EXTOL EXPRESS

Meet the women who are mastering the art of interior design

BY JEN MCNELLY

INTERIOR DESIGN IS AN ART form that transforms spaces into captivating environments . LL & A Interior Design has emerged as a trailblazer in this realm and 2024 celebrates LL & A ’ s 20th year in business .

At the helm of LL & A Interior Design are business partners Leslie Lewis and Tammy Randall , whose passion for design and a keen eye have propelled the business into prominence . Natives of New Albany , both women have been working together for over 18 years , but friends for much longer .

“ We initially met through a group of mutual friends and our passion for trail riding ,” explained Leslie , whose husband , Tommy , owns his own horse training business . “ We ’ re fortunate to be able to weave our personal and professional lives together . We can hit the trails on our horses and also sit back and talk shop .”

LL & A ’ s team of 10 women are masters of the art of blending commercial and residential furnishings in the workplace . The company is a full-service design team that specializes in all facets of interior design . They believe that making the office comfortable and fun to be in has the added benefit of incentivizing employees to spend more time and be more engaged at work .

“ I love how we get the opportunity to work with a variety of clients ,” said Tammy . The company ’ s current big project is the renovation of the Elsby in downtown New Albany to become a Hilton Tapestry Hotel .

“ Seeing this project come to life is absolutely a career highlight for me ,” Leslie stated . “ We are honored to be part of this legacy project .” The Elsby Hotel will include a speakeasy on the lower level , four food and beverage entities , and a rooftop lounge . The project is set to be completed in May 2025 . Other recent notable projects include the new offices for The City of New Albany and the corporate offices at River Ridge Development Authority . Each project is a testament to the team ’ s commitment to excellence and the ability to tailor designs to suit varying tastes and preferences .

Leslie and Tammy find inspiration through their travels . While they believe in having fun with and being mindful of current design trends , they believe that designs should be classic and timeless . For anyone wanting to breathe life into their living space , Tammy explained , “ A fresh coat of paint goes a long way . If you ’ re going to tie in a trend , do it in small ways where you can switch things up easily .”

This past year , LL & A won two awards for best interior design on multiple projects . “ My work is my hobby ,” said Leslie , explaining that she plans to see the company grow . “ We are in the business of lifelong learning . Our projects will continue to evolve and it ’ s so exciting for us .”

“ Making something out of nothing is the best part of what we do ,” explained Tammy . “ It ’ s always going to be our goal to make a space better than when we arrived .”

12 EXTOL | MARCH 2024