Claire Louise Robinson, a 50-year resident of Laguna Beach and a doyenne of interior design in Orange County, died on July 8, 2012. She was 93.
Born in Los Angeles on Sept. 28, 1918, Robinson moved to Laguna Beach in the early 1960s and helped start an interior design studio with Harry Lawrence of Warren Imports.
She launched her own firm, Claire Robinson and Associates, in 1972. She was joined by interior designer Christine Hallen-Berg in 1990 and the firm was renamed Robinson Hallen-Berg.
In addition to her residential design work, Robinson created a textile collection for Schumacher Fabric, which brought her frequently to Tunisia and other parts of Africa.
Always generous with her design knowledge and expertise, Robinson was a mentor to many young interior designers and was known for her unique and exotic style. She was a longtime-member of the American Society of Interior Design.
Robinson was a pillar of Laguna Presbyterian Church and an active member of Designing Women, which supports the Laguna College of Art & Design. She also supported children in third-world countries with her generous contributions to World Vision.
Her husband, Everett Robinson, died in 1993. She is survived by Christine Hallen-Berg, whom she considered her daughter, and many wonderful nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Friday, July 20, at 3 p.m. at Laguna Presbyterian Church.
