Left: Lisa Gill. Right: Margot, Shawmut’s and Schoos Design’s latest collaboration.

Lisa Gill, Senior Design Partner, Schoos Design, Inc.

1. Where do you typically find inspiration?

I love to draw inspiration from historical references, often old tired objects. They have a life, a story, a beauty that is unique. I like a challenge to reinterpret these elements with a modern twist of today, to create timeless interiors. I find travelling also plays an important part in creativity. It allows me to immerse myself in the culture, architecture, and art of the environment and turn those new experiences into special art.

2. What is your favorite part of the project lifecycle?

“Creating” is probably the driving factor that keeps any designer moving forward—it’s what makes us tick. But for me, I also find a certain energy in the build-out process that is most rewarding. It’s where the creativity meets technique, and you get to see the transformation of ideas from paper rise up and engulf the environment around them. The true ‘feeling’ of your creation is now available to be enjoyed by all. Seeing and feeling are two very different and important senses when it comes to design.

3. What led you to work in design?

To me, designing is telling a story. Growing up in Europe, there was always a story, a person, an event in history attached to the old magnificent architecture, furniture, and art. It fascinated me that people I would never meet, or have known, had walked through the same door as me yet experienced the architecture of that building in a different way. With changing styles throughout history, many of these old buildings are furnished with modern elements; this juxtaposition of textures and styles is what I find inspiring and is what lead me to want to create stories through my own designs.

4. What’s one of the most challenging aspects of design and how do you face it?

At Schoos Design we strive to create the “next new thing.” An architect once said “It’s Schoos’ job to create, it’s our job to figure out how to make that design a reality.” One of the most challenging aspects we face is working with a team and having them all understand this new vision that is laid out before them. If it has not been seen before, how can we all come together as a team to make it happen?

5. What’s key to effectively collaborating on a project?

Comfort and trust are a big necessity—effective communication is much more fluid when there is a symbiotic relationship amongst the team. And, of course, we like to have fun!