Professional Help

I need professional help. In more ways than one - hah!

But seriously, it's tough starting your own business. Having worked for years at a very well established high-end interior design firm, I am now starting back at what one might call the bottom. I am in no way complaining. Quite the opposite. I am thankful to have this opportunity to develop my own business while attempting to be a present mom. I know that many people would love to do this, but for a variety of circumstances cannot at this time in their lives. There are also those who love their corporate jobs and have no desire to grow a business and a child at the same time. No judgement here. Hats off to everyone! This is what makes the world go 'round, and we're all just making it work.

I'm just sayin' - being a small business owner can be scar-y. It's definitely outside of my comfort zone to completely put it all out there. But they say (who are "they" anyway?) that if you're not pushing beyond your comfort zone, then you're not growing. Case in point - I've been working on branding myself - basically just by being myself. I've heard that that is the way to attract your dream clients.  It has been exhilarating and satisfying and energizing and terrifying.

That fear of rejection, the "what will they think?" lingers in my head way longer than it should. I know that at age 32 this is ridiculous. I should just tell that little nagging voice in my head to shove it. Sometimes I do. But often, I don't. I answer it's call like I would an old emotionally draining high school friend who I just can't resist meeting at the old neighborhood pizza joint.

That's okay though. I'm only human. Especially in a creative profession, you are pouring your heart and soul into your work. You then suck in your breath and hit "post", catapulting your creation into the universe (aka Twitterverse) like a helium balloon from your kid's first birthday party. Up, up and away it goes. Where the heck is it gonna deflate and land? An artist's rooftop party in Bushwick? Nice. In the dumpster behind Key Food? Ugh. Or does it reach the tip of the atmo(blogo)sphere and explode into oblivion, never to be seen again? No one really knows. But maybe that's the beauty of it.

I recently had the amazing opportunity to attend a creativity workshop with some other Brooklyn moms (thank you momtrepreneur Leah Fox of Charm + Magic!) and some of these issues of self doubt and judgment came up. I found it so therapeutic. These intelligent and creative mamas had similar hopes and dreams for themselves and their families. They also  often had that same nagging doubtful voice, that little devil on their shoulder. I thought I was the only one - so glad others are suffering too! Kidding. But it's good to know I've got company.

These ladies also had some amazing recommendations regarding inspiring books, blogs and podcasts. I tried to soak up all of this useful information at lightning speed. I sat there furiously scribbling down notes. I realized I only know what I do not know, how much I have to learn from others.

I couldn't wait to scoop up these books, subscribe to these blogs and download these new podcasts. And speaking of podcasts, lately I've had a little addiction problem... As far as I'm concerned, they are the new therapists. While miss Avery Etta babbles herself into her afternoon nap, I excitedly scramble over to my iPhone like it's the secret 1 lb bag of M+M's I store in the back of the top kitchen cabinet (mom!). I can't wait to click on that little purple podcast icon, update and see what's new for the day. I empty the dishwasher along with my motivational podcast friends (more on them soon!). They can do it, and so can I!

Let's be honest - I need all the professional help I can get in the department of learning how to own it, love being boss, love myself and live life with intention while simultaneously running a successful interior design business and being a wife, mom (and don't forget organizational enthusiast). Phew! I'm not afraid to admit that this is as overwhelming as it sounds in a sentence. But listening to these podcasts sure makes it seem doable. (And it definitely makes scraping smushed blueberries off the floor feel a little less mundane.)

So, in the spirit of growing my business, working it and loving my s(h)elfie, I recently decided to have some professional portraits done for my website. Eek! How scary to be up close and personal with the camera. And to share that all with you. Here are the outtakes! 

For the winning image, click here. 

All photographs were taken by Alex Blaiotta, and have been professionally helped!

~L.S.

Blank Space(s)

Cause I'm young and I'm reckless.... O.K. I'm neither young, nor reckless. But I got a blank space, baby.

As a follow up to A Petite Duplex on the Park, home of momtrepreneur Sandy Saccullo, I'm here to share the "before's" of the aforementioned amazing outdoor space(s). Right now, they're blank. I love this. It's like a stark white canvas just waiting to be painted and brought to life. I can't wait to get my hands on it.

To those of you non-New-Yorkers, this may just look like a plain crusty old rooftop with some seriously unfortunate architectural eyesores. "What's the big deal?" You might ask. "Really? You're excited about this?". Why yes, yes I am!

Here's why. These two (arguably three!) private terraces are extremely rare in this lovely city of New York. As city-dwellers, we'll go anywhere to just raise our faces up during lunch hour and soak in a tiny sliver of sunshine beyond the towering buildings casting shadows down upon the taxi-lined streets. We'll precariously perch on a bird-poop strewn park bench next to the sleeping homeless guy (he's just sleeping, right?) just to dine al fresco with our gourmet takeout from the falafel truck guy parked on the corner.

To be able to have Multiple. Private. Outdoor. Spaces. is truly a luxury, a precious rarity in NYC unless you're a billionaire... in which case you probably never even use your outdoor spaces anyway because you've already jetted off to your private home on an island in the Seychelles. And you probably own the island. 

Anyways, Sandy's petite duplex on the park is not only a gem on the inside, but one on the outside as well. I can't wait to fill these blank spaces with warm and inviting seating arrangements, a place to sit down and bake in the sun (with SPF on of course!) and a dining area to shamelessly consume all the unhealthy items we will be barbecuing, just cause we can. Sorry I'm not sorry.

Because isn't that what life is after all? Just one big blank space before you, waiting to be filled. Only you can create the space you want, so you better make beautiful!

~L.S.

a.p.t. reveal: a petite duplex on the park

A few posts back, I wrote about my fabulous sister-in-law Sandy Saccullo and her innovative shoe company OneClique. (If you missed that post, you can read it here). Today, I'm so excited to share this petite gem of an apartment I designed for her. 

I often consult Sandy as my personal stylist, so I was more than happy to dive in when she enlisted me to decorate this glorious three bedroom, two bath duplex just off Central Park West. Sandy and her two kids (my adorable niece and nephew!) had previously been living in a modern high-rise (featured in the West Side Color Story portion of my portfolio). When her lease was up, she decided she wanted something with charm and character that felt more like a true home. Great networker that she is, she found all that and then some!

Situated on the fifth floor of a prewar building (with an elevator!), this duplex gets tons of natural light. It doesn't face the street, so it's a quiet and serene oasis in the heart of the ever-bustling Upper West. Just a few steps down the block is Central Park. But who needs the park when you have two (yes people, I said TWO), outdoor spaces. Stay tuned, as that is the next phase of our project- creating a cozy outdoor haven on the massive outdoor roof space just in time for summer.

With just a few small requests from Sandy, mainly to divide the living space into two areas - work and relax, to keep most of her favorite pieces of furniture and art, and make the space feel "cozy yet clean", I set to work. My goal was to maximize storage space throughout without sacrificing on aesthetic. This proved somewhat challenging, as the rooms are on the smaller side and have tricky layouts with the placement of radiators, closets and windows. However as you know, I love me a good small space challenge! Good things come in small packages. (More on that here.) I embraced these characteristics into my design as the charming architectural details that they are. 

The result? A personable, cozy, livable space, with just a touch of glam shining through. So, come clique off your heels, relax and enjoy the tour!

~L.S.

How cute is this petite staircase? It was originally a bad wood finish. I had it painted grey-white, and we added a grey textured stair runner. Great small space idea: turn the space under your stairs into a tiny mudroom with a rug, shoe bench, baskets and hooks for coats and hats.

Small Space Division: I made the living room the ultimate workhorse by dividing it with the sofa. It's counterintuitive, but breaking up the room with furniture often makes it feel larger by giving it more depth and multiple functions. 

To the left of the sofa is the "office" and to the right is the "living room". The mirror in between the two windows reflects light and makes the space appear larger.

A small rustic bistro pedestal table acts as a side table to the sofa and the dove grey Thonet style chairs also make it a functional dining table.

Subtle Sparkle...

Whenever possible, a desk by the window is always the way to go!

A mirrored wardrobe and bedside table provide storage and reflect light in the master bedroom.

The bed boasts additional storage - woo hoo!

The all-white bed and bedding really pops against the dark charcoal walls. Small space tip: using dark colors in small rooms often makes them appear larger - and in this case, glamorous!

The all-white but textured bedding provides interest and the bedside sconces are not only functional and space-saving but also add a touch of shine.

The best part of having a staircase? It's the ultimate excuse for a gallery wall! 

The use of black, white, silver and gold frames in different shapes and sizes provides an eclectic yet polished look.

Little Picasso's: The kid's artwork framed and dispersed into the gallery wall is adorable and adds just the right splash of color.

I kept the second floor hallway simple with an indoor/outdoor area rug for high traffic. The iron ceiling fixture ties in with the beautiful iron scrollwork on the door. What lies beyond: one of the most amazing private rooftops - stay tuned!

The kids wanted to share a room (how cute is that?) and use the third bedroom as a playroom instead.

A Toy (Storage) Story - toys are organized in wire mesh baskets that fit perfectly under the bunk bed.

Never underestimate the power of a pretty storage basket. Ever.

The blue for boy/pink for girl bedding is unified by the same pattern with the same gender-neutral duvet covers and shams.

What little sportsnuts, huh? These kids clearly love their basketball! Hence the playroom theme. The two floor cushions pushed together act as a little love seat in the nook and can either fold or extend. Perfect for watching the game!

Play ball! Balls, bats, baskets and bins galore.

Go Celtics! I mean Nets, I mean Knicks! Er, sorry kids!

Entry organization - the key to my heart. 

So, what cliques, I mean tricks, do you use in your small space?