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CORE TEAM
Lisa Tharp
FOUNDER + PRINCIPAL DESIGNER
Lisa places her lifelong passions for architecture, human-centered design, and respect for place at the center of her firm’s work. She models deep listening in order to truly reflect who clients are while elevating how they live. Her capabilities across the full range of modern to traditional styles are expressed in the variety of properties the firm transforms. Nature, time spent abroad, and immersion in the world of art inform her distinct point of view – which extends to her designer color collection with ECOS organic paints, Lisa Tharp Collection furnishings, and best practices for the wellbeing of people and planet.
Just ten years after switching careers, Lisa was inducted into the New England Design Hall of Fame. She is an AD Pro Featured Designer, one of Traditional Building magazine’s Who’s Who “The 25,” and member of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art. As a Back Bay Architectural District commissioner, Lisa helps Boston preserve the best of the past while meeting 21st century demands. Her MBA and corporate background promise clients a well managed design journey. When not in the studio, Lisa enjoys time with family and friends, inline skating, designing apparel, and making art.
Alex MacMillan
DIRECTOR OF DESIGN
Alex, a New England Home magazine "5 Under 40" award winner, collaborates closely with Lisa to shape the creative vision across the firm’s design projects. Her background in interior architecture and art history, studied both at the University of Edinburgh and in the United States, along with her upbringing in a coastal Maine town rich in artistic heritage and picturesque landscapes, has deepened her appreciation for art and design. Her passion for historical preservation was instilled at a young age, inspired by her parents’ dedication to renovating more than eleven historic properties. When not designing, Alex enjoys hosting parties, being on the ocean and spending time with her husband, children and Bernese mountain dog.
Sienna MacArthur
SENIOR DESIGNER
Sienna brings creativity, organization and attention to detail to our design development and implementation processes. With a French-American education, Sienna split her childhood between her family’s maple sugaring farm in upstate New York and Southern France. Her open-minded and unique approach to every design project stem from her international background and degree in art history. As a yoga teacher in her free time, Sienna’s passion for wellness and sustainability help inform her human-centered perspective to design.
Jillian O'Keefe
DESIGN ASSISTANT
Jill earned her Interior Architecture degree in Cork, Ireland, which provided immersive educational opportunities in Europe's rich setting of architecture, history, and art. Drawing inspiration from the past while looking ahead to the future, Jill shapes her streamlined design perspective with a deep appreciation for historic preservation and a strong commitment to sustainability. With positivity and strong organization skills, she supports the team throughout the design process. In her free time, she enjoys travel, skiing up north, and spending time with friends and family.
Emily Kahn
DESIGN ASSISTANT
With a degree in Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin, Emily is delighted to be back in New England where she spent many childhood summers. She combines her deep love of interior design, a holistic approach to every challenge, and the belief that exceptional design can transform lives. She is an observer of light, space, materials and connections, which inspire her creative solutions. When not designing, she enjoys traveling, experimenting in the kitchen, running along the Charles, and spending time with family and friends.
Faye Strain
DESIGN ASSISTANT
Faye completed her interior design studies at Suffolk University, Boston where she cultivated an appreciation for timeless architecture and enduring craftsmanship. She applies her spatial curiosity to how people experience their surrounding environments. Childhood summers in Narragansett, Rhode Island continue to inform her sense of place, while interests in fashion and photography refine her keen eye for texture, color, and composition. Outside the studio, Faye balances mind and body through painting, pilates, and enjoying the shore with family and friends.
Olivia Wood
DESIGN ASSISTANT
As a LEED Green Associate, Olivia is passionate about creating sustainable, human-centered spaces. With an Interior Design degree from Eastern Michigan University, she gained valuable experience helping the University of Michigan with adaptive reuse and ADA compliance. Originally from a small town named Blissfield, Olivia developed a deep appreciation for nature, which inspires her approach to design. She is passionate about furniture design and how thoughtful interiors can improve how people experience space. Olivia enjoys hiking, spending time outdoors, and observing wildlife.
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