Lisa Parramore, APLD

Harrell Design + Build is proud to introduce you to one of our premier designers, Lisa Parramore. Lisa’s passion for designing indoor-outdoor living spaces inspires her clients to embrace the lifestyle for which California is celebrated. Lisa’s projects are informed by the special relationship between traditional Japanese architecture and their surroundings, whether it’s borrowing scenery from a distant landscape or creating a lovely courtyard vignette. After living and working for two years in Fukushima, Japan, Lisa relocated to the Bay area and remodeled her 1940s home with elements from Japan that incorporated spaces for family, entertaining and quiet reflection. After earning a B.A. from Emory University, an M.B.A. from the Monterey Institute of Int’l Studies, and working in Japan and high tech, she pursued a second career in design. She completed coursework in horticulture and design at Foothill College and launched her own design business in 2004. Lisa teamed up with Chadine Flood Gong, ASID, with whom she co-authored two design books and collaborated on interior design projects.

“As the Bay area grows ever more densely populated, traditional Japanese design principles come into play”, says Lisa. “Homes that integrate the indoors with the garden make both feel more spacious. A pleasing picture can be created in a small space with the right windows and doors and a carefully landscaped scene just outside.”

Lisa has a particular fondness for Eichler homes; the floor plans and generous expanses of glass create wonderful opportunities to beautifully integrate the home with the outdoors.

Fun Fact:

Lisa’s award winning designs have been featured on several home and garden tours and have appeared in various publications. She co-authored Living with Japanese Gardens, winner of the 2006 Best Gardening Book Award, and Japan Home. She teaches design workshops and served for three years on Association of Professional Landscape Designers’ Peninsula District board.