BY SHALEEN DESTEFANO
At Studio Lea, design is more than creating beautiful spaces; it is about crafting environments that feel lived in, loved, and deeply connected to the people who inhabit them. With projects spanning Denver and Maui, Studio Lea balances beauty and function, honoring both the quiet details and the way a space supports everyday life. Founder, Cory Lea Decker sat down to share her journey with us.
What first pulled you toward design? Was it something from childhood, a class, a mentor, or just an instinct that never went away?
It seems I have been doing design my entire life. I started drafting out floor-plans and helping family members at the age of 8, it just felt like a second language to me and I loved being able to help people. To bring them along for the ride when presenting ideas or showing a finished product — seeing people enjoy that was always so special (and still is). Once I knew this was my path I studied architecture and design at Harrington College of Design in Chicago. I quickly caught the travel bug and continued my architecture studies in France, Germany and Switzerland at OWP/P Architects. I also honed my design skills at Italian mill-work manufacturer Verenna/Poliform which taught me invaluable information and skills when it comes to custom kitchen and bath design.
When you walk into a space, what’s the first thing you notice? And what’s the first thing you want people to feel when they walk into one of your spaces?
I notice how the space makes me feel. I’m paying attention to everything…from the color temperature of the lighting, the overall layout, the feel of fabrics, even the grout selection! When people walk into one of our spaces I want them to not be smothered by unnecessary details. We are big on function at Studio Lea, and I always want our spaces to flow and support the activities the space is designed for. I also want them to notice the small details which we never overlook! From a counter-top detail edge or the leg detail on a chair, we absolutely love minutiae.
You split time between Denver and Maui. How do those very different backdrops influence your design style and way of thinking?
They actually have a lot more in common than you’d think! At the forefront, we find that our clients in both areas have a strong connection to nature and want to bring those elements into their interiors, which we love! Both areas also have challenging climates and that always keeps us on our toes when designing. As a Colorado native, I’m used to considering factors like humidity levels, high winds, and temperature swings — so it wasn’t a leap adapting to life designing in Maui. We’re big on allowing the landscape, architecture, and client needs to help steer the design process. Our design ethos, no matter the location, has always been to lean into natural elements, keep it simple, and use every corner optimally (but not every corner needs to be used).
People often think design is just about picking pretty things, but you’ve built a reputation on making spaces live well, not just look good. Can you share a project where function had to come before “fancy,” and how you still made it beautiful?
Too many times to count! Because we work on a lot of renovations and new builds, we’re often collaborating with architects and builders — navigating different ideas and opinions, permitting, and more. But we’ve never thrown in the towel and always make sure we’re delivering the best result for our clients. I can’t recall one specific project because I would almost say, all of them! Not that things didn’t go according to plan, but as we’ve learned through 25+ years in the industry, there are areas where we need to adjust, be flexible, and pivot. Maybe it’s existing plumbing or appliance locations presenting an issue, or an unfortunately placed load-bearing wall… we’re here to identify those potential “issues” early on so we can keep the integrity of the intended design intact, and walk away with beautiful results (no matter the challenge).
Denver has its own vibe, mountains, seasons, a love of indoor/outdoor living. How does that show up in your work with clients here?
We absolutely love the outdoors, like so many others in Colorado, and always aim to bring the outdoors in. We enjoy using natural fibers, layering textures, varying wood tones that compliment one another, and a neutral and serene color palette that works with an amazing view.
This year is your 15-year anniversary, what’s something you’ve learned about running a business?
I think at the end of the day, people are what matter. Of course I love design and it’s a huge part of my life and work, but improving people’s lives is the true reward. I’ve also had the opportunity to meet and work with amazing trades, designers and clients who have transformed my life. The relationships I’ve built throughout the years are really invaluable and leaning on those around you for support is really what keeps you going.
We’re all tempted by what’s “in” right now, but homes last a lot longer than a Pinterest board. How do you help clients land on choices they won’t regret in five years?
We don’t follow trends too closely and allow the surroundings and our clients’ needs determine where we go in the design process. It is so tempting to get lost in a million pins on Pinterest, but at the end of the day we always ask is this right for you. We take a lot of time in our discovery process to ask the right questions so we’re always referring back to our ultimate goals for each project. Trends also have a time and place! Decor or a paint color are much easier to switch out down the line (and cost effective) versus counter-tops or architectural elements that would be costly to change when they feel dated.
When a project wraps, what’s the moment that feels most rewarding to you? Is it the big reveal, the client’s reaction, or something else entirely?
This is a hard choice! I would say all of it, but at the end of the day it’s really hearing how happy our clients are with their space. We’re often working with our clients for sometimes over a year and you really get close to one another. Construction is also challenging and we completely understand that, it’s tough on our clients and their families, so I feel like there’s a collective sigh when a project completes! We also have a good amount of repeat clients and we love revisiting a space and hearing how they’re using certain areas and how the entire design has been working for them.
What excites you most about the future of Studio Lea, or even just design in general right now?
What excites me the most about Studio Lea right now is the ongoing community and collaboration we’ve created that continues to thrive. October is our 15-year anniversary and there have definitely been some ebbs and flows throughout the years, as so many other small businesses can attest. I’m also very excited for our Maui location we opened earlier this year, and we are currently working on pro-bono projects for families affected by the Lahaina fires. Every year I am so grateful to continue to work with our clients and I know the best years are in front of us!
Thank you for giving us a peek inside of your design mission and vision, Cory! To learn more about Studio Lea and to see their vast portfolio, visit studio-lea.com.