City Girls

Harper’s Bazaar’s Digital Fashion/ Features Director Kerry Pieri shows us around her Brooklyn Heights home and talks how life has changed since having daughter Lila— from shifts in perspective to the concept of having it all and even her apartment’s style.

MINI | Thank you for inviting us into your home! Tell us about the place!

KERRY PIERI | We moved to Brooklyn Heights less than a year ago. It was all a bit of a whirlwind and we kind of just landed in this apartment. I was in baby girl newborn space so I picked a pink couch, a white wall-leaning mirror, and blush and gray nursery, but I love how light it all feels. There’s still a brown Bellini chair and a Moroccan rug from Beni Rugs, so I had my design sensibility about me, too!

MINI | Do you have a favorite room in your home or place you spend the most time?

KERRY PIERI | We spend most of our time between the living room and the kitchen. It’s important to us to have breakfast and dinner together as a family. I always want Lila to feel a part of what we’re doing.

MINI | What are some of your favorite elements in your home? Where did they come from?

KERRY PIERI | I like how much light there is from the big windows. I also added cozy elements like throws, pillows, a shearling pouf, and a lot of blankets. I put up a lot of my own artwork. I also love how close we are to the Brooklyn Promenade because I love being near water. Lila’s a Cancer—water sign— and I think she loves it, too.

MINI | Talk to us about your daughter’s room. What are your favorite elements in her room?

KERRY PIERI | I love her crib. My personal style tends towards minimal with some feminine elements, but I went all pretty and girly in her room and I love it.

MINI | How did you decide on your daughter’s name?

KERRY PIERI | We say Lila Sky picked her name; it just sort of came to us. Along the way, someone said Lila means night, so her name translates to Night Sky, which is so beautiful to me.

MINI | We know schedules can be hectic— so tell us about yours! What does a typical day look like right now?

KERRY PIERI | We wake up around 7, my husband makes cappuccinos and breakfast, we hang out, dance to ‘90s hip hop, and then Lila helps me get dressed and put on makeup. Then I head to the office and get home around 6ish. We have dinner, read books and chill, or take a walk until she goes to sleep around 8:30. Then I either catch up on more work, read, or watch an episode of The Real Housewives. I like to keep it high/low!

MINI | What has been your proudest career moment to date?

KERRY PIERI | It’s hard to say overall, but I recently oversaw the creation and launch of our first digital cover for BAZAAR. com featuring Jada Pinkett-Smith, her mom Adrienne, and daughter Willow. Those are two moms I really respect and think we can all learn from.

MINI | What do you think is the greatest challenge of being a working mom?

KERRY PIERI | Wanting to be two places at once.

MINI | What do you think about the idea of “having it all?”

KERRY PIERI | I think it puts unrealistic expectations on everyone. Just the word “have” feels wrong to me. Life is about being, not having. Being in the moment, being in love.

MINI | What has surprised you most about motherhood?

KERRY PIERI | How much fun it can be. Anything I feared I was “giving up” before was so completely unfounded. She makes me laugh so much. It’s just love from its purest place.

MINI | How has motherhood changed you?

KERRY PIERI | I just think it put so much into perspective about what’s important. I definitely wasted a lot of time pre-Lila Sky. I wish I could get those hours back and maybe make it to Pilates now.

MINI | What is most important to you in raising your daughter?

KERRY PIERI | First and foremost, I want her to know she is loved. I want her to know she has a voice. It’s important to me that she grows up consciously— that she knows that all people are equal, that she isn’t taught a false history, and that it’s all of our jobs to lift each other up.

MINI | What advice would you give Lila?

KERRY PIERI | Love first and stay curious.

MINI | What are you looking forward to about raising your daughter in NYC?

KERRY PIERI | I’m already taking her to all of the museums. I love art and I hope she does too.

MINI | Has your style changed at all since becoming a mom?

KERRY PIERI | I’m probably a little more girly since I had Lila. And I love a coordinating look with her.

MINI | Favorite places to go in NYC with kids?

KERRY PIERI | She just learned to walk a few months ago so now that it’s getting cold, the Met, MoMA, the Frick, and the Whitney are perfect places to practice.

FAST FACTS

LAST BOOK I READ Ethan Frome. It was on my mom’s Nook app. Wow, that is a sad story.

ON MY NIGHTSTAND Moby Dick.

TYPICAL COFFEE ORDER Whole milk cappuccino.

IF THERE WERE MORE HOURS IN THE DAY, I WOULD Spend them with my girl.

FAVORITE KIDS BOOK The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin.

CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO Daniel Caesar.

BEFORE KIDS, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD Like taking slow, meandering walks this much.

FAVORITE KIDS MOVIE My personal fave growing up was Little Women.

ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE Olives, raisins and gouda. The best snack.

IDEAL DATE NIGHT Gluten free pizza from De La Rocco’s in BK Heights.

FAVORITE LOCAL SHOP Salter House opened up nearby. They have good cappuccinos and the cutest things to buy like wooden toys and pretty nightgowns.

photography by STEPHANIE SUNDERLAND