The Audacity

While ELIZABETH “LIZZEE” HILL was sourcing furniture and fabric for clients, she kept running into the same issue. She could not find exactly what she was looking for within a reasonable price range. That’s when it hit her: She needed to find “the audacity” to create her own. Audacity, Hill’s new collection of upholstery, pillows, and furniture, recently soft-launched, with online ordering available in the coming months.

As a natural extension of her Wilmington-based interior design business, Hart & Hill Interiors, Audacity reflects Hill’s personal style of bold color, eclecticism, and timelessness. She has worked closely with Hart & Hill’s designer and head showroom merchandiser, RICKY PATTERSON (shown above with Hill), to take Audacity from idea to reality.

“I am a very extra person by nature, and I wanted that to come through in this brand. Think fringe, color, and pattern,” Hill says. “Price point was a big deal. Custom can get so expensive, especially when you’re like me, and you’re like, let’s add fringe and contrast welt; dollar signs are falling. I asked myself, ‘How do we give people a product in a chair or sofa that isn’t completely unreasonable but keeping it within that certain mid-to-high level?’”

Much like Audacity, Hill found her way to interior design through innovation and reinvention. After raising her three children, she wanted to set the example that you can pivot, start over, or pursue dreams at any point in life. In 2023, she started Hart & Hill Interiors with the help of HOLLEY ROBERSON, who today serves as manager, co-founder, and designer.

The two used Roberson’s knowledge of the furniture business combined with Hill’s experience in interior design, renovation, and sourcing to bring Hart & Hill to life. They opened the brick-and-mortar store on Oleander Drive in 2024. Hart & Hill offers both interior design services and retail, with products sold off the floor – including lamps, sofas, and chairs – available that day.

“I wanted a place where customers who enjoy decorating could come and collaborate to build their dream design,” she says. “We all strive to make homes feel beautiful, welcoming, usable for everyday life and special occasions.”

From whole-home interior design to one-off rooms like a nursery, Hill works on a variety of projects, adapting to each client’s needs and scope of work. Many of her clients are looking to fill gaps within their home, especially on the retail side, whether it is a sofa that does not fit a new space or a client inundated with choices. While many come to Hart & Hill with an affinity for design, they look to Hill for collaboration, sourcing trade-only furniture and fabrics, and customization, she says.

“As we grow, we’re learning,” she says. “We have replaced some brands that didn’t sell, added Mahjong, and hosted a big Christmas event, which we aim to expand every year. We also added antiques and one-of-a-kind finds.”

Patterson joined the team two years ago, advising Roberson and Hill on retail staging and serving as a guide during Hart & Hill’s Christmas market, sourcing ribbons, decor, and ornaments. Hill notes a large part of the process actually happens after the design is finished, and that’s where JENNA SCHAEFFER comes in, handling orders, logistics, and follow-ups.

Audacity seemed like the natural next step for Hill, whose creativity largely influences the way she decorates. She loves things in a room that are unique, prompt a giggle, or start conversation, mentioning a lamp in the store with a middle finger finial and how it only lasted two hours before it was purchased. With a self-described mischievous side, Audacity seamlessly fits within the larger brand narrative.

“Being in my forties, I’m now less concerned when I’m making decisions; I’m not saying, ‘Oh gosh, is this going to be too much?’” Hill says. “This has opened me up to better design. When you’re allowed to relieve that pressure off yourself, you’re allowed to perform.”
Audacity’s debut pieces include a tufted armchair in blue and white animal-spot fabric, with pink contrast welt and a playful bullion fringe base.

Furniture donning Tibetan-style tigers or Chinoiserie Pagoda upholstery reflect Hill’s vibrant inclinations. Even Audacity’s monochromatic fabrics are saturated with color, and there are neutrals, too, but in leopard print or tonal cheetah.

“It’s not as loud as your normal cheetah print; it says something, but doesn’t scream at you,” she says. “I like houses to have a lot of personality.”

Although launching Audacity has been a learning process, she doesn’t shy away from describing how fun it has been, either. Hill has also been giving second life to vintage sofas and chairs, fashioning pieces in refreshed upholstery and reworking them to serve as beautiful, functional items for everyday living. Those pieces will be available as Audacity’s One of a Kind items.

To view more of photographer and stylists Drewe & Kate’s work, go to dreweandkate.com

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