Combining classical elements of design and the best of today, Lisa Ellis Design is a full service design firm offering architectural and interior design services for both commercial and residential applications. 

We are based in Athens, Georgia, and our residential projects span from Athens and the Southeast to New England.

Lisa Ellis Design’s commercial projects include such notable spaces as Curate´ (Asheville, NC), Empire State South (Atlanta), The Florence (Savannah), National Bank of Georgia (Athens) and University of Georgia School of Law (Athens).

Our residential projects span from Athens to Atlanta and from New Hampshire to the Southeastern Coast.

Having worked in some aspect of architectural, lighting, or interior design since the late 1980’s, Lisa understands the complexities of achieving a great aesthetic. Her extensive knowledge of antiques and furnishings in concert with her keen eye for color and fabrics, makes her a designer of note for creating one of a kind interiors. 

 

project images coming soon...

The Delta Upsilon Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma at the University of Georgia chose Lisa Ellis Design to update several common areas of their 1960's built sorority house. The architectural and interior design included the addition of millwork and antiques mirrors in the formal living room as well as the installation of millwork, silver leafed paper on the ceiling, and elegant sconces and chandeliers. The foyer of the house was updated to include additional architectural moldings on the walls and ceilings and a Versailles-pattern inspired marble floor. Lisa Ellis chose varying shades of blue for the walls and bold geometric fabrics mixed with more subtly patterned and solid fabrics for the rooms' new and repurposed upholstered pieces. 

Lisa Ellis Design worked in concert with the Dean of the UGA Law School to provide students and faculty with two updated rooms for meetings, social gatherings, and instruction. The Cheely Reading Room was designed to be used for collaborative instruction and faculty meetings. Lisa Ellis designed custom hexagonal tables and seating around the perimeter allowing for various table configurations. The newly paneled walls received a paper-backed tweed fabric and stylish reading lights. The custom bookshelves and lectern were made from walnut and finished in a matte oil finish to add warmth to this comfortable new space. The Dunlap Room, primarily used as a reception space and occasional meetings, was redesigned to allow for salon style seating, creating more intimate seating groupings, as well as allowing for optimal flow when hosting events. The updated lighting plan for both spaces takes advantage of the latest LED technology, used in conjunction with conventional incandescent lamps and accent lighting. Both spaces now offer everyone who use them comfortable spaces for reading, learning, and socializing.

As a growing commercially-focused, locally owned bank, The National Bank of Georgia sought to renovate their existing building in Athens. Lisa Ellis Design redesigned the building's exterior to include cast stone columns and a central dormer, reminiscent of classical architectural inspirations found throughout Athens. For the interior, Lisa Ellis and her team focused on providing NBG and the customers with more open space and more functional administrative areas as well as using superlative materials such as marble for the flooring and newly redesigned stair case and custom wooden interior doors and millwork throughout, including the expanded conference room inspired by the 19th century gentlemen's clubs of London featuring custom walnut paneling, built ins, and impressive 9 foot tall doors.

PRoject images coming soon...

One West Victory, in Savannah, Georgia, located on the site of 19th century ice factory, was chosen as the site for James Beard award-winning chef Hugh Acheson's Italian inspired eatery, The Florence. Lisa Ellis Design developed an architectural and interior design plan the maximized the spaces immense volume and utilized materials salvaged from the building itself and throughout the Southeast. The Florence, encompassing a main, first floor dining room and bar with adjacent coffee shop and an upstairs restaurant and bar with rooftop seating features walls, bars, and custom tables fabricated from marble salvaged from a bank facade in Alabama. Signature lighting pieces and the wood flooring used throughout the space was salvaged from the original buildings interior. Custom designed banquettes upholstered in tones of brown and blue compliment the ice-blue industrial windows from the building's earlier days that are used throughout the first floor.

 

Lisa Ellis Design worked with James Beard Award-winning chef Katie Button as well as the entire team at Heirloom Hospitality Group to expand Curate Restaurant and Tapas Bar in downtown Asheville, North Carolina. Curate's expansion looked to integrate design elements found in their existing space into the expansion and add a larger bar with custom designed sherry taps, a charcuterie bar, and additional seating. Lisa Ellis Design's architectural designs included creating new openings between the two spaces. The custom lighting and banquettes upholstered in a fabric that mimics the vintage inspired tile work help complete the look.

A bland, acoustical-tiled conference center on the first floor of a high rise at 999 Peachtree Street in Atlanta was transformed into a cozy, welcoming spot for chef Hugh Acheson's Empire State South. Lisa Ellis, in collaboration with artist, color expert, and designer Susan Hable, chose to use as many locally sourced materials as possible in the architectural and interior design. 

Salvaged heart pine flooring from one of the oldest houses in Duluth, Georgia was used to clad the interior floors, walls, and ceilings while the live-edge granite bar features granite from the Stone Mountain area. Salvaged materials continue throughout the main and private dining areas, including an oversized antique barber cabinet that now serves as a wine bar and storage. The pecky cypress adorning the space came from South Georgia, and the custom lighting was crafted from vintage and salvaged pieces. Susan Hable's own custom designed fabric can be found on custom built banquettes lining one of the dining room's walls. 

 

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