Lizzie is a true inspiration for our outfits & interior projects
Lizzie is a true inspiration. She is a vibe. Fashion icon, beautiful mama & step mama, wife and amazing interior decorator. I had a chance to learn more about her beginnings, what inspires her, how her usual days look like and I’m more than excited to share her story with you. I’m in love with her outfits and her interior projects and always look forward to her posts on Instagram.
Tell us a little bit about yourself
Hello! My name is Lizzie! I’m 34 and a vintage lover and interior decorator. I live in east London with my husband Leon and children Jarvis and Dita
We know you are a big vintage lover - how did you first get into buying vintage clothes and furniture?
I discovered charity shops as a teenager, when I was living in Cambridge and it all started there. I would buy long 80s dresses and cut them really short. Then when I was 19, I lived really close to brick lane in London and back then, that area was so amazing for vintage shopping (and partying!). Ive always loved charity shopping; I am a bargain queen and I love going on the hunt. My bestie and I go to the charity shops in the outskirts of london or Essex with our daughters and find all these treasures; clothing and interiors. Our daughters love it too we’re raising another generation of vintage lovers!
You are also an interior decorator - how does the beginning of the decorating process look like? Do you create moodboards, where do you find inspiration? Tell us more.
I create moodboards in the photo folders section of my phone. Inspiration can come from anywhere, a pic, a memory, even a piece of furniture and then I build around that. I don’t follow rules and I don’t stick to one style, I think it’s more exciting to mix lots of different interior styles in a harmonious way inspiration can come at anytime; a while back at midnight I had an idea for the interiors project I’m currently doing and by 3am, I’d mapped out a completely different direction.
Which room is your favorite to decorate?
Any room! I find them all very exciting. One thing I often find is that people forget about decorating the ‘less important’ parts of their home, like their hallways, toilets and wardrobes, but I think you can create magic in even the smallest of places.
Do you have a favorite vintage piece? Is there any story behind the particular piece?
My favourite vintage piece is my white vintage Chanel handbag, which my dad and step mama bought for my 30th birthday. At the time the handbag was also 30 years old and it had a poem inside that my dad had written. It was such a special gift and I cried
What do you like the most about your job?
Being creative! And I love being my own boss and working to my own rules.
You’re a super busy woman, how does your average day look like?
I get up at 8am, which for a parent is late, but I work late into the night so I need as much sleep as possible. My 12yo stepson Jarvis has already got himself up and out to school at 7am because he is a rockstar, so it’s just me, Leon and Dita. I make coffees for me and Leon and he gets his in bed because I’m a lovely wife, and I get Dita breakfast and ready for school.
After I’ve dropped her at school I’m back at 9am and between 9am - 3am I’m juggling housework, Insta work and interiors work. I have a lot of balls in the air, a lot of projects and collaborations on at one time, so I have to be really organised. Mostly I work from home but sometimes I’m out at the project site or meetings.
Then at 330 I pick up Dita from school and Jarv comes home on the bus.. the next few hours are about the kids, after school clubs; swimming, acro dance, guitar club, sometimes play dates with their friends. Then Dita helps me make dinner and we have a family dinner, sometimes my sisters join us. I love this time of the day. I have a glass of red wine and unwind a bit.
Then after I’ve tidied dinner up, I finish more house chores, the kids go to bed and leon and I both work into the night. On average we both work until midnight and then try to wind down with a series and usually fall asleep sometime between 1am and 2am. I’ve always been a night owl so this routine works for me. Also I love my work so it’s not a chore to do it. I love my life I feel so lucky.
You always give us the best 60s and 70s inspo for our outfits.What are your styling secrets?
The same as interiors! Don’t feel restricted to stay within one style! Mix and match. Create a style that’s personal to you
What era would you say most influences you and why?
For the last few years it’s been a lot about 60s and 70s but I feel myself loving the 90s (and dare I say it) y2k more lately I just like taking elements from all of them.
Any exciting things coming up for the rest of the year?
I’m so excited about the interiors project I’m currently doing and can’t wait to show you all! Also on a personal level Dita turns 5 next week and I’ve organised a unicorn party for her. All our families and loads of her friends are coming. I’m so excited
And for the end, let us know what is your favorite By Alja Horvat piece and how would you style it!
My absolute favourite is the Crystal pants. I have literally worn them non stop. Sometimes I wear with a kimono, sometimes with the matching shirt and sometimes with just a baggy jumper. They are beautifully made and the cut is so flattering; I am more self conscious of my legs because I’ve put on weight the last few years, but these trousers really flatter me and make me feel so good
