
Meet The Shoe-Making Mama Of Two, Elisa Restrepo
Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano
Photography by Photographed by Kisha Bari
She’s one-half of the ridiculously cool shoe-making duo Dieppa Restrepo, so it should come as no surprise that Elisa Restrepo’s home life would be equally swoon-worthy. Although, upon stepping into her Montauk home, which the family of four has been renovating for a year, we weren’t prepared for just how inspiring it would be. With a modernist design, wide-open rooms, a sprawling backyard, awe-inspiring views, and a playroom stuffed with goodies for the kids, this place is the stuff #goals are made of. Here, the Colombian-born Elisa and her beautiful children Lucía, 4, and Félix, 1, show us what an idyllic day in the sun looks like, before we kiss summer goodbye.
- "We bought in the spring of 2013 and it took us a year to renovate. I've known our (now) neighbors for years and would stay at their house whenever we would visit Montauk. We were thrilled when the two houses next door to theirs came up for sale. We went with the smaller house, bigger lot. I feel so lucky to be where we are, in between a nature preserve and our close friends!"
- "Scandinavian modern with warm, organic accents and Moroccan touches."
- Elisa wears a dress by Electric Feathers. Lula wears a Bonpoint dress and Wovenplay headband.
- "Choose things that feel special and personal, and force yourself to edit. I'm still working on the editing part!"
- "I have two kids and I want them to be able to enjoy their home and hang out where their parents are. That being said, I am a big fan of everything having a place, or in my case, a basket!"
- "I love you this much."
- "We found the couch on One Kings Lane, but I was so afraid to pull the trigger that when I finally decided to buy it it was no longer there. I finally tracked it down in Florida and reupholstered it with fabric I bought in Morocco. I bought the living room table from my friend, Daphne Javitch."
- Tabletop details.
- The fireplace sitch.
- "We completely remodeled this house from the ground up. It took seven samples of wood to get the floor the right shade. We chose every knob, every handle, every fixture. The end result is that this house feels like a true reflection of who we are and, therefore, is strangely closer to my heart."
- "I will never again know life without this limitless love, but also endless worries. I am forced to be so much more mindful of my choices, my reactions, my overall attitude towards life. I see my reflection in their eyes and that can be terrifying. It's a lot of responsibility."
- "How the love I felt for her surpassed anything I could have ever imagined. People tell you that, but I find it impossible to really grasp until you feel it."
- Kitchen details.
- A meal with a view.
- And what a view it is!
- "Seeing these little humans become their own people, develop their own personalities. It's thrilling to watch."
- "I am responsible for these little people and I just want them to be happy, healthy, confident, and kind. I am learning as I go. I am trying to follow my instincts, but I am sure I will make mistakes." Felix wears an American Apparel top and Makie shorts.
- A drop-dead gorgeous dresser.
- "With Lu I had time to think about every detail. Time sort of stopped and everything mattered. I was so focused on her every move. When Félix came there is considerably less time and I have had to learn to relinquish control and find a balance."
- "Since I am Colombian and bilingual, it was very important for me to have names that would sound good, and more or less the same in English and Spanish. Lulu was what we would call our baby bump and it sort of stuck. Lucía means 'light' and that's what I felt most suited her. Félix means 'happy/lucky.' I had a dramatic pregnancy with him and when he was finally in the safe zone, that name seemed fitting."
- Two of Elisa and her business partner's beautiful creations.
- "I often think of my grandmother Victoria and my aunt Merce. However, I learn something from all of my friends who are mothers."
- "Waking up in Montauk, making waffles, and spending time on the beach. It wouldn't be ideal without a family dance party thrown in somewhere...preferably in our PJ's!"
- "Trust your instincts, don't be too hard on yourself, be patient, and try to roll with the punches. As a control freak, letting things get out of control and finding joy in those moments was a challenge for me."
- "I wanted a gender-neutral room that was fun, colorful, and whimsical. Certain objects, like the colorful Ace & Jig banner, started setting the tone of the otherwise white room. The little lofted area in their room was a storage shed only accessible from the outside. We made it a part of their bedroom, so they could have a play space with a tepee and a kitchen. We love to play 'picnic' and 'camping' there."
- "I love the energy, the diversity, and the culture of NYC. Children are exposed to so much here. It sort of forces them to become aware of who they are and learn what moves and excites them. Most of the people I know that grew up in New York are endlessly curious, confident, and socially mindful."
- "Absolutely! We constantly have fantasies of moving to California or taking off to Europe or South America for a year. We also daydream about living in Amagansett during the school year. No matter where we end up, I would try my hardest not to have to give up this little house."
- "I am lucky that, in having my own company, I have the freedom to make my own schedule and spend as much time as I can with my kids. During the school year there is no typical day really. Sometimes I go to the office, sometimes I work from home. My husband and I share drop-off and pick-up duties. We both love to go on walks around the neighborhood, take the kids to the playground, and go to early dinners at one of his restaurants (where Lucía feels very much at home). I am still struggling to find the balance between work and family. After having Félix I dove straight into mom mode and work took a back seat. I am now feeling more inspired than ever to put time and energy into my business. Come fall, I will probably spend more time in the office and thank my lucky stars that I have a wonderful nanny that helps me make time for that! Summer days in Montauk are maybe easier to describe. I will take time for myself to do some physical activity in the morning, then play with kids outside, cook, go to the beach, and have afternoon family dance parties. When my kids are entertained (or asleep!) I will check emails, Skype with my partner, and get some work done. If only days like this could be year-round!"
- "Many of us in the U.S. are far away from our families, so it's much more about the nuclear family here. We make up our own rules and build our own traditions. If I was in Colombia, I'd have family members left and right giving me advice on how to raise my children. That being said, I would also have a much larger support system."
- "Yes! It requires so much dedication and patience and I end up messing up all the time!"
- Beautiful built-ins.
- Yes, that is an outdoor shower on the left.
- "Clean, comfortable, a mix of masculine and feminine, with a touch of the '70s in there somewhere."
- "Since becoming a mother I crave a cleaner, more edited closet consisting of good quality staples that are comfortable and somewhat timeless."
- "High-waisted pants, some of my favorites are from Jesse Kamm and Apiece Apart, jumpsuits by Electric Feathers, cashmere sweaters, and a good denim shirt."
- Elisa wears her husband’s Hane’s t-shirt and overall shorts from Topshop. Lulu wear a dress by Nellystella. Felix wears a Tocoto romper.
- "I love Lemaire and Celine for their stunningly minimal, structured, yet still feminine looks. Acne is great for menswear-inspired sweaters. I am surrounded by so many wonderful designers. Starr and Laura from Apiece Apart make wonderful pieces that are easy, wearable, and chic. Leana from Electric Feathers is a sculptor. Maryam Nassir Zadeh has such an elevated and unique aesthetic. Jesse Kamm's line is so effortlessly cool... I could go on and on."
- "Both. There are some great webstores out there like La Garconne and Totokaelo."
- "I've been using a face oil called Pur by In Fiore. I wear hardly any make-up. Some concealer, a little powder, some blush, and I'm done. No muss, no fuss. I like hair products by Leonor Greyl."
- "I have been surfing in Montauk for about eight days and I am hooked! I love boxing and I'm shamelessly addicted to SoulCycle. Lately I have been very into trying new things. I would love to meditate and I'm hoping to trick my husband into taking some sort of cheesy dance class with me."
- "Felix and Lulu share a room. Lulu’s bed is by Kalon. The art above it is by my Columbian friend, Maria Isabel Arango. She is an incredible illustrator."
- "Felix's crib is the Oeuf Sparrow crib, a hand-me-down from a friend. The collages above it are by my friend Claire Oswalt. I am a big fan of everything she does. I love having art made by people I know and love. I bought the small bird mobile at Sweet William in Williamsburg when I was expecting Lulu and had never used it.”
- "A menswear-inspired shoe brand that is classic, chic, androgynous, and timeless."
- "We design everything together, but divide the rest. Because it's been the two of us for so long we both kind of put our hands in everything."
- "Anything that pulls your attention and time away from your family needs to matter. It needs to feel important. I'm longing to dream bigger, but be more efficient."
- "We always joke that being partners is kind of like being married. You have decided to go into something long-term with someone you love. There are good times and there are hard times and you have to be accepting, understanding, and empathetic. Remember what matters. I love my brand, I love what we have created, but I I love her more. Communicate, be patient, and don't take the other person for granted."
- "I'm struggling to find a balance and I'm not afraid to say that I'm not there yet. I need to force myself to have a schedule where I work hard and then feel like I can fully disconnect; put my phone and computer away and focus on my family." Elisa wears an Isabel Marant blouse and Caron Callahan jeans. Lulu wears a Wovenplay romper. Felix wears a Noch Mini onesie.
- "Steven Alan admiring Andrea's pair of shoes (our first sample) at a café in L.A. and ordering 40 pairs on the spot was probably our 'big break.'"
- "Creating something out of nothing."
- "I travel maybe three or four times a year for work. It's always hard to leave but I am lucky to have a very hands-on husband to hold down the fort!"
- "My friends are my family. I would die without them and feel so lucky to have a group of such strong, intelligent, and kind women around me."
- "We have some new products coming for Fall that we are really excited about! And they don't go on your feet!"
- For more on Elisa and Dieppa Restrepo, follow the brand on Instagram here.
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