part of town where it was imperative to maintain the original architectural style. While still working in the family business, Silvia was educated at the Faculty of Architecture in Genova, where she was heavily influenced by Renzo Piano. In 1994 she moved to California where she soon met Gabriella Toro with whom she established a close friendship that led to collaborations on a variety of projects. These experiences would soon unify their work to form Toro-Lombardo Design Build.
STUDIO
Gabriella Toro founded Cippananda (chi-pa-nan-da) Interior Design in 1991 when she relocated from her native Italy to Los Angeles. Since then Cippananda has become a highly regarded interior design firm that enhances the architectural vision and creates environments that consistently delight her clients.
Cippananda has built its reputation by designing exceptional spaces. These projects include family homes, condominiums, vacation retreats, restaurants, and corporate offices.
For years Gabriella Toro's skills in coordinating and overseeing projects has provided the synergy between home owners, architects and contractors.
Recently, to answer consumer wishes for outstanding design and workmanship, contained costs and timely delivery, Gabriella has partnered with Silvia Lombardo to create TORO-LOMBARDO DESIGN BUILD. This new firm continues to provide its design services for residential, multi-family and hospitality projects as in the past, and has now acquired a general contractor's license that allows TORO-LOMBARDO DESIGN BUILD to see a project from concept to completion.
Whether for new construction or remodel, the design-build process offers complete control over the implementation of the design while minimizing risks for the client and resulting in a shorter delivery time.
SERVICES
Client Consultations
Project coordination and oversight
Space planning
Material selections and detailing
Lighting and Audio Visual design
Kitchen and Bathroom
Color scheme development
Custom cabinetry and hardware
Window, wall, and floor treatments
Furniture design and installation
Purchasing services
Art acquisition
Staging
Landscape design
"Italian architectural history and my passion for contemporary design have inspired me to create timeless environments that feel comfortable, calm and serene. I love working closely with loyal craftsmen to create exclusive pieces of furniture with natural materials that reflect the unique needs and personalities of each client. "
Silvia Lombardo is a "figlia d'arte", which translates to "Daughter of the Arts". She was born in Genova, Italy, and grew up in a family of architects and developers where she cultivated her strong attachment and passion for her father's profession. Silvia spent many years on job sites observing and learning from her father's expertise. She participated in all the construction phases of new residential and commercial buildings and also renovations of the historic
"I like to design as simply as possible to create spaces which are clean, warm and inviting. I'm inspired by the work of Carlo Scarpa, Mies van der Rohe and the Bauhaus, Pierre Chareau, Gio Ponti, Vico Magistretti and the millions of anonymous artisans who made the world such a beautiful place just because they loved a job well done."
Gabriella Toro grew up in Rome and traveled extensively throughout Europe, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and North Africa and has lived in London, Dublin and Berlin. After a decade in the production of movies that include Martin Scorsese's The Last Temptation of Christ and Bernardo Bertolucci's The Sheltering Sky, Gabriella put her exceptional managerial experience to work at her design studio in Santa Monica, California.
