Architect turns interior designer

A chartered architect by profession specializing in interior designs is Dilini Mapagunaratne. Her past projects have been associated with apartments, houses and hotels. In the execution of interiors many elements of design are customized to create a unique appearance from one interior to another. This gradually led to the design of concentrated areas of interest associated with wooden items from furniture- to light fittings -to interior décor elements.

She adopted a creative approach with an intention of sustainable design running in my subconscious mind. During the Covid era with imposed restrictions and limiting to practice as architect, she started experimenting and improvising with new design ideas. It started with recreating an old plastic platter which she purchased from a dollar store overseas into a charger plate (a large plate/ base plate where the main dinner plate is placed on). This was a trigger to her new venture that led to the creation of a novel designer wooden homeware range.

Dilini Mapagunaratne

Tell us about your design station

Design Station is a hub for replacing homeware products to an eco- friendly – sustainable range. Crafted by solid pieces of wood by local artisans- sourced locally thus creating a complete Sri Lankan product maintaining a high quality finish. The wood is selected carefully based on colour, texture, grain and durability making each piece unique and every item a work of art on its own.

Design Station wooden bowls, charcuterie platters, chopping boards, tumblers, tongs etc provide a burst of organic sophistication to the space it occupies in a sustainable manner. Each piece could serve as a timeless item if taken basic care and even passed on to generations.

(Q) What is your greatest inspiration?

Inspiration has come from many places. As children we were brought up to be sensitive to our surroundings. My grandfather-an Ayurveda physician instilled the importance of healthy living-also to not waste, re-use, recycle, to maximize what is naturally available in our immediate context. My mother never inhibited our ideas and always encouraged us to improvise on our own creativity; being someone who appreciated art and made sure she kept a cozy house. These were some key elements I believe that contributed directly and indirectly to what influenced and inspired me to do.

(Q) Recent successes and highlights ?

(A) Opening my very own wooden homeware store Design Station.A small chic -unpretentious retail outlet that showcases my creativity through my product range.

(Q) Your creative instincts ?

(A) My creative instincts were passed down from my mother-the person who encouraged me to take up a career in architecture. Studying architecture helped me in many ways. To be innovative, think out of the box, to be persevering and push oneself to limits beyond one could ever imagine.

(Q) What has been your highlight over the years ?

(A) To develop a range of items that have reached an export quality value. The Design Station product range has reached quite a few high end restaurants and hotels. Many foreigners value these local products and are more than happy to take them overseas to their homes in spite of its heavy weight. The solidity of the wood ware is what adds to its richness.

(Q) Do the current innovations in technology affect your work as a creative artist?

(A) New innovations will always pop up- this does not affect the product as DS also keeps innovating with time. I am venturing out into different areas of design that is in sync with my wooden products. My aim to give a client a design solution that is beyond my current product range. With design there are no boundaries. One of the key ideas behind the name Design Station is to provide a platform for various areas of design –a holistic approach, not merely limiting one to a specific space but to look beyond.

(Q) Tell us about your creative process ?

(A) My creative process usually starts with requirements for a client or a customer. Depending on the context a concept is formulated to suit the situation. The concept is then carried right through out in every single detail to the making of the end product. However, the detailed design process is quite multi-faceted in each and every situation

(Q)Where does your passion for design come from?

(A) Passion for design comes from the love for aesthetics. Something beautiful always stimulates me.

(Q) What do you love most about your work?

(A) What I love most – when what I have sketched on the drawing board comes into reality and looks even more fulfilling than what was envisioned.

(Q) How would you describe your style?

(A) My style varies –from very simple minimalist to vibrant and energetic

(Q) Design is often surrounded with talk of sustainability ?

(A) Sustainability is a key factor for me- not only in design but in lifestyle

(Q) Plans for the future?

(A) Plan is to diversify into innovating with different locally sourced materials that sync with my wooden products. Eg. Stoneware, recycled glass, clay, rattan etc that is not found anywhere else

(Q) How did you end up in such an offbeat unconventional and facinating career?

(A) I always wanted to do something different with design. The lockdown due to covid facilitated this process which gave me more time to design and execute my ideas. Made sufficient stocks and focused on brand labelling. Upcoming pop ups provided opportunities to market DS.

The Saturday Good Market became a regular spot for promotion. I became a supplier to Pendi and had a shack at a sustainable product store at one Galle Face mall. Eventually I made it to opening up my very own shop at Alwis Place on Perehera Mawatha where a popular café existed once upon a time. It’s difficult to miss the set of bright yellow doors with an unostentatious signage of Design Station in conjunction with my neighbour’s beautiful bougainvillea tree.