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IGNITE YOUR CREATIVITY.

WE DESIGN HOMES THAT

Lesley Ray Design is a creative studio led by award-winning Interior Designer (& Violinist) Lesley Ray, dedicated to creating sustainable, custom homes that serve as a creative backdrop to fuel your imagination. 

PRAISE

"I have had the pleasure of working with Lesley on a multitude of projects throughout the Bay Area. Lesley does an amazing job of working with her clients and teams to create beautiful spaces and designs that work for her specific clients needs. In addition to that, she makes projects fun and easy for everybody involved.

 

I would recommend Lesley to anyone that wants their projects done the correct way." 

-Alex, Senior Project Manager at NOVO Construction

(3rd largest commercial General Contractor in Silicon Valley)

FEATURED

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Portfolio

SELECT PROJECTS

SERVICES

SERVICES

We manage the details so you don't have to.

We deliver design services from initial concept through installation with an emphasis on sustainability.

  • Full-service interior design & project management

  • Cosmetic upgrades

  • Furniture & accessories

  • Design & project management for custom installations

Our typical project types consist of existing & new construction luxury homes, estates, select commercial projects & other exclusive facilities.​

Our full-service interior design process includes coordination with the architect & project team, pre-construction planning, material & fixture sourcing, custom furniture & millwork design, comprehensive construction documents with renderings, budget review & value engineering, technology & security coordination, art sourcing, procurement, contract administration, & installation.

About

ABOUT

We partner with inspiring clients to design sustainable, custom homes that ignite their creativity.​​

We approach every project with a collaborative curiosity to ensure the end result is functional, thoughtful, & highly-personalized.

We are committed to delivering an exceptional client experience by employing a meticulous, proven design approach utilizing BIM (Building Information Modeling) technology — resulting in transparent communication to deliver projects that align with the client's vision, budget, & timeline. 

MEET LESLEY RAY

Lesley Ray is an award-winning Interior Designer (& Violinist).
 

An Ohio native, her client-centric creative process is informed by her Midwestern upbringing in a family of PhD professors, her background as a musician, & her professional experience as an Interior Designer.

Lesley's design career spans 12+ years working on complex commercial projects like Easton Town Center (Les Wexner’s $1.5bn, 2.9m sqft innovative lifestyle village) & a ground-up Net-Zero community center in Ohio, along with multimillion dollar luxury office renovations for some of Silicon Valley’s most influential technology companies.

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​These experiences enabled her to collaboratively push creative boundaries while balancing the client's practical requirements for budget, timeline, & security.

 

Committed to sustainability: while completing her Bachelor of Science in Interior Space Design, she worked with the national US Green Building Council (USGBC) board to found Central Ohio's first LEED Emerging Professionals Group, which provided resources & connections for students passionate about designing for our climate.

A licensed NCIDQ-certified designer, Lesley was also nominated as a “Rising Rockstar” by the Commercial Real Estate Women, Silicon Valley chapter — an ironic nod to her musical upbringing.

Growing up as a violinist, she performed works ranging from classical concertos to concerts with Emmy Award-winning composers Steven & Julie Bernstein (Animaniacs) & legendary rock artists Pat Benatar, Jon Anderson (YES), Mike Garson (David Bowie's piano man), & Styx.

From David Bowie’s iconic Space Oddity & Pat Benatar’s Grammy Award-winning Love Is a Battlefield to YES’s intricate Roundabout & Styx’s renowned Come Sail Away, she spent her formative years learning the nuances of creative artistry by studying & performing influential classic rock staples with the artists/bandmates themselves.

Outside of design she enjoys live music, yoga, attempting Crossfit, drawing caricatures, & traveling with no itinerary.

Luxury interior designer construction
FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • What is the difference between an interior designer, an interior decorator, and an architect?
    While all 3 trades can be equally important to a project's success, there are distinct differences between them. An interior designer focuses on the functionality, aesthetics, and usability of a space, often collaborating with architects and contractors to ensure a cohesive design throughout. Interior designers are able to: Create floor plans and technical drawings to be used for construction. Select materials, finishes, and furniture. In some cases purchase furniture and finished materials. Handle project management and coordination Address functionality such as lighting, acoustics, and storage. Work with the general contractor throughout construction. Are formally trained and often hold formal education and certifications, like the NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification), to ensure they meet industry standards. An interior decorator specializes in the visual elements of a space, such as color schemes, furniture, and accessories. They typically: Select furnishings and décor. Style spaces to reflect the client’s personality. Focus on aesthetics without altering structural elements. Unlike interior designers, decorators are not formally trained and are typically not involved throughout construction. An architect designs the structural aspects of a building ensuring it is safe, functional, and compliant with building codes. Architects: Create floor plans and technical drawings to be used for construction. Focus on the exterior and structure of the building Work with the general contractor throughout construction. Work on zoning, permits, and engineering aspects While architects plan the "bones" of a structure, they often collaborate with interior designers to shape how the space looks and feels.
  • How does an interior designer fit into the project team?
    While an interior designer can join the project team at any stage, we prefer to get involved as early as possible to ensure a holistic shared vision. Our past experience with large-scale commercial projects equips us to seamlessly collaborate with the architect, landscape designer, general contractor, and other trades to deliver a cohesive end result.
  • What is a typical project timeline?
    A timeline for a full home typically ranges from 1.5 to 4 years. However, smaller projects and individual rooms can be much faster. The timeline varies for each project. We can help you gauge an estimated timeline based on your scope.
  • How do I prepare for hiring an interior designer?
    We offer a complimentary introductory phone call to learn more about your project needs and guide you through our process. If necessary, we'll prepare a proposal to help define the project scope, establish a budget and timeline, and assist with assembling the project team. If you have a budget established and a project team selected, we can work with them to refine the scope and put together a formal proposal for the entire project.
  • Do you offer an initial site consultation?
    After we have had an introductory call, we offer a 60-minute in-person site consultation for $575. The purpose of this consultation is to walk the site, discuss potential plans, and continue gathering information to determine the project scope.
  • What are "soft costs" and "hard costs"?
    Hard costs are the tangible, physical costs directly related to the construction and furnishing of a project. They are often easier to estimate and typically take up the bulk of the project budget. Soft costs are the non-tangible expenses associated with planning, designing, and managing the project. When planning your budget, consider that soft costs typically account for 25-35% of your project budget in addition to your hard costs. These fees cover responsibilities distributed among the project team and generally remain consistent, even as different tasks shift to different teams.
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LET'S WORK TOGETHER

WE GIVE BACK

We are proud to donate a portion of all revenue to the following organizations:

Kaboom Collective is a nonprofit educational organization for motivated musicians who want to explore the arts & entertainment industry.

The Hip Hop Architecture Camp® positions Hip Hop culture as a catalyst to introduce underrepresented youth to architecture, urban planning, & design.

Crisis Text Line is a global nonprofit organization providing free & confidential text-based mental health support & crisis intervention.

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