Geneva · Interior Design · LADesign · Milola Meets ·Jul 11, 2024

Milola Meets- Lucy Axam from LA Design Boutique Interior Design Consultancy

Luxury dining space with walnut and ceramic furnishing and Esmee light by Milola

Our designer this month, like us also fulfilled their lifelong dream when they entered the world of interiors, taking skills honed in other adjacent sectors and leveraging to develop a successful boutique interior design consultancy. This month on the Milola Meets couch is Lucy Axam of LA Design, we talk to her about how it all began, her motivations, through to what design and interiors means to her.

Credit for the photography contained in this article goes to Katerina Kolkova, Amber Roberts, Analía Lazzari and Christophe Voisin. All images used are subject to copyright.

Hi, I am Lucy Axam, an independent British/Swiss designer of English mother tongue who also speaks fluent French. My interior design style centres around happiness, comfort, harmony and balance.

My goal is to truly distil each clients unique style, and bring it to life in their living environment, making each project as unique as they are.

“Feeling wonderful starts at home.”

Lucy Axam, LA Design

TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND HOW IT INFUENCES YOUR APPROACH AND MAKES YOUR WORK AS AN INTERIOR DESIGNER SO SPECIAL?

It all started when my husband and I bought a house on plan. I had a look at it and it seemed that a few things could be optimised to better suit our needs. I got my little marker pen out and then I was struck by a flash of inspiration, like lightning, my childhood obsession, dormant for many years erupted into pure joy - I could finally draw rooms and make spaces and in this case actually live in them! My dad used to give me page a day agendas from his office and I would fill them with floor plans from a very young age. Home and its spaces were essential to me as I grew up and found my place in the world and I had totally lost touch with this as I emerged from childhood.

Contemporary kitchen setting with grey stools

I had been working as an Art Director for an international advertising agency so the shift was easy, listening to client briefs, creating moodboards, sample boards and preparing for pre production were all areas I was familiar with.

I started doing projects for friends and taking photos of the finished work, built a website and then found that I was lucky enough to have a number of calls from people who wanted me to help them with their interior (and exterior design). I have never looked back - I'm so happy to finally be doing my dream job.

Room scene post renovation and interior styling by LA Design

I IMAGINE YOUR PREVIOUS ROLE INVOLVED A LOT OF TRAVEL, AS WELL AS TRAVELLING FOR PERSONAL PLEASURE, HOW DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE BEEN INSPIRED BY THIS?

I'm fortunate that I have always travelled, iInitially with my family and then as you say, my early career as an art director allowed me to travel to some great destinations to do photoshoots or tv commercials. I would also save up with the goal of going on an exciting trip each year. When I get to new destinations I love to absorb all the the smells, colours and architecture of each destination, cataloguing them away for a later date.

I believe that this state of observation has made me increasingly open and excited about using people's souvenirs or pieces they have picked up during their travels (or when they have been living) when I started designing their homes.

Many of my clients have travelled extensively for work or pleasure, and I can relate to the joy of bringing a token of that adventure and wanting to hold on to the memory by displaying it in their home. I celebrate the adventure that they have been on, and love hearing the story of where a piece has come from and helping them find joy when we find the perfect place to display it.

I think the secret to designing well for someone, is to be open and interested in their stories and to be genuinely curious as to who they are now and what they have experience in their life to make them who they are today.

THIS JOURNEY HAS LED TO YOUR MANTRA “FEELING WONDERFUL STARTS AT HOME”. TALK US THROUGH WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU…

Your home is a haven where you can relax and be yourself. It’s the place we launch ourselves from every day and also our safe space when we return home. It should really be a space where you prepare and restore yourself. Returning home should be a sort of coming home to yourself. My goal is to give you a home which perfectly reflects, yet also excites you.

I love Le Corbusier's quote: 'The home should be the treasure chest of living.'- as this really resonates with me as well. Surround yourself with things and people who bring you joy and peace. These do not have to be big things, sometimes it's the little things which make up the rich fibre of your life. All these things are personal to you and should be celebrated in your home.

WHAT’S YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN PHILOSOPHY?

People should love their homes. It’s a space which should be exciting to you and make you feel alive and safe. I tend not to follow trends for a person's home as people are all so individual, and their key essence is never generic. My favourite brief is when a client shows me something they love in their home or garden space, around which I can design their whole space.

Warm contemporary kitchen with black and white contrasting furnishings

Rattan inspired relaxing outdoor terrace by pool

WOULD YOU SAY YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR STYLE YOU FAVOUR IN YOUR INTERIOR DESIGNS?

Kitchen with stunning light installation

I don't have a set style which I impose on my clients' homes. I love all styles, and styles are as diverse as people. The biggest compliment I could receive would be to be told by my clients, that friends or family have told them that their home reflects them perfectly without obvious design help, because the choices I have made with them have so closely matched their core style DNA.

I'VE NOTICED THROUGHOUT YOUR PORTFOLIO THERE ARE ALSO MANY EXAMPLES OF WHERE YOU'VE DESIGNED EXTERIOR SPACES? IS THIS SOMETHING YOU LIKE TO DO TOO?

It has also happened that clients have asked me to help them design their outside spaces. This can go from their outside dining all the way to helping them design a pool or jacuzzi area.

This offers new challenges such as orientation, planting and natural lay of the land. The first thing to check is if any building permissions are necessary. For example if you are building near a forest, agricultural land or in an area which closely backs on to a neighbors property you will have to adhere to specific rules and potentially building permissions.
Once these elementary angles have been addressed, the study of what look and feel the client would like involves much the same process as for any interior project. Volume, lighting and functionality must all be taken into account, with the added consideration for making sure the products proposed are fit to be used outside. Proposing lighting which is certified to be used outdoors is mandatory, as well as choosing materials which can sustain all weathers. These are becoming increasingly available and they are key to making the exterior feel as personal as a home's interior.

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INSPIRATION FROM?

I draw inspiration from the obvious places like Instagram, Pinterest and other designers' work. I try to stay in a state of constant observation and openness with regards to nature, spaces and human interactions - always filling my internal visual encyclopaedia to refer back to during the design process.

Palm tree inspired wallpaper with calming white furniture

Palm tree inspired wallpaper with calming bedroom scene

DO YOU HAVE A STAND-OUT PROJECT YOU’VE WORKED ON?

All my projects are so different. I learn so much working with people. Many of the greatest ideas actually come from my clients coming up with a suggestion - I always listen out for those - because sometimes it's a small voice, a shy thought, which just needs to be given wings. The best results always come from a trustful partnership. I’ve been lucky to have many wonderful clients who have trusted me to help them design their homes.

IF YOU COULD GIVE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO SOMEONE ABOUT TO RETHINK OR RENOVATE THEIR HOME WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I think the most important aspect of a home is lighting. The placement of lights - task and direct is so critical. The warmth of the lightbulbs can instantly change a space from feeling cold and unwelcoming to warm and cosy.

Overhead lighting is functional but aim for more lamps to light up dark corners and help you with specific tasks, like reading or working. Lights can be discreet or full of character, helping you develop your desired home style.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PIECE OF FURNITURE WE OFFER AT MILOLA AND WHY?

Ceramic dining table with Esmee light by Milola.ch

I love the Esmee light - we used it in a project and stacked the orbs at angles to each other - it just finishes off the room perfectly and adds a cool and sophisticated feeling to the space. I also have my eye on the HEAVEN sofa. It looks so comfortable and I can't wait to find a project where it is the perfect fit.