Talk Shop: Elizabeth Fertitta // Look Lifestyle
Elizabeth with her mom, Sylvia Dorsey
ABOUT ELIZABETH
Elizabeth Fertitta is a founder and designer of LOOK Lifestyle and owner of Longoria Collection in collaboration with her mom, interior designer Sylvia Dorsey. Elizabeth is passionate about family and home — and translating that passion into a brand of bed linens that draws inspiration from the power of inherited traditions. She grew to appreciate design at an early age from watching her interior designer mom’s many projects unfold. Later, in 1993 when her family’s luxury home store, Longoria Collection, was founded, her appreciation grew for the creative power of vision and how bringing an idea to life can translate into a feeling of great pleasure and happiness for others, especially when centered on the home. A new vision began to form from the wealth of knowledge from her background on fine linens and home. LOOK Lifestyle was formed from a dream of bringing fine linens at direct-to-consumer prices.
Elizabeth believes everyone deserves to live luxuriously. She defines luxury as loving and taking care of our family, friends, and each other and promoting healthy, happiness, and rejuvenation. This is the power of home from the experiences we create one luxurious experience at a time. We loved this inspiring interview with Elizabeth, and hope you do too!
Describe your style in three words or less:
Classic, Feminine, Tailored.
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
My mother and both my grandmothers have been the biggest influences on all things design in my life. Growing up with my mom being an interior designer, I literally grew up in the Design Center in Houston and on the construction sites of her projects. I think that played a big role in my aesthetic as well. Lastly, I grew up for a time in Los Angeles, and seeing all the unique architecture and buildings and seeing these unbelievable homes made a huge impression on me from a young age.
How did you start your company:
It all started in 1993 when my mom opened, Longoria Collection in Houston over 30 years ago. She was a pioneer and saw a need for a design store where you could get the finishing touches for your homes (this was before there was Restoration Hardware or anything like that.) As an interior designer, she felt like there was not a store in Houston where you could go to find pretty wastebaskets, shower curtains, bed linens, and other beautiful decor – so she decided to fill that void by opening her own store.
And then, a few years ago while on family vacation she said casually to me, “I wish I had started my own linen line 25 years ago.” With so much knowledge of the linen industry, we knew we had the potential to add a unique offering to the market by creating luxury linens at an approachable price point.
When my mom mentioned this idea, I realized that I didn't want to be in the same place 25 years from now, saying to my daughter, “I wish I had…” So we took this as a lightbulb moment and decided to launch our own brand, so LOOK Lifestyle was born.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
I don’t think I have a classic mentor (there are so many times where I wish I did) but I do feel so grateful that I work alongside my mom. I don’t know what my mom and I would do without each other.
I think it is so important to have someone to bounce ideas off of. I cannot imagine doing this on my own. We are a true partnership.
What does your home say about you:
My home is my sanctuary. I would rather be home, than just about anywhere. Unless it’s Italy, Ha! I think my home is very reflective of who we are. It is comfortable, but ideally always tidy and in order. I can’t handle any kind of mess. It equals chaos to me!
Where do you find inspiration:
Travel! Oh gosh. It is where all my creative juices start flowing. I don’t know what it is about travel, maybe it’s the downtime just to be and think. My family spends about a month in Los Angeles every summer and I always return from that trip re-inspired and with new ideas.
Who are your style icons:
This might be cliche, but I would have to say Aerin Lauder and Ralph Lauren. I love the attention to detail in their styles. No detail is ever forgotten. I love how they both entertain and both of their aesthetics are an all-encompassing lifestyle.
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Lighting! I love to have candles in hurricanes lit everywhere. It instantly creates a warm inviting mood.
Secondly, ease….I like to be as casual as possible when entertaining. I love my Simon Pearce glassware that goes right in the dishwasher but feels so good in your hand. Rattan placemats that don’t get dirty and easy care napkins from Matouk.
Do you collect anything:
I don’t, but my mom collects art, and boy am I grateful for that fact. Her artwork collection is so beautiful. She majored in Art History in college and she is so passionate about art and she has the collection to prove it!
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
@thomaspheasant for interiors, @editorialistmagazine for classic clothing styles.
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
I don’t think you need to follow any rules. If it makes your heart happy, go for it!
What are you working on right now:
We are working on our first prints for LOOK LIfestyle and it is beyond exciting and fun! We cannot wait for them to launch.
Wardrobe staples:
I am a very simple dresser. I am usually in black pants and a button-down or a simple dress. I love stripes. My daughter laughs at me because if it is striped, I will probably pick it. The one staple I can’t live without is great jewelry, it can make the most basic of outfits more interesting.
Favorite fabric/wallpaper:
10 years ago I went to a home and the entire downstairs was wallpapered in pale gray grasscloth. To this day I can’t get it out of my head! It felt so warm and cozy. I will do it in my home one day!
Best interior advice you ever received:
Custom drapes are such an investment, but they are like the frame on a piece of art. So important and can transform a space by adding warmth and texture.
Best career advice you ever received:
Know who you are and stand firmly there. It is so easy to get sidetracked or get imposter syndrome, but know who you are and why you are here.
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
I am the wrong person to ask because my home is where I spend all my money! My mom taught me to invest in good pieces. Even if it takes much longer to complete. Good furniture will last a lifetime. She also taught me that I would rather have a little home that is decorated and a little jewel box vs. a giant home that is empty.
Your greatest extravagance:
Travel with my family.
Favorite places to shop for home:
Other than our store Longoria Collection, I love Shabby Slips in Houston and Blueprint in Dallas
Most prized possession and why:
I cannot pick between a Chagall lithograph that my parents gave to me and a bronze nude made by my godmother Farrah Fawcett. Both are so special I just adore them with all my heart.
Your interiors motto:
It has to withstand my husband, kids and their friends, and our pets! We love a good Perennials fabric.
Your life motto:
What would you do if you weren’t afraid?
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
I would start with a board, pulling images that you love. Start seeing if they go together and look cohesive. I learn so much from looking at coffee table design books or looking online. I think you will be surprised how we tend to gravitate to the same look over and over.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: Italian!
Drink: Ranch water
Film: The Holiday
Hotel: The Berkeley in London
City: Florence
Bedding: LOOK LIfestyle!
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Coffee/Black
Playlist: Taylor Swift
Weekend Activity: Rest and hang with the family
Design Book: The Four Elements of Design by Vicente Wolf