We had the good fortune of connecting with Caraline Sierota and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Caraline, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started working in the interior design industry ten years ago. I was fortunate enough to learn under some incredibly talented designers who gave me the opportunity to soak up all aspects of the industry. The dream of owning my own firm had been in my heart for a while, but it wasn’t until 2020 when the time felt right. My husband and I had just begun serving with an organization that provides short term hosting for children whose families are in crisis. Shortly after we started hosting children in our home, I landed some incredible clients and started my interiors firm. Having full control over my schedule allowed me to marry these two passions – creating a culture of hospitality, beauty and artistry for my clients and team, and also in my own home for the incredible children who we had the privilege to host.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
To be 100% honest, my first few years in the industry felt a bit like trial by fire. I adored the design process, but felt very overwhelmed by the sheer amount of details that go into developing and successfully executing a project. Interior design is so much more than picking out pretty pillows and paint colors – there are so many details and elements involved for each project to come together. While my job is definitely creative, I view it as a service based industry so as a designer, I carry a huge responsibility to steward the work well for my clients, contractors and vendors. I am an “all-in” kind of person, which I think has served my business well in that I give an incredibly high level of attention to each project. The downside has been learning how to not carry this beyond what the work calls for. Building out a team was a big leap of faith (and also a ginormous privilege) and it has given me so much mental space to focus on the design and providing clients with an exceptional experience throughout what can be a very stressful process!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am a Pasadena native, born and raised, and absolutely love living here with my family. I love showing people around this part of Los Angeles that people may not be as familiar with. A dream day in this magical city would start with an iced honeybee latte and pastry at Lavender and Honey, and then some shopping at Maude Woods and antiquing at the Pasadena Antique Center. Picking up lunch for a picnic from Julienne and enjoying it at Lacy park is a hidden treasure. Magnolia House is a favorite spot for dinner and drinks, and capping it off with a walk through the neighborhoods of South Lake Avenue is so dreamy. The cherry on top to this would be catching the right Sunday to shop at the Rose Bowl Flea market!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My grandmother is a huge reason why I believe I am in this industry. She had impeccable taste, and was meticulous with the design of her home, despite having relatively humble means. People would often comment that walking into her & my grandfather’s home brought instant peace, comfort and a tangible sense of beauty. I was always enamored by her natural design abilities, but it was the intention behind her efforts to create such sacred environments for the purpose of relationship that left a lasting impression on me. My grandparents doors were open to people from all walks of life. She taught me the value of a well designed home and how it can bring refreshment, inspiration and set the tone for a flourishing life.

Website: caralinesierotainteriors.com

Instagram: @caralinesierotainteriors

Image Credits
All photos are taken by Caraline Sierota Interiors.

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