‘Storied Spaces’ is the RIALTO newsletter featuring ‘Q+A’, a bi-weekly column that features guest curators from the community, whom we invite to share inspiration from their home library. In each edit, you will hear from creatives we admire about the analogue inspirations that inform their work and vision.
Lillian Goodman is a California-based interior designer whose multidisciplinary background spans industrial design, fashion, interior design, and construction. Her work is defined by a thoughtful balance of historical references, carefully collected pieces, and a deep understanding of each client's unique needs.
Instagram: @lilliangoodmaninteriors
Website: lilliangoodman.com
E-Mail: info@lilliangoodman.com
Q+A
[001] What is your favourite interior you’ve come across and why?
The Salk Institute in La Jolla, CA. Built by Louis Kahn between 1959-1965. While this isn’t an interior design reference in a traditional sense, it’s a beautiful example of how exterior architecture can shape the dialogue between our external experiences and our internal lives. This monolithic concrete structure overlooking the Pacific Ocean was designed entirely around the idea that creative collaboration between scientists of varying disciplines could lead to radical scientific breakthroughs.
The long hallways surrounding the central courtyard were inspired by monastic cloisters- places where people from different disciplines could encounter one another, exchange ideas, and engage in conversation before retreating to the solitude of their laboratories or studies to reflect, experiment, and create. In my dream world, I would have an office here.
The concept behind this structure really resonates with me because I’m fascinated by people’s stories and lived experiences. Every person carries a unique history, shaped by culture, relationships, and the ideas of their time. As an interior designer, my role is to understand those layers, adding historical context, collaborating with contemporary gallerists and designers that I admire, and finally translating them into spaces that feel deeply personal while supporting the way my clients want to live.
[002] Describe your dream interior if you had no budget restraints.
The undeveloped Southern California coast: sandstone cliffs, Torrey pines and endless ocean. An adobe home built in the brutalist style but with soft, earthen walls and lots of wood. A large room for big gatherings and smaller rooms for various purposes- a library, a spa, an art studio. A path goes down to the beach with an open, shaded dwelling built into the cliffs.
[003] What has piqued your interest lately?
Growing up in North County, San Diego in the 80’s, there was a costal/post modern/bauhaus inspired architectural trend that felt uniquely local. The houses of the Del Mar-based architectural firm Batter Kay are prime examples; I feel that there is a resurgence of interest in this style that is exciting to me.
[004] Who other than yourself would you trust to decorate your home?
Georgia O’Keeffe
[005] Can you share images of your interior and tell us a bit about it?
My current office is pretty utilitarian - it's very important to me to be able to physically handle the materials that I am proposing to clients, so I have an extensive library of samples on hand. I usually have a small vignette of fabrics, tiles, wood, etc set up that aren’t for any project in particular- sometimes it's just nice to take a break and create a palette without any specifics or guardrails attached. I also keep a bronze sculpture in my office that my late father made while in college that is special to me.
I. ‘Swedish Grace’, by Ivanov, 2017
This book is an amazing reference for architectural details, furniture, and decorative objects created during the brief Swedish Grace period between 1910-1930. The era held what for me is the perfect mix of classical detailing with the modern lines that would become de regur in Nordic design in the years to follow.
II. ‘Japanese Detail Architecture’ by Sadao Hibi, 1989
My favorite museum here in San Diego is the Mingei Museum in Balboa Park. They have an incredible reference library, and once a year they have a book sale. I picked this up at the last sale and have been looking at it for inspiration on repetitive geometric forms in woodwork and landscapes.
III. ‘La Maison de Verre: Le Chef-d’Oeuvre de Pierre Chareau’ by Dominique Vellay & photos by Francois Hallard, 2007
An iconic house designed by Pierre Chareau, tapestries and upholstery by Jean Lurçat, photographed by Hallard- basically just my dream scenario all the way around.
IG Accounts to follow?
– @theworldofinteriors
– @ejrbarnes
– @magenhgallery
– @grace___prince
– @marta.losangeles