The founder of Moda Interni LLC on creative freedom, sustainable luxury, material innovation, and why great design is always about the person living in the space.
Some careers are chosen deliberately. Others begin with an instinct so strong it arrives before the logic does. For Orinta Petruzyte, founder and lead designer of Dubai-based luxury interior design firm Moda Interni LLC, the pull toward design came at sixteen, when she purchased her first set of furniture without having anywhere to put it.
“I was simply drawn to it,” she recalls, with the kind of quiet confidence that comes from having spent decades proving that instinct right.
Today, Petruzyte leads one of Dubai’s most respected interior design and fit-out studios, with over 25 years of experience shaping luxury residential and commercial spaces across the Gulf. Moda Interni LLC has built its reputation on a distinctive philosophy: spaces should be simultaneously beautiful, purposeful, and emotionally resonant. Not one of the three. All three.
Arabian Business Times spoke with Petruzyte about her journey from a curious teenager in Lithuania to a leading creative force in one of the world’s most competitive design markets, and what she believes separates truly exceptional interiors from merely expensive ones.
From Freelancer to Founder: The Moda Interni Origin Story
Petruzyte’s formal design journey began in Dubai, where she studied, started freelancing, and gradually built a client base willing to trust her with their most personal spaces. In 2007, she established Moda Interni LLC, a name that has since become synonymous with refined, customized luxury in the Gulf region.
The early days were defined by experimentation. Small projects for early clients gave her a testing ground: wall finishes, custom artwork, material combinations that pushed the boundaries of what residential interiors could feel like. It was the kind of hands-on foundation that no classroom fully replicates.
“In the early days, I worked on small projects for my brave friends,” she says with a smile, “experimenting with wall finishes and creating my own artwork.”
That willingness to experiment, to treat every project as both a commission and a creative investigation, remains central to how Moda Interni operates today. Twenty-five years on, the projects are larger and the budgets considerably more ambitious. But the underlying curiosity has not changed.
The Design Philosophy: Purpose First, Beauty Always
Ask Orinta Petruzyte how she approaches a new project, and the answer reveals something important about how she thinks about design. She does not begin with a mood board or a materials palette. She begins with a question: What is this space actually for?
“My design philosophy revolves around the intended purpose of a space,” she explains. “Sometimes practicality leads the way, other times aesthetics take precedence, but ideally, it’s a balance of both.”
This is not a compromise position. For Petruzyte, the tension between function and beauty is not a problem to be resolved; it is the creative engine that makes great design possible. She approaches each project differently, allowing unexpected elements to shape the direction.
“A piece of art, a unique fabric texture, or even a certain light reflection can become the spark that transforms an entire concept,” she says.
It is an approach she describes as genuinely holistic: one where creativity and spontaneity are not luxuries permitted only after the practical decisions have been made. But essential inputs from the very beginning. This fluidity extends to her turnkey project management process, which she calls a “tough love approach.”
“Every project has its own rhythm and dynamics,” she explains. “The key is maintaining open communication between the client and suppliers, staying flexible, and embracing creativity along the way. It’s a mix of discipline, spontaneity, and genuine care for the project.”
Understanding Clients: Personality Over Culture
With over two decades of work across a diverse international clientele in Dubai. Petruzyte has developed a nuanced understanding of what drives design decisions at the human level. Her perspective on cultural differences is perhaps surprising.
“I don’t see huge differences based on culture. It’s more about personality types,” she says.
In her experience, clients fall into recognizable patterns regardless of nationality or background. Some prioritize practicality above all else, asking detailed questions about material durability and maintenance. Others are motivated entirely by visual impact. Some, she notes with characteristic warmth, want everything completed immediately.
“Each personality brings a different kind of challenge and energy, and I enjoy adapting to that,” she says.
This personality-first reading of clients reflects something deeper in her practice: a genuine interest in the people behind the brief. For Petruzyte, interior design is not about imposing a vision. It is about translating someone else’s. When that translation is done well, the result is a space that feels inevitable rather than designed.
Her multilingual capability has been a significant advantage in building these client relationships. Proficient in English, Lithuanian, and Russian. Petruzyte can connect with clients across a broad range of backgrounds and communicate with nuance rather than through the flattening effect of a shared second language.
“Languages are a huge advantage in this field,” she says. “I wish I had learned Arabic. It’s still on my list. I once started learning Italian. But maybe it’s time to add Chinese to the mix. There’s always room to grow.”
Luxury Interior Design Trends Shaping Dubai and the Gulf
Dubai’s design scene is unlike almost anywhere else on earth. A market where heritage and hyper-modernity coexist, where clients expect both global sophistication and cultural resonance, and where the pace of material and technological innovation is relentless.
Petruzyte is energized by it.
“I love how quickly new technologies are transforming our field,” she says. “We now see materials being laminated, printed on glass, or made as thin as 3mm; it’s magical.”
She describes working with mosaics that incorporate microchip technology originally developed for Visa cards. An example of the unexpected material crossovers that she finds most exciting about contemporary luxury design. For Petruzyte, the best design rarely comes from following trends directly. It comes from being genuinely curious about what new materials and techniques make possible. And, finding ways to deploy that innovation in the service of a client’s specific vision.
Alongside technological innovation, she has been particularly inspired by the revival of Arabic cultural elements in contemporary interiors, mashrabiya patterns, Islamic geometry, and calligraphy appearing in fabrics, prints, and architectural details.
“It’s a wonderful fusion of tradition and modernity,” she says. “Design should never feel static. It should surprise and inspire.”
Her own approach to trends reflects this: rather than chasing what is fashionable, she looks at each project from the client’s perspective and asks what would genuinely serve them best. When she has full creative freedom, she experiments, not because something is trending, but because it is exciting and innovative.
Sustainability in Luxury Design: A Genuine Shift
One of the most significant evolutions in Petruzyte’s practice over the past decade has been her approach to sustainable design. She is candid about how dramatically her perspective has changed; and why.
“Years ago, I might have used materials like zebra skins or kudu horns,” she acknowledges, “but today that’s unthinkable.”
Moda Interni now consistently opts for responsible alternatives; PU and PVC in place of real leather and fur, and materials chosen with environmental impact as a genuine criterion rather than an afterthought. For Petruzyte, this shift is not about compliance with industry expectations. It is about alignment with values she holds genuinely.
“It’s not just about following trends,” she says. “It’s about being responsible and aligned with modern values.”
This evolution mirrors a broader shift in how sophisticated clients in the Gulf are thinking about luxury. Increasingly, the most discerning buyers understand that true luxury and environmental responsibility are not opposing forces; and designers who grasp this are better positioned to serve the next generation of high-end residential and commercial clients.
A Project That Captures the Moda Interni Signature
When asked to describe a recent project that exemplifies what Moda Interni does at its best, Petruzyte points to a residential commission for Farah F. – a lawyer and CEO of a tech platform called Lively.
“She’s a true rockstar; in work and in life,” Petruzyte says. “It was a perfect collaboration where creativity met mutual respect.”
The project captured what she considers the essential ingredients of successful design work: a client who values creative input, a relationship built on genuine trust, and the kind of professional energy that elevates both parties.
“When your work is appreciated and valued, you naturally deliver more,” she says. “That project beautifully captured our signature blend of symmetry, texture, and innovation.”
It is a telling anecdote, because what Petruzyte emphasizes is not the specification of the project — the materials used, the scale, the budget; but the quality of the collaboration. For her, the human relationship between designer and client is not incidental to the creative process. It is the creative process.
What Makes Dubai a Unique Market for Luxury Interiors
After more than two decades operating in the UAE, Petruzyte has a clear-eyed understanding of what makes Dubai’s design market distinctive; and why it continues to attract the world’s most ambitious design talent.
The city’s appetite for innovation is genuine and fast-moving. New technologies, new materials, and new design vocabularies are adopted quickly. Clients are globally exposed, design-literate, and willing to invest in quality. The intersection of Arabic cultural heritage with international modernism creates a design context that is genuinely unlike anywhere else.
At the same time, the market demands a particular kind of designer: one who can operate across cultures, communicate across languages, execute complex turnkey projects with precision, and deliver emotional resonance alongside technical excellence.
“The innovation never stops,” Petruzyte says. “And I wouldn’t want it to.”
The Next Five Years: Vision for Moda Interni
Looking ahead, Orinta Petruzyte is focused on deepening what Moda Interni does best; while pushing the boundaries of what luxury interiors in the Gulf can aspire to.
Her vision centers on three commitments: expanding the firm’s luxury residential and commercial portfolio, continuing to invest in creative and material innovation, and maintaining the relentless focus on craftsmanship and client partnership that has defined the studio since its founding.
“I am focused on creating spaces with emotion, comfort, and timeless beauty,” she says. “Continuous learning and pushing boundaries will be key — along with adding those extra zeros to the project budgets.”
It is a vision delivered with her characteristic blend of seriousness and humor — and it captures something essential about what has made Moda Interni endure and grow through more than two decades of a rapidly changing market. Petruzyte is not standing still. She is building toward something larger, informed by everything she has learned but not constrained by it.
In a design landscape where novelty is easy and lasting quality is rare, that combination of experience, curiosity, and creative courage is precisely what sets Moda Interni apart.
FAQ: Orinta Petruzyte and Moda Interni LLC
Who is Orinta Petruzyte?
Orinta Petruzyte is a Dubai-based interior designer and the founder and owner of Moda Interni LLC. With over 25 years of experience in luxury residential and commercial interior design across the Gulf, she is recognized as one of the region’s leading design voices.
What does Moda Interni LLC specialize in?
Moda Interni LLC specializes in luxury interior design and fit-out services for residential and commercial spaces in Dubai and across the Gulf region. The firm is known for its custom craftsmanship, turnkey project management, material innovation, and a design philosophy that balances aesthetics with functionality.
How long has Moda Interni been operating in Dubai?
Moda Interni LLC was established in 2007 by Orinta Petruzyte and has been operating in Dubai for over 25 years, building a portfolio of luxury projects across the UAE and Gulf.
What is Moda Interni’s approach to sustainable interior design?
Moda Interni has significantly evolved its approach to sustainability, moving away from animal-derived materials toward responsible eco-friendly alternatives such as PU and PVC. Sustainability is now embedded in the firm’s material selection process as a core value rather than a trend consideration.
What design trends does Orinta Petruzyte see shaping Dubai’s luxury interiors? P
etruzyte highlights material innovation – including ultra-thin laminates, glass printing, and mosaic technologies — alongside the revival of Arabic cultural design elements such as mashrabiya patterns, Islamic geometry, and calligraphy as the key trends shaping luxury interiors in Dubai and the Gulf.
Quick Facts: Orinta Petruzyte & Moda Interni LLC
| Role | Founder, Owner & Lead Designer, Moda Interni LLC |
| Location | Dubai, UAE |
| Experience | 25+ years in luxury interior design |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Specialization | Luxury Residential & Commercial Interior Design, Turnkey Fit-Out |
| Design Philosophy | Purpose-led, holistic, balancing aesthetics with functionality |
| Languages | English, Lithuanian, Russian |
| Sustainability | Eco-friendly material alternatives; responsible sourcing |
| linkedin.com/in/opetruzyte |
Arabian Business Times profiles the leaders, founders, and visionaries shaping business across the GCC and beyond. To suggest a leader for our executive interview series, contact our editorial team.
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