Employee Spotlight - Liz Curley, Design Assistant
Liz knew she was destined for a creative career after graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree from Quinnipiac University. Starting as a freelance Stylist for commercial and editorial photoshoots, Liz quickly moved from fashion into prop and interiors, where her passion for interior design began to fully take shape. After being fully immersed in that position for almost 5 years, Liz decided to further develop her passion into a tangible skill set by enrolling in the Masters of Interior Architecture program at the Boston Architectural College. While a student, Liz interned at a commercial and residential architecture and interiors firm in Cambridge, MA, where she realized her interest in interior design was more focused on residential. Liz was excited to join Eleven Interiors in January of 2020 to focus on residential projects and continue to build her career. While at Eleven, Liz has been involved in every project, helping project managers with duties from creating proposals, assisting with presentations, and placing orders with vendors. She really enjoys learning about the professional design process from start to finish, contributing to projects, and developing and maintaining vendor relationships. Liz continues to pursue her Master’s Degree. In her free time, Liz loves spending time outdoors, cooking, reading, practicing pilates, and spending time with family and friends.
As part of our Spotlight Series, we've asked each of our team members to answer questions so you can learn a bit more about them. Read below to learn more about Liz:
Where do you hail from?
Right here in Boston, MA! I grew up in a town just outside the city called Needham, but I have explored all the wonders of Boston with my parents and friends throughout my early life. I grew up on the best street where almost every household had children around my age, which I particularly loved as an only child. I never really watched tv when I was a kid – you could usually find me outside playing street hockey or shooting hoops with my best friend Jill and her brothers. Jill (pictured above) and I are still best friends to this day, although we no longer wear matching outfits and hair ribbons unfortunately.
Was your path to interior design a direct one or did you arrive via detour?
It was definitely not a linear journey for me! My undergraduate degree is in Public Relations and Marketing. When I graduated and found myself at an administrative desk job, I knew in my gut that this was not the right place or path. I reached out to a local agency that represents wardrobe, interior, prop and food stylists, and immediately began taking every job I was offered. I began this new chapter in wardrobe/fashion, but quickly realized my immense passion for interiors and pivoted to take on more furniture and interior-related freelance jobs. After 5 years, I felt that I had squeezed all the knowledge and experience I could out of styling, and I wanted more. I decided to turn interiors into a career and enrolled in the Boston Architectural College for my Master’s Degree in Interior Architecture. I interned for a small firm that worked on a mixture of commercial and residential projects, and realized I wanted to focus more on residential design, creating homes that are reflective of client needs and personalities, where they can relax, entertain, and be themselves. As I near my eighth month at Eleven Interiors, I realize I have come to work at the right place, with people who share my passion and values as they relate to interiors.
One travel destination you have not been that you feel would provide great inspiration to you.
One area of the world I would love to visit is the northern Scandinavian area of Europe. Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, Finland…they’re all such interesting countries and have an entirely different climate than I am accustomed to. Bonus, I love simply, Scandinavian-inspired design, so I would be in my glory in any of these places. More specifically though, I have always dreamed of going to Copenhagen. The canals that are lined with multi-colored townhouses, ships, restaurants and shops are completely awe-inspiring. There is so much architecture and design to explore there, including the Danish Museum of Art & Design (which houses one of the world’s largest collections of Danish designs by folks like Arne Jacobsen and Hans Wegner…no big deal), Rosenborg Castle (dating back to 1606), and CopenHill, a wild waste-to-energy plant designed by architect Bjarke Ingels…you can literally ski down the building and then climb back up using the climbing wall! Plus, I would kill to see the Northern Lights phenomenon.
Reading: audible or paper book, and what are you currently reading?
Paper book, no contest! I am a freak and have always loved the smell of books, old and new. There is nothing quite like flipping through the pages of a book getting lost in the story, and it’s a nice break for the eyes that look at computer and phone screens all the time. I couldn’t pick a favorite genre if I tried, I love mystery, fiction, non-fiction historical fiction…you get the idea. I am currently reading a scientific book recommended to me by my mother, who I get my avid reading from. The book is called “Lab Girl” by Hope Jahren, and like my mom said, “you will never look at trees the same way again!” I recommend to anyone who loves a good plant, and it’s an easy read!
Plants or no plants? Green thumb?
Plants, plants, and more plants!!! I had my friend who is a professional photographer photograph all my succulents (above) I loved them so much. However, the green thumb is sadly a no – those poor succies died shortly after their photography debut. When I settle into a larger house/stop moving around to rental apartments with bad natural lighting, I hope to have a plethora of plants that I can keep alive, as well as a garden I can grow my own produce in!
