Community Highlights: Meet Lorena Pulichino of Lorena Pulichino Design

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lorena Pulichino.

Hi Lorena, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey may not be entirely uncommon these days, but it’s been deeply personal and profoundly meaningful.

I’m an interior designer based in the South Bay, and I genuinely love what I do . Every day, I feel grateful to have built a career that brings me both joy and purpose, but the path here wasn’t a straight one.

I was born in Puerto Rico to immigrant parents from Argentina and Italy, and I’m the middle of three sisters. Though we lived on a beautiful island, we often felt like we had one foot in and one foot out, never fully belonging. That sense of in-betweenness shaped me in lasting ways, giving me a deep appreciation for identity, culture, and the meaning of home. Home was always at the heart of everything, and we were constantly working on it. Hurricanes will test everything.

I’ve always been a curious soul—a lifelong learner with many interests. While the arts were a constant thread in my life, I once considered them a passion, not a profession. I followed what I thought was the more practical path, earning a degree in biology and spending nearly three years in medical school. But deep into that journey, I had a sobering realization: even if I finished, I wouldn’t be happy. That moment was terrifying—but also liberating.

Taking a leap of faith, I pivoted. I moved to Los Angeles and enrolled in a bachelor’s program in Interior Design. In my final week of school, I landed a job with a local architect in Manhattan Beach—and I’ve never looked back.

Today, I run my own design practice, grounded in the values that brought me here: curiosity, resilience, and the desire to bring beauty and function into people’s lives. I live in Hermosa Beach with my husband and two boys, who have completely stolen my heart. After a lifetime of searching, I finally feel like I belong—both in my lovely community and in my work.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Is it ever a smooth road? If it is, I must’ve taken the scenic route—with potholes. There have been plenty of challenges along the way, but each one has taught me something. And whenever things get tough, my instinct is to roll up my sleeves and get to work.

I’ve always loved creating, learning, and building—but let’s be honest, passion doesn’t pay the bills. The world runs on money, and I’ve always worked to support myself. Long before I moved to L.A., I was deep in textbooks and juggling jobs. School and work weren’t phases—they were my entire lifestyle.

My dad used to say, “Work dignifies you,”—whether you’re running a company or scrubbing floors. That belief stuck. I’ve studied and worked my entire life, and I saw my parents sacrifice so much to give us a better future. Their work ethic and values built the foundation I still stand on (in cute shoes, hopefully).

Moving to new countries without knowing anyone was daunting, and trying to build a life while earning a living made it even harder. When I first arrived in L.A., I was painting houses, going to school, and doing an internship—all at once. It was exhausting, but I did what I had to do.

Looking back, those years gave me grit, drive, and the ability to function on very little sleep—skills that still serve me today (especially as a mom and a business owner).

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in residential interior design, and at the heart of my work is a deep commitment to listening—really listening. I pay attention not only to what clients say, but also to what they don’t say, and even to what they may not yet know how to express. My role is to interpret all of that into a home that truly reflects who they are.

I’m practical by nature, and I believe that design should make life better. Our environments have a powerful impact on how we live and feel, so I approach every project with the goal of creating spaces that are both beautiful and deeply functional. These homes aren’t for my portfolio—they’re for the people who live in them. They should love every inch of the space.

What sets my work apart is the level of care I bring to every detail. From architectural elements and lighting placement to cultural traditions, family routines, and even allergies—nothing is overlooked. No two families are the same, so no two projects should be either.

I aim to design homes that tell the story of the people who live in them—not just reflect the latest trend. That said, I’m still a firm believer in timeless principles: balance, proportion, clarity, and beauty.

What I’m most proud of is earning the trust of the families I work with. To be invited into their lives, to help shape their everyday experience through design—that’s an incredible privilege.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Honesty, hard work, awareness, intention, and a healthy dose of common sense. Designing a home is personal and emotional. It’s not just about picking finishes; it’s about trust. Clients are making huge investments and counting on me to think through every detail with care, creativity, and maybe a spreadsheet or two.

The process is rarely linear. Things shift, unexpected challenges pop up, and you have to plan thoroughly while staying flexible. I try to stay grounded, communicate clearly, and genuinely care about each family and how they live.

In the end, I think it’s that mix of thoughtfulness, adaptability, and true investment in the people I work with that makes all the difference. And snacks. Snacks help too.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lorenapulichinodesign.com
• Instagram: @lorenapulichinodesign
• Facebook: Lorena Pulichino Design

Image Credits
Manolo Langis
Siri Berting
Melissa Kelsey