Today we’d like to introduce you to Latoyia Smith.
Hi Latoyia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Honestly having a profession as an Artist may as well been a curse word to me growing up. Not that my family discouraged me; in contrary along with working at a factory in Passaic, NJ my father was an incredible artist and Photographer. However, growing up as the first born female in Newark Nj during the 80s it didn’t feel like a worthy career that would ensure I changed my circumstances. It was always apparent that Creativity was within me and the most attainable art form within my community was cosmetology in which I absolutely excelled. I do remember creating sculptures in art class that was displayed with honor inside the glass cases at my local library. My dad tried to push me to attend an Art technical school that I ultimately got accepted to but stubbornly refused to go. He would laugh at me today knowing where my Creativity has brought me.
I wore many “outfits” beautifully, successfully and proudly throughout my life to include serving in the Army during 9/11, and having a “safe” career as a civilian government employee working diligently from the Department of Army to the National Security Agency (NSA). However, eventually the “outfits” didn’t fit anymore; not only was my Autoimmune Disease making it harder but I was simply unfulfilled. I was afraid to step out on faith, and more so I was good at my job so why change? I would smile brightly around my coworkers but would quietly cry daily in the staircase during my lunch.
Then there was Covid and being autoimmune compromised, for the first time I was home. I found the courage to ask “What is it that I can’t wait to do after work on Friday and upset I have to stop doing on Sunday?” It was Creativity rearing its head again, but then what do I do with it? How?Knowing that thrifting was a growing interest of mine and finding children being home schooled I started painting thrifted desk with Ravens Art or anything whimsical to bring joy to their lives. Eventually desk turned into dressers, dressers became upholstering chairs and after the pandemic I gained the courage to open the doors of Lavish Furniture Flips and Sustainable Interior Design. It was terrifying but I knew if I went back to work I wouldn’t find it in me to do.
After almost 3 years, Two store locations and working 20 hours a day my health said No. I had to have surgeries and my body could
not sustain itself. I thought after closing the doors that would be the end but my Creativity realized I was free. I owned my Creativity it wasn’t at a place and it didn’t diminish instead it pivoted. I am now not only a Furniture Artist that has been on the cover of an international magazine, been featured in the news, podcast and articles I am also a Visual Artist with a home studio that allows me to prioritize my health as well as do what I believe I was born to do Create.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely was not a smooth road. Looking back and even occasionally today my greatest struggle is the voice inside of my head. Not only do I have to fight my own body due to Autoimmune Immune Disease, but doing something as lonely as art can be creates an obstacle that I couldn’t foresee. Of course financial struggles when building a business was huge, but for me being seen wasn’t comfortable. I found that I was accustomed to hiding behind my work instead of standing beside it. However in order to translate my passion for my artistry to others I had to be my best advocate. I also have learned to talk to myself as I would a best friend to change the voice inside my head from foe to friend.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Growing up I loved the video game Tetris and my brain worked the same when looking at fabric, hair clients, decorations for a party absolutely anything I instantly looked pass what things appear to be and know what it should be. I believe that is why my love of vintage or discarded furniture intrigued me. I look at that brown piece of furniture and appreciate the craftsmanship instead of the water stains from countless cups of tea. I adapted the term Preloved for my pieces that utilize various techniques to create functional art. My goal isn’t to slather paint on instead I imagine that I am working in tandem with the original craftsman to usher this piece into its next life. My techniques include refinishing, painting, gilding, gold leafing, hand patina, epoxy, textile work and whatever else the piece speaks to me. I love when clients bring an heirloom item that they cannot bear to part with and my goal is to make it fit in seamlessly to their esthetic while respecting the piece. My work has grown from furniture to custom lamp shades, reupholstery, metal wall art and multi media whimsical wall art. I am not only a Furniture or Visual Artist I am simply a Creative. I am an advocate for taking what you have and reimagining it to fill your space with joy. Not following trends instead design specifically for yourself. If my clients are open with me it allows me to truly Create especially for them. I believe I am unique in that way my team is me and only me. I am most proud of my ability to listen to not only what the client say but what they don’t. Often people put limits on their expectations it’s within me to exceed them knowing my creativity is limitless. I am at estate sales, yard sales as well as contemporary stores like West Elm to be able to find a way to overlap if necessary because the home should feel like a collection not the showroom floor.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I think something that continues to be surprising is that I am a Post 9\11 disabled army veteran. I often do not lead with that; my artistry is full of color, joy and sunshine as it is also reflected by my wardrobe which most do not associate with military soldiers. I joined after high school graduation while processing losing both my Nana that helped raise me and my father the same week. Looking back I can admit I was grieving during my enlistment and as it can be a great passion for many; personally it settled as a honorable duty that brought me to my passion. I will always be proud of my time served but my greatest accomplishment requires a paint brush in my hand instead of a rucksack on my back but knowing I can do both even surprises me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Lavishfurnitureflips.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lavishfurnitureflips?igsh=NXAyZnRtMGh5Ympn&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lavishfurnitureflips/
