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Designer of the Week: Lisa Checo
Lisa Checo, an accomplished interior designer and principal of OOAK Design Studio, approaches each project with restraint, by the belief that true luxury lies not in excess, but in the harmony of thoughtful choices. Her project with Ernesta is no exception. Read on to see how she leaned on her sensitivity to detail, texture and atmosphere to reimagine a space using Humphrey.
Lisa Checo, an accomplished interior designer and principal of OOAK Design Studio, approaches each project with restraint, by the belief that true luxury lies not in excess, but in the harmony of thoughtful choices. Her project with Ernesta is no exception. Read on to see how she leaned on her sensitivity to detail, texture and atmosphere to reimagine a space using Humphrey.
Los Angeles-based interior designer and principal of OOAK Design Studio is known for her boundary-pushing residential and commercial projects. Recognized by Architectural Digest and the LA Times among others, her foundation in art and design lends each project a sense of narrative depth and cultural resonance.
Why do you love interior design?
I really love experiences and setting a vibe. Everyone has a palette that is curated special to them, which makes each home unique. I love finding out what someone enjoys (hotels, places, brands, colors) and pulling that as inspiration for the space. It’s storytelling, as much as it is a sanctuary, to me.
Describe your style in three words
Eclectic. Artistic. Cultured.
Where do you find inspiration?
Travel, films, nature, music, books, galleries, food — I find it all around me and try to stay open-minded creatively to receive new ideas. Designers also get a "writer's block,” so I love visiting other parts of the world and seeing how people live, what other cities smell like, or how the lighting is set. I naturally analyze everything the second I walk into a place. Some take it as a bad thing but I'm just observing and taking notes for future practice.
What is a design trend you’re currently loving, and how are you using it in your work?
I don't follow the trends in fashion or in design. A lot of people get pigeonholed into one aesthetic and I try everything in my power to not fall victim to that to avoid burnout. I need my wheels to be spinning at all times as an artist. I want to be the one aesthetic you come across on Pinterest that seems interesting and nothing you have seen before.
What is one design “rule” or trick of the trade you always swear by?
Mirrors really make your space feel much bigger.
Tell us about your project with Ernesta – what was the vision, and how did the custom-sized rug bring it to life?
The room shape was off so I knew Ernesta would have something soft enough for a bedroom and the right dimensions for me.
When you’re selecting or sizing a rug for a space, what factors do you always consider to get it just right?
It really depends how the furniture is laid out, how high the ceilings are, the other elements in the room, and the dead space around the furniture.
How do you balance beauty and functionality in your work?
Pulling amazing, soft and sometimes performance fabrics to make a room comfortable. I love the "lived-in" feeling of some fabrics, otherwise nobody will feel comfortable in your space.
What is your idea of great design?
Something otherworldly that can only come to you in your dreams or through meditation. Everyone feels a soul connection to it, but they haven't quite seen anything like it before.
What are you reading or watching right now?
Any film Adam Stockhausen has set designed! He famously has worked on many Wes Anderson films and his way of thinking inspires me daily.
If you could design a home for one famous person / couple, who would it be?
Emma Chamberlain or the Beckhams
