team

lizzie hand
co-founder

Lizzie was born and raised in Brooklyn Heights, four blocks from abitare. After graduating from St. Ann’s School in the Heights, she attended Vassar College and the French Culinary Institute in New York. For 6 years, Lizzie acted as Manager for an importing and design firm specializing in luxury clothing and accessories from Italy, India, and Nepal. It was here that she met Joanne. Lizzie brings her small business and organizational skills to abitare as well as her love of all things “home”.

joanne esposito
co-founder

Joanne graduated from New York University with a degree in Fine Arts. She worked in retail in New York City for many years before taking a position at a luxury goods importing firm, which is where she met her partner Lizzie. Most recently, Joanne acted as the New York agent for C&C Milano, the luxury Italian linen and home textile company. Joanne brings her retail experience, as well as a keen artistic sense to abitare.