Lance Avery Morgan
La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life in Italian) might just be the perfect phrase for interior designer Gaia Guidi Filippi. The Dallas resident, and founder of Gaia G Interiors, is up to her neck with her client’s projects that she transforms into tranquil, yet emboldened areas to live life to its fullest. The busy wife and mom shares a few of her favorite insights with our Lance Avery Morgan who has watched her career grow and grow.
The best career advice I’ve received is…Done is better than perfect! This doesn’t apply to my client-facing things, of course. But it comes in handy when you are building or running a business and need to get through a ton of initial steps for admin, logistics, marketing, and all the things necessary to be fully operational.
Three qualities that got me where I am today as an interior designer are…Resourcefulness, curiosity and a well-trained eye.
Easiest career decision I ever made is…Also not the best one I ever made! It was jumping ship from one major luxury brand to another many moons ago and realizing that everything that glitters isn’t always gold.
What is influencing me creatively in design right now is…Italy and Italian design are my perpetual source of creativity, but so is each individual client I take on. I look to them, who they really are and how they would live their best life, as the real source of how the ideas are going to translate into their surroundings.
How I made my first dollar…Pretending to work at my dad’s business. I’m sure that was the best money I ever made for the amount of effort put in.
Last thing I binge/marathon watched…My binge/marathons are always books. I’m currently binging on The Great Library Series by Rachel Caine.
Book that left a lasting impression on me…The Count of Monte Cristo, my all-time favorite.
If I lived in a foreign city it would be…I’d head straight back to London, where I spent my university years.
If I could compete in an Olympic sport, it would be…Beach volleyball. Come on, it’s the sexiest!
My style icon is…I don’t have a style icon, but I think Queen Rania of Jordan is one of the most impeccably dressed and elegant women on the planet. If I had to try to emulate a look all the time, it would be hers.
Something everyone should try in their lifetime…Visiting a very foreign country, one where you don’t speak the language. Nothing else opens your mind like that.
If I weren’t doing what I am doing, I would…Be an event planner. Many of the same skills are required and it’s so much fun making people happy by realizing their dreams whether it’s for a big event or for their permanent surroundings at home.
My personal style signifier is…Ideally anything short and leggy.
The classic designer I wish was still designing today would be…I’m a 70s baby, so it has to be Halston.
The last meal that truly impressed me was…Last July in Italy I had a plate of tagliolini with black summer truffle in a small trattoria in my husband’s hometown of Vicenza. For someone who can always find the words, I was left speechless.
In my fridge you will always find…Parmigiano Reggiano.
My perfect day would end…As it does every day – buried in a book with my husband by my side and my dog, Penny at my feet.
On my tombstone it will say…She was way too claustrophobic to be buried here–check the urn.
