Today we’d like to introduce you to Vilma Papaleka.
Hi Vilma, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My first memories of gardens take me back to my grandmother’s garden. It wasn’t very big, but it felt full and alive. There were small paths between fruit trees and shrubs, lots of flowers, and a lot of shade, which made it a wonderful place to spend summer afternoons. I remember sitting on the small veranda and watching the clematis flowers in bloom, and making little bouquets because there were always so many flowers to choose from. Those early memories really sparked my love for plants and outdoor spaces.
Growing up in Lithuania, another place that inspired me was the estate of Count Tiskevicius. The grounds were beautiful, with ponds, rose gardens, fountains, and even peacocks and swans wandering through the park. It felt magical, and it showed me how powerful well-designed landscapes can be.
Interestingly, I never originally planned to become a landscape designer. When I was applying to university, I came across a program called Recreational Landscape Development. I didn’t fully understand what it meant at the time, but it sounded interesting, so I applied and was accepted. I ended up studying park planning and public space design at the University of Klaipėda, in a beautiful seaside town and loved every minute of it.
During my studies, through a Work and Travel program I was assigned to come to the United States and work at Six Flags Great America, helping with landscaping and grounds maintenance. That experience introduced me to the landscaping industry here. After getting certified in 2003, I began working in landscaping industry in Illinois.
Over the years I continued learning while raising a family. In 2017, with encouragement from a former boss lady, who was an inspiration, I started working on my own. What began as a few design projects gradually grew into a small business. Today I find a lot of meaning in this work. There is great satisfaction in helping homeowners transform their outdoor spaces into places where they can relax, gather, and enjoy nature. It feels good to create something lasting and to be useful in that way.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I would say overall it has been a pretty smooth road. I’ve actually enjoyed every job and every company I’ve been part of along the way, and each experience taught me something valuable.
The biggest challenge in the beginning was adjusting to a new country. Navigating a foreign language, different traditions, and simply learning how people communicate and work here took some time. At first it felt a little like walking through a labyrinth, trying to understand everything.
But in many ways that challenge was also exciting. It pushed me to learn quickly, observe more carefully, and adapt. Over time those differences became something I really appreciated, and they helped me grow both personally and professionally.
So while there were definitely moments of adjustment, I see them more as part of the adventure than as struggles.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Early in my career, I often wondered why professional landscape design services were so expensive and out of reach for many homeowners. Landscaping should not be a luxury only a few people can access. That realization inspired me to create more affordable design options so that everyday homeowners can benefit from professional guidance and thoughtful planning.
What sets my work apart is the balance between design quality and accessibility. I focus on practical, sustainable, and eco-friendly solutions that look beautiful but also make sense for real life and real budgets.
What I’m most proud of is helping clients transform their outdoor spaces in ways they didn’t think were possible, while keeping the process approachable and affordable.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I enjoy collaborating with homeowners, contractors, builders, realtors and other professionals who want thoughtful landscape design integrated into their projects. Good design works best when it’s part of the process from the beginning.
If someone simply wants to support my work, the best way is by sharing my services, recommending me to friends or neighbors who are planning outdoor projects, or following and engaging with my work online.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://amlivlandesigns.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amlivlanddesigns/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amlivlanddesigns/reviews
