Expat Home - Pippa Lord in Brooklyn, NYC

Written

Lucy Feagins

Writer

Lucy Feagins

13th of June 2012

The Brooklyn Heights apartment of Melbourne expat Pippa Lord - photographs by Lianna Tarantin

Sweet details in the Brooklyn apartment of Pippa Lord - photographs by Lianna Tarantin

Given we're spending this week with a bunch of talented Australian creatives living overseas, we figured it would be perfect to share a cute expat apartment today rather than the usual Australian Home!

Melbourne-born Pippa Lord has been living in New York for eight years, after arriving initially for an internship at her favourite fashion mag, V Magazine. After many years at V Mag she's since moved on to her current role as Photo Director of ELLE magazine (that means booking the coolest photographers and talent, and directing all Elle's fashion shoots - dream job alert!). Last year Pippa also launched her own seriously excellent website, Sous Style, which has gathered a loyal following of its own - well worth a visit for Pippa's unique take on food, entertaining and modern home-making!

Pippa has lived in her beautiful Brooklyn Heights apartment for around two years - 'It’s my first proper grown up apartment' she says - 'I love and adore it in every way, shape and form... well all the things that work anyway!' I must say I completely understand Pippa's enthusiasm for this sweet pad! I would be pretty smitten if this were mine - in my mind an apartment like this really would complete the NYC Carrie Bradshaw experience! (Except, it's in Brooklyn, and everyone know Carrie would never leave Manhattan. Details details!)

Pippa's pad is fabulous but functional - as a typical transient, busy New Yorker, she hasn't splashed out on major investment pieces, but she's made the place super pretty with favourite finds including trinkets that remind her of home, a friendly collection of pot plants, and enough seating for a party if and when the need arises! In the spirit of Sous Style, Pippa's style at home is aspirational but obtainable - a comfortable, relaxed ‘work in progress' rather than a picture perfect abode.

I asked Pippa a few questions about her home and the NYC expat experience, here's what she had to say! -

Where do you live in NYC?

I live in Brooklyn Heights which is the most gorgeous area ever! I'm like 'Miss Brooklyn Heights' and will talk about how brilliant it is for hours. It’s a small neighborhood that is made up of brownstones, leafy cobble streets named after fruits like Pineapple etc. It has a small village feel but totally chic and you can always get a cab because it’s just over the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s becoming more and more popular which is both a good and bad thing. Sarah Jessica Parker reportedly just bought two brownstones on my block! However, the best part is that I can run along the water every morning. Living in Manhattan can be super draining so as an Australian who craves any type of normality, moving here ensured I'd have longevity (aka sanity) in the city.

Can you gives us a little background about yourself, your career, and how you ended up in NYC?

I arrived for six weeks but it’s been almost eight years later and I’m still here. Before I arrived I worked as a publicist and freelance writer but decided to travel to New York for a six week internship at my favorite magazine V and V Man. A few weeks later I was offered a position and spent five years as the Photo and Bookings Editor of both magazines. I got to work with my creative heroes like Mario Testino, Karl Lagerfeld and Hedi Slimane, but was definitely thrown into fashion chaos which was exciting, addictive and intimidating all at once! I still watch the Devil Wears Prada and shudder.

A few years back ELLE Creative Director Joe Zee asked me to join the team as Photo Director which I’ve loved because we’ve been able to really shape it into something wonderful.

Tell us about Sous Style - what inspired you to start the site, and what's it all about?!

We consider Sous Style a lifestyle site for a new generation of homemakers. A couple of years ago I got really into food and home, but found there was no place online talking to a girl like me. All other sites and magazines were talking to someone much older or who appear to be ‘perfect.’ It was really important to me that I created a platform that embraced the kind of woman I can identify with – the ‘work in progress.’ I wanted to offer an alternative that felt sexy and aspirational but always obtainable. I’m lucky I have a great little team and posse of photographers around the world who are awesomely talented and love what they do.

What's next for you?

I’m really excited about an upcoming cooking class series we’re doing with a well known chef, hosting a fantastic party at Rushmeyers in the Hamptonsand our Sous Style Summer Recipe Zine…Stay tuned!

What are you looking forward to?

I’m super excited about profiling makers of things, cool unique stores around the world and small designers who are passionate about creating. Suggestions welcome! (pippa@sousstyle.com !)

What do you love most about living in NYC ?

I love that stuff is always happening. What’s unique is that literally anything can be done here. You just have to name it.

New York's best kept secret?

Split the massive chopped salad at Freds at Barney's on Madison Avenue. Love the salad but love the people watching even more.

MASSIVE THANKS to Pippa for sharing her sweet home with us, and to her pal Lianna Tarantin for taking the shots! For more editorial genius from these two talented ladies don't forget to check out Sous Style!