The most memorable interiors rarely begin with furniture, colors, or floor plans. They begin with people. Behind every thoughtfully designed space is a story waiting to be understood, interpreted, and brought to life. In an industry often driven by trends, the ability to create spaces that reflect individual identities has become one of the most valuable skills a designer can possess.
That philosophy sits at the heart of Pola Maria Szczepaniak’s work. As the founder of POLA INTERIORS, a boutique design studio operating across Singapore, Dubai, and Istanbul, she has built a reputation for crafting interiors that feel deeply personal while carrying a refined international character. Her portfolio spans luxury residences, hospitality projects, and bespoke commercial spaces throughout Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
Pola’s creative journey began in the world of fashion, where she developed a keen understanding of fabrics, textures, materials, and structural composition. That early foundation continues to shape her approach to furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E), allowing her to curate interiors with the same attention to detail, craftsmanship, and balance that defines exceptional fashion design. Educated at Istituto Marangoni in Milan and influenced by years spent living in cities such as Paris, Berlin, London, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore, Dubai, and Istanbul, she cultivated a deep appreciation for the relationship between culture, lifestyle, and design. Over the past decade, she has transformed that global perspective into a design practice that values authenticity over repetition.
Today, through POLA INTERIORS, she approaches every project as a collaborative journey, bringing together leading Italian brands, skilled artisans, and makers from around the world to create spaces that are elegant, purposeful, and rich with meaning.
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A Journey Shaped by Culture, Creativity, and Curiosity
Long before POLA INTERIORS took shape, Pola was building the foundation of her design philosophy through travel, cultural immersion, and creative exploration. Her early experience in fashion introduced her to the power of proportion, texture, and emotion, lessons that would later influence her approach to interiors. Living across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East expanded her understanding of how people interact with space. By the time she founded POLA INTERIORS, she had spent years refining a design perspective rooted in empathy, cultural awareness, and thoughtful craftsmanship.
Where Elegance Meets Everyday Living
For Pola, great design is not about creating a visual statement. It is about shaping spaces that quietly enrich daily life. Over the years, her philosophy has evolved around the belief that interiors should balance beauty with purpose, offering both comfort and character. With a strong focus on FF&E, she pays close attention to the details that define how a space feels and functions. The result is an aesthetic that blends European refinement with Asian sensitivity, creating interiors that are timeless, deeply personal, and designed to age gracefully alongside their owners.
Turning Personal Stories into Designed Experiences
At POLA INTERIORS, every project starts long before sketches and material boards. It begins with understanding the person behind the space. Pola invests time in learning about her clients’ lifestyles, cultural influences, and aspirations, using those insights to shape a design narrative that feels authentic. “The goal is to create an environment where the client feels truly recognised,” she says. Through a collaborative process and a carefully curated design approach, she transforms personal stories into interiors that are distinctive, meaningful, and impossible to replicate.
Lessons Learned Across Continents
Some of Pola’s most defining professional experiences came through her work on luxury residential and hospitality projects across Asia and the Middle East. Collaborating on developments in destinations such as the Maldives, China, India, Bali, Singapore, and Dubai taught her how to navigate complex projects while preserving a clear design vision. Yet one of her most important decisions was founding POLA INTERIORS as a boutique practice. That choice reinforced a leadership philosophy built on close client relationships, thoughtful collaboration, and the belief that great design requires both creative confidence and disciplined execution.
Designing with a Global Perspective and a Local Soul
Years of working across diverse markets have given Pola a deep appreciation for the many ways people experience home, hospitality, and luxury. Yet she resists the temptation to transplant trends from one region to another. Instead, each project begins with its own context. “My aim is to weave international influences into the project in a way that feels natural and respectful,” she explains. Whether designing in Singapore, Greece, or the Maldives, she carefully responds to local architecture, environment, and culture, creating interiors that feel connected to the world while remaining firmly rooted in place.
Building for the Way People Live Today
As lifestyles continue to evolve, Pola sees a growing demand for spaces that can adapt to multiple needs without sacrificing comfort or elegance. Sustainability and material awareness are also becoming central to design conversations, influencing how projects are planned and executed. At POLA INTERIORS, innovation is embraced thoughtfully rather than blindly. Whether incorporating smart technologies or sourcing from trusted artisans and manufacturers around the world, every decision is guided by longevity, functionality, and human experience. The objective is simple: create interiors that remain relevant not only today, but for years to come.
Growing a Business Without Compromising the Vision
Like many creative entrepreneurs, Pola discovered that building a successful studio required far more than design expertise. Managing operations, finances, client expectations, and project timelines across multiple international markets brought a different set of challenges. Those experiences reinforced the importance of structure, patience, and clear communication. Rather than pursuing rapid expansion, she chose a path centered on quality and trust. That decision continues to shape POLA INTERIORS today, allowing the studio to maintain a high level of personal involvement while fostering relationships that often extend well beyond the completion of a project.
Creating Through Collaboration and Trust
Behind every successful POLA INTERIORS project is a network of trusted collaborators. Pola views design as a shared effort, one that relies on open communication, mutual respect, and a clear understanding of the desired outcome. Her experience in FF&E has strengthened her appreciation for the craftspeople, suppliers, consultants, and project teams who help bring ideas to life. The same collaborative spirit defines her leadership style. Grounded in empathy, accountability, and high standards, she has built a studio culture where professionalism and creativity coexist, ensuring that every project is approached with care, integrity, and attention to detail.
Designing a Legacy That Endures
As she looks toward the future, Pola remains committed to growing POLA INTERIORS as a boutique international studio that values authenticity as much as aesthetics. Her vision extends beyond creating beautiful interiors. It is about shaping spaces that carry meaning and remain relevant across generations. “I hope my work will be remembered for its quiet strength rather than loud statements,” she says. That philosophy reflects the legacy she hopes to leave behind: a reminder that thoughtful design can be both globally informed and deeply personal, enriching lives long after a project is complete.
