‘Locals Only’ features notable New Yorkers, innovators and friends of CORE and their chosen neighborhoods. We hope to share the magic and uniqueness of New York City’s local areas through the eyes of those who know it best.
Lisa Sternfeld founded her firm, LSID, in 2006 and offers her clients a unique combination of design and vision. Taking inspiration from her design training in the United States and Europe, Sternfeld’s talents convey the global influence of her travels, along with a highly tuned, sophisticated yet inviting aesthetic. An avid supporter of the modern craftsman, her interiors honor the history, tradition and techniques of the past with an eye toward the future.
Tell us about your business.
LSID is an interior design firm specializing in high-end residential design and commercial projects here in NYC and nationwide. I started out endeavoring to create inspired beautiful spaces and quickly saw that design is so much more than that. Good design impacts how people live their daily lives in their homes, their workplaces and everywhere in between. Whether designing a new home or renovating an existing space, it’s extraordinarily gratifying to envision the best of what a space could be and then create it.
Why did you choose to base your business in Union Square?
I love the energy of this area. It’s vibrant, creative and diverse. Every day in the Square is different and there’s always something to discover. And from a practical standpoint, it’s an easy commute to just about anywhere.
Tell us your top 3 neighborhood haunts.
The Green Market is one of my favorite spots in town. An early morning walk through the stands always inspires my day. I’ve gotten great color inspiration from my mornings there. There are few places left like The Strand. We live in a digital world but I’m still a bit old fashioned. I like turning pages and I love the smell of books. It’s a great place to wander through on a rainy afternoon. And Tarallucci E Vino. It’s a great little spot for any meal of the day.
What’s your favorite street in Union Square?
I’m partial to 17th Street from 5th Avenue to Park. A lot happens in that stretch of a few blocks.
What do you value about Union Square that other neighborhoods don’t have?
From artists to street performers to the market’s purveyors and local businesses, there’s a sense of creative community within Union Square that I haven’t experienced in other neighborhoods.
What’s one thing that most people don’t know about Union Square?
I’ve walked through the Union Square subway station a thousand times and vaguely noticed the crumbling columns near the 4-5-6 trains. I knew they were there but never stopped to really look at them. It turns out they’re the remnants of the original station from 1904. And they’re really beautiful and such a piece of this city’s history. After a little more research, I learned that the red boxes I always thought framed a fire extinguisher or were there for no apparent reason, are intentional markers designating other artifacts from the original station – a mosaic wall, an original sign or even some original wiring. They’re all over the station and once you start looking for them, you’ll see them everywhere.