Lafia/Arvin was established in 1997, by its Principals Monique Lafia and Chris Arvin.   We are pleased to be on Robb Report’s 2010 List of the Top 40 Interior Designers of the World, and listed as the highest rated Interior Design Firm in the current Franklin Report.

L/A's goal is to establish long-standing relationships with our Clients, and as a result we have designed five residences for many Clients. Our Clients are across the spectrum, and as a few examples include: key shareholders, officers and directors Fortune 500 type international businesses; world famous athletes such as Sugar Ray Leonard, and Wayne Gretzky; musicians such as Kenny G; and actors, directors, producers and other well known individuals in the entertainment industry who appreciate L/A's sense of design, attention to detail and direct and personal service (Robb Report has highlighted that L/A is known for differentiating itself by never passing any of the designer decisions onto an associate, with the principals being hands-on).   

Although Lafia/Arvin accepts Design Commissions across a broad spectrum of architecture, design and location, many have said that we have a special expertise for “Getaways” and “Estates”, and historical properties (such as the Buster Keaton Estate, Featured as a 17 page Cover Feature in Robb Report Luxury Home Magazine – Spring 2007 Issue).   We have extensive interior design experience with high-end luxury interior design, and this experience and expertise has allowed us to develop and cultivate a close working relationship with the finest of resources and craftsmen, which is integral to our luxury design.   We have worked closely with highly regarded Architects, such as high-end luxury estate Architect Richard Landry of Landry Design Group with whom we have worked together on a number of projects, Brian Biglin of Biglin Architectural Group, and other fine Architects such as Don Nulty and Appleton & Associate, Inc.  Lafia/Arvin has also been at the forefront of the design and blending together of comfortable indoor-outdoor living spaces (often discussed in our publications), achieved in large part by our working closely with our respected high-end luxury Landscape-Architect counterparts, for example, including a growing list of projects with Mark David Levine of Mark David Levine Design Group (Beverly Hills, Montecito).

It is noted that there is not a specific square feet requirement for L/A Projects, which in the past have included 1,300 square feet cottages (a Sandy Land Cove Cottage featured on the Cover of California Homes Magazine), up to 50,000 + square feet plus main residences - and between.    Ms. Lafia also has extensive experience with high-end hotels.  In all instances, the same services that differentiates us are offered as highlighted by The Robb Report – the principals not passing off any design decisions to an associate, and, provide you with an “original design”. The Robb Report says “a lot of designers like to reuse the same color palette and the same few fabrics over and over in their projects. Nothing looks original.  If you are friends with another of .. L/A’s clients, you don’t have to worry about them having a home exactly like yours”.   The Robb Report has also highlighted the importance we place on art for projects, L/A has assisted most of our Clients in the selection, placement, sourcing and introduction of art to their homes.

We have projects nationwide. From our California projects (Bel-Air, Beverly Hills, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Montecito and adjoining Santa Barbara areas, Lake Sherwood, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rancho Santa Fe, et al.), and New York area projects, to, for example, Lanai – Hawaii and the other islands, islands in Canada, et al.    Please browse our website to view a sampling of our projects, magazine features and quotes.