A Quick Chat With…Sarah Lyon

I’m so excited to bring back blog posts with my favorite series: A Quick Chat With…featuring conversations with women who inspire me personally and professionally. Today’s Q&A is with Sarah Lyon, a NYC-based writer who I first met several years ago when we both lived in Washington, DC. (Fun fact: We were also coworkers at our day jobs in the education space several years ago!) Sarah has an incredible eye for interior design and uncovers the best decorative and furniture finds in the retail space and via Facebook Marketplace. Her byline has appeared in some of the most prestigious publications and I’m constantly impressed by how quickly she’s made a name for herself as a freelancer writer in such a competitive space. More on Sarah’s background + some invaluable tips, below!

A Quick Chat With…Sarah Lyon

Age: 31

Hometown: Bethesda, MD

Currently live in: New York City

How long have you been a freelance writer and what did you do prior?

This question always involves a long-winded answer! Right after college, I moved to NYC, where I started my career as an editorial assistant for American Baby magazine, a now-defunct publication that was housed under Meredith Corporation. After working there for about a year, I began to do some reflecting on my long-term goals. I had majored in sociology in college and was also the editor-in-chief of the student paper, which meant I was familiar with covering campus issues and thinking about topics such as education access, inequality, and identity. I realized that I wanted to pursue these topics further, and I ended up going to grad school for a master’s in higher education with the intention to spend the rest of my career working in either K-12 schools or universities.

While working in alumni relations and development at George Washington University, I reconnected with some of my NYC contacts (many of whom I met while interning) who were looking to take on freelance writers for holiday gift guide content. I was excited to get back into writing on the side while earning some extra money in the process. A year and a half later, the pandemic hit, and I was able to invest much more time into my freelance career. Also at this time, the home industry was really taking off, since it was where many people were choosing to allocate their disposable income while stuck at home. My list of assignments grew, and I realized that this was in fact what I wanted to do for the long haul. I began laying the groundwork to move away from part-time (which at that point was basically full-time!) freelance and give notice at my day job. I did that in May 2021, and in July 2021, I relocated from Washington, DC, to NYC. I’ve been a full-time freelancer ever since, having just recently completed my first full year! Your eye for design is enviable!

What drew you to a career in the interiors space, despite having a masters in Education?

Thank you so much! I have always loved all things design-related; even as a kid, I would come home from school and start moving my furniture around in my bedroom or flip through the PB Teen catalog (those rooms were the best!). In college, I couldn’t wait to graduate from dorm life and start decorating my first “adult” apartment, and my dorm room was always known for being very organized and colorful. I don’t have any formal training in the design space, but it’s something I’ve always enjoyed. I never would have thought that being a design writer was a job that existed, but there are quite a few of us out there and it’s truly the perfect field for me.

What does a typical weekday look like for you?

Unless I have daytime events, it’s probably not too much unlike anyone else’s work from home day, in that I spend too many hours in front of my laptop and am constantly on email! While I don’t have many phone or video calls during the day, I do often have work events two to three nights a week (brand events, drinks dates with designers or PR teams, and the like). It gets busy, but I really do prefer to take those meetings after traditional work hours so as not to disrupt my writing/workflow!

Tell me about a professional "pinch me" moment.

There have been some exciting ones within the past year in particular, but the moment that stands out to me the most was seeing my first New York Times piece in print this past May.

What has been the most challenging part about being self employed?

Managing so many moving parts without being able to lean on anyone else for assistance…there’s no one else to rely upon to help take meetings, conduct research for articles, or reply to the constant emails coming in!

What are some resources you'd recommend to others looking to hone their decorating style and build a more cohesive living space?

I utilize Pinterest SO much. I know Pinterest may not be as popular as it once was thanks to apps like TikTok and even Reels on Instagram, but I’m constantly finding decor inspiration there. I love that it’s a free resource and there are always new ideas to be found. I also spend a lot of time looking at home tours on some of my favorite sites. One Kings Lane has some great ones from over the years!

The NYC rental scene can be so tough! Do you have any tips for someone who's starting the apartment search here and is looking for something charming?

I spend a lot of my free time scrolling through StreetEasy just to see what’s out there. I honestly will go through and click through every page featuring listings that have fireplaces, for example, because this usually means a space will have other great architectural features. (I’ll note that I never set a price limit during these searches, because I just genuinely like to look!). It’s true, there are some gems, and there are also some total misses—like those apartments with bathtubs in the kitchen. I’ve always prioritized apartments with good bones, but I also know how much a little creativity can change a space for the better. For example, I added wall molding and two fireplaces to my tiny NYC one-bedroom! If you have a distinct design style and are full of ideas, know that you can make any place look good. Also, keep in mind that you’re always going to be compromising somehow. I’ll come across affordable apartments with washer/dryers but then realize they’re located on the fifth floor in a walkup. Then there are spaces like mine with beautiful checkered tile in the kitchen but no formal entryway. It’s all about picking and choosing what is most important to you and making it work!

What are your top three favorite places to shop for home goods?

In the city, I LOVE visiting all of the Housing Works thrift stores for amazing home decor (but also great clothing/shoes). Most of my other home pieces come from Facebook Marketplace or CB2.

How would you describe your personal style?

I always call my decorating style “traditional with an eclectic twist.” I guess the same could be said about my clothing style?! I do love a big faux fur leopard print jacket in the winter.

Organizational tool you can't live without?

My Google calendar. I keep track of everything going on in my life on there. I block out how long I plan to spend on each and every work assignment for the month and also mark down workouts, social plans, errands, travel…if it isn’t on the calendar, it isn’t happening.

Last place you traveled?

Nashville, TN, for a mix of work and play.

If you could majorly splurge on a vacation, where would you go?

I’d love to travel to a few different places in Italy. I’ve never been (though I think I’ll have the opportunity to go through work this spring, which is exciting!). I’ve heard so many amazing things about so many different areas of the country over the years from friends and family.

Favorite restaurant in NYC?

JG Melon has a special place in my heart, but I don’t make it there enough!

Go-to weekday lunch?

I’m a big Sweetgreen gal, but I like to make my own.

Go-to cocktail?

A margarita!

One piece of advice?

The professional world is so small, and you never know who you’ll cross paths with years down the line, so it never hurts to be nice. When people resurface, I always remember who was kind and supportive 10 years ago and who definitely wasn’t! ;)

Photos courtesy of Sarah Lyon | by Allie Provost