I am super excited to be kicking off the new series, Interview With The Designer, with one of my absolute favorites: Liz Carroll!

Liz Carroll Interiors is a full service interior design firm located in Wilmington, NC and is known for creating elegant, yet functional spaces.  Liz’s designs have been featured in numerous outlets, including HGTV and Coastal Living Magazine.

When and why did you decide to become a designer?

My mom and two sisters are all interior designers, so I grew up wanting to do anything EXCEPT design. So, I went to business school and got a job at a Fortune 5 bank where I worked for 8 years. During my time in “corporate America” I always felt a creative itch that wasn’t being fulfilled and a calling to do something own my own. After my first child turned one, I gathered the courage to leave my “safe” corporate job and start my own design company. I LOVE being an entrepreneur, owner of a small business and designer!!

What has been your greatest challenge as a designer?

Design takes time and helping to educate clients that it’s worth the wait is a challenge. Sure, you can utilize retail and in stock items to meet deadlines, but some of the best design comes from pulling together items from a number of different resources and designing custom items, which takes time to design and manufacture once designed. Plus, companies keep little to no inventory after the economy turned, so waiting is part of the process.

How would you characterize  your style?

Hip Traditional. Functional and fresh. Clean, airy, light. Happy.

Does your personal home fit your design style?

Our home is my testing ground. I’m constantly changing things and trying things out in my house. It’s a definite job hazard. As I grow as a designer and my aesthetic evolves, our home has been reflective of that. For example, baby #2 has a room that is painted raspberry, with gray and tangerine accents…it’s BOLD! Baby #3 came recently and I used a much more subdued color palate…ivory with a hint of mint and powder pink. But whether the room is bold or quiet, my house is a hip traditional style…always functional (you have to be with 3 kids)…and feels fresh and happy!

How has living in Wilmington influenced the way you decorate?

Being in a coastal town has a strong influence on the way I design for clients. Everything needs to be functional…fabrics, flooring, furniture.   Living at the beach comes with bare feet, wet clothes coming off the boat, and lots of guests during the warm months!   For the most part, Wilmington is a casual, laid-back town (which I love!) so home design is reflective of that lifestyle. That being said, I am a firm believer that homes can be elegant and sophisticated while still feeling welcoming and livable.

What was the focus of your first paid design project?

A friend bought a new house and asked me to help her with her living room. I was so excited to have my first “gig” and was so thankful for her trust in me.

Where do you find your inspiration?

So many places. My sisters are super-stylish and I always like to see what they are up to. We all have our own unique style, but I love to push myself creatively with new ideas, and we love to share those with each other. I have some amazingly creative friends in other fields…fashion, graphic design, jewelry design…and I love to stay on top of all their new ideas and projects. Seeing new places and traveling is an amazing way to gather inspiration and see things first hand. I also am fortunate to have a strong network of designer friends throughout the country who constantly inspire me. And…I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Pinterest….LOVE it!

What is the best advice you’ve received?

Take fear out of the equation and just do it.

Who has been your greatest professional influence?

Tobi Fairley has been an amazing mentor to me. She has a business background like me and obviously a very successful design business, so I really connected with her. She has been an incredible influence on me personally and professionally.

What is your favorite design era?

Estate homes of the late 19^th century and early 20^th century fascinate me. The way homes like Downton Abbey (on TV) and the Biltmore House (in Asheville, NC) evolved during their times as functioning estates is so interesting. I can’t help but imagine what it would have been like to live like that!

What is your go-to hostess gift?

Wine!

What’s at the top of your bucket list?

Travel, travel and more travel. I have a Pinterest board dedicated to all the places I want to go!

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All photos via Liz Carroll Interiors.