The kitchen’s frame-andpanel design incorporates the windows into the cabinetry plan with sconces for accent.
WHAT'S OLD IS NEW AGAIN The thoughtful renovation of an Old Louisville home Written by Bridget Williams / Photography by Andrew Kung
Leslie Cotter Dorazil knew she wanted to be an interior designer in middle school. "I was sketching, creating and constantly rearranging my room," she explained. The only other career path she considered, albeit briefly, was one in psychology, and as any good designer knows, the characteristics required of a psychologist—problem-solving ability, trustworthiness, a passion for learning, patience, solid ethics, empathy, and cross-cultural sensitivity to name a few—also come in handy when collaborating with design clients. "Design is such a personal and intimate process," said Dorazil. "Someone is trusting me with their home, 74 slmag.net
their vision, and their money. The challenge is managing that properly and the emotions that come along the way, especially in large-scale renovation and construction projects." A Louisville native, Dorazil has been pursuing her passion for 14 years, continually deriving inspiration from her travels and the natural world. A hallmark of her aesthetic is accentuating a room with live plants. "It says 'someone lives here,' but it also adds softness and warmth beyond just knowing that someone is caring for the plants," she said. Carefully selected books with beautiful spines and subjects relevant to a client are another one of her calling cards.
