Today we’d like to introduce you to Lila Malone.
Lila, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in San Antonio, Texas where I was immersed in the city’s colorful culture at an early age. When I was 14, I was given my first sewing machine by my mother’s dear friend, Kate Kingman of Kate Kingman Interiors in San Antonio. I taught myself how to sew and created my very first business, LoveLee Designs. I hemmed and embellished cotton Mexican dresses. I have always had a passion for beauty and business – and in that order! My lawyer father taught me the most about following your heart when he started painting during his time away from his law office. He quickly was recognized by his friends and collogues and has had multiple art shows. My love for interiors stems from watching my mother’s interior design business, Bonnie Chumbley Interiors. I gained valuable knowledge every summer by helping her buy for her shop, Svelte Veldt Home, traveling with her for installations and sifting through endless fabric samples. Her energy and dedication to her businesses is something I aspire to daily! After graduating college in Alabama, I accepted a job at Houston’s Chateau Domingue where I was able to soak up the beauty of the antique European architectural elements. From there, fate aligned through a mutual friend and I met Courtnay Elias of Creative Tonic. Courtnay always encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone in design, which often led to our favorite rooms! Working alongside Courtnay for almost six years, I was truly able to spread my creative wings with some of the most trusting clients. This last fall I had my first child, Harrison. He completely lit up my world and gave me the drive to start Lila Malone Interiors.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s definitely been a fun and wild ride with ups and downs. I have been blessed with so many amazing dynamic women mentors in my life that have all taught me how to pull myself up by the boot straps and keep on trucking! One of the biggest hurdles in starting my business was taking the financial leap and trusting that I could continue to support my family. I attribute this to my hardworking mother who I watched raise three children while running multiple businesses, her passion for making a buck is contagious! She has never doubted my abilities.
Lila Malone Interiors – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
With Lila Malone Interiors I really aspire to help people make their homes special and unique to them. With so much access to sourcing things online now, it’s very easy to all of the sudden turn your house into a clone of your neighbors. My hope is to help my clients bring an edge to their home that makes them happy every time they walk through the door by mixing patterns and textures and not being afraid of a little color! God painted our world colorful through the flowers and oceans and trees…why not enjoy that indoors too! Other than color, my second favorite way to make a house special is to make sure to incorporate antique and vintage pieces. These often are the lifetime pieces that travel with a family from home to home – a beautiful oushak rug, a large toile chandelier, a gilded settee, pair of bamboo mirrors. A collected piece like one of those can often be the starting point for the whole design!
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
This question is one I didn’t realize I struggled defining until recently. I have spent time worrying about followers and professional photography and website design… thinking that these are what will define my success. But what I realized is that success for me is when I have made someone happy with a product I delivered. When a client completely trusts me to take over the reigns and deliver them a beautiful home, that is when the magic happens.
Contact Info:
- Website: lilamaloneinteriors.com
- Phone: 2103636506
- Email: lila@lilamaloneinteriors.com
- Instagram: lilamaloneinteriors
Image Credit:
Claudia Casbarian + Julie Soefer Photography for Creative Tonic, kristen kilpatrick Photography
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