The Designers
Lee Tripi
Having trained and worked extensively in the mid-west, Lee moved to North Carolina in 1989. There he opened Lee Tripi Design, a consultancy that has undertaken residential, restaurant, retail and spa/salon projects.
Lee Tripi is an ardent devotee of the Bauhaus Movement, combining style principles found in classic International Style and ethnic motifs. The result is textural, organic and clean-lined. His style is characterized as having a Zen simplicity, creating a sense of tranquility and comfort. The spaces are sophisticated, yet restrained, never, pretentious or intimidating.
As a kitchen and bath consultant, Lee Tripi utilizes modular cabinetry by Italian manufacturers. Modular kitchens are a relatively new concept domestically, but have worked very well for many years with new construction as well as renovation in the urban homes of Europe. Tripi brought the first Berloni kitchen to North Carolina and has found overwhelming interest among urban condominium builders as a modern and affordable option for their residents.
Designing retail and other public spaces around the world gives Lee an opportunity for his creativity to be enjoyed by many people. With commercial projects, he is a key member of a team that includes an architect, engineer and general contractor. As a designer, Lee is typically the first one to meet with the client, interpreting the criteria and scope of the project.
"People are often confused, and rightly so, as to what is an interior designer", says Tripi. Most commonly called an interior designer in America and an interior architect in Europe, the position can best be described as a professional approach to interior spaces, that focuses more emphasis on creative structural planning, architectural element design and functional consideration rather than decoration would imply.
Architectural elements such as lighting, flooring, built-in structures, fixtures and finishes are specified and well integrated with the floor plan layout. Finally, furnishings and art are included in the plan to complete the space.
There is a strong commitment to design spaces utilizing sustainable and green materials and processes, as we must be willing to contribute to saving the planet for future generations
Lee Tripi studied at The University of Akron with a degree in the College of Fine and Applied Arts. He is a member of the City of Raleigh Arts Commission and a member of Designbox (designbox.us), a collaborative think tank of designers of varying disciplines.
Lee is currently a consultant and instructor in the newly launched Interior Design program at the School of Communication Arts in Raleigh.
Molly Miller
The heralded Bickett Gallery, a progressive, multimedia art gallery in Raleigh, NC, was founded by Molly Miller, a talented artist and designer. Inspired by the accomplishments and legacy of Black Mountain College (1933 – 1956), Black Mountain, NC and its philosophy of the pursuit of all art forms intermingled. Bickett Gallery welcomed and encouraged various art disciplines to overlap and integrate expression and experimentation, becoming North Carolina’s first “Multi-Media Interdisciplinary” gallery. The goal of this six year project was to expose the community to a range of art forms that traditional galleries deemed too risky and varied.
In addition to the visual art exhibits, the gallery created various residencies, screened and promoted independent films and film makers and hosted a number of poets and writers. Miller hosted and mentored NC State University, College of Design’s masters thesis finals through her creative partnership with the university. In 2006, Bickett Gallery and Molly Miller were one of six recipients to be awarded an “Indie Art Award”.
Before the inception of Bickett Gallery, Miller founded Élan Vital Designs, Inc. an interior design firm in Raleigh, NC. With a design philosophy rooted in the Bauhaus movement, she has the resounding belief in the importance of utilitarian function combined with peaceful environments.
Molly Miller brings a high level of technical experience to the Lee Tripi design team, through her past career as Director of Marketing for Miller Office Furniture, Inc. in High Point, NC and growing up in the furniture manufacturing industry, Miller understands all aspects of the design process from conception, manufacturing and installation with quality of craftsmanship being of utmost importance.
Miller earned a B.A. in Communications from North Carolina Sate University in Raleigh, NC, as well as, studying in the College of Design. She also continued her education in Interior Design at Meredith College from 1995 – 1997. She continues to be an advocate for the importance of art in our community and culture through community partnerships with: Contemporary Art Museum, Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, North Carolina Museum of Art, Works of Heart Art Auction and the Visual Art Exchange.
Throughout Molly Miller’s years as a leader in the design and art community, she has participated in much collaboration with designers and artists and places great emphasis on simplicity and creating environments that allow for a better way of contemporary living.
Michelle Balaun
After living in Germany for 15 years and traveling the world extensively, Michelle brings a solid European flair to her design philosophy. The clean lines and functionality of German and Italian design are modern and practical as well as beautiful and can be smoothly incorporated into American homes. Whether you live in a large roomy villa or a trendy city apartment it is important to utilize space to the maximum degree.
Michelle lands at our design table with a varied list of design achievements. She has been involved with projects involving Landscape Architecture, Interior Design, Fashion Design and Menu Design. Being a celebrated cook she comes from a family of restaurateurs so she knows a thing or two about the kitchen. From catering large parties to quiet intimate dinners she has a handle on what needs to be in the kitchen to really get cooking. Having the specific working knowledge of kitchen design coupled with her design flair learned in Germany she can interpret the exact degree of ultimate kitchen necessary for any cooking level.
Not only has she been influenced by the markets, shops and stores of Dusseldorf, Munich, Cologne and Berlin, she frequented London’s haunts as well as Paris’s arrondissements. From the streets of Dakar to Dubai Michelle has viewed many elements of design personally and has developed a design method for kitchens.