DIANE CHERIX | PRINCIPAL DESIGNER & FOUNDER
Diane has always been drawn to the esthetic and visual aspects of her surroundings and mindful of how it impacts her strong intuition and keen sense of observation. She grew up surrounded by beauty on the shores of Lac Leman (Lake Geneva) in Switzerland. Her artistic taste and attraction to colors, patterns, and textures lead her to her first career in fashion, completing an Haute-Couture fashion design school in Europe and then working as a women’s wear clothing designer in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Diane’s extensive travels throughout Europe, Africa, Australia, and Southeast Asia and over 25 years of California living, contributed to her wealth of design ideas and inspirations. By collecting elements from diverse cultures and integrating them in fresh and unexpected ways, Diane brings a touch of individuality and eclecticism to modern homes.
After the birth of her two daughters and leading the remodel of her Berkeley home, Diane discovered her calling in home design, realizing that spaces, rather than fashion, provided a more relevant and compelling canvas for her creativity. She founded Bleu Leman Design in 2010 and has been working with dozens of clients in the East Bay ever since. Diane enjoys brainstorming with like-minded, creative souls and often partners with other local designers, such as Lara Jealous and Gillian Atchley, to collaborate on larger projects. In 2022, she earned the Wellness Between Your Walls certification, reflecting her commitment to supporting a healthy environment both globally and for her clients at home.
As a designer, Diane believes our living spaces should reflect the unique blend of tastes, cultures, and experiences that define us. Her passion lies in helping clients create not only visually pleasing environments but also spaces that are accessible and resonate with their individual personalities. By skillfully combining colors, materials, textures, furnishings, lighting, and textiles, Diane crafts harmonious arrangements that enrich the mood and ambiance of each space and is dedicated to transforming homes into beloved spaces that are both beautiful and practical and genuinely feel like Home.
Diane loves to engage in this creative work, which allows her to forge deep personal connections with clients while indulging her own artistic sensibilities. When she isn’t hard at work, Diane loves to travel far and wide, hike the East Bay hills, spend time with her friends and family, and enjoy communal time, often around a great meal! She lives in the Oakland Hills with her husband, their daughters, and their beloved pup.