Hi!
Thank you guys so much for sending in questions recently. Such a fun and creative mix! It took me a moment to put this together with G catching the flu and a few other hectic happenings over here... but so it goes. On to some of your ponderings!
Favorite fragrances for home and self?
Soap
My holy grail is Pomegranate Noir Hand & Body Soap by Jo Malone. Our wedding scent—so it's extra special and takes me back, but it's just truly the most incredible smell. I need to order some more now that I think about it. I have half a bottle left in Grace's room and every time she washes her hands... the scent lingers around her and captivates me every time! It is intoxicatingly delicious. Love that something as simple as hand soap can make you stop and appreciate such a simple happiness. My motto for designing and curating for my home is: nothing needs to be mundane. I also love this hand soap that I discovered last year and Ortiga hand soap.
Candles
Some favorites off the top: Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir (can't stop won't stop), Cire Trudon Abd el Kader, Hudson Grace 'Kitchen Candle' and a few other favorite go-tos here. Always taking candle recs if you know of something in a similar vibe as the above!
Fragrances
I love subtly sweet. Mostly fresh fruit but some floral-y notes, too (just not into florals that lean more soap-y). Bal D'Afrique, Mango Skin, Peony & Blush Suede, Velvet Rose & Oud
What are you most particular about?
I think the cold hard answer is everything? To name a couple that come right to mind: lighting... I loathe bright white stark lighting. I need warm, dim ambiance at home. I'm really tidy by nature—so try and keep our home and things in order as it brings me such peace! Plus, working from home, this kind of upkeep leads to less distraction too. Design wise—I've been training my eye since I was very young... I am very black and white with making design choices and usually my preference leans strongly one way or another. This helped with decision making in remodel! I see things in a certain way and trust my intuition, and am quite particular about how I design a space, organize, and style.
Me texting Matt:
What are your favorite features of your new kitchen?
In love with how our kitchen was brought to life. My favorite elements are our marble framed window, so dreamy — all the materiality, really, which was my priority and focal point with the space. I always wanted classic marble counters and limestone tiling. If I can't live in Europe, I shall bring the vibe to me. Obsessed with our oven (an ILVE) and knew I wanted lots of sconces. I don't like recessed lighting. I am all for mid-level lights, lamps, and a chandelier or pendant. Due to code we had to do 4 recessed (which honestly isn't a bad thing when we have a spill etc.). No one asked... but in case you care, haha!
Sconces always add an immense amount of old-world charm. I could tell my contractor and crew throught I was insane with how many we added (and kept adding) to the house... but in the end they all understood.
I linked all the details to our kitchen here.
Favorite latest home find?
I just ordered this side table for Grace's new room and absolutely love it! I'm also jealous of the bed we got her. I feel like I should thank Grace's Instagram aunties for this, because I won a contest they held over the holiday season for best-seller. I wasn't able to redeem the initial reward (it included a long haul trip), so they let me choose a piece of furniture instead. Thank you guys so very much for always supporting/trusting in me. These little wins that cross my path every so often really do mean the world and make me feel so motivated to keep doing my thing.
I also recently just discovered this adorable home shop and got a handful of little things, olive oils, linens, and jams!
What is the first thing you've bought (or will buy) for spring?
I bought this crochet top that feels very me for after the baby arrives. I also caved for the Toteme woven T Lock. I have the leather cognac version and the small croc clutch and they are such beautiful bags. I justified as it should arrive around my birthday!
So excited to see what you do for girls room, any teasers?
I just ordered a handful of things for both! Shared foundational items here. I will post more about this as they start to come together in a month or two!
Top 5 must-have coffee table books?
This is really hard to nail down, but a handful I am sitting next to that I've bookmarked so many things from. Both of Isabel López-Quesada's books (favorite designer!) here and here, Both Atelier AM books here and here, Stephen Sills. Linking all my favorites here.
Do you stick to a work day schedule / routine?
Nope. My work is very much based around what I am currently into, spending time on, and of course navigating around mom duties. I am really trying to get back to having a little more structure this year, as last year was incredibly exhausting, disorderly, and was operating a lot of the time in survival mode. My morning and evening routines look very similar... but while Grace is at school and Matt is at the office, I change things up a lot and run with whatever project is exciting me. A lot of you asked questions around day in the life, routine, etc. so might put an "ideal week day and weekend" post together to dive into this a bit more.
What's your next renovation project?
In a dream world here is a list of what we'd like to do:
1. Renovate our garage. It has no insulation, exposed walls (you can see the nails from the roof), our garage door is half broken and has a wide opening on one of the bottom sides so critters can 100% get in. It's just a total mess. We are going to try and sort this out in the summer so that we can safely store more things inside and create a happier gym setting. Matt's Peleton is out there and eventually I'd love to get a reformer. Since G is taking over my office, and I utilize that closet for coats... we are in need to be strategic about storage.
2. Build an ADU in the back corner of our lot as a pool house / guest room / my office. We were hoping to do this with our renovation but the price tag deterred us.
3. Pool! We have really hot summers here, so it will be such a value add when the time comes. I've always loved a pool in the grass—can't wait to bring this to life. I prefer waiting until both girls fully know how to swim though!
4. If we decide to stay for a longer stint... we have thought about expanding the house and creating a primary suite off the living room.
5. One other idea I've had is creating a little gym behind the garage in this courtyard with french doors! This is only if we see a future here through the girls high school experience.
Smaller scale and in the works now is getting custom closet quotes for Grace's new room to maximize that space. We are waiting on the bid for the garage, too. Those are our 2025 home projects for now!
Flattered or frustrated by imitators?
A few years back, it would bother me every once in awhile. The icky feeling of being used as a template—my site, writing, imagery, even bio sometimes would be replicated and I'd get messages daily from readers letting me know. The line is crossed when it's constant and when creating a business off of what someone else has built. Otherwise, my ideas are shared because I hope they can be applied, loved, appreciated, enjoyed!
Rick Rubin was part of my mindset shift to not caring anymore. He speaks about how all artists copy at some point *until they find their own voice and direction*. And that if someone copies you, it just means they love you. I chose that point of view and I move on, and just keep creating. As Mel says, Let them!
Just gonna keep my head down, do my thing, follow what lights me up—that's all that matters.
Top 5 most used things from wedding registry?
Vitamix, March splatterware, our silverware, pots and pans / the best baking sheets ever, wine glasses. Bunch of my favorite kitchen essentials here!
What's at the top of your grand wish list right now?
My dream car. We need a second by fall when both little ones will be in pre-school/child care.. so I am hoping I can make it happen. I have actually never had *my own* car before. I grew up driving my dad's... and haven't had a car since I moved to SF in 2010. Obviously we share our 1 car now (what's mine is yours and so on)... but I am very excited at the idea of finally attaining my very own!
Can you share some favorite jewelry options for kids monogram?
Viltier — my new G necklace is so unique and fun! My friend has this Ariel Gordon pendant with her girl's birthdays in roman numerals and it's so stunning, I want it. I also have and love this one!
Where do you begin with your design projects, home and garden?
Pinterest, always. I'm a visual person and need to first have clarity on overall mood/look I am going for. I'll usually save a bunch of photos of spaces that resonate and from there, will create another board to start sourcing products to see how things work together side by side. For garden, it's the same process with imagery inspiration. I just take notes on particular color schemes and the look and texture of plant combinations that I'm being drawn to.
One great piece of advice you took when becoming a new mom?
A podcast I was listening to right before Grace was born said that a baby/toddlers one and only job is to feel all the emotions on the spectrum. It really brought me peace during tough moments. It actually kind of aligns with Mel's "let them" theory. Just knowing... they can go from happy to disaster mode in seconds and that's just who they are right now... brought me peace. Rather than questioning myself or allowing it to set me off. I thought about the phrase all the time when G was really little, it definitely helped me.
What's the best facial you've had in the area?
The remodel facial at Halehouse is my favorite ever! An investment but the ultimate treat and worth every penny.
What's inspiring you lately?
Thinking about spring gardening! Sunny days ahead, getting the girls rooms ready, easing into newborn bubble life. I'm really excited. I've been watching old videos of G and she really did become a little kid so fast! I am so grateful we got to soak up and enjoy every stage of baby and toddlerhood. Now that I am missing those days, they are coming right back to me.
How do you handle those who view your life as a competition vs. inspiration?
This topic has come up as new territory for me over the last decade and it's an interesting one. It's very clear to me when people are competitive, and in my opinion, it just ruins the chance of genuine interaction and connection. I've noticed that those who show up in life as their authentic selves... can be happy for others with true enthusiasm. No ego standing in the way, just open arms. These are the kind of people I put my energy into and surround myself with.
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
My creativity and energy (in normal times!) is the most fresh and vibrant first thing. Forever and always a morning person. Early rise, early bedtime for me! Love an early night sleep.
Can you share details on your bedside tables and hardware?
Absolutely love our bedside tables. I just swapped the hardware (#particular). They are beautiful—we needed more concealed storage space in our room.
How are you feeling these days about the social media world you work in?
I've come to learn that I just don't want to be so involved in the world itself—but utilize it to connect with those who read my blog and to pass along my work. I don't follow other accounts closely, I feel like it's just a distraction. I want to spend my spare time with my friends and family, puttering around my house, inspiration hunting, gardening, reading, writing. So social media usage has become very black and white for me this past year.
Not here for the strategies to grow or gain a mass following. I like the slow and steady, maintaining a peaceful sliver of the internet. I've always utilized creation as a tool to sharpen my skills in areas of interest: my writing, photography, graphic design, curating. From when no one was reading, to lots of eyes now who do—I'll always enjoy creating for me.
What is something new you would like to learn?
I want to learn how to make my own bread! In truth, I am a little daunted. I have the tools, a course ready, but have been resisting. Going to change that this winter, though, thanks for the nudge/reminder!
What do you feel misunderstood about?
Apparently enneagram 4's innately feel misunderstood their whole lives! One thing that comes to mind is that I can be the overly excited type that in the past and certain situations, I feel like I'm "too much". I also think that I am so much better articulating my feelings and thoughts by way of writing vs verbally communicating sometimes. I'm not sure, I feel like as I get older, I don't think about this as much as I did when I was young. I continue to obtain more and more self-acceptance and love. I understand me (most the time)!
Top 3 favorite things about your home and 1 thing you like the least?
Top 3 favorites: 1) we've really brought out the house's best potential since buying and have created a very happy backdrop. It's truly what I always envisioned (vibe wise) for raising a family and I'm so proud of us for the thought, grit, and investment we've put into it all. 2) Our property is quite big so it gives us lots of opportunity to expand if we choose to down the road. 3) Our kitchen / patio indoor outdoor flow is the stuff of my dreams.
Least favorite: the bedrooms are a little bit small, but we work with it. Same for closets... we have had to get very crafty with maximizing closet / storage space (all reach ins and little at that!).
Describe your style!
Quality classic foundation with joyful layers.
Thanks again for the fun and thoughtful questions—more to come soon!
lately
