Lisa Gilmore has a creative career most of us only dream of while on our sofas watching YouTube or HGTV. On a sunny Wednesday morning, Gilmore breezes into her conference room, smiling warmly. Her bright red hair and lipstick are striking, and her style is both fabulous and approachable. She is immediately engaging, the pinnacle of authentic “cool,” and I just couldn’t wait to pick her brain about her interior design business.
Livable Glamour
Cody: Tell me about your slogan, “Livable Glamour.”
Gilmore: “Livable Glamour” came out of the air one day when I was working with one of my mentors to come up with my statement. I said I want people to understand whatever is glamour to them. It could be glitzy chandeliers, industrial, modern, or cotton and denim. Whatever it is, take that glamour and make it livable and achievable.
Cody: What would be a dream space to design?
Gilmore: I would love to do an amazing boutique hotel. We just completed our first hotel project in Clearwater Beach. It was fun and beachy and minimalistic. I would really love to do something chic and layered, with antiques mixed with modern, and wallpaper and velvet and cool lighting.
Hiring local talent to build it, rather than buy it
Cody: How does St. Petersburg influence your design?
Lisa: St. Petersburg really influences me because it’s such a cool urban area, but it’s also tropical and artsy. It has so many different flavors, which I love. It’s not a small beach town, but it’s not Miami or New York City. It’s got the murals, the artists, and it is so locally driven. What I really love is that there is such an amazing supportive community, and I feel I could really find something for everyone here. If I need a carpenter, if I need someone to create an amazing piece of art, it really inspires me to flex my muscles and build it and find it rather than buy it.
A well-designed space changes the way you live
Cody: Tell me about the power of a well-designed space.
Gilmore: It is very powerful. A lot of people think, and at one point I was guilty of this, that doing interior design is kind of a vain luxury that no one really needs because we’re not saving lives, we’re not curing cancer. Then I started thinking about it…so maybe we’re not curing cancer, but we’re creating spaces for the people who are. It might be a therapist or a doctor for a young kid who’s going through trauma, and this space is one where they can be calm and let go. Every little thing people come into contact with affects their day. I believe a well-designed space changes your mood and changes the way you live.
My personality exudes my passion
Cody: What is your superpower? What makes you stand out in this industry?
Gilmore: I am really good at layering and blending; putting together things that people might not have expected. I like that head-scratch moment. For instance, we just did the Penny Hoarder office space in downtown St. Petersburg. It’s beautiful. Their whole brand is finance. That could be traditional and stuffy, but this company is very cutting-edge and up to date. We did some traditional furnishings like Chesterfield sofas and area rugs, and then we got really crazy with a T-Rex with gold teeth on the mantel over the fireplace. It’s unexpected, but it works, and it’s so fun.
In personal homes I like to push it with quirky stuff like that as well, but also with color stories. We did a really beautiful house in South Tampa with black walls, chartreuse drapery with magenta-striped trim, really bold lighting, and blue velvet sofas. My client said every time someone walks into the room they comment that it looks like a hotel in New York City. Then there are the monochromatic spaces that are very simple, but I like to push it and find out how much can I layer into them, while still being restful to the eye.
A lot of feedback I get from people is that my personality exudes my passion. It is in my DNA, and it comes out of me all the time. I think that really sets me apart…also the red hair. I can never change my hair color because I’m known as the redheaded interior designer in St. Pete!
Cody: Do you have a special way of celebrating a job well done?
Gilmore: Champagne!
Cody: What’s your favorite kind?
Gilmore: Any with bubbles. I’m an equal-opportunity Champagne drinker.
Lisa Gilmore Design started in St. Petersburg, and has been going strong for the past six years. Nicole Maldonado and Kristin Marshburn have rounded out the company for the past three. They make quite the team, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll find yourself wistfully dreaming of becoming their fourth musketeer.
If you are ready to elevate your home or business, infusing it with personality, poise and pizzaz, give the team at Lisa Gilmore a call at (727) 201-8902. Check out LisaGilmoreDesign.com to see the magic for yourself. Fabulosity guaranteed!
