Lisa Sternfeld

What made you decide to pursue a career as an interior designer? I always wanted to be a painter.  I studied painting in school and abroad, but ultimately pursued the more business side of design.   Years later, I found myself longing to get my hands on a creative process that I loved and made the decision to go back to school to become a designer.  It changed my life.   Interior design for me is very similar to painting—you start with a blank canvas, so to speak, and you build and layer it and it grows and changes over time.

How would you describe your interior design style? I strive to create beautiful, thoughtful spaces that are timeless yet livable.  If it had a label, I would say it’s New Traditional.  For me, design is very much a collaborative effort between the designer and the client and requires as much listening and observation as it does action and creating.

Is there a place you have traveled to that has greatly influenced your eye? Istanbul. It’s such a vibrant and fascinating city and to walk the streets is an adventure in every one of the senses—the sights, sounds, tastes and smells of Istanbul are extraordinary.

How does your design improve a client’s experience in their home? How do you know you’ve provided a good design? The best compliment I’ve ever received was from a client who upon walking into their newly completed space said “This feels like home.” I want my clients to feel that their needs and dreams for their home have been heard and ultimately realized.

LSID Inc.

In an urban environment such as New York, you’re often dealing with preexisting structures. What are the greatest challenges creating a new design in an existing home? Working in New York requires a different way of looking at space. Space is at a premium and it often has to serve more than one purpose. It requires patience and a thoughtful approach to maximizing what you’ve got.

If you could design any celebrity home, who would it be and why? Helen Mirren. She’s an extraordinary woman and I have great respect and admiration for her and her work. I imagine her home would reflect the depth and breadth of her character and the wonderful experiences of her life.

LSID Inc. 28 West 27th Street, 212.675.5007, http://www.studiolsid.com

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