Lanie Lessard
"Becoming an interior designer has
brought me full circle," says Lanie Lessard, owner
of Lessard Design Associates, an interior firm in
Athens. "It has taken me a while to fulfill my
childhood ambition, but it is a rewarding and
challenging career choice."
Lanie was always interested in design,
even to the point of creating floor plans on the
lawn with grass clippings as a child. Born in
Athens and raised in nearby Jefferson, Lanie
graduated from Jefferson High School and headed to
UGA to pursue her dream career in interior design,
but took a side trail into special education.
Twenty years later Lanie became a UGA art student
again, picking up art courses where she left off,
and three years later graduated as an interior
design major with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.
For four years Lanie was privileged to teach
interior design courses for the Lamar Dodd School of
Art in the very studios where she learned the
profession.
Lanie opened Lessard Design Associates
in 1998 and has provided interior design solutions
for many private homes as well as several public
spaces, including Five Points Deli; The Georgia Club
Sales Center; the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce
headquarters; Chapelwood United Methodist Church;
Athens Ben Epps Aviation Center, the new general
aviation terminal; and the Overlook on Baxter
condominiums.
Over the years Lanie has developed a
philosophy to produce a final product that meets the
client's goals, and to have the client participate
as much as possible in the development, selection,
and finishing touches of the project, which helps
provide that strong sense of ownership once it is
complete. She enjoys working with architects,
contractors, and subcontractors as well, "from the
initial formation of the dream throughout the build
and move-in process" to assure that the needs of the
client are met. Her style tends to be understated
and coordinated, with a twist of personality to make
each project unique.
"Please don't tell me something can't be
done, because I will keep looking for ways to get it
done if it enhances the design," states Lessard.
Sometimes that means searching for craftsmen,
drawing up designs for custom items, or just using
ordinary materials in extraordinary ways.
In addition to her chamber involvement,
including serving as 2004 chair of the Women in
Business Council, Lanie also serves on the Athens
Area Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors and
chaired the Family Selection Committee for three
years. Past community involvement includes the
county's Variance Hearings Board and being a church
delegate for the Ark. Professionally, Lanie is an
allied member of the American Society of Interior
Designers and a member of the Illuminating
Engineering Society of North America, which keeps
her abreast of innovations in lighting technology.
Lanie is married to Ken Lessard, whom
she met during his tour as instructor at the Navy
Supply Corps School; their son, Adam, is currently
pursuing a Master of Music Performance degree at the
University of North Texas.
Lessard Design Associates
tel: 706.540.3077
fax: 706.613.9168
lanie@lessardesign.com
www.lessardesign.com
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