Lara: I grew up in Great Neck, on Long Island. My husband & I lived in the city for 15 years where we got married and had both our sons. I have 2 boys, ages 20 & 17 and no, I can’t believe they are so big!
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
After I received my fine arts degree, I worked in the television industry for about a year. Then I went back to school at night to specifically study interior design. The TV company I worked for allowed me to work part time so I could also do an internship for a famous interior designer to gain experience in the design field. From that, I was able to work for other famous designers and consequently open my own design firm in 1995. I have been designing beautiful homes for people ever since!
Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?
My husband is a real hands on dad. I’m so thankful that since he works from home, he gets to be around for them so much. He enjoys making breakfast, taking them to their practices, and being very involved in their day to day lives. My parents have also been such supportive and loving grandparents, I honestly don’t know what I’d do without them!
Favorite things to do with your kids?
My kids are athletic so we have spent (and still spending) most of our time watching their games. But aside from their sports, I love just taking my kids out for lunch or dinner and a movie to spend some alone time with them. We also love going to the beach in the summer and having big family bar-b-q’s on the weekends, something we’ve been doing since they were babies.
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!
My interior design firm is located in Rye Brook, (www.Laramichelle.com) but I have clients all around the metropolitan area. My passion is to help people create the most beautiful, yet practical living spaces. My business caters mostly to young families. Since I know how rough my 2 boys (and their friends!) can be on furnishings, I’m very sensitive to balancing practicality with beauty when designing homes with kids living in them.
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
Many of my “mom” friends I’ve made through the years have now become some of my best and most supportive friends. Overall I find the moms in this community to be amazing, strong, smart, and nurturing women. Many have hired me and referred me business and I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today without them. They have been instrumental in my life in so many ways, I would need several pages to describe them all!
