I’m excited to share another great installment of Figuring It Out with someone who I’ve admired for some time now. Lindsay Souza blogs about fabulous spaces and beautiful things at The Pursuit of Style and has such a refined eye for color and design. Not only do I love that she’s also a DC gal, but she’s someone who embraces color as much as I do. Lindsay just recently started a new job at Haddon Interiors, taking her love for interior design one step further, which is why she’s perfect to hear from on this subject.
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Olympic Gold Medal Winning Figure Skater
Magazine Editor
Lawyer
Fashion Designer
Boutique Owner
What do you do now? Is there anything on your list you still want to do?
Currently I work as a design assistant for a local interior design firm, Haddon Interiors. I think my Olympic dreams have been tempered by reality, but I do still daydream about one day opening a boutique. I’d love to have a small storefront that would also be home to my interior design office.
What inspires you?
Person: I’m inspired by strong, creative, women with distinctive personal style and unique points of view. If I had to pick just one, I’d go with Diana Vreeland.
Brand: Lizzie Fortunato
Flavor: Something inventive and unexpected. I love when chefs push the envelope.
Color: Lots of it!
Music: Lately I’ve been listening to Edith Piaf. It almost transports you right to Paris.
Artist: Matisse
Matisse | Diana Vreeland | Lizzie Fortunato
When did you realize something you liked was actually one of your passions. What did you decide to do with it?
Truthfully, it took me a long time to have my ah-ha moment. Even then, it wasn’t really a moment, but more of a slow realization process. I think I was a little scared to admit it to myself because it was never a path I had considered. I was spending all of my free time devouring interior design books, blogs, and shelter magazines and pouring my disposable income into decorating, and re-decorating, our tiny apartments My friends and family probably recognized my passion for design first and with their encouragement I started to see it as something I could actually pursue. Deciding to be open to the possibility rather than dismissing it outright was the first big step for me.
Tell us about a risk you’ve taken in the process of figuring it out.
Taking a leap of faith and leaving my job (albeit one I didn’t love) a few months ago to essentially start over in a field I had zero formal experience in was terrifying and exhilarating at the same time. One minute I’d be completely thrilled and the next I’d be overcome with self doubt and thoughts of “am I really doing this?” Thankfully, I couldn’t be happier with my decision and actually look forward to going to work now!
What are the biggest obstacles that you have overcome to get to where you want to be? And if you aren’t there, what are your fears in getting there?
I think the biggest obstacle I need to overcome is getting out of my own way. I’m my own biggest critic and sometimes I need to ease up a bit and realize I’m still young and it’s okay that I’m still figuring it out!
How does blogging help you figure it out?
It’s funny, I kind of think of myself as an accidental blogger. When I first started I didn’t give it much thought or really have any aspirations for the blog other than for it to be a way to catalog the things that caught my eye (ohh the days pre-pinterest). I certainly never imagined it would introduce me to such an amazing, inspiring, and supportive community! In that respect blogging has helped me immensely. Its exposed me to so many new things, provided a much needed creative outlet and platform to experiment and refine my aesthetic.
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