| Designing her Dream |
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Designing her Dream With experience from New York to L.A., this Cincinnati designer finds her niche in her hometown. Find out how her imagination and creativity have led her to award-winning designs.  Local woman Erin Lombardi started off as a fine artist, but she eventually traded in her canvas to "create art that people can live in," she says. So Lombardi went to the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning (DAAP) to become an interior designer.
Right after earning her bachelor's degree, Lombardi got her start in New York City where she learned to go beyond decorating and actually "resculpt" the space, she says. In the Big Apple Lombardi gained experience at the John B. Murray Architect firm before heading out to California. After working as the project manager for Everage Interior Design in Santa Monica, Lombardi set out on her own with Lombardi Interiors in Los Angeles.
Almost five years ago, Lombardi returned home to the Queen City, and she continues to rebuild her practice and word-of-mouth success. In the process, she works at Closson's in Oakley as a designer.
While Lombardi has coast-to-coast experience with such design-centered cities as New York City and L.A., Cincinnati has given her some of the most fun. "Cincinnati gets a terrible reputation of being so conservative, but I have been allowed, through wonderful clients, to do my best work in this town," Lombardi says. 
One of the most adventurous projects for Lombardi came in an art deco penthouse in Southshore Condominiums. "Those clients let me do more creative work than I was ever able to do in New York or Los Angeles," Lombardi says. And her ability to let loose with her imagination both in the penthouse and in the Southshore lobby produced two Cincinnati Magazine Best of Interior Design 2009 award winners.
Beyond Southshore, Lombardi also has taken a larger part in the arts scene around town than she ever was able to do in New York or California. She uses her "ability to work with color and recreate space" to help plan galas for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. She also works with the Aronoff Center from time to time, and she designs the sets for the SmartTalk lecture series. (Learn more about the series, head to "Talk it Out," a past Cincy Chic article.) Currently, she is working on the Cincinnati Opera's 90th Anniversary Gala.
No matter who the client, though, Lombardi takes the time to get to know the person behind the project. "I love nothing more than to talk to my client and get an idea of who they are," she says. So she understands her clients' lifestyles, personalities and aspirations, which helps her deliver an outstanding product.
For more information about Lombardi, check out ErinLombardi.com or head to Closson's at 3061 Madison Road in Oakley, Ohio.
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