„It is unusual for many to open their home doors to colleagues and partners, but I love people very much, I value the coziness of home, intimacy, and that unique atmosphere that guests fill the house with,“ says the businesswoman.
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More than eighty dressed-up and festively minded guests gathered at the home of Kristina and Povilas Stroliai, established in the heart of Kaunas, Žaliakalnis. K. Strolienė jokes that she received confirmations from all invited guests that they would definitely attend the event in a record short time. “When a business partner, manager, colleague invites you to their home – it is a great sign of trust, respect, and love. This is especially appreciated by perfume creators from other countries – Italy, Spain, because according to their traditions, being invited to a home is a huge honor,” says the hostess of the celebration. “And I feel very good when the house fills with so many good, warm, and genuine emotions – laughter, love, hugs.”
Spirit of Sicily
On the last weekend of spring, K. Strolienė invited guests to welcome the summer season and at least in their minds travel to the beloved sunny Sicily, whose spirit was expressed through carefully selected Sicilian decorations – blue, white, and citrus colors, Italian rhythms, and gourmet flavors. Guests at the celebration enjoyed bruschettas with tomatoes, arancini with mushroom filling. Of course, the highlight of the party was the traditional Italian dessert tiramisu and other surprises.
Guests traveled to Sicily, even if briefly, not only through taste receptors but also through experiential spaces where they could get acquainted with home scents and niche perfumes. As K. Strolienė revealed, the Sicilian party theme was inspired precisely by the niche perfumery creator, a special guest of the evening, Italian Maurizio Lambo’s latest fragrance from the brand “Officina delle Essenze” called “Sicilia,” whose main notes are sweet oranges, bourbon vanilla, and bitter almonds.
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The value lies in people, not things
K. Strolienė invites a large group of guests to her home for the second time and hopes it will become a beautiful tradition not only to feel togetherness but also to start the summer season. “True, next year I plan to delay the party a bit so that my beautiful peonies have time to bloom and there is less chance of having to hide under umbrellas,” the interlocutor smiles. “Last year, the trees saved us from the rain; this year, we specially prepared umbrellas. So even rain with hail did not spoil the mood – on the contrary, it created a different, magical atmosphere. And I felt uplifted both while preparing for the party and for a long time afterward. The whole family tidied up the house, got rid of unnecessary stuff that just takes up space, planted flowers. I certainly did not aim for perfection because the house is a space where we live every day, where we raise children.
If something is drawn on the wall, it’s the little one’s work, the fence is dented by the football enthusiast and player son kicking the ball. Those small imperfections turn the house into a real home – familiar, cozy. In general, the older the item, the more interesting, charming, and valuable it is. Besides, we age too, even very quickly, so it is important for me to find time to meet, hug, talk, treat, and reward guests. I have a very wide embrace and a lot of love for people – I feel very good when guests come to the house. Some even surprised me with gifts – a basket of cheeses, various drinks, and other presents.”
A true family business
From the very beginning, the Stroliai family created a family business, where Kristina and Povilas Stroliai’s children are already working: the eldest Elzė works full-time, and the younger children will join for the summer season. During the party, E. Strolytė interviewed guests, filming clips for the “Tik Tok” platform. “We consider the entire ‘Krispo’ community as the continuation of our family, so we open our home doors to them not only during parties but also when meeting to discuss business matters, have lunch, or celebrate other holidays. Sometimes it’s a pity that I can’t invite as many guests as gather when we organize events in hotel spaces, but 80 people at home is definitely a lot,” the businesswoman smiles. “Home is an intimate, personal space where it would be impossible to pretend or act, so after such gatherings, we feel closer and more important to each other.”
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