Abby Capalbo is not only one of our most beloved editors, but she’s a girl with mad style and this New England wanderluster just recently opened the virtual doors to Abby Capalbo Styling. Read on as she spills the beans on her journey and just what inspires her. Hint: a dog named Otto, seaside living in Rhode Island, a good glass of bubbly and filling up her passport are all at the top of that list.
SMP: Tell us a little about Abby Capalbo Styling.
AC: Abby Capalbo Styling is a virtual styling company for every little corner of your life. A virtual sounding board of sorts for all your styling needs, big or small. It goes without saying, people are busier than ever these days and overloaded with more information than they know what to do with. So planning a wedding or a baby shower or decorating a home can be a pretty overwhelming endeavor.
For weddings and parties, I can help you create you organize your thoughts and initial vision and give you a list of vendors in your area I would give to my best friend. I’ll be your virtual maid of honor in those first few weeks so you start the planning process on the right foot – saving you time and money. For home, I can work with you to create a style blueprint for your space, and help you work with what you have to get the home you want. We’ll work together to get create an inspiration board complete with sources to take all the guess work out of everything. More than anything, I hope to make these exciting times a little less intimidating.
SMP: Words you live by?
AC: “You mustn’t be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling” Even if it scares the crap out of you. It’s so easy to get stuck in a routine, but if you aren’t happy or if something is pulling at your heart strings – there is no better time than now to figure out your next steps.
SMP: What is your favorite item in your home?
AC: Corny, but it has to be my husband, Andrew, and our dog, Otto. Honestly, if you put those two anywhere in the world I would feel at home. Other than that it would be our dining room table. It was the first piece of furniture my parents ever purchased together, and it traveled the world with them. It looks non-descript, but when you get close you can see etches of our childhood homework, my sibling’s names, etc. It’s filled with memories, and I love that it gets to live another life in our home.
SMP: Stranded on a desert island question… what’s the one cocktail you would take with you?
AC: Champagne, no question.
SMP: One thing every style savvy homeowner should have?
AC: Definitely a bar cart or some sort of bar area that’s ready to go at a moments notice. I am a huge fan of the spontaneous cocktail party.
SMP: Your favorite instagrammer?
AC: First, I love instagram. I have so many favorites, I couldn’t possibly list them all. Lauren Wells and Cambria Grace rock my socks off. They remind me everyday why New England is so special. Plus they are super nice.
SMP: Your secret to success?
AC: I work really hard. It’s as simple and as complicated as that. I’m constantly working for the next thing – even if I don’t know what that is. Mainly, I’m just trying to make this little life of mine count.
SMP: Your top 5 design tips?
AC: 1. Only purchase things that you love
2. Start with neutrals, then layer like crazy
3. Pay attention to the flow of the room
4. Make comfy places where people want to linger
5. Keep scale in mind
SMP: What design trend do you think will stand the test of time?
AC: The color white. It’s so refreshing, and makes designing around it easy. I hope it never goes anywhere. Thankfully it’s white, so it won’t.
SMP: What’s your best tip for balancing work and personal life?
AC: Honestly, my husband and I are terrible at this. We are both wired to work hard, but we really try to take time during the weekends to completely disconnect. And we travel as much as we possibly can. That is the best way to refresh in my book.
SMP: What is the hardest lesson in business you’ve ever learned?
AC: You can’t please everyone. This is actually a lesson I am still learning. Being a people pleaser is hard, but learning to not take things personally saves so much energy.
SMP: The best advice you’ve ever received?
AC: Dream big. You only live once.
SMP: Three things every home should have?
AC: A room without a TV to provoke great conversation, a great kitchen island for people to gather around, and a bed you can’t wait to sink into (and a dog).
SMP: Your go-to recipe?
AC: I love trying new recipes out, so I don’t often do a lot of repeats – but I like the classics. Nothing beats the comfort of a good roast chicken and some warm chocolate chip cookies made from scratch. They are both sure bets for happy guests.
SMP: One place everyone must visit in their lifetime?
AC: Oh this is so tough for me because I love so many different places, but I think it has to be Paris. Paris was the first European city I ever visited when I was a girl, and I was never the same after. It made me look at things completely different.
SMP: The best job you ever had?
AC: Definitely working at SMP, it’s been such an amazing learning experience, and I’ve made amazing friends in the process – can’t ask for better.
SMP: Number one interior design tip?
AC: Sleep on it. When we first bought our house, we came from a one bedroom apartment in a city to a full house in the burbs. My head was overflowing with ideas for each room and I wanted to do them all immediately. I am so thankful now that our budget didn’t allow for that. It gave me time to really curate a home where everything made sense. And trust me, it’s still a total work in progress.
SMP: If you could dine with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
AC: Alive – Tina Fey and Amy Poehlher. Just so I could convince them that we should be best friends. I love the support they give each other, and how they encourage everyone to try and succeed. Plus they are hilarious, and that is my soft spot. Dead – would be my Grandparents on my father’s side. They died when I was relatively young, and I would love to really get to hear the stories of their life from their perspective.
SMP: If you could do it all over again, would you change anything?
AC: Heck no. It’s so amazing how when you look back, all those obstacles you thought you would never overcome just turn out to be stepping stones to where you are supposed to be in life. It’s pretty crazy actually. You pick up the most amazing lessons along they way if you pay attention and work hard.
SMP: Where do you see yourself in five years?
AC: Who knows! Isn’t that exciting? This little life of mine always seems to twist and turn, I’ve learned to stop trying to plan every step and just enjoy the ride.
Photography: leila brewster | Design & Styling: Abby Capalbo | Event Planning: Pottery Barn | Event Planning: West Elm | Florals: Hana Floral Design | Cakes: Jonathan Adler | Cakes: Etsy.com | Invitations: Oh My Deer Handmades | Invitations: Target | Jewelry: Miadora | Hair And Makeup: LaLaLuxe Salon | Favors: Home Goods | Favors: Crate & Barrel | Beauty: Restoration Hardware | Decor: Ikea | Decor: Z Gallerie | Vendor: Wayfair | Vendor: Benjamin Moore's Robbins Egg, High Gloss | Vendor: Serena & Lily | Vendor: RH Baby & Child
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