A Moment in Place with Charlotte Groeneveld
Physically, where are you right now? Are you at home, on holiday, in the office or elsewhere else?
I am at home in NYC. Still sitting on the floor in my workout gear. Planning decorating my apartment further but as I am with my “other” job aka content creation, I am in a little creative dip. My mind goes in so many directions after I have traveled that I go from 100 ideas to none at all. I need to reflect and slowly start up again. Not that there is ever time for that, tbh it is 100 miles per hour all the time. Right now we are doing Teddy’s room in our bedroom. As true New Yorkers we sacrificed space for location and nicer appliances which resulted in a bedroom less. And the big kids don’t want their baby brother in their room right now so we decided to create a cute space in ours!
How does your current environment inform your creative process and what is inspiring you right now?
I already went into this a little in the previous question, but I get inspired non stop; through social media, books, travel, my kids, husband even! But mostly when I travel. Having been in new spaces gives me so much inspiration, and as a highly sensitive person, super introverted - surprise surprise - I really need time to get my thoughts in place. So Colorado gave me a close to nature experience, which I love and which funny enough is more applicable to our NYC apartment than our countryside home. There it is more English, patterns and colours. NYC is more natural and toned down. The ultimate balance with the busy city life. Pistachio tones, browns and metals, soft light, Katz and photography, muted but with personality. The Aspen mountains gave the colour palette even more meaning.
As an influencer, your unique creative vision and personal style has amassed an audience of more than 500k for whom your blog is a tangible source of inspiration. Always seemingly one step ahead, the way you curate an outfit, your childrens' bedrooms and even furnishing your apartment has the ability to help shape and inform other people's choices. To what extent, proverbially speaking, is the teacher also always the students in the sense that they are constantly absorbing and mining their own experience and surroundings for that spark of inspiration and possible new perspective?
I wouldn’t be where I am right now without the environment I am in, and the people that surround me. It is a constant source of inspiration. My friends have the most beautiful apartments, impeccable style, and their intellect is so captivating. In that sense, I might be the teacher online, but offline I learn, all the time.
You've developed a successful career partnering with high end brands as a stylist and creative director at the same time as becoming a mother. Aside from the juggle, has this opened up opportunities to explore new avenues of creative expression (maternity wear, postpartum dressing) and connect, on a different and more personal level, to your audience?
Mostly in the interior design space. I mean I don’t call myself a professional here, but the different decorating projects I have done in NYC for the kids rooms have definitely opened me up to more projects like that. And it awakened an interest I am still carefully exploring but I love it. I am not officially announcing but it is definitely a profession I am moving into more. Needless to say, I will never leave the fashion space. I simply love it too much. Even after more than 12 years it still makes me so happy!
What does luxury mean to you and have the parameters of this changed since having children to move beyond the material to having more time for the things that compete for your attention?
Luxury to me is owning a home, educational opportunities, and good health. But I would be lying if I didn’t say I love to travel to beautiful properties with the family, or buying designer pieces (fashion and interior). I am absolutely a material girl, but events in life and love, good and bad, have taught me what is important.
For every good idea there are many more we reject. Do you ever salvage ideas that didn’t come to fruition at a later stage or do you just move on?
Most of my ideas don’t come to fruition, but I don’t see that as a loss or missed opportunities. I see it as shelving them. For a later date. They won’t expire. They are in my head. I simply have too many ideas and too little time. I keep moving and believe in a right time for everything.
What have been some personal milestones that you have achieved outside the expectation or perceived expectation of others?
Basically my whole life LOL. I don’t know if people - my parents or partner - really had expectations of me, but I definitely always surpassed my own. I believe that if you want something you can make it happen. Not magically but by doing everything in your power. I have never been a person who planned her future or had a five year plan, I just trust my gut and go. No excuses.
What’s something not many people know about you and that might surprise them?
I am an extremely considerate person. A true Libra who balances out every damn thing! I make big choices easily but a menu gives me decision stress. Being at home is what I love most, but a business class seat to Tokyo gets me out of the door in no time!
What are your personal and creative rituals, if any?
Structure is my ritual. I thrive on it and get disgruntled if changes suddenly occur. Yet I am super flexible. Makes no sense but it sort of does. Creatively I take inspiration from everything around me all the time, and take this with me in everything I do.
Where do you go to find creative refuge?
In my own mind.
What piece of wisdom currently resonates with you and how does it inform your approach to life right now?
People that understand your anti social phases are important - Yumiikazi
CHARLOTTE'S EDIT:
