Talk Shop: Liz Carroll // Liz Carroll Interiors
About Liz
When Liz Carroll founded her eponymous design firm, Liz Carroll Interiors, she began her journey in interior design, celebrating relaxed and refined living through expressive narratives. Her speciality is combining multi-layered juxtapositions of material, color, and form that complement existing architecture while providing moments of surprise that resonate with clients. Liz believes that home is an idea that goes far beyond what you put into it; it resides in the stories her clients share, a deep understanding of their goals, and imaginative designs that highlight the unique characters living there. She finds the key to what makes her clients feel they belong in a space and works with them every step of the way to achieve it.
In 2017, Liz founded House of Harris with her sister Charlotte Lucas (read her Talk Shop here). House of Harris is a high-end fabric and wallpaper line. With all of the experience between the two designers, the sisters have set out to create a collection of distinct, playful designs and they truly are stunning. We hope you enjoy Liz’s Talk Shop interview!
Describe your style in three words or less:
Light, bright, evokes a sense of calm beauty
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
Travel experiences. Growing up in the South. My sister, Charlotte.
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
I started my business in 2011 after a career in corporate banking to fulfill the creative side of my brain that was longing to do something. I love running an interior design business. As a Libra, I’m half left and half right-brained. Running a design business allows me to fulfill both sides, every day. I also love creating beauty, and sharing that with our clients.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
I’ve had a number of mentors along the way. I’ve worked with a lot of business coaches over the years, and also have a lot of industry friends that I’ve leaned on for advice who are all great friends. My sister, Charlotte Lucas, is also a designer and we constantly lean on each other for advice.
What does your home say about you:
“Come on in and spend time with us!” Our home is light, bright and my hope is that it feels welcoming & inviting. We have 3 kids with friends that are constantly in and out of the house. We also live in a neighborhood where we are great friends with our neighbors, so the door is almost always open.
Where do you find inspiration:
Travel. Reading magazines. Instagram. Meeting new people.
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
A full bar, a few snacks and good music. Everything else will fall into place after that.
Do you collect anything:
I have a collection of decanters. I love to buy them when I travel, and I use them frequently. It’s always fun to think about the memories of the trip when we use the decanter from a special place.
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
Always measure. Measure for fit, and measure to make sure it fits through the door into the house, up the stairs, around the corners! Almost all the other rules can be broken.
What are you working on right now:
A mountain house for a dear friend from college. A new construction beach house. The renovation of a historic home. And a lot of others! We’ve got a vast range of projects and locations which keeps things fun and interesting!
Wardrobe staples:
Cara Cara Hutton dress. Veronica Beard blazer. Anything Frank & Eileen. Comfortable shoes (always).
Favorite fabric/wallpaper:
House of Harris, of course! I love our new wallpaper panels: Fauna, Flora and Bamboo Garden.
Best interior advice you ever received:
If you are fearful of doing something, lean in and do it. That’s where you grow and the magic happens.
Best career advice you ever received:
Hire people smarter than you.
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
Invest in art. It has staying power. Save on solid fabric for window treatments.
Your greatest extravagance:
Travel.
Favorite places to shop for home:
Paris flea markets.
Most prized possession and why:
A baby grand piano that belonged to my great grandmother. It’s over 100 years old and I love it and will have it with me in every house I ever live in. It’s the first thing I would grab (after my kids) if the house was on fire! :)
Your interiors motto:
Refined and Relaxed
Your life motto:
Work hard and be nice to people
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
Be unapologetically yourself.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: Caviar and Pizza (not together, but I love both so much)
Drink: Cocktail: Tequila & Soda. Wine: Sancerre
Film: Gladiator (I love history!)
Hotel: The Colony, Palm Beach
City: Paris
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Coffee. Black
Playlist: 90’s Rap
Weekend Activity: Spending time with my family and friends
Design Book: Too many favorites to pick one! (I also collect design books)