We’ve already learned that jewelry designer, Katie Schloss, knows how to throw a gorgeous backyard party. So it’s no surprise that her NYC apartment shot by Elizabeth Shrier is the perfect mix of elegance and colorful decor all topped off with a stunning view. We sat down with Katie to talk her jewelry business, Three Jane, and some of the amazing tid bits she’s learned along the way. See it all here.
SMP: Some words you live by?
Things that happen by force only remain by force.
SMP: Any guilty pleasures?
Seamless, specifically Haru’s Spicy Tuna Rolls.
SMP: What did you think your dream job was before your dream job found you?
When I was little, I wanted to be a photographer for National Geographic, so I could get paid to travel the world and take pictures.
SMP: What’s your favorite quote that describes your creative process?
“There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” –Anais Nin
I heard it in a yoga class once, and it always stuck.
SMP: If you had the opportunity to get a message across to a large group of people, what would your message be?
You can make your life anything you want it to be with the right strategy. If your ideal life is you hanging out on a vineyard in France all day, figure out how to work on a vineyard in France. If you want to move to Australia, you can figure out how to make that work. So often people say they want things or their lives to be a certain way, but in the end, people do exactly what they want to do. Always. When you really want something, you just make it happen.
SMP: If you could do it all over again, would you change anything?
No, I’ve learned too much from my mistakes to give them up.
SMP: What is your favorite item in your home?
My favorite item in my home is a handwritten letter my grandfather wrote a few weeks before he passed away as well as his 2nd Edition copy of The Intelligent Investor.
Second to that is my Society Social bar cart. Not only is it such a wonderful conversation piece, but it was designed by one of my closest friends, Roxy Te Owens.
SMP: What’s your best tip for balancing work and personal life?
Take breaks. I more or less do work all the time, but I take breaks, whether that break be an exercise class or dinner with friends, it’s important to just have one life that isn’t divided into two separate ones. Sheryl Sanberg’s Lean In speaks really well to this.
SMP: What was the tipping point in your business that made you feel like your blog was going to thrive?
I knew my business would thrive pretty early on. When I launched my e-commerce site, the Map Necklace was featured in People StyleWatch, New York Magazine, and Lucky. After that, I always had very consistent sales from there.
SMP: What is the hardest lesson in business you’ve ever learned?
That sometimes you need to step away from it, I mean realllyyyy step away from it, in order to see the business rationally again.
SMP: Stranded on a desert island question… what’s the one cocktail you would take with you?
Smoked Banana Bourbon from Laundry in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
SMP: What color do you think will stand the test of trend time?
Cerulean blue.
SMP: One thing every style savvy homeowner should have?
A stocked Society Social Bar Cart.
SMP: If you could buy yourself a single gift of any cost, what would it be?
That constantly changes, but right now, I’d love to go to Summit at Sea.
SMP: One thing you can’t live without?
Sunscreen. Lots of sunscreen.
SMP: Your secret to success?
Never giving up. It’s really hard to beat the person who doesn’t quit.
SMP: What design trend do you think will stand the test of time?
A really great color scheme. For my apartment, I picked mostly grey neutrals with one bright, bold pop of color.
SMP: One small design change that can make a big impact?
A second opinion! I was playing with the chairs in my living room for the longest time, and then my mom came, took one look, re-arranged them, and the entire room felt so much more open.
SMP: Your top 5 design tips?
1) Pick one bright, bold color that serves as a theme throughout your apartment.
2) Bright coffee table books paired with seasonal flowers is an easy way to lighten up any surface, whether it be a desk, nightstand, or table. Truth be told, I’ve bought coffee table books on Amazon before solely, because of the color. I have quite literally judged a book by its color. Insert the monkey face emoticon here.
3) Speaking of books, organize bookcases by color for a bright, clean look.
4) A white bowl filled with lemons & oranges is a great way to make your apartment smell fresh & clean as soon as you walk in.
5) A fun, well-stocked bar cart is a great way to bring your unique personality into any room.
SMP: One place everyone must visit in their lifetime?
The secret subway station on the 6 train.
SMP: The best job you ever had?
You know that you have a good situation when it doesn’t feel like work. When this is the only thing you want to be doing all day, everyday. I love my current position at A.JAFFE. Since licensing the Map Necklace to A.JAFFE, a 123-year-old engagement ring brand, I’m fortunate in that I collect royalties on all sales. In addition to that, I just started consulting for them, which has been a dream come true. I was able to hire the publicist I’ve always wanted to hire (Alex Dickerson of Le Brain PR, the publicist that helped launch Lulu Frost). I’m now able to talk to our sales team (because there is a sales team, not just me!), and hear how Maps by A.JAFFE is selling in 100+ stores nationwide. I’m completely blown away my our mapping tool. I used to stay up all night talking to each customer, approving mock-ups, engraving each necklace… My day-to-day working at A.JAFFE is everything I’ve ever wanted, and I’m so lucky to have this opportunity.
SMP: Best moment of your career so far?
The best moment of my career so far is seeing Jennifer Lawrence on the cover of Martha Stewart Wedding wearing a Map Necklace with 10 other bridesmaids, plus the bride. I loved this moment, because I made it happen through my scrappy ways. I saw Jennifer Lawrence while watching the Oscars years ago, and I decided that I wanted her wearing a Map Necklace. So, I did some research about her and her family, and I found that her family owns a multi-generational summer camp in Kentucky. Her mom started it; her brother now runs it. I was able to get in-touch with her brother, and I said, “Listen, this would 100% be a gift from you for your mom and your sister. The Map would be of the summer camp. Here are some ideas for quotes on the back. Would you like a solid gold necklace with a diamond for your family members?” Not only did he take me up on that, but his now wife had me make Map Necklaces for her entire bridal party, which included Jennifer Lawrence. The bride chose the places that she met each of her bridesmaids engraved on one side, a bible quote on the other. I saw the magazine in Whole Foods a few months later, and I bought every copy. I was so excited; I told the entire line, “I DID THAT.”
SMP: Advice you’d give to your younger self?
Things have a funny way of figuring themselves out as long as you put the work in.
SMP: Your favourite instagrammer?
Not to shamelessly plug my friends, but I think Inslee, Roxy of Society Social, Carly of College Prepster, Mackenzie of Design Darling, and Jessica Sturdy of Bows and Sequins do a really good job of telling their unique stories through visual imagery.
SMP: Your go-to recipe?
I love making fresh vegetable side dishes. Gwyneth Paltrow’s It’s All Good is great for that. Here are two of my favorite recipes:
Roasted Cauliflower with Chickpeas and Mustard
Beet Salad with Mint and Scallion Pesto
NOTE: I make mine with shredded beets & add apples.
SMP: What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
I’m pretty quirky already; I don’t know what’s left, really! I gave up people judging me a long time ago.
SMP: What’s one thing you really want to do, but have never done?
Write children’s books.
SMP: The best advice you’ve ever received?
Things that happen by force only remain by force.
SMP: What was the first job you ever landed?
Interning for Erin Fetherston when I was a freshman in college. When I started, it was just Erin and I in her old apartment/studio on 34th Street. Seeing her business grow into what her brand is today has been a complete pleasure.
SMP: What’s a typical work day for you like?
I’ve never had the same day twice. What’s great about my new position at A.JAFFE is that I get to focus on all of the elements of my business that loved the most. I get to establish creative marketing initiatives, talk to all of the retailers, plan events, collaborate with bloggers & influencers. I love marketing and I love sales, so each day I try to think of ways I can improve both.
SMP: Do you have any secret talents?
I’ve gotten reallyyyy good at detangling fine necklace chains, if that counts!
SMP: If you could dine with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
Kate & Andy Spade. I think they are the most brilliant marketers. If I didn’t do what I do, I would work for Spade & Partners or Kate Spade. True story, my 8th grade email address was KatieSpade80@aol.com.
SMP: Where do you see yourself in five years?
I’m not entirely sure where I’ll be in 5 hours! I’m 28 right now, so I would love to have a family by the time I’m 33.
SMP: Why do you think your business has done so well?
I think the Map Necklace has done so well, because it’s such an unique idea. It works for every time that you’ll ever need to buy a gift. Graduations, engagements, weddings, anniversaries, back to school…. Any occasion, this product just works, and I’m really, really proud of that.
Photography: Elizabeth Shrier
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