Talk Shop: Liz Eichholz // Weezie Towels
ABOUT LIZ
Weezie Creative Director Liz Eichholz was born and raised in Austin, Texas. After receiving a BFA in graphic design from the University of Georgia, she spent 5 years in New York working on in-house Creative teams for media organizations. It’s no surprise that we are big fans of Weezie over at AOI – we use their towels in almost every project. We love Liz for her sense of style and cheer, and look to her as a role model for all mamas trying to balance babies + business. Liz currently resides in Savannah, Georgia with her husband and two daughters, Tempe and Eadie.
Describe your style in three words or less:
Understated, fresh, layered.
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
My mom: I used to absolutely detest these yellow chintz chairs and matching curtains she had in the living room growing up and now I would do anything to get my hands on them. She loved to layer pattern and wasn’t afraid to use color. She also never thought of her house as “finished,” she was always working on adding something or changing up a room. She kept her creative juices flowing.
Growing up in Austin: I think people in Austin are just naturally relaxed. It’s a whole vibe and it’s in my blood now. I don’t want there to be a room in my house that nobody is allowed to go in or a chair I worry about someone spilling red wine on.
Living in New York City: Moving to NYC after college meant a lot of apartment moves and the “need” to constantly redecorate (on a budget). I feel like I was challenged time and time again with a new layout to work through and the opportunity to think through my personal interior style. While moving every year into a shoebox was not fun at the time, I see the benefit of the design challenge now.
How did you start your company, and what is your favorite thing about what you do:
It all started with a conversation with one of my best friends in NYC (now co-founder, Lindsey) about my annoying experience registering for towels for my wedding. It’s one of those conversations that kept snowballing until it dawned on us that there might be a hole in the market and we just might be the perfect people to fill it. I blinked and that was almost two years ago!
There are so many things I love about what I do (and who I do it with) but if I had to pick one, it’s probably the opportunity to have ideas over and over again and watch them turn into reality. Watching Weezie go from an idea in a conversation to a full fledged business with employees, offices, and warehouses has been extremely fulfilling and rewarding.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
My dad! He has been an entrepreneur my entire life and watching how hard he worked has had such a profound effect on my work ethic. Not only has he constantly drilled in the idea that there is no substitute for pure hard work, but he has always believed in me and my ideas. He is a businessman through and through and he never scoffed at the idea of me going to art school, becoming a graphic designer, or launching a towel business. When you’re starting a business, a lot of doubt creeps in and it’s important to have people in your corner that believe in you when your own belief may falter!
What does your home say about you:
That I don’t love just one style. I love the mix!I love a mix of masculine and feminine, traditional and modern, patterns and solids, etc. It also says that I love to host. We are such homebodies and love having people over. Each room is designed with gatherings in mind!
Where do you find inspiration:
Travel, coffee table books, an endless stack of print magazines.
Who are your style icons:
Lee Radziwill, Tory Burch, my mom.
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Prepare ahead, the perfect playlist, always have tequila on hand just in case ;)
Do you collect anything:
Blue and white tea cups–my godmothers gave me a different blue and white china tea cup for every occasion and now they are the perfectly mismatched set. I love continuing to add to it especially now that I have two daughters!
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
Well besides @arielokin – @sarahbartholomewdesign, @heatherchadduck & @meredithellis.
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
Always follow: every room should have something old and something new, I’m all about the mix! Also pay attention to scale. When a bedside table is the wrong size, I cannot notice anything else about the room.
Made to be broken: never mix woods or metals. I mixed metals in my little girls’ bathroom and I love it!
What are you working on right now:
Personally: adjusting to life as a mother of two. I just had my second daughter! Professionally: An exciting new launch from Weezie, coming this fall (hint, hint: the two may have some overlap!)
Wardrobe staples:
Right now white button down dresses and snakeskin sandals.
Best interior advice you ever received:
After buying our first house, my mom told me to not feel rushed to design the house and live in the house for a little while before making decisions. I think this helps you get to know your house, the flow, the style you want to go for.
Best career advice you ever received:
The harder you work, the luckier you get.
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
Right now–anything that can survive the treatment of toddlers deserves an investment. But really lighting. It makes or breaks a room! I decided to save on the rug in my nursery and it was such a good decision. Between two kids and a dog, that thing has seen some rough days. I will be happy to replace it once the nursery turns into big girl rooms.
Your greatest extravagance:
Towel time of course! Any excuse to spend a little extra time wrapped up in a fluffy robe at the end of a long day, drink in hand.
Favorite places to shop for home:
Anywhere my interior designer, Robyn Roberts tells me to! I am completely codependent now! I just bought some Penny Morrison lamp shades that I am in love with.
Most prized possession and why:
My photobooks. I am completely photo obsessed and I take a lot of time and energy every year to make nice photobooks. The one I made my husband before our wedding has a chapter for each phase of our lives (we met in college and then moved to NYC and ATL together) and it’s filled with such funny pictures that are just priceless to us. I’ve loved making these for my girls too.
Your interiors motto:
The best home accessory is happiness and love, so fill it with both.
Your life motto:
Life is meant to be enjoyed, so pick JOY! I firmly believe joy is a choice. You can have joy in the midst of any circumstances. It’s easy to forget but important to remember.
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
Give yourself time, read articles, look at inspiration, and let your style develop over time. Don’t feel rushed.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: Sushi! I could eat it every single night of the week.
Drink: A bruised dirty martini with olives and blue cheese olives
Film: You’ve Got Mail
Hotel: Most recent obsession is Palihouse West Hollywood after a recent trip there.
City: NYC
Bedding: Biscuit Home
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Coffee iced w/ cream (the real stuff!)
Playlist: Towel Time Tunes!
Weekend Activity: Beach with my family
Design Book: I just ordered Inspired Design by Jennifer Boles, and I’m excited to dig in! I’ve never read it and I read my coffee table books like novels at night before bed.
