Today, we’d like to introduce you to Lee Lormand.
Lee, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up in Baton Rouge and was the youngest in a family of artists and musicians, having lots of exposure to creative outlets from day 1. While attending LSU, I worked for several interior designers doing nearly every part of the design process at some point or another. After finishing my degree, I went to Australia for a month by myself for some ‘me time’ and ended up getting a job and stayed for a year. After returning to the US to apply for a longer visa, I planned to go back to live there for a few more years. At that time, I was in New Orleans working for a lighting designer, designing and building custom light fixtures. Then, I got a job offer that was too good to pass up as a Senior Designer at Lee Ledbetter & Associates. I was blessed to have a senior design level job as my first ‘real job’ out of college and got to work on pretty amazing projects and got a lot of fast tracked experience. I lived in New Orleans for about 4.5 years, except for 6 months after hurricane Katrina. The entire office was moved to New York, to live in a vacant apartment building that was owned by a client that we were working with. After returning to New Orleans, I was somewhat ready for a change and was recruited by David Sutherland Inc. to work in their corporate office doing all of the visual merchandising and designing their showrooms across the country. Another amazing job with incredible experience. After 2 years there, I was feeling like I wanted to be back in high end residential design and I resigned from my position. I was looking for jobs to go back to New York and mentioned to a few realtor friends that I was available for residential projects if they had any clients that needed any help… from there, I started my own firm and have been at it for the past 10 years.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
At the time, I didn’t think so but looking back, I feel fortunate to have started my firm in 2008 when things were not so great. I started in a time of the down economy with a mind set that may have been different if I had started when projects were in high volume. Like any adventure, there has been ups and downs and good and bad but overall a rewarding experience.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Lee Lormand Design – what should we know?
I generally do high end residential design projects that range from small to large, simple and very complex. I work with architects and builders on new construction, complete renovation and interior design projects, furniture design and decoration. I enjoy being very hands on with almost every aspect (sometimes to a fault), which gives clients my direct attention to detail and their projects.
Occasionally, I will consult with various showrooms and have designed the Innovations showroom and just completed a boutique display at the Donghia showroom for Iona Crawford. I also do some photography on the side and mostly shoot all of my projects myself.
Below is the bio excerpt from my website:
Lee Lormand has worked professionally in design since 1998, establishing Lee Lormand Design in 2008. His projects often combine elements of the classic and the modern, with innovation, editing and style as the basic fundamentals of his work. His clean and timeless interiors are created by assembling the best elements in design, into a thoughtful collaboration between the client, the designer and an extensive network of artisans and professionals.
Specializing in residential design, his project experience spans a range of showrooms, retail, hotel and restaurant projects. With meticulous detail and personal attention, each project, large or small, is crafted and curated to reflect the dreams and individuality of every client. As a Registered Interior Designer, Lee Lormand Design offers a full range of services including all aspects of interior design, interior architecture and custom furniture design.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I have been blessed to have many amazing clients – most of which I’m proud to call friends after we have finished our project.
Lee Ledbetter and Ann Sutherland have both been incredible inspirations in the professional world and consider myself blessed to have had the opportunity to work very closely with both.
Neal Stewart has been a long standing friend and mentor over the past 10 years. He has been someone that’s been a friend to answer questions, bounce ideas off of, give encouragement and share general design world knowledge.
Richard Bettinger (Bettinger Studio) and Chad Newlon (Newlon Collection) are two of my best friends (and like family) and creative inspirations as well. We often travel and have creative adventures from 30 min. lunches to a 5-day creative explorations.
Contact Info:
- Website: leelormand.com
- Phone: 214.883.2642
- Email: info@leelormand.com
Image Credit:
Lee Lormand, Mitchell Garman Architects
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas 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.
