Meet Elizabeth Lord-Levitt, an inspiring instructor at the Heritage School of Interior Design Denver and a passionate advocate for the art of interior design. With a diverse background that spans custom furniture, carpentry, and residential design, Elizabeth brings a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to her students. Originally from Seattle, she found her true calling in Denver, where she established her own design firm specializing in transformative kitchen and bath projects. Elizabeth is dedicated to empowering the next generation of designers, sharing her insights on construction and design, and fostering a collaborative environment where creativity thrives. Join us as we delve into Elizabeth’s journey, her approach to teaching, and her vision for the future of the interior design industry.
Can you share a bit about your background and career journey?
“Originally from Seattle, I started my interior design career in custom furniture. I then took a carpentry class in hopes of volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and fell in love with construction and the ability to design a space to bring to life. So, I switched design concentrations and went to work at a design-build firm. In 2012, I moved to Denver where I attended the University of Denver to pursue a master’s degree in real estate and construction management. Realizing that sunshine is better than rain, I established my residential interior design firm in Denver and never looked back!”
Tell us about your business: its history, mission, and the clients you serve.
“My firm specializes in residential design construction-based projects. We don’t do much soft surface design, unless associated with a large scope remodel. I love to see a space and reconfigure the flow and function of it to make it more efficient for the end user. We focus primarily on kitchen and bath designs, basements and whole house remodels. Our clients are the heart of our business, and look to us as their advocates. Our goal is to clearly identify the wants and needs for the space and then execute a successful project through open communication, quality craftsmanship, and impactful and attainable designs.”
What motivated you to start your business – what is your core “why”?
“The interior design business started as a side job, helping friends and family, which then grew to friends of friends and referrals. Although establishing a full-time interior design firm is stressful and overwhelming, I knew that I could provide a service that was unique to this industry. With an extensive background in interior design and construction, I could design any space to a budget and guide my clients through the construction phase. By managing their expectations and providing insight, my guidance would allow them to make educated decisions that impacted their budgets and overall project, ultimately producing beautiful spaces and happy clients.”
What are your aspirations for the future as an interior design business owner?
“I absolutely love designing homes, and love working with my clients. I am at a point in my career where I get to pick and choose my projects, and that choice is solely based on the clients I get to work with, not the size of the job. With that said, I have started to pivot into more speaking engagements and trainings, where I get to teach designers the joys of construction on a national level! I have been given some amazing opportunities to meet designers and empower them with the construction knowledge they feel they are lacking.”
What do you enjoy most about teaching at Heritage School of Interior Design?
“Teaching brings a sense of joy and fulfillment that truly fills my soul. Those two hours a week are something I truly look forward to. I get to create excitement around a topic I love, and empower these students to feel confident on their jobsites. My goal is to provide an educational experience where students are leaving the classroom with more knowledge than they walked into class with. The absolute best part of teaching is getting to see my students after graduating from Heritage School of Interior Design, embarking on their interior design endeavors and succeeding. Seeing them at industry events and getting to catch up on new jobs or projects or milestones in their career paths is more rewarding than any design I could ever create.”
What advice would you offer to designers just beginning their careers?
“Don’t give up. The road to success has intentional twists and turns, but in all those failures and speedbumps, you learn, and you keep learning. Take that knowledge and use it to your advantage on your projects. Get certified, get designations, keep up to date on trends. This industry is ever evolving and you could be at the forefront of that innovation. Just put yourself out there, join associations and attend chapter events. The more exposure you have, the more opportunities you have to meet someone who could change your career for the better.”
Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
“Getting to do what you love for a living never feels like work. But it’s hard work to get there, which is what makes it even more rewarding in the end.”
To keep up with Elizabeth’s inspiring design journey and discover more of her work, connect with her on Instagram at: @eplordredesign, @ids_denver, @roostrealty, @built4design
For a deeper dive into her projects and services, visit her websites at: elizabethplord.com and built4design.com