About me

My love of plants has always taken me on adventures.  A four foot tall dieffenbachia was my copilot on a solo drive from Houston, Texas to Brooklyn in 2001 .  Years later on a cross country motorcycle trip, I sought out selfies with giant saguaro cactus in the Arizona desert.

While quarantining and social distancing over the past 18 months, my plants have pushed me towards another adventure.  First, I turned our Stuy-Town apartment into a greenhouse and filled every corner and surface with both decorative and edible plants.  When I ran out of space in our New York City home, I looked outdoors for more space to garden.   I built a raised bed, then another.  Then a few more.  Nature became my safe space and surrounding myself with plants and growing my own food was increasingly therapeutic.  It was where I felt productive, empowered and free.  

Now, as we all work towards establishing a new normal, I’m eager to continue to explore this space and help empower others to reap the same benefits.  Named after my favorite houseplant, a Ficus Lyrata, aka Fiddle Leaf Fig, I’ve created Lyrata Design, to combine my background in design with my expertise and passion for plants and the outdoors.  I’m proud to offer practical design and consulting services (along with a tightly curated product line) to help people integrate nature into their urban environment.  

I have filled my home and the homes of loved ones with plants over the past few years and have recognized the value of crafting and maintaining healthy green spaces.  I look forward to helping you do the same. 

                                                                     -Plant Dad Chad