Meet Elizabeth Leahy | Principal Interior Designer

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

Hi Elizabeth, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started my own business as an interior designer to apply my passion for design by assisting people in creating harmonious spaces.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Growing up in a Brownstone in Montreal and a Craftsman home in North Park instilled in me a passion for saving, enhancing, and remodeling old homes to their true potential. I have always collaborated with clients to make their homes more livable, comfortable, and peaceful. I encourage my clients to let me create homes that are timeless rather than trendy. As a result, I tend to miss out on attracting younger individuals seeking an edgy, bold space, which has ultimately limited my market share. I believe your home should be your haven, a place for calm and collected experiences. Classics endure while trends come and go. I strive to reuse, repurpose, and restore as much as possible in a client’s project to minimize waste and reduce the number of items that end up in landfills.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Living in the relatively undiscovered community of Escondido, whose name means “hidden,” is truly a treasure. We would begin our day with breakfast at **Sunny Side Kitchen**, a local gem known for its organic, farm-fresh, and gluten-free ingredients. This spot is nationally recognized as the third-best restaurant in the nation.

After breakfast, we’d stroll down **Grand Avenue**, the heart of our downtown, where we can enjoy a bit of shopping among over seven exceptional art galleries.

To continue our art tour, we’d drive to **Kit Carson Park** to visit **Niki de Saint Phalle’s Queen Califia’s Magical Circle**—the only American sculpture garden and the last major international project by the renowned artist Niki de Saint Phalle (1930-2002).

By this time, we’d be feeling a bit thirsty, so we’d indulge in wine tasting at one of the **20 wineries** in Escondido, several of which are award-winning. At **Cordiano Winery**, we can savor some exquisite Italian food while enjoying breathtaking views of the **San Pasqual Valley**.

For a relaxing afternoon break, we’d take a pool and spa day pass at the historic **Bandy Canyon**, nestled in the San Pasqual Valley. Once we’ve recharged, we’d head back to Grand Avenue for dinner at one of the hottest new spots, **Upper East**.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I truly believe that I would not have accomplished so much in my career if it weren’t for the professional organizations to which I belong. I have served on the boards of both NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Association) and ASID (American Society of Interior Designers).

Website: https://leahyinteriordesign.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethvleahy/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethleahyinteriordesign/

Twitter: https://x.com/LeahyInterior

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeahyInteriorDesign

Image Credits
Rich Mino, Mino Pro Media, and Milan Kovacevic, Milan K Photography.