
“They discussed only the essential aspects of the 130 square meter home with the future homeowners — room functions, the need for different spaces, while all the creative work — the interior concept and visual expression — was exclusively Dovilė’s task. Of course, before choosing this designer, the clients studied several of her previous interior projects, and only after being convinced that their aesthetic standards aligned did they approach the professional.
‘What would you highlight the most in this interior — where was the biggest challenge?’ I asked Dovilė.
‘First, the non-standard “swallowtail” shaped floor plan with a main triangular space framed by arched, floor-to-ceiling windows, where the kitchen, dining, and living areas needed to be harmoniously integrated.
Second, the complex 5-meter high geometric ceilings — to accommodate ventilation and cooling systems and then “dress” them beautifully without disturbing the volumes required long hours of drawing 3D models on the computer and looking up at the ceilings. My main task was to harmonize the complex spatial structures and create a sense of interior unity. Therefore, the walls and ceilings were painted in the same near-white color to avoid the visual ‘attic’ effect, and all built-in furniture was designed to integrate and adapt to the existing ceiling slopes and niches.’
‘By the way, to clarify the homeowners’ needs, we spent a lot of time — filling out questionnaires, discussing the smallest details of the future home, from the overall desired mood to the ratio of shelves to hangers in the closets. This process allows me to understand the vision for the interior and choose a specific direction, while it gives the clients confidence in the process and a chance to relax, instead of sifting through endless interior photos.
Therefore, once the clients have done their homework, they usually hand over all the concerns and creative challenges of interior design to me with relief — that’s exactly what an interior designer is for.’
‘What are the elements that most often determine a successful interior, what is the most important?’
‘To me, a good interior is a harmony of appearance and function. It can be visually stunning, but if the home does not serve the person, isn’t comfortable, or isn’t designed according to the homeowners’ needs, the visual beauty will quickly fade. Therefore, I first focus on the layout of spaces, the furniture plan, and lighting solutions, and only then do I move on to the interior decor. Similarly, when selecting materials, I prioritize durability and practicality.
‘Function or aesthetics?’
‘These aspects are often seen as opposites, but in my view, function and aesthetics are completely aligned — after all, what kind of aesthetics can there be in a home where shoes are lined up by the door because there’s no place for them, or where kitchen utensils clutter the countertop because there wasn’t enough storage planned? Conversely, a comfortable home where everything has its place and needs are met with dedicated spaces is almost inherently aesthetic.’
‘Nowadays, there is such an abundance of various finishing materials, furniture, and accessories — both in Lithuania and worldwide. How do you choose the most suitable solutions from such a variety?’
‘I usually prioritize time-tested, classic solutions and materials that are resistant to passing trends — natural wood, stone, ceramics. When you factor in all the components — functionality, practicality, durability, quality, beauty, accessibility, and cost, which always plays a role in decision-making, the abundance doesn’t seem so overwhelming.’
‘Should the interior reflect the people living in it, or should it simply be comfortable to live in?’
‘Personally, I believe that the interior is an extension of the people living in it. Therefore, my mission as an interior designer is to create homes that best reflect the owners’ taste, hobbies, and individuality.’
‘Do Lithuanians have a refined taste?’
‘In Lithuania, special attention is paid to interiors — there are TV shows, magazines, and columns dedicated to it, so Lithuanians do have a refined taste and a keen eye for interiors. Since I work not only in Lithuania but also in other countries, I can confirm that Lithuanians are indeed knowledgeable clients — they know what they want, collaborate, and trust the designer’s expertise and suggested solutions, which leads to a successful final result — a well-executed interior.’
‘Or do we perhaps spend too much attention (and money) on our homes? Isn’t simpler living a sign of good taste?’
‘We do indeed dedicate a lot of attention, time, and resources to our homes. Perhaps it is a unique characteristic of our nation — the desire to have a personal fortress, a refuge? Simple homes can (and often do) have good taste, as finding harmony in excess is much more challenging than in simplicity. Still, I try to advise my clients on where it’s not worth splurging and where investments will pay off and even increase their property’s value.’
‘Creators often don’t like to talk about prevailing interior trends — do they even exist? If so, what are they at the moment?’
‘Interior trends certainly exist, and I make an effort to stay acquainted with them. Every year, I participate in interior exhibitions in Paris and Milan — year after year, they showcase the latest trends and directions from the most influential manufacturers in the interior world. For more than half a decade, the popularity of mid-century modern style has not waned, bringing back the minimalist furniture of the 60s-70s and geometric patterns in fabrics and wallpapers. The new Japandi style, which combines Japanese and Scandinavian design aesthetics, has also rapidly gained popularity, characterized by simplicity, naturalness, and a pursuit of harmony. Modern classic is a timeless interior direction, annually enriched with new features, integrating elements of other styles, and continually rediscovered by interior enthusiasts.
Like fashion trends, interior trends tend to repeat and come full circle, so a good interior always remains so — initially as modern and innovative, eventually as a distinct and individual embodiment of style, and finally as a newly rediscovered trendy vintage.’
