The Design Questionnaire with Lisa Staprans of Staprans Design

living room with stone fireplace by staprans design - lisa staprans

In this edition of Love Happens’ Proust-style Design Questionnaire, join us for a peek inside the creative design mind of California-based interior designer Lisa Staprans of Staprans Design.

lisa staprans design
Lisa Staprans
Photo by Rus Anson

The Beginning of Staprans Design

Lisa first fell in love with design while studying art history, art, and architecture at the University of California, Berkeley. She then went on to further her education at the School of Visual Arts and Parsons School of Design in New York City before launching her own firm Staprans Design with her next love, husband Armin Staprans. Armin, who holds a degree in architecture from M.I.T. and worked in commercial construction in New York, manages the architecture and construction side of the business.

neutral gray and white master bedroom design in Los Altos Hills Home by Lisa Staprans Design
Los Altos Hills Home by Staprans Design
Photo by Brad Knipstein

The “Soul of Design”

It’s all about the “soul of design” for Lisa. She believes that “artistically driven and emotionally connective interiors have the ability to transform one’s entire state of being.” Further, she believes design is not so much about style (i.e. modern, traditional, etc.), it is about creating authentic spaces that resonate with the soul. In addition to practicing this in her work, Lisa has also done a TED talk on the “soul of design” and is currently writing a book about.

“At Staprans Design, we create interiors that embrace, energize and soothe in a sublime way. We support the idea that form and function need to reinforce each other,” says the firm on their site. “A space must evoke positive emotions through the beauty and comfort it exudes, and like nature and fine art it should continue to delight by revealing subtleties over time.”

dining room with a natural wood dining table in a Ridgeview Retreat by Lisa Staprans Design
Ridgeview Retreat by Staprans Design
Photo by Christopher Stark

Based in bucolic Portola Valley, California, Staprans Design has a beautiful portfolio of high-profile, award-winning residential and commercial projects around the country.

From all the people to the massive amount of products and materials needed, many might say that collaboration is key to the successful completion of a building project. Besides being a genuine, caring and extremely talented individual, Lisa’s strong desire to collaborate on all aspects of all of her projects allows her to produce the best results for her clients time and time again!

cozy living room design on 25th Street by Staprans Design
25th Street Home by Staprans Design
Photo by Brad Knipstein
embrace cocktail table koket

A Peek Inside the Fabulous and Inspiring Mind of Lisa Staprans with the Lh Design Questionnaire


What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Being on a remote mountain trail, hiking with my loved ones and my dogs. At peace and calm and in majestic nature. I have a preference for the alps if I was to pick anywhere in the world.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Travel! Great hotels and business class or first-class flights.

If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

A person: Oprah or Melinda Gates (someone that has great talent and changes the world and inspires many) or a majestic tree in a beautiful place.

What profession does your alter ego have?

A leader! A Changemaker. A visionary.

The project you will never forget.

An amazing 60,000 sq foot house, filled with the most amazing craft artisans, master furniture makers, art deco, art nouveau, pre-Columbian art, hand-loomed, handwoven, hand made tiles, 80 species of American woods on the North American continent before Columbus. I got to work with the most amazing, passionate, talented artists and had a very trusting and visionary client.

living room in a los altos home with a stone fireplace
Los Altos Hills Home by Staprans Design
Photo by Brad Knipstein

The most timeless design.

Not trendy. True integrity of place and materials never trendy!!

Your muse or icon.

Yo-Yo Ma’s Gregorian chants

The biggest design faux pas.

Being trendy. Not being true to the place, the materials, the clients and end-users.

blue and white kitchen with wood cabinets in 25th Street Home
25th Street Home by Staprans Design
Photo by Brad Knipstein

Your design motto.

Neurobeauty, the soul of design.

Love happens when….

Your heart is open and your mind is clear and calm.

Intro & Interview by Anna Beck Bimba

Explore more of Lh’s Proust-style Design Questionnaires!