With a graphic designer & painter on art, interiors and lighting
Based in Dublin, painter and graphic designer Joyce Li brings a natural eye to balance, texture, and mood — both in her creative practice and in the interiors of her home. In this conversation, we explore the connection between art, functionality, and personal aesthetics.
Could you tell us a little about your work as a painter and graphic designer, and how your creative practice plays a role in the atmosphere you create in your home?
I believe my background in graphic design naturally gives me a focus on spatial logic, such as layout, balance, and creating a good flow in a room.
My work as a painter is much more about mood. The textures and hues I work with in my pieces naturally find their way into our homes through warm woods, tactile layered textiles, and atmospheric lighting.
Your home feels both thoughtful and personal. How do you strike the balance between functionality and personal style?
For me, functionality and personal expression are inseparably linked. I use functionality as the foundation and keep the interior simple and intentional, allowing a natural flow and space for the room to breathe. The personal expression then emerges through tactile and visual details.
By choosing everyday objects that also have an artistic dimension, such as sculptural lamps or furniture crafted from beautiful woods, the room becomes personal without compromising functionality.
What role does light play in your everyday life, both in your creative process and in the way you experience your home?
I see light as a physical material, something that can shape the mood and experience of a room. Bright daylight functions as a tool for focus, giving the visual clarity I need when I work.
As evening falls, I create a more relaxed atmosphere with layers of warm, indirect light that highlight the room's natural textures and invite a slower pace.
“Choosing everyday objects that also have an artistic dimension makes the space feel personal without compromising functionality.”
How has the VETRO lamp changed the atmosphere in your home? Do you see it primarily as a light source, a design piece, or something approaching a work of art?
The VETRO lamp has dramatically changed the room's visual balance. The Murano glass adds a beautiful, organic texture that turns the lamp into a sculptural art object, even when it is not lit. In the evening, the handmade glass casts a warm, soft light that instantly transforms the room into a personal sanctuary with a special atmosphere.
Is there a specific object, artwork, or piece of furniture in your home that holds special meaning for you? What's the story behind it?
Our collection of vinyl records holds a very special place in our home. My husband and I both started collecting records as children, long before we knew each other, and over time it became a shared passion that brought us together.
Today the collection functions as a living timeline of our lives – a sensory, analog presence in our home that continues to grow with us.
