The Faces Behind the Firm….
By Jill Hedges
In Branding, Business, Cabinetry, Design, Furniture, Marketing
Principal Designers: Meagan Murphree and Crystal Lashley
CrystalLashleyand MeaganMurphreemet while undergraduatesin the top ranked Interior Design program at Auburn University. They were friends throughout the four year program and even joked about one day starting their own firm. After graduation, they both moved away to separate cities, but kept in touch as friends. The two were reunited after returning to Auburn to live after both passing the NCIDQ (national certification for interior designers) exam. They decided to form a partnership after seeing the need for interior design firms in the East Alabama area.
Twelve years have passed and Meagan and Crystal’s 2-personfirm has grown to a team of 7, six of which are interior designers. Not only hasthe firm grown in size ofemployees,butthe scope of work that L&M offers has expanded greatly. Meagan and Crystal are licensed contractorsthrough the state of Alabama. This addition came after the realization that L&Mcould make their client’s construction projects even easier if they not only created the design, but also oversaw the project from beginning to end.
In 2017, L&M added custom cabinet lines that are designed and installed by their team for renovation or new-construction clients. To showcase their cabinet offerings, the partners opened a kitchen and bath showroom in downtown Auburn, AL. The retail showroom features the many lines of countertops, faucets, hardware, tile, cabinetry and flooring that are offered to their clients. The stunning showroom and scope of services offered make L&M a unique all-in-one firm where clients can choose to work with one professional team for every detail of their project
When not overseeing a design or construction project the business partners spend time with their husbands and children. They alsoserve, as committee members for the local YoungLife chapter, are active in their churches and the communities in which they live.
Interior Designer: Amber May
Amber May is originally from Leeds, Alabama. Before pursuing her degree in interior design her passion was in dance. She was a full time dance instructor for 6 years before enrolling in Auburn University. After graduation, she worked for firms in both Georgia and Alabama before joining the team at L&M. She specializes in multiple computer systems that allow the design team to show clients very realistic computer renderings of what their project will look like upon completion. She also spends much of her time working on cabinet and door design projects.
Amber stays just as busy at home as she does in the showroom. She is active in her church, is happily married, and has a new baby at home.
Interior Designer: April Atchley
April Atchley is originally from Charlotte, North Carolina. Her passion for interior design brought her to Samford University, in Birmingham, Alabama. While there, April received her undergraduate degree in Interior Architecture with an Art minor. After graduation, April came to work for L&M. April’s love for painting is a unique asset that she brings to the design team. She can quickly sketch a design or watercolor of a home for her client showing what the suggested changes will look like on the completed project.
April says she has always loved interior design; even as a child she would build houses with her brother’s Legos. Her favorite aspect about interior design is to see the transformation of a space that makes it both aesthetically pleasing as well as functional for everyday life.
In her spare time April enjoys spending time with her husband, cooking, and of course, painting.
Interior Designer: Erica Hodges
Erica Hodges is from Moulton, Alabama. Erica made her way to Auburn for her undergraduate studies in Business Administration. After realizing her heart was in design she went back to school and studied fine art at Savannah College of Art and Design. Upon graduation, she worked in high-end residential design in Atlanta Georgia. Erica married in 2017 and returned to Auburn, joining the design team at L&M.
When asked why she chose to pursue interior design, Erica explains that she “believes our surroundings impact our thought life and emotions. Function and aesthetics come together to create a feeling, whether that is safety, calm, excitement, or inspiration.” She says she feels fortunate to be able to use her passions to serve clients and loves the excitement that comes with a completed project!
When Erica is at home she enjoys spending time with her husband and dog. She is also active in her local church. Erica is passionate about entertaining and spends her time at home reading interior design books and sketching.
Interior Designer/Showroom Coordinator: E.Lee Fatzinger
Elizabeth “E.Lee” Fatzinger was raised in Montgomery, Alabama. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design from Auburn University. Before working for L&M she had the opportunity to work for a multi-family interior design firm in Dallas, Texas.
When asked why she chose interior design, Elizabeth fondly attributes it to her childhood. She is the 5th of 6 children and vividly remembers when an interior designer designed a new bedroom just for her. Having been influenced by interior design at such a young age gave her the realization that a home can be both beautifully designed and comfortable enough to live life, even with 6 kids! She says it was then that she realized that she wanted to provide clients with the same type of space that can positively impact their lives.
Elizabeth enjoys spending her free time with her family, traveling and cooking. She also looks forward to football season each fall.
Auburn AL, Branding, custom cabinetry, Design, kitchen cabinetry, Marketing, New Construction, renovaton
Jill Hedges
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