About Alia

My introduction to design began in high school, when I spent my junior and senior years interning at an interior design studio in Colorado. What started as a fascination with beautiful spaces quickly grew into a lifelong passion for interiors.

Over the years, my experience has taken me from luxury homes in Hawaii to coastal residences throughout Southern California. I spent several years working with Kristin Nugent Interior Design, contributing to high-end residential projects in Santa Monica, Venice, Laguna Beach, and Newport Beach. I also worked in home staging, professional organizing, retail merchandising, and space planning.

Those experiences taught me that good design is about far more than how a home looks. Over time, I became less interested in trends and more interested in helping people create homes that support the way they want to live. Beautiful spaces must also function well. They should support daily life, feel welcoming, and reflect the people who live there.

Today, through Studio Lhotse, I guide clients through renovations, furnishings, material selections, space planning, and finishing details. My approach combines creative vision with practical problem solving, helping clients create homes that are both beautiful and deeply livable.

Design Philosophy

Over time, I've become less interested in trends and more interested in creating homes that support the lives we want to live.

I believe a well-designed home should do more than look beautiful. It should support our daily rhythms, encourage connection, and create a sense of calm amid the demands of everyday life. When our homes function well and reflect what matters most to us, we spend less energy managing our environment and more energy enjoying our lives.

I am drawn to natural materials, quality craftsmanship, and layered textures that bring warmth and character to a space. From solid wood and natural fibers to vintage finds and family heirlooms, I believe good design is often found in pieces that are built to last. Quality does not always mean expensive. Some of the most meaningful pieces in a home come from thrift stores, estate sales, or have been passed down through generations.

Rather than following trends, I encourage clients to create spaces that reflect their own values, routines, and story. The most beautiful homes are not those that look like everyone else's. They are the ones that feel deeply personal and authentically lived in.

My goal is simple: to create homes that feel peaceful, welcoming, and timeless while supporting the way people live every day.