How It All Began

Πώς Ξεκίνησαν Όλα

Noteworthy moments that shaped my artistic development and professional journey.

~4 min read

1985 timeline
1985

She was born and raised in Athens. From her earliest years, painting, decorating and the world of colors became a natural space of expression, joy, and inner calm. Through shapes and shades, she discovered ways to communicate, to dream, and to create. From a very young age, Lara felt that the way she perceived and expressed the world carried a distinct and unique quality. She has always been driven by the desire to bring beauty to my surroundings, guided by a deep, innate empathy that has shaped the way she connects with people through her creative work.

2003 - 2006 timeline
2003 – 2006

This period marked the formal foundation of her design practice.

Education

AKTO (Art and Design), Athens, Greece

Diploma of Higher Education in Interior Architecture and Decoration

Diploma in Interior Architecture – First Class Honours (9.1/10)

2006 - 2007 timeline
2006 – 2007

A journey to Berlin for her thesis opened her eyes to the power of light. Exploring architectural lighting and its effect on psychology, she discovered how thoughtful illumination can transform spaces, influence moods, and connect art, architecture, and the human mind in profound ways. Light is not just seen. It is felt, it heals, it inspires.

Education

Middlesex University, London, England

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design

Upper Second Class Honours (8.46/10)

2008 timeline
2008

The nature, rich culture, and history of the city, in harmony with the music and tranquility that surrounded her, guided her a step closer to the essence of who she truly is.

Education

Florence Design Academy, Florence, Italy

Master’s Degree in Interior Design

Upper Second Class Honours (88/100)

2009-2012 timeline
2009-2012

Over the years, Lara collaborated with established interior designers and architects in the field of interior design, always striving to preserve her artistic passion and creative identity.

2012 timeline
2012

A road trip to California, and especially to San Francisco changed the way I see the world. The city’s walls spoke through the vibrancy of street art, and the people I met radiated a warmth and connection that touched my soul. Through these images and moments, I realized how deeply art can influence our psyche, how it can heal, inspire, and awaken emotions that transform us. Art is not just creation – it is life, it is healing, it is light guiding us through the everyday journey.

2013 timeline
2013

Returning from San Francisco, she longed to hold onto the city’s light, its colors, and the feeling it had left in her. She searched for artworks that could awaken that same moment again and again. And then she decided to create her first painting: the Golden Gate Bridge, as it had been imprinted in her soul – not just as an image, but as emotion, memory, and light.

2014 timeline
2014

This milestone marked a major public recognition of Lara’s work at a European scale.

Competition

BIC Lighter Final Competition, 2014

The painting “San Francisco” by Lara Melachrinou won the BIC Design on Fire competition for the new lighter design.

The competition received 40,300 submissions from across Europe.

2014-2015 timeline
2014-2015

She devoted herself to art and painting, always exploring new techniques and forms of expression. The structured, cubist skies in her paintings symbolize the life we are obliged to live as we grow, bound by rules and responsibilities. Yet, we must never forget the child within us, its light, its joy, its freedom. The aim of her work is to enter homes where it awakens the joy and creativity of our inner child, subtly making us feel happier and more connected to that playful, radiant part of ourselves.

2015-2016 timeline
2015-2016

She began experimenting with creating objects inspired by her paintings, such as coasters, placemats, vases, and more, bringing art closer to everyday life. At the same time, she created her own line of jewelry and sandals “LARA ART-Is not just style-It’s Lifestyle”, which were sold in numerous stores in Greece and abroad, while also participating in exhibitions, showcasing her work and personal style to a wider audience.

2016 timeline
2016

As her work became known through exhibitions, clients began requesting custom designs and ideas, tailored to their homes or professional spaces. Her first painting sold in Switzerland was the “Elephant Design.” Since then, she has sold over 45 paintings in countries including Greece, the United States, France, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates.

2016-2017 timeline
2016-2017

During this period, Lara felt the need to expand her artistic identity, discovering a deeper and more expressive part of herself. She turned to creating abstract paintings, transferring onto the canvas her energy, her love, and the essence of her ideas. At the same time, through her engagement with psychology and psychoanalysis, she realized that for years she had been painting in structured, cubist forms because her own life felt equally structured – defined by clear boundaries between moments of joy and sorrow. Turning to abstract painting became a liberating process. Through freer expression on the canvas, she was able to connect with herself more deeply and rediscover her true essence.

2017-2018 timeline
2017-2018

Through the understanding of herself and her psyche, Lara is now able to express her emotions on the canvas through two distinct styles of painting. She uses her cubist works as a form of meditation and reflection, never relying on tape or guides, allowing the boundaries to emerge naturally from her hand. In contrast, her abstract paintings give her the freedom to convey something more vibrant, expressive, and unconstrained. Behind every painting lies a personal story, connecting the artwork to her life and innermost feelings.

2018 timeline
2018

Alongside her work in architectural and interior design studios, and while collaborating with jewelry designers and working as a visual merchandiser, Lara also partnered with major companies that recognized and valued her artistic talent. In these collaborations, she was responsible for photoshoots, window displays, and backgrounds, creating spaces where she could fully express her personal artistic identity.

2019 timeline
2019

Lara, in collaboration with Aloha Beaches, created a series of beach towels featuring silkscreen prints of her paintings. The towels came in unique shapes – either surfboard-style or round – blending art with functionality and summer style.

2020 timeline
2020

When Lara started her own family, she felt the need to capture them in a portrait in her own artistic style. This became an opportunity, as in the old days, to have a personal family portrait in her home. Through this painting, she was able to include meaningful details, such as the tiny hands of her daughter, who was just ten months old at the time, leaving a personal imprint on the work.

Press & Exhibitions

ExhibitionAthens Art Week ExhibitionGalerie Cyclades PressDesign Athens Journal PressHellenic Arts Review ExhibitionContemporary Forms Expo PressLe Monde des Arts PressStudio Culture Magazine ExhibitionAthens Design Biennale PressFine Art Europe ExhibitionMuseum District Nights ExhibitionAthens Art Week ExhibitionGalerie Cyclades PressDesign Athens Journal PressHellenic Arts Review ExhibitionContemporary Forms Expo PressLe Monde des Arts PressStudio Culture Magazine ExhibitionAthens Design Biennale PressFine Art Europe ExhibitionMuseum District Nights
Commission invitation artwork

Private Commissions

Create A Piece That Belongs Only To You

From first concept sketches to the final surface details, Lara collaborates closely with you to craft a one-of-a-kind artwork designed for your story and your space.