Houstonian Lucinda Loya is sitting on top of the world. The busy style icon, interior designer, mom and wife has a pristine point of view with how the world can look–smart, timeless and always elegant. Here she reveals her favorite things with our own Lance Avery Morgan about how we can all live a more stylish life.

My style icon is…fashion designer, Martin Margiela. He is known for his classic style “with a twist” and that’s a lot of my vision–to keep things timeless but still smart, unique, and artful.

My interior design icon is…to name only one would be challenging. I am not married to a particular style–I consider my projects to be more couture, being original to each client’s lifestyle. It’s even more fun when we get to pair classics with edgy, artful furniture such as Rick Owens and lighting from Carpenters Workshop. I enjoy the playful sense of bringing fashion into interiors through fabrics such as Hermes, Jean Paul Gaultier, and the soon-to-launch line by Libertine.

One interior design accessory I can’t live without is…artful pieces that tell a story or a collection of sorts. I have also been accused of having a special attraction to unique lamps and chairs.  

Three qualities that got me where I am today are… having passion and the confidence in my vision–and believing in myself.

How I made my first dollar by… after my babysitting career, I spent an entire weekend calling over 200 businesses in The Yellow Pages (and landed two jobs). Having a knack for interiors, my first dollar earned in this industry came when newlywed friends purchased their first home with décor needs.

Last thing I binge/marathon watched was… I don’t watch TV, so truth be told, Desperate Housewives, of 15 years ago!  More recently (with a twisted arm), I appeased my husband by watching the current season of Narcos. He was still in awe after hosting the real-life former DEA agents Javier Pena and Steven Murphy in our Houston home.

First album I bought was…Peter Frampton’s I’m In You. 

If I could live in a foreign city it would be… London. Not only is it chic, but it is also full of history, has great design, and is a fashion capital. Bonus: I speak the language.

One thing I am exceptionally good at that most might not know is...the art of blending furniture styles and accessorizing a home, such as curating eclectic collections of furniture and artwork.  

The beauty essential you’d have to pry out of my cold dead hands is…the $2 black eye pencil from the drug store. I’ve used it for years.

My favorite coffee table style book… I love Fearless Living by JP Demeyer & Co. But of course I should mention the two we are honored to be featured in, Rizzoli On Style: Inspiration and Advice from the New Generation of Interior Design and teNeues’ Best Interior Design on the Planet.  

If I had to limit my shopping to one neighborhood in one city…Midtown Manhattan, but let’s not forget Europe.

In my fridge you will always find… fresh fruit, almonds, Greek yogurt, Boar’s Head honey maple turkey, Propel water, and French Meursault wines. These are all of my daily essentials. 

An artist whose work I would collect is… Manolo Valdes and anything by the Haas Brothers  are currently on my wish list. I also love collecting pieces by Vanessa Beecroft, Yigal Ozeri, and Marilyn Minter, to name a few. 

The best gift I have received is…my children given to me by God with the help of my loving husband, Javier 

If I weren’t doing what I do I would be…I would wish to be a stylist to the stars.

If I could compete in an Olympic sport it would be…ice skating. It’s so graceful and elegant and I admire the hard work and life commitment that’s required to be successful in one’s passion and talent. 

On my tombstone it will say…Risk Taker. Dream Chaser.