For the past seven years, designer Fitore Syla and her friend, architect Njomza Havolli, have been cofounders of Muza, an interior design studio focused on “creating beautiful interiors in Kosovo,” Fitore begins. “Each project lets us play with shapes, colors, and forms in new ways.”
However, 2024 has brought change with her own studio, called Fitore Syla, focusing on interiors and products. “I see design as a way to live harmoniously and authentically. My journey with design has taught me valuable lessons and led to personal growth, making it an ongoing part of my life. Design allows for the expression of emotions, passions, and personality without the need for words,” Fitore explains. “Designing my own apartment was an exciting new adventure.”
When Fitore and her partner, CEO and cofounder of software company Kutia, Arianit Fazliu, bought this 936-square-foot apartment in Prishtinë, Kosovo, it was still under construction, “so we could customize the layout as we wanted,” she begins. “We focused on improving specific areas to match our needs and preferences. We renovated the entire apartment at once but prioritized the most important areas.”
“We planned everything using 3D software, then budgeted and ordered furniture. The construction process started with defining walls, then installing electricity and plumbing, followed by plastering and adding gypsum where needed. After that, we laid down natural parquet flooring and began bringing in furniture, doors, and final decorations. The whole process took three months before we could move in,” Fitore describes.
While the couple has lived in the home for one year, they’ve actually owned it for longer than that. “We originally bought the apartment in 2016 with plans to move in by 2017, but the delay ended up being five years long!” Fitore admits. “During those five years, I revised the design three times.” The delay actually allowed them to save more money for the renovation.
“Despite the difficulty of waiting to move in, we still had many memorable moments in our rented apartment. We got engaged, married, and celebrated our son Ben’s 3rd birthday. In the midst of these five years, the pandemic hit and gave us time to reflect and grow,” Fitore explains. “It changed me in a positive way, allowing me to discover new opportunities within myself. It’s true what they say — some things happen for a reason. The final design of our apartment truly reflects who we are.”
“Reflecting on our lives, we feel deep gratitude,” Fitore explains. “Arianit and I experienced war as children, shaping our perspectives and choices. Our parents’ struggles during those times inspired us to be our best selves. This duality of war and freedom gave us strength and influenced my career choice. Many homes were damaged in the war, and now, 23 years later, we’re part of renewing them, creating spaces with history and stories. This opportunity to do good for our people, sharing a story of resilience and appreciation for better days, is profound. In interior design, we communicate without words, evoking emotions through spaces. We’re always learning, evolving, and honoring our past, bridging the worlds of then and now.”
Resources
PAINT & COLORS
Hallway — Vernilac “Chardonnay, S 1030-y”
Living Area — Vernilac, “White, S 0500-N”
Ben’s Room — Vernilac “Chardonnay, S 1030-y”
Bedroom, Bathroom, Balcony — Vernilac “White, S 0500-N”
Correction: An earlier version of this article mistakenly reported that the couple have lived in the home for three years; they have actually only lived in it for one year.
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