DESIGN CONNECTION

“Lunagy” is a term coined by custom building specialist, Sayaka, along with her partner, Ian McPherson, principals of an amazing design center based here in Las Vegas since 2005.

“The name is derived from the moon energy that represents the perfect balance between the moon, female energy, and the sun, male energy, similar to the ‘yin’ and ‘yang’ of feng shui—elements that make people feel balanced in their environment—like having a part of nature in their home,” as Sayaka describes it.

There is no doubt that these two talented young people (husband and wife, by the way) have somehow succeeded in harnessing that energy and riding it to new and glorious heights, judging by their impressive accomplishments so far.

The focus of the company, when originally based in San Diego, was on custom doors for both residential and commercial applications. They concentrated on what they refer to as “The Entryway of Art” where a door is no longer simply a door, but a real artistic statement achieved by creating original designs with the use of hand-painted tiles, hand-carved papier-mache (known in Japanese as “washi”) and metal. These are still very much a part of what they offer in their vast catalogue, which includes the “mystical weave” and “wave” doors along with inset panels of ocean sculpture, custom murals, and even a glorious butterfly executed in inlaid stone.

Antique replica doors are also available through Lunagy and are made from farm-raised wood, as are all of the company’s wood products. True antique doors are also available through special order. Any metals that are used are most often reclaimed materials.

But whether newly designed or antique, the emphasis is always on Mother Earth and is duly reflected in Lunagy’s mission statement: to create a special atmosphere in a custom home, while remaining a cost-conscious supplier, and most importantly, recognizing and addressing the environmental needs of our planet.

True stewards of our world, Sayaka and Ian have decided to focus their designs for home and office using mainly nature’s own: iron, wood and stone—sustainable elements whenever possible—to bring to their clients that “wow” factor coupled with value for their investment. Could they possibly be more “right on the money” in today’s marketplace? I don’t think so.

And it’s with this goal in mind that they have been able to supply a full range of architectural elements and services to their clients, which already include a number of well-known restaurants here in Las Vegas such as Half Shell, Ocean, and Makino, where Lunagy entry doors, interior doors, sculptured panel inserts, bar shelving, partitions, faux painting, marble wall murals, lighted art sculpture, custom waterfalls, and custom-designed bamboo topiary are on display.

As if all of this wasn’t enough, since 2006 Lunagy has also specialized in designing and building custom homes here in the valley as well by providing the following:

• Entry Iron Doors Natural Stone Flooring
• Iron Gates Marble & Granite Flooring
• Iron Handrails Stone Sinks
• Iron Fencing Stone Countertops
• Entry Wood Doors Stone Sculpture
• Interior Wood Doors Mosaic Medallions (tile)
• Wood Flooring Murals

All of the above architectural elements, when executed by Lunagy and their expert craftsmen from factories around the world, are truly breathtaking in their beauty and authenticity. For example, the knotty alder moldings and interior doors are custom-made to match the entire home along with the magnificent solid mahogany entryway with wrought-iron detail and distressed finish and beautiful hardware that appears so rustic and original.

And the farm-raised wood for flooring features zebra in light and medium finishes, tiger, old-world light and dark, island light and medium, distressed light and dark, as well as parquet squares, crisscross, diamond, star, zigzag, stripe and deluxe with its inlay of stars. And of course, bamboo—a 100 percent renewable resource—in various colors such as green, chocolate, light tan and medium tan, and any number of cork variations.

Personally, I was awed by the custom Brazilian amethyst sink, not to mention the solid granite toilet (talk about sitting on a throne), stone columns of every style, fireplace surrounds, classic sculpture, vases and urns, and on and on. Why there’s even a mosaic available of Napoleon on his charging steed! In a word, it seems that whatever a client can wish is Lunagy’s desire and ability to supply.

Additionally, quality control, always such an important issue for materials coming from overseas, is beyond reproach due to Ian’s constant vigilance and dedication to client satisfaction, wherein nothing is ever shipped before he personally inspects all materials. (Can you imagine this guy’s frequent-flyer miles?) He must truly be powered by the moon’s special energy to maintain the hectic, demanding schedule that he does.

Also, there is little cause for concern regarding installation—usually a major factor in any custom work—as Lunagy maintains a list of recommended, highly specialized and trained installers for whatever the material, which guarantees a quality installation at the best possible price. And whenever a large custom order such as a total office is executed, all parts of the room are fully assembled in the factory, inspected, numbered and packed under Ian’s supervision before shipping in order to avoid any surprises when arriving stateside. Lead time for such an order, including shipping will generally run only about three and a half months, which, as a longtime designer and manufacturer myself, impresses me to no end. Smaller orders will often arrive in 30 to 45 days.

And so, with Sayaka’s experience in fashion design and Ian’s extensive background in business, engineering and landscape, they both hold the belief that “there is nothing more beautiful than nature’s art,” and it’s from this vantage point that they have built their phenomenally successful business in such a short amount of time. No doubt aided by their other valuable partner in Lunagy, general manager Steve Swidarski, who holds a degree in marketing and business administration. Steve’s credentials are truly impressive with a proven track record in the window-covering industry having been hired in 1995 as president of both the National Accounts Division of Hunter Douglas, Inc. and Kathy Ireland by Alta, prior to working with Ian and Sayaka since 2006.

As a designer for many years, it’s my belief that just like the moon, which continually moves through its monthly phases, and in so doing is a potent symbol of change, so will Lunagy Design and the wonderful energy it creates help to transform the norm and propel us to a more exciting place in design.

It is said that full-moon energy represents breaking with the accepted. Lunagy has challenged us to break the bounds of our old perspectives, patterns and habits, and is here “to help us get the most creative and valuable results with a project from concept to completion.” As Ian and Sayaka have said, “You also give back to nature every time you use or specify products by Lunagy Design Center because we give a percentage of our profits to our home—Mother Earth, and your future—youth.”

Clearly, Lunagy has found a way to “hold a moon beam in its hand,” and in so doing is here to stay as a premier supplier of unique custom architectural elements, while giving back to the environment that supplies the product; nature’s perfect balance indeed.

Lunagy Design Center is open by appointment only and can be reached by calling (877) 845-0558 or by e-mail at info@lunagydesign.com. Visit the Web site at www.lunagydesign.com.

Stephen Leon is president of Soleil Design Intl. Inc. and has been designing and manufacturing custom furniture and cabinetry for more than 25 years, along with his accomplishments in interior design. He has served on the board of directors of the Central California/Nevada Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers. Stephen can be contacted at soleildesign@cox.net.