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Meet Gillian Lefkowitz of Gillian Design

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gillian Lefkowitz.

Gillian, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve been designing houses now for almost 20 years in Los Angeles and New York. After a start as a professional photographer and fine art painter, I got into the business unexpectedly and found myself falling in love with it. My goal is to bring beauty, warmth, and style to clients’ homes, using my expertise to elevate them to higher levels while honoring who they are.

I grew up in Venice California at a time when it was truly wild. My parents are both filmmakers, artist and art collectors. The 20’s house I grew up in on Rose Ave. was legendary for its parties and the crazy artist and musicians who came to them! Being surrounded by incredible art and artist has been a huge influence on me. All things connect.

I find great joy in transforming a space. Mix the unexpected, add pops of color, combine vintage and modern furniture, and place art to bring it all together. It’s a wonderful process that’s like a dance–bringing the threads of style together to make one big piece of art that is a home.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Of course, struggles along the way! not sure you can get through life without them and there is always that ebb and flow of life and work right? with that said I feel incredibly fortunate to be doing what I do and the amazing clients I work with and every job is a learning experience. I try to take any struggles and learn from them and always strive to do better and reach higher with my creativity.

I am a single mom to an incredible boy named Max and building up my career and raising a kid solo has for sure had its challenges. I am a true believer in doing the things you love and though the road to it can be so hard you have to stick to it to reach higher grounds.

My goal is to take my clients to an elevated place of what they know and show them more.

Gillian Design – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I would say I am best known for my eclectic, Old Meets New Design. I am most proud of my unique vision and I always stay true to what I love.

I LOVE to mix the unexpected and pull from my layers of knowledge of art, photography, architecture, furniture etc and pull things together in a unique but simple way that flows. I have a very distinctive style but my goal is to always honor my client’s vision as well.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
For me, success is doing what you love for a living. I don’t need to be famous or a millionaire but for me doing my art and design and making a living at it is a success to me. Being a great mom to my kid is the highest form of success.

Also for my clients to love their houses we worked on together is huge for me and for the design to last the test of time.

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Cari Lutz, Brandon McGanty

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

1 Comment

  1. Tracy Veal

    July 3, 2018 at 19:46

    Fabulous!

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