Lori Avampato has been the senior interior designer at Rolland, DelValle & Bradley for two months.
WHAT DOES SHE DO?
Commercial interior design, which involves everything from space planning to final construction documents and furniture procurement.
SPACE PLANNING?
“A client will come to us and tell us they have a prospective tenant for one of their buildings. They give us the program and want us to find out if they can fit into that particular space. So, we do a quick sketch to give to the prospective clients to see if they will fit as far as their conference room, reception area, cubicles and office space. That gives them the opportunity to get a lease based on that.”
POPULAR COLORS?
Avampato said the popular colors this year are expresso brown and robin egg blue. “You probably see it in clothing, too. Clothing sort of mirrors interior design a lot.”
CLIENTS?
Flagler Development, Mayo Clinic, St. Joe Corporation and Fidelity National Corporation. “Partnering with Robert Stern, architects out of New York, we are the local architects for the new library downtown.” She also does interior design for individuals such as doctors and attorneys.
WHY DID SHE JOIN THIS COMPANY?
“I came with this company because the three partners are just wonderful and there is a lot of youthful energy here. It is really nice working here.”
COLLEGE
She has a bachelor’s degree interior design from the College of Architecture at University of Florida.
HER HISTORY
Right out of college, she worked at KBJ Architects. After she had her first child she left to work at home and start her own firm, The Lane Group, with her husband at the time. She worked there for 10 years and then went out on her own as Lori Lane Interior Design. She then worked at an advertising firm, Komer Communications and then she went back to KBJ Architects.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
“I like the fact that it doesn’t get monotonous ever. It’s challenging and never the same. I do meet a lot of people and get out of the office. It’s also creative, at times. I think it is the problem solving. I like that aspect of it and the creativity.”
HOW WERE YOU AS A CHILD?
“I was always rearranging my room. I was very art and visual oriented.”
ADVICE FOR NEW INTERIOR DESIGNERS?
“Get as much job experience as you can. If you can’t find something in commercial interior design, there are so many related fields to get into. You could work at a kitchen design place or a carpet supplier. Don’t think that because it isn’t exactly what you want the job to be that it isn’t good experience, because I think everything brings something to the table.”
EVER DONE RESIDENTIAL?
“Yes. I did a lot of residential when I was on my own. I really enjoyed it. It’s very different than commercial because there is a lot of handholding. It’s very personal and it can also be very neat because the budgets are typically larger. A lot of times you end up being friends with your clients. You become like family.”
DOES YOUR HOME REFLECT YOUR STYLE?
She just bought a new house and for the first-time ever she said it looks like an interior decorator lives there. “I had never felt that way before because with kids growing up and no money. Not that I do now, but I’m finally at a point in my life where I can decorate a little bit more, which is what I do for a living. I do feel that my home is a reflection of me.”
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Commercial Real Estate Women of Jacksonville and International Interior Designers Association.
MRS. PRESIDENT?
Avampato is president-elect of CREW. She will take office in January 2005. “It’s been a challenge just starting up the organization and now we can focus on what is really important to us. I’ve met a lot of really business savvy women in the organization. It’s been great, I really enjoy it.”
BIRTHPLACE
Grinnell, Iowa. She was a Navy brat, so she moved a lot growing up. She moved to Jacksonville in 1981 after college to work
WHAT DOES SHE DO WHEN SHE IS NOT WORKING?
Painting landscapes and architectural scenes.
RESIDES
Southside.
WHAT HAS HELPED YOU MOST TO GET YOU WHERE YOU ARE TODAY?
“My family. I have a great family and always feel like I am supported in whatever I do.”
LESSONS LEARNED?
“Never assume anything.”
FAMILY
She has been married to Mark, an investment officer with Bank of America, for one year. She has two children, Chris, 17, and Michael 13.
FAVORITES
She and her children are very into the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. The last book she read and would recommend is “Life Lessons” by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross. When relaxing at home, she enjoys tuning into “Will and Grace” and “Trading Spaces.” When traveling, she likes Europe and when dining out she likes Bistro Aix, Carrabba’s Italian Grill and Matthews.
- by Michele Newbern Gillis