Today we’d like to introduce you to Carly Lisnow.
Hi Carly, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My mom is an interior designer, and my dad is in real estate, so I was introduced to the world of residential design from a young age. As a child, my weekends frequently meant traveling to different cities along the California coast for my soccer tournaments. My parents, without fail, would always stop at model homes along our way. Exploring these homes really sparked my early interest in furnishings and design.
I then went on to pursue a four-year undergraduate program in Interior Architecture and Design. I honed my skills while working for renowned interior design firms ranging from Los Angeles to NYC. With over eight years of valuable hands-on experience in the design industry, I eventually took the leap and launched NOWHAUS STUDIO.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Running a small business, of course, has its challenges, with exhilarating highs and challenging lows. Coordinating a multitude of vendors, contractors, and client expectations is no small feat. While there’s a common misconception that interior design is all glamour, the reality is quite different. It’s a blend of hard work, client collaboration, budgeting, vendor coordination, delivery management, even some heavy lifting, and just 1% glamour. But I wouldn’t change it for anything because the satisfaction of seeing clients genuinely love their newly designed homes makes it all worthwhile.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
NOWHAUS STUDIO is a full-service interior design studio, offering a wide range of services, from complete gut renovations to custom furniture procurement.
Renovating a home is an inherently challenging and stressful experience that I want to make as smooth and enjoyable as possible for my clients. The process can be highly collaborative, with some clients actively participating, while others prefer to show up at the end and simply move in. Regardless, we strongly encourage our clients to curate materials and pieces they love throughout the process. Each piece should tell their unique story. So don’t be afraid to mix and match different styles! We’re all about incorporating a rich blend of earth tones, textures, layers, and shapes.
I’m particularly proud to share news about an upcoming project: a brand-new construction ski house in upstate New York, anticipated on Airbnb in early 2024 (fingers crossed). This has been a true labor of love over the past year and a half in collaboration with my partner. It will also be the first Airbnb experience designed by NOWHAUS STUDIO.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I believe that our industry should embrace a more sustainable approach. I might be a bit biased due to my personal affinity for sourcing vintage furniture, but I certainly hope it will continue to gain popularity. The design field generates a significant amount of waste, and it pains me to witness it with every installation. Besides, vintage furniture often has a higher quality of craftsmanship than what gets made today! And that patina can really add that much-needed extra layer of character.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nowhausstudio.com
- Instagram: @nowhausstudio
Image Credits
Michael Clifford, Aaron Leitz & Olivia Pierce
