Lifestyle

Li. – Minimalism Rules

Image Courtesy of Li. by Lisa Ilmazian

Bucking the trend for ostentatious furniture and décor objects, Lisa Ilmazian’s flair for minimalism and utilitarian is what makes her creations decidedly novel. An eclectic touch of gold hued brass finds its way into Lisa’s work crafted in wood, marble and glass, including a variety of finishes such as brushed, oxidized, polished, gunmetal. Lisa’s comfy seaters and stools are upholstered in velvet, leather; sometimes hand-knitted or embroidered to add visual interest. The Lebanese-Armenian designer chats with us about her journey into the design world and her brand Li.

Give us a short story on your design background
I worked in Dubai for a multinational advertising agency, and for the past 14 years as Creative Head for a regional Below The Line agency in Lebanon-Beirut.

What made you want to launch a design brand?
It all started in my heart with the strong desire to create and the urge to bring my imagination to life and through inspiration. I launched Li. in November 2016 and let my personality tackle every unique piece that I create with a distinguished sensitivity and a story to tell.

Where are the furniture and décor objects manufactured?
Each piece of Li. is handcrafted in Lebanon, as the country is noted for its craftsmanship. My 15 years of experience and knowledge in dealing with materials and production helped me set the criteria to identify the manufacturers for Li. without compromising on the design details.

What inspire your creations?

Quite a lot – people, spaces, objects, things, emotions – intrigue me and stir my imagination. They challenge me to create something from nothing, by blending beauty and aesthetic functionality. I like to create unique and luxurious pieces that are a worthy addition to every home.

Tell us about your collections Lala and The Clip.
Lala is where I feed my soul with creativity. The Lala swing, Matching Hearts side table, Hanging On heart-shaped shelves are key pieces from the collection that was launched last year. It describes my personality, love for life and freedom, the things I love and mainly inspired from my obsession with the heart shape. The Clip collection was inspired from an actual paper clip as on object that holds things together. The designs stem from an emotional state of mind, trying to hold things creatively together in the midst of chaos. Both collections include pieces where each has a descriptive name that tells a story.

What’re you currently designing?
It’s an item we all use in our daily lives, but this time designed as furniture pieces with an aesthetic functionality. Hopefully, I’ll be launching the design in Fall 2018.

Do you plan to expand your business, also which stores figure on your wish-list?
I would like Li. pieces to be displayed in every city, where design and luxury is appreciated. My wish list is a bit long! For starters, I would love to be in Harrods, 10 Corso Como, Harvey Nichols, Bloomingdale’s, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Roche Bobois, LuxeDeco London.

 

*For details, contact the designer: www.libylisailmazian.com
The products are available at Galerie Vivre in Lebanon.

 

Smitha Sadanandan



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