The Hogwart’s great room and the thousands of candles floating in the air. Bag End’s porthole door embedded into the side of a grassy hill. The rocky chasms of Basgiath’s war college (modeled after my backyard’s very own rocky mountains!). And on and ON!

These little worlds engulf and transport us, creating the perfect setting for adventure, joy, and heartbreak to unfold. There is something about the worldbuilding of these novels that makes the unbelievable, actually believable. Like we too, can master charms, survive goblins, and ride dragons into battle.

This intentional curation of these worlds have a lot more in common with our homes than at face value. I SO believe we can curate our home in a way that feels like you are transported to another planet. This includes all the good parts which likely includes decadent meals after a hard quest, cozy roaring fires, and of course, insane and wonderful clothing. (but absolutely NOT the dementors…we are leaving those behind.)

I dug deep into the depths of the internet to learn more about how authors successfully create these worlds. There are three foundations that can help us make our homes the most restful and joyful escape!

World-building a home needs:

1. A foundation in its setting.

2. Acceptance that the “impossible” is in fact normal.

3. Authenticity as the secret weapon.

1) Foundation in Setting

Writing a story is much like building a house — you can have all the right ideas, materials, and tools, but if your foundation isn’t solid, not even the most beautiful structure will stand. - Jerry Jenkins

The foundation of any fantasy novel is in its setting. Where are the characters living? What kind of magic system is there? What is society like? These provide structures that intentionally serve the story. The environment is purely the backdrop for dialogue and tension to unfold in the following pages.

With our homes, the story of our homes is how you live in it. (the good and the expected!) The making your coffee with sweet cream in a moment of silence with morning sunshine and perhaps also your dog puking on your sofa just moments later.

The setting of our home upholds who lives in it. This is shown through physical objects like art, furniture, lamps etc. To understand a foundation of a home, I like to ask questions like:

• “How do you want to feel when you walk into your home?”

• “What spaces do you find yourself having the best conversations?”

• “What are your favorite memories in nature?”

Questions like these often reveal both aesthetic and lifestyle preferences, providing direction and framework to the look and functionality of a home.

Without a solid structure in the setting of our home, we risk living in a space that doesn’t match our lifestyle. Think of Harry Potter fighting Voldemart in a high-tech futuristic robot city… it just feels wrong!

DESIGN TAKEAWAY: The story of a home is rooted in how people like to live. The setting of a home supports all manners of living. Understanding the setting creates the proper foundation for your home.

2) The Impossible Is Normal

There is a term called “a willing suspension of disbelief” in fantasy writings. Readers will throw logic and skepticism to the wayside to accept impossible elements of fantasy - like chocolate moving frogs! Audiences will engage in these absurdly crazy ideas for the sake of escaping into a good book.

These impossible elements are so normal to a storyline and they never feel out of place. I’ve seen that there are some aspects of our home that feel “impossible” per our preconceived ideas of what a home should be.

“You shouldn’t mix metals”

“Only use once accent color”

“A zebra door-knocker is not good for resale value.”

These rules are antiquated, dull, and unimaginative like little gnats buzzing in our ear. (TBH I think they stem from the what not to wear era in the 2000s).

Let us remind ourselves!! Not every fantasy book is for every reader. Your home is not for everyone. It can be a little weird. If someone criticizes your home, not only are they boring, but they don’t have to ever visit again!

But also, a home that has a proper setting and structure (see above :)), the “weird” elements will fit RIGHT in.

Homes are often missing a little playfulness and peculiarity. Yes, you can totally put wallpaper on all four walls AND the ceiling AND over your lightswitch cover. At that, a dachshund table lamp? Please!!

DESIGN TAKEAWAY: Your home can be a little weird. “Impossible” design choices are “normal” as long as they match the setting.

3) Authenticity Is The Secret Weapon

The best fantasy stories are the ones where the protagonists’ lives are a litttttle messy. They may lack confidence, strength, and also HIGH chance they come from a semi-unstable household.

More so, when we see them make mistakes, or hear their internal anxiety-driven dialogue, they become so insanely relatable and our favorite characters!

The same is true for our homes. Think of a super sterile mega mansion with not a lick of dust on a windowsill. It feels like the WORST feelings of a ghost town - is anyone actually home? Like yes, it is likely dazzling with perfectly curated bouclé armchairs to match. But it is missing something so crucial; that someone actually lives there!

Seeing favorite blankets tossed on a sofa, crayons out on the kitchen table, cookbooks open on the counter, a dog’s favorite toy on the ground, makes a home feel truly livable to anyone who enters.

These aspects create authenticity and moments where others truly love to linger. Just when our favorite character reveals their imperfect nature, it’s a similar moment of “oh, you are just like me!”

DESIGN TAKEAWAY: Authenticity is often missing in homes, livable elements bring a magic aspect of relatability into any environment.

Who knew our homes had so much in common with fantasy novels? To recap - here are the three areas that you can worldbuild your home just like your favorite fantasy novel:

1. A home needs a foundation of who is actually living there.

2. “Impossible” design choices can be a normal thing, as long as they match the setting.

3. An authentically lived-in home is the best kind of home out there.

What are you eager to try?

Happy worldbuilding!

Special thank you to these resources that inspired and helped this article:

Darling Axe - Building a Fictional World: A Novelist’s Guide

Tale Foundry - Worldbuilding: How to Start- Worldbuilding series

Jerry Jenkins - A Step-By-Step Guide to Immersive Worldbuilding

For me, my childhood bestie had this beautiful wooded and wild backyard. We would spend hours lounging in a cottonwood tree, talking about our crushes, what music we liked, and how to best capture fireflies. We dreamed and giggled while being hugged in the sweet sticky air of moss and summer.

It was like our safe outdoor sofa, that tree. I still remember the grooved texture of the bark. My hands can feel that exact tactility while I type.

So many homes today are builder-boxes that shut out the surrounding landscape. Even more, these closed-in homes are filled to the square inch with “advanced” “highly durable” and “pet-friendly” plastic floors, plastic countertops, and plastic paint.

Highly manufactured materials that are created to look like natural elements, give a disconnect between the fond memories we have in nature vs. what is in our reality. On the flip side, using natural wood and natural stone has been proven to actually support our nervous systems. (And come on, don’t we all need a little bit more of that!) Here is a bit more into that science:

Wood

You know her, you love her. Oaks, pecans, pines, walnuts. I WAITING for a client who craaaaves wood wall paneling just like a twenty-something girl who craves diet coke at absolutely all times of the day.

Many studies have proven that simply seeing natural wood can help lower blood pressure and encourage a calmer parasympathetic state.¹(That is the part of our body that responds to fight or flight). This supports EVERY ounce of us including our focus and emotional balance.

Another study proved that after being around an environment with natural wood, people experienced lower cortisol and reduced stress hormones.2 Like you’re kidding!?! Two of my current favorite and eco-centered wood flooring companies are Craft and Stuga. (Easy, breezy, beautiful, wood floors!)

P.S if you are team “wood floors scratch anyway” so “I don’t actually want to spend the money on real wood floors”...

1 - You are looking at the wrong wood floor and finish because there are some better than others when it comes to flooring.

2 - Let’s face it, wood floors WILL scratch. We aren’t meant to eat, sleep, or read in a sterile museum! I see over and over again how people actually yearn for “livable” interiors. Hence the lived-in part.

And THREE! Even with scratches, a quality engineered floor or solid wood floor can be refinished to smooth out the general wear & tear that accumulate over time.

Stone

Using wood and plants typically get all of the love when it comes to curating restful interior spaces. However, natural stone has the same superpower when used effectively in an interior.

One study found that simply looking at stone reduces anxious stress responses. It provides enough stimulation that you don’t have to touch it to gain the benefits.3

The study credits this phenomenon to the science of fractals. Stone veining are filled with these branch-like patterns that do wonders to our brain’s health. (More on fractals here.)

My favorite natural stones of the moment are emerald lagoon, calacatta fantastico, and calacatta breccia viola.

Stone + wood are absolutely IT for you + your coziest home + your most regulated nervous system. Science proves it.

Are you craving a bit more humanness for your home?

With wood and stone, also consider mixing materials that will age gracefully over time. These will really showcase the lived-in feeling we all crave.

Unlacquered brass hardware or fixtures will patina with age and wear. Raw leather starts as a creamy tan, and oxidizes and softens to a deeper brown. Finnish architect & designer, Alvar Aalto, used this trick to wrap door handles with leather for a softer touch. (love!) Also, leathered or matte natural stone countertops give just a little bit more tactility in a space.

Cheers to creating a home the way that younger forest-lover you would MELT over.

Happy curating,

In a similar vein, this past fall a dear friend, enthralled in the role of a new mother, was feeling frozen between 3 slightly different shades of green for her main bathroom renovation. The project got abandoned altogether to prioritize other household tasks.

Does this feel familiar?

I run into this so often with clients and friends when it comes to things related to the arts & aesthetics. When we feel immobilized in decision making, it is often linked to our current emotional capacity, that shifts and changes like the tide. Some seasons, we are able to take on more, others, not as much. (Not to mention the financial commitment of a home!) PLUS the spiraling thoughts if this investment is really worth it? Or perhaps, more on the nose -

Am I worth this investment?

When I am in a season of overwhelm, I find less to give to myself. Less care to my houseplants, less capacity to figure out an organizing system for my clothes, less ambition to purchase a pair of jean shorts I’ve been needing for eons. (Fashion is on the mind, can’t you tell!?)

Lies disguised as half-truths sneak in:

“You don’t really need a piano, maybe in 5 years or so.”

“The bathroom is fine the way it is, it’s not the cutest, but at least the toilet works.”

“You have one pair of jean shorts, those will last through the summer, won’t trends change by then?”

Those little critical voices, while small and seemingly insignificant, can echo from the greater chaos, despair, anxiety and unknowns from our lives. Being immobilized in decisions is never just about a singular decision, like paint color. More often than not, our anxieties and current emotional capacity are driving our decisions more than we would like. Or sometimes, stops us all together. (queue - inside out 2!).

However, in this chaos of a world, let me remind us what is true.

The design of our homes have the power to bring tangible kairos into our lives. Kairos, while it has many definitions, feels like a first sip of a latte with a close friend, like watching the explosion of colors in a sunset, like being spellbound in a favorite book. It’s a moment, (often influenced by the environment ;)) where the idea of time somehow stops completely. Where we are simply existing in wonder as ourselves. Not as Anxiety overtaking our Control Console. It’s a true glimpse of who we are created to be.

Even more so, when the aesthetics of our home are expressed authentically, we get to live in more of these Kairos-like moments. More abundance in the everyday - in the small and big. Small like making a homemade soup in a butter-yellow kitchen, and big like hosting your first Thanksgiving with a beautifully thrifted oak table.

Our little anxiety-driven bugs like to keep us from living fully as ourselves. When our brains get overwhelmed we find the path to the least resistance with our homes. Think like the recycled Pinterest algorithm, what big-box stores sell, or whatever the builder-grade special is.

It takes a lot of emotional energy to create a home that is genuinely yours. Some seasons aren't meant for pushing or forcing decisions. Sometimes, it's better to let yourself and your home simply be until you're ready to create from a place that feels true.

Let’s talk more about the financial commitment just a bit. I do understand how daunting this is, especially as prices seem to keep rising. However, if you are spending 50,000K+ on a renovation, or even buying a 300,000K+ house, (s/o to the Kansas housing market!!) aren’t you worth a bit more time and energy to fully know and understand your personal aesthetic so you have something you truly love? Not with something that “just works for now?” or is “good for resale” but not good for you?

You and your home are meant for more. I am here to encourage you, and provide the best guidance along the way. AND 10000000% here to help you create cosmos out of the chaos. All for curating your best home for you, and not the algorithm!

Happy curating,

These past two years, I have rediscovered a love for watercoloring. I’ve stuck to abstract shapes, patterns, and textures. They are childlike and often capture an ethereal feeling or moment.

Anytime I try to capture something more “real” like a literal leaf or landscape, my hands cannot create the wonder of what my brain sees! I get frustrated in trying to force a quite literal end result. I give up and stick to my abstract studies as there are no real rules there. (mind you, my architectural studies taught me to draw buildings soo precisely.)

But, with the spring/ summer sunshine, I have been more interested in capturing gardens. My twin brother, Carter as you know, thrifted me with this painting gardens and flowers book. The intro is allll about having a specific story to paint. A canvas is not to capture every single thing a garden or flower is, but narrowing it down to your specific interpretation or story.

For example, Monet famously studied water lilies in his garden. His story was simply all about how light interacts with the water. Not light AND the canopy of the surrounding trees, AND every single flower in bloom AND all of the colors of the universe AND a butterfly that (probably) floated on by etc.

Monet’s personal story also impacted his paintings, he lost his first wife and retreated to this ephemeral garden that held such beauty and peace in a time of sorrow. (Not to mention the rumblings of chaos of WW1)

Thinking about specific worldviews has given me much more freedom in painting. I get to be very distinct in what I want to capture, whether it’s purely color, light, or pattern.

This is such an encouragement when it comes to curating our homes!

Each of us have our own unique worldview that will impact the art you hang up, the sofa you choose, the colors you love, and so on! Tragically, I often see personal worldviews and stories we hold being completely ignored. Homes (in America at least) end up like a version of this:

With this kitchen to match:

The black and white phenomenon is fascinating too because you could be anywhere in America and run into this aesthetic. Locality is lost.

A lawyer who lives on take-out in New York lives in this home.

A young family of four who cook pizza every Friday in western Kansas lives in this home.

Our worldviews are different. Our personalities are different. Our lifestyles are different. But we are living in the same interiors? Make it make sense?!?

Like I get it, copying and pasting the algorithm / your neighbors home is easy, streamlined, and (mostly) straightforward. It’s tested and tried and you know it looks good. It’s safe for the sake of its resale value.

Our homes should definitely feel safe, but that also means NOT playing it safe with our interior selections. More than safe, they should feel abundant, joyful and full of enchantment. Like stepping into a 3D world of your favorite stories and travels. Like stepping into the Narnia wardrobe! Story-driven design is simply not found in the carbon copies of homes today.

Yes, it is a bit scary. (especially financially). BUT, if you have the right counsel, (or the right designer ;)) it becomes the best kind of everyday magic!

Want to know the best secret?

There are no real rules. There is also nobody that does you better than YOU. Your worldview, your favorite vacations, your coffee ritual, your opinion about pineapple on pizza, etc. Your specific worldview impacts how your home becomes something uniquely yours. It doesn’t need to match the neighborhood’s algorithm.

Let’s put our childlike-artist glasses on when it comes to your home! Design isn’t that serious anyways! Have a little fun and create your own little specific world. I am here to help along the way.

Are there any interior styles, materials, or decor that you love but you may be a bit afraid to commit to? Drop in the comments below:

Happy curating,

P.S Not sure what your interior style is? I have a service just for this.

P.S.S Here are some additional articles that will help you create a uniquely cozy and intentional home.

(The opportunity! The flowering air! The urge to book a reading-forward beach vacation…!)

I owe this excitement to being a dedicated participant in my library’s summer reading program growing up. It was the best (not only because of the prizes ;)) but because I was able to read what I wanted to! Not the rando books required from school.

The 70 degree weather also brings an atmosphere of delight while reading amidst a backdrop of cherry plum trees, dappled light, and sweet breezes. This season coaxes us into a little bit more joy with the colorful tulips scattered around and about.

Here are 5 books that celebrate and inspire the blissful beauty of nature & color. These will most definitely inspire your next home project.

Subscribe now

1. A Dictionary of Color Combinations Vol. 2 by Sanzo Wado

For you if: You need some new color inspo.

A book to stir you out traditional color combos. The author, Sanzo Wado (1883-1967) was a Japanese painter and costume designer and has curated such harmonious color combos that have stood the test of time. Volume 2 delves into seasonal palettes rooted from the Japanese calendar.

(If you do any digital graphics or art you can find digital palettes here.)

2. Wild: The Naturalistic Garden by Noel Kingsbury & Claire Takacs

For you if: You are curious about sustainable or wild gardening.

Is anyone getting bored of tightly manicured lawns? Featuring 40 gardens from around the world, this book explores the approach to wild planting with an ecological focus. Think, an enchanted fairy-tale forest that meets the needs of our climate today. It’s whimsy that meets listening to what our earth needs.

(P.S are you on the hunt for beautiful, ethically crafted pots for your garden or porch? Look no further than at Bergs Potter.)

3. Flower Color Theory by Taylor & Michael Putnam

For you if: You need color inpso and/ or you love flowers.

The authors, Putnam & Putnam, are high-fashion florists who are known for their romantic and color-focused arrangements and installations. This book presents color palettes through the lens of floral arrangements. This book is inspiring to bring nature-forward color into our homes.

4. Chromophobia by David Batchelor

For you if: You are curious why color is so polarizing.

This book explores how and why the western culture has deviated from color. The idea of chromophobic impulse or a “fear of corruption or contamination through color” is fundamental. Color has often been associated with something feminine, superficial, and cosmetic. The book names why resistance to color is so ingrained in our world, and how artists continue to push forward anyway.

I love the tension of this quote from the author -

“if colour doesn’t matter, why does its abolition matter so much?”

5. The Tulip Garden by Polly Nicholson

For you if: You love tulips and want more of them!

This book contains gardening advice and wisdom dedicated solely to tulips. The author, Polly Nicholson, is a florist and gardener from England with a special focus on all varieties of tulips. She tells us how to grow all of these varieties in different settings - whether in a meadow, container, or in a cutting garden.

What book are you adding to your reading list? Are there any others out there that are inspiring you about color or nature? Let me & our other cozy curators know!

Happy curating,

There! A hot take!

I said it!

And with that, vinyl stickers you put over tiles, 4000K lightbulbs, and people who litter.

I’ve been a renter for close to decade now! (ty! housing market!) (okay but really renting is still good and viable don’t throw hands!!) As an interior designer, I have learned some valuable lessons in curating a rental while also plotting and scheming for my dream first home. Removable wallpaper is not included!

But also a confession. I am sort of embarrassed when I invite people to my home. As a girl who not only studied design and who currently curates other people’s homes - my place does NOT reflect the craft.

I could of course give into this instant gratification side of me and shop at big box stores to achieve “a look” and meet my budget.

But I know it wouldn’t be me.

It would lack story.

It would lack authenticity.

It would lack craftsmanship, durability, and detail.

As a renter, it is my goal to collect treasures I will someday bring with me to my first home instead of starting from scratch. This often means acquiring items at a slower, more intentional pace. (Something the instant gratification ogre in me hates!) It’s the acceptance of a half-finished home that slowly compounds overtime. The acceptance that not every season can be a season of bloom.

Curating a home, rental or not, is overwhelming. This is your guideline for what to focus on in creating your dream home! For the sake of slowness and seasonal living I give you to the RENTERS ALMANAC: a seasonal guide to collecting & curation.

Subscribe now

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE:

This guide, inspired by the rhythms of sowing, harvest, and dormancy, is meant to help you choose purchases that will stay with you throughout this renting season—and accompany you into the next.

Spring and Summer is full of work and harvest, whereas the cooler months lead us to settle and pause. Pick one or all items from a season to focus on. There is never a rush and the seasons always come around again. ☺️

GARDENING TOOLS:

1. a collector’s mindset

2. a tape-measure

3. a chunk of patience

March - Mid-May: Spring is all about planting the design seeds and dreaming what is possible. This season brings the biggest push with focus on the largest pieces of art for your home - area rugs and wall art. These will serve as the foundational soil of your curations. They will also help influence all other objects you choose to purchase.

Collecting Focus: AREA RUGS, LARGE WALL ART, & BEDDING

Area Rugs

• Focus on wool for high-traffic areas and cotton for low-traffic areas.

• The size of a large area rug may or may not work in your next home. However, we can be creative with how we use it! A rug does not need to always live on the floor and can be used as a beautiful tapestry in its next life.

• You can always layer rugs on top of one another to adapt to a new space. Sizes of rooms do not have to limit us!

Large Wall Art (paintings, prints, photography, posters, etc.)

• Look for art that is 16”x20” or larger. Putting up wall art will make your rental truly feel like a home. The larger the art, the less focus on plain boring walls! Smaller artwork collecting will come later.

Bedding:

• Okay, you are so worth GOOD cozy bedding. Did you know we spend about 23-27 YEARS of our life asleep? A beautiful duvet cover or quilt is often the foundation of a bedroom. Prioritize a duvet, pillows, sheets, etc.

• Good bedding will easily travel with you from this rental to the next. Look for organic cotton or linen for the the coziest lived-in feel. (I have been targeted through podcast ads and @cozy earth is actually so cozy)

Mid-May to Mid-June: We enjoy the spring artwork that blooms on our walls and/or floors. Let’s begin tending and prepping our homes for the first summer heat. The focus for this season is planting larger furniture pieces that help provide visual structure for your home. (Instead of adding stakes, we are adding sofas!)

Collecting Focus: BIG TABLES & SOFAS

Big Tables (coffee, dining, sideboards, credenzas, etc.)

• A small circular table can easily be used as a cutie cafe table in its next life. Your layout might not even allow for a large dining table. If that is the case, source a 1-2 personal table and use it as an end table in its next life.

• Sideboards and credenzas are always so perfect for storage solutions. These pieces are pretty versatile in most rooms which make them great to collect. These tables can easily be used in entryways, guest bedrooms, as a media stand, or nearby a dining table for hosting accessories.

Sofas (no sectionals!):

• Do not buy a sectional! They may work amazing in this home but not in the next. Instead focus on sofas that seats anywhere from 2-4. We can easily curate this with additional furniture groupings in your next home.

• Avoid anything L-shaped if you can help it! That geometry is often living-room specific. A rectangular shaped sofa + coffee table + two accent chairs provide what you need!

Mid-June to Mid-July: Midsummer holds peak harvests from the foundational work of Spring and early Summer. Key maintenance, pruning, and watering are crucial for the health of your garden. This pruning and watering comes with finding super unique objects - characterful accent chairs and smaller-scale artwork. These smaller, yet impactful pieces give more life into your home.

Collecting Focus: ACCENT CHAIRS & SMALL ARTWORK

Accent Chairs

• My design fairy Godmothers @DearAlice always says that accent chairs should act as characters in a room at your dream dinner party. No two should be the same. One may be flamboyant, another more quiet, and another like your neighborhood spider man. (however you want to take that. ;))

• There is always a use for an accent chair in a living room or guest bedroom. Non-upholstered chairs tend to last longer. However, if you find an upholstered piece you love, this can always be recovered later in life.

Small Artwork

• Here is the time to collect anything 16”x20” and smaller! Smaller artwork often does well with a mat.

• Avoid a quick fix of searching for art on Amazon as a million other homes also have these same images. Thrifting real artwork often brings such joy and realness into any room! Try to find a source of artwork subjects like landscapes, portraits, sketches, abstract, etc.

Late July - August: As summer winds down, we enjoy the harvest of objects sourced! However, our spaces may also feel under-watered and dry. Focus on little items like lamps and small end tables to give new energy to your space. Lighting makes all the difference and your home will bloom once more.

Collecting Focus: LAMPS & LITTLE TABLES

Lamps

• Larger lamps that are 30” or taller will bring more grandeur into a room. Smaller lamps are better for kitchen counters or bathrooms to help provide a cozy ambiance.

• When sourcing second-hand, look to separate the lamp base from the shade - one can likely be better updated to suit your style.

Little Tables

• Think side tables, end tables, or cutie tiny one drink only tables. Look at the wood tones, stone, and metal finishes that you are already collecting and find similar finishes for these little guys.

September - November: This cooler season is all about sourcing the finishing touches in preparation of season of dormancy. Focus on the objects that make your home feel lived-in and unique - books, baskets, & other styling objects.

Collecting Focus: BOOKS & OTHER OBJECTS

Books

• Second-hand books are the absolute best to find! Something about the cooler air makes reading all the more enticing and academic.

• Coffee table books can be great aesthetically, however, focus yourself on the books you will actually want to open and enjoy.

& Other Objects

• Center on collecting items larger than a cantaloupe. When you start collecting items that are smaller than such, your home easily becomes cluttered instead of curated.

December - February: The winter months bring dormancy with a low or no-buy season for your home. This brings a great opportunity to rest and reflect on the objects you curated in the blooms. A low-buy season is also great to ponder what may be missing, or what may not be meeting your needs or dreams.

COLLECTING FOCUS: nothing. Enjoy your home! :)

Questions to ponder:

• Do these objects accurately reflect my personality and my family?

• Do these objects bring joy, delight, or whimsy?

• Is there anything that seems to be missing? Does anything feel off?

AVOID THE APHIDS: Items to Avoid for your Rental

• As mentioned earlier, sectionals!

• Peel & stick anything, These often distract you and become a band-aid fix where it is wiser to spend money on objects you can take with you.

• Generic artwork. I don’t need to say anything more!

USE FLOWER FOOD: Instant Ways to Make your Rental Better

• Change all light bulbs to 2600k for maximum coziness.

• Buy yourself some plants! They are cheaper than furniture, anyways!

• A new throw blanket does WONDERS!

My favorite second-hand sourcing links:

• Chairish

• APT Deco

• 1st Dibs

& For Used Books:

• Thriftbooks

• Biblio

  ---

There you have it! A seasonal guide to curating your best rental that will bloom overtime. Go slow, make seasonal goals, and curate as nature tells us.

Happy Curating! <3

I also admire how these playlists are embedded into their creative process. As a reader, it is so FUN to immerse myself into a song that enhances the emotional connection to the story. (Literally what is Xaden THINKING!?)

And aren’t the spaces around us also rooted in emotional connection? The art we hang from our travels, the dining table we source to bring our favorite people together, the scratches collected in our floors from years and years of birthday parties.

Instead of running to Pinterest before starting a home project, what if you ran to a playlist?

Subscribe now

I’ve recently tested this out with one of my clients (my twin! actually). Carter is so insanely in-tune with music, melodies, beats, bangs, and BOPS. He is a lover of classical and indie folk. The perfect candidate to test run.

While interviewing him to understand his unique design style, I asked for his favorite songs and artists. The ones that when you listen, you really feel like you. Those songs that you can experience in your entire body (the emotional connection, remember!) This helped abundantly in curating a unique interior style that big-box design could never replicate.

The emotion and storytelling led a unique vision - not random “maybe this works?” moments. I threw together this playlist of his favorite artists to help curate the first pulse of his style:

This playlist set the initial vibe. As I started collecting moodboard images of color, materials, form, lighting, etc. I had this playlist in the background. The other discoveries revealed from our interview also helped to hone the more specific images below.

Here is a glimpse of the final product:

COZY IN THE HIGHLANDS: This mood is rooted in 16th century European tradition that feels like curling up next to a warm fire with a classic book in hand. Natural historic hues and wood tones bring warmth and character. Refined English furniture forms create poise and elegance. Sculptural lighting reflects the fluidity and grace of the Scottish Highlands. There is much care in classic details of carved furniture details, ornate knobs, and more. It feels relaxed, yet refined. There is spiritual space for contemplation, music, and rest.

It was so refreshing to start a project in a music-forward headspace. The process became a looser, more engaging, and a bit more story-driven. The slow of Clair de lune is just something the rolling hills of the highlands could SING! Sunflowers by the Lumineers bring an atmosphere of thoughtful contemplation as Carter is a big reader of the classics. The Cave by Mumford and Sons holds such optimism and hope.

I’m eager for you to try this method too! Here are some questions to prompt a creative playlist for your next project:

General Questions:

• What artists do you go back to time and time again?

• What type of new music would you like to discover?

• If your walls could sing, what songs would they want to be?

• What is your most memorable concert?

Questions for Gathering Spaces - Living Rooms, Dining Rooms, Kitchens, etc.

• What songs or artists make you smile?

• …make you want to dance in the kitchen?

• …make you excited to listen to in a grocery store?

• …make you feel hopeful?

Questions for Solitude Spaces - Bedrooms, Showers, Reading Nooks, etc.

• What songs or artists make you feel sorrow?

• …feel nostalgic?

• …feel the most peace?

• …feel the most confident?

I’ve learned to dump ALL of the songs that speak to you, and then edit. And edit again. Good design is specific and intentional to its audience (you! + your family!) Never everything everywhere all at once.

HOT TIP! If you live with a partner or spouse, make a shared playlist and talk about it! Concentrate on your similarities, and STILL keep and collaborate on the differences. (Could a room hold both The Lakes by Taylor Swift and King For A Day by Pierce the Veil? Maybe?! But actually call me. )

Instead of copying images, curating playlists help you design from emotion and atmosphere. Curating a vibe through song opens up a deeper story your home.

One last thing - once you created a playlist you can start diving into images of furniture, fashion, art, architecture to help nail that vision! It’s helpful to look outside the realm of interior-specific images. You also can skip the image hunt all together and design strictly from song. There are no real rules, remember!?

Happy playlist curating!

Safety was never part of the promise. All creativity is dangerous. To write a story or paint a picture is to risk failure.

-Madeline L’Engle

Have you ever felt pulled to something soo specific?

In my childhood, anything creative enchanted me. Finger puppets, clay creatures, iron-on beads, shrinky dinks, pottery, paper monsters, cupcakes, and so on and so forth! Through the encouragement of my mom, I set out to bring this crave of creativity into a career in architecture and design.

Design school was absolutely a dark hole of chaotic madness. Lots of late nights, menty b’s in sterile backrooms, saying no to weekend activities, and pushing my physical and mental self beyond my capacity. (P.S. Have you ever crafted something with your entire heart to only have it be verbally shredded to pieces? Not for the faint of heart!!)

I was so thankful to graduate with minimal burnout and a joy for creating as an act of service to others. (Which, a transformation of achievement-driven stress to peace is a story for another time :))

I started my design career in Dallas, Texas, creating spaces that nearly take up ⅓ of peoples lives - offices! I was frustrated to learn the corporate design industry was very similar to my college studio culture. I saw others 2, 5, and 10 years ahead of me lose a spark for their career.

An opportunity to positively impact and influence others through design became a job to simply clock-in and clock-out. Workaholism at the expense of health was pretty typical. (Not to mention the low pay for such a rigorous schooling and career path). *

I finally got to a point where my work life needed a change. It never reached the bottom of extreme burn-out. But I knew if I continued in this path, it would be inevitable as a 5th animated movie sequel that nobody asked for.

I felt prompted to leave my corporate design job to jump a bit into the unknown. (Terrifying!?!) I expected my career path to be a bit more linear, but I have since accepted the beauty of the unknown in a winding path.

I did not plan to work “untraditionally” with a handful of roles scattered throughout the year, but it happened! I was expecting maybe a 4-6 month break and getting RIGHT back into the grind of a traditional job. (Of course! Ya girl loves to achieve!!)

However, it became 12 months of pulling inward, of slower walks, of baking sugar cookies at 10pm, of creating with no end goal, of falling back in love with stories, one of true rest and rediscovery of my creative voice. **

PLEASE know. It was also 12 months of second-guessing myself, 12 months of feeling lost, 12 months of continual reminding to myself that my worth is never in my work or achievements. (I mean who am I kidding the second-guessing and the feeling lost aspect is continual ;))

I often had moments and lies of “what am I losing” seep into my brain in that season. But, it has been sweet to truly reflect on what I have discovered:

• A work cadence more in line with my body and spirit.

• The richness of nature with the creation of the seasons.

• A healthy body! (I did not get sick all last year except for the very end. A drastic difference from my Dallas life.)

• The courage to hang-up my artwork that I was previously embarrassed to share.

• The power of story through a renewed love of reading.

• ?!?!? Still unboxing all of it, truly!

In that season I also learned and was nudged that:

• My worth is not in my achievements.

• My career is a marathon and not a sprint.

• I need to create outside of my career with no end goal. To truly explore, to make mistakes, to make “ugly” things.

• To create is to affirm meaning and affirm curiosity.

• To create is to enter into kairos.

• There is such joy in creation. (A journal entry from last July: it is SILLY fun how there are jumping fish out there.)

I was also reminded that I do in fact adore my career path in design and everything related. It is the biggest gift to curate rest and joy into the spaces that have the power to encourage us the most - our homes.

Cheers to the joy of sunny days in March. To the cold days that still invade. To you who may be in a similar place and have the courage to accept a season of rest.

Happy curating,

notes! of! love!

* My previous corporate role was so growing and I am so thankful for my mentors, and co-workers who encouraged and helped shape my foundation of good design and good communication. They have taught me so much and I am proud of the work we created together. The negative expressed in this post, is ultimately an industry and greater societal plague with no pinpoint of blame. If you are in the industry, I know you have felt this tension too.

** My break from traditional work would not be possible without my sweet SILLY husband. I sincerely recognize the privilege I have with partnership and marriage with him. He sees me and works so hard at his job to provide for seasons of rest for us both. Thank you for always reminding me to slow down and study the clouds.

*** Subtitle credit was inspired and belongs to John Mark Cromer, the author of Garden City: Work, Rest, & The Art of Being Human.

Because…same.

My current for-you-page includes pet psychics, color-drenching, and the latest on Harry Styles new album! (!?!?) You know, it’s like my own little news station filled with wholesome stories (usually). But do I get sucked in!

This digital lure was created by design, crazy enough. Meta REALLY figured this out because when we scroll to something new and something fast it activates a dopamine response - similar to the addiction of slot machines. (not so META of them!! okay you can fire me later.)

In America, 50% of the population believe they are addicted to their phone. And isn’t that stat weirdly comforting to show we aren’t alone in this battle. However, higher screen time has also been linked to anxiety, depression, lack of sleep, and social isolation. (oh boy I think we could all guess this).12

If doomscrolling was designed to captivate all of our time and attention why can’t our homes be designed as a respite to help us connect with the things that matter most?

Let me introduce you to…The Analog Room!

No TVs. No phone chargers. No reel or tik tok sounds coming from your partner’s phone. No White House news press conference you aren’t sure is real or an AI hoax. No laptop coaxing you with ghost microsoft teams calls.

Consider instead a dedicated space for resting and recharging. A space intentionally crafted for creating instead of consuming. A space devoted for genuine connection with ourselves and with our families. A space specifically designed to make you linger and actually engage with those hobbies you’ve put on the back burner!

How can we create such an anomaly? This analog space could be a living area, bedroom, or simply a “no scrolling sofa”. No matter where it is, we have two specific challenges in curating our best analog space.

#1. The Phone Dilemma - what the HECK do we do with our phones so we aren’t tempted by them? &

#2. The Brain Dilemma - are we just going to sit in silence like a bored statue!? (see no. 1)

Never fear!!

Challenge #1 The Phone Dilemma

When we see it, we want to use it. When we don’t see it, there is still something that itches in us to grab for it. A dedicated home for your phone may help here.

Consider turning your phone back into its wise long-lost ancestor - the landline. I’ve seen some clever solutions with attaching a purse chain to your phone and then hanging it from the wall. When you get home from work, school, etc. you can “hang up” and tether your iPhone to a physical location.

I saw this idea on instagram from (creator of The Cyber Celibate). The material options are endless!

(P.S to those who remember a ~brief~ time without the smartphone and now they currently rule your life you might LOVE this - a landline connected to your iPhone.)

Okay yes, I love that our phone has a new home!? But also yes, we can still mindfully engage with them with our furniture choices.

You know the seating of fast-food restaurants? Traditionally, these have hard-back chairs to stop customers from lingering too long to increase turnover. We can use this same idea to help limit the endless scrolling. Try curating an intentionally “uncomfy” chair or bench right next to your new landline. These can still be cutie and chic! They are designed to sit comfortably for no more than a 20 minute scrolling or texting sesh.

Challenge #2 The Brain Dilemma

Big Meta doesn’t want you to know this but engaging with hobbies ALSO releases dopamine. This dopamine is slower and more sustainable for our mental health.3

In fact, when we have visual prompts to our hobbies our brain is already booosted to engage with them (Queue Atomic Habits by James Clear). Rather than hiding them away in a basket here are some ideas on how to integrate hobbies within the decor of your home:

• For knitters or textile artists - create a knitting wall.

• For music enthusiasts - hang guitars up with your gallery wall. (Because I know you already have a record player!)

• For the bakers - display a rolling pin or cake pans on your wall in the kitchen.

• For the readers - put books literally everywhere! I adore this post, Making Your Home Feel Like A Library by .

• For the writers or painters - curate a desk with your favorite supplies. And leave! Those! Supplies! Out!

Scrolling is created by design to keep our attention on the phone. However, our homes can be intentionally curated to keep our attention within ourselves, our families, and our joyful little hobbies. You are so worth it!

Happy tech-free curating,

Those places that feel so IT and aligned with our nervous systems. Think of a cozy coffee shop and chatting with an old friend. Or an old library that smells like your favorite novel.

These -not work but not yet home- places do wonders for our mental health. They not only foster social engagement and belonging but they help relieve stress.

In fact, there was a study that found going to third places and interacting with others was associated with improved feelings of belonging.1 This is crucial for combatting feelings of isolation. (Which is often a symptom of anxiety and depression.)

Another study of university students proved that eating and drinking in third places strengthens emotional health through rest and relaxation.2 (So I dare ya to go to your favorite coffee shop AGAIN this week! ;))

I am curious how we can incorporate specific elements from our favorite third spaces into our homes? While it may not be possible for our homes to be third places for ourselves… could our homes become third places as a way to serve our friends and neighbors? AND in that naturally becoming everyone’s favorite hangout.

I went on a local tour of my favorite coffee shops and libraries in northern Colorado to observe and study this very question. What specific elements and experiences make them so special? How can we use these exact strategies in our home?

Little Bird Bakeshop

(This might be one of my favorite coffee shops of all time. It is close in ranking to Resurrect Art Coffee House in Seward, Alaska)

This coffee & bakery authentically renovated a 1900s home so you better BELIEVE the aesthetics are charming. The owner kept original details like stained glass and antique light fixtures. Walking in, it feels warm and unpretentious. The furniture is worn but in a way that feels approachable and folksy.

This coffee shop is also the opposite of an open floor plan. There are clear zones between the queuing line to order, and rooms to sit and work or chat intimately with an old friend. (These clear zones also keep the obnoxious whIIIIIR of an espresso machine at bay.) With so many small places to curl up in, I felt like a kid, wanting to wander through every nook and cranny to find yet another safe little haven.

Also, may I say, this coffee shop is NOT afraid of a rug! Immaculate coziness.

Takeaways for our home:

• Don’t skip on design details - drapery, patterns on the wall, stained glass, etc.

• Create little nooks of coziness and safety through walls or room dividers. If you live in an open floor plan, experiment with room dividers or even free-floating bookshelves. (And maybe, think twice IF tearing that wall down is still aligned with your coziness goals for your home.)

• Include various types of furniture - lounge chairs, sofas, cafe table, high-top tables. We are all unique people and like to sit in different types of settings.

Harmony Public Library

This library went through some more recent renovations. Local art is displayed prominently. And like the Little Bird Bakeshop, there are little places to hide and tuck into for studying or working.

The aesthetics were like any publicly funded commercial building, but what makes it SO special are the intentional community-driven activities.

A plant swap shelf -

A community puzzle at the entrance/ exit -

A large NYT crossword puzzle of the day -

These are so FUN! And I think it oddly promotes belongingness and social connection, without needing to talk to a stranger.

Takeaways for our homes:

• Artwork on the wall turns any sterile space into something extraordinary.

• Community activities can be a simple way to bring joy and a little play. Consider these:

  • Plant swap shelf

  • Large printed crossword puzzle

  • Puzzle - I love the idea of this near an entry. Perfect for those ‘just one last piece’ people.

  • Create a sourdough hotel! Offer to store your and feed your neighbor’s sourdough. This is adorably successful in Sweden.

  • Display a magnetic “poetry” board with a bank of random words. Have people create their own poetry or random phrases.

  • Display a Guest Check! This is a large printed “check” for guests to sign or leave a note. Two of my dear late twenty/ early thirty gals have this in their girl house. (A girl house meaning they have magazine prints of Corbin Bleu, Christopher Briney, Abraham Lincoln, the Jonas Brothers on the wall.)

  • Host a Lego station with prompts like create your alter ego, make a lego version your favorite food, or create your very own animal side-kick etc.

The key are activities that are easy for people to engage with and walk away from. Having them be insanely unserious makes it all the more fun.

Fort Collins Coffeehouse

This coffee shop is uniquely on the second floor of a music building. You must walk through a set of doors and walk up a small flight of stairs to find it. The extended entry allows you to shed the outside world and slowly enter into a space of softness and gathering.

Walking in, groups of wise ladies chat over sips of coffee and bites of pastries. It is a quieter atmosphere with jazz music, carpeted flooring, and a small bookshelf. This is THE spot to meet with a group of friends. Their tagline in fact is, “where friends gather”.

The overall aesthetic isn’t anything groundbreaking, but there is such softness and rare slowness throughout. There are primarily circular tables which encourage intentional conversation. Photography and sculptural art are scattered throughout.

Key Takeaways

• If you are living in a house, how can our entryways allow others to shed off the outside world and enter into a more restful place? I’m so curious if our sidewalks to our doorways become a little portal into our homes - transporting you from fast-paced life chaos to a bit calmer.

  • If you live in an apartment, can you create a dedicated entry into your home with furniture, shelving, or other elements?

• Circular tables help encourage meaningful conversation.

• Books are one of the best types of decor.

Third places have irresistible ideas on how our homes can become everyone’s favorite hangout. Think various furniture arrangements to tuck into, unserious and playful activities, and little design details like drapery and artwork on the wall.

What are some of your favorite elements in your DREAM third place?

Happy Curating!

I missed you! And I unintentionally took a little sabbatical from writing this past month. It’s that time for a seasonal update on all things Earthy Moods.

This autumn/ early winter was a bit of a whirlwind. I’m still not sure how it went by so fast! Here are a handful of creative discoveries and nature bliss that fueled me in the midst of the busyness and chaos. I hope they encourage and fuel you too.

Nature Adventures

ASPENS!

I went hiking many times to discover the awe and whimsy of yellow in the mountains!

Yellow has me in an absolute chokehold. I wrote more about it here and how we can bring this same magic into our homes: The Surprise and Delight of Yellow.

In a sea of stone and pine, the cluster of yellow was a welcome surprise - such a little pocket of delight!

Encouragement learned: We can create little pockets of delight in our home just like nature - whether with a cheery flower vase, a candy jar, or even a joyful piece of art.

Teton Camping Trip:

Okay I would like to officially announce that I have evolved to an intermediate camping queen and I love it! There is nothing that HITS more than a cup of coffee around a morning fire. Or drinking hot cider in the evening after a long day of hiking. (Now that I’m thinking about it, I might solely be a camper for the warm beverages?)

Besides the glorious mountains, visiting the Tetons surprised me in another way - kindness in conversation. My husband and I went to the Jackson Lake Lodge for an evening app and drinks.

An older group of ladies saw we had some Kansas merch and instantly were curious about us and our story of how we got to the Tetons.

A bit later, an older man asked if he could sit with us. His wife came a few minutes later and we swapped travel stories and favorite national parks. We only got their names as we were leaving.

I was so heartened by the warmness and curiosity in these conversations.

So often in conversations with strangers (especially in America) leads to the classic “what do you do for work?” and it fizzles out in 1 minute or less! We look around at our world and kind and intentional humanness is so rare.

Encouragement learned: Curiosity is kindness. Kindness is intentional conversation.

What takes up my free time:

My food and craft explorations hit a slower point this past season. Welcome Curtis to our cozy curating family!!

Encouragement learned (and learning):

Patience. Also there ARE cute pet items that exist out there. And patience.

Books I’m devouring:

• Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J Mass: Okay yes STILL loving fantasy and please drop your recs below. It has been a sweet escape and I’ve found myself pulling out my book instead of scrolling reels on my phone! I’m on book ⅝.

• Books are my radar: Braiding Sweetgrass & Crescent City series,

Project Updates:

Fritze Home:

All walls are framed! We did a large-scale exterior mock-up to make sure the clients adores the materials chosen. There will be natural stone, brick, and stucco. After looking at this mock-up the client and I decided to do a stucco color that is in-between the two options tones shown. We have some beautiful creamy whites and MAN is it a challenging game of contrast! Whites can be hard, don’t let them fool you!

Encouragement learned: I am a huge advocate of mock-ups before a final install to give the client confidence in design decisions. Seeing my mom be so excited about the brick was so heartening and a moment of “Yes, this is why I do things how I do them!”

I am also in the middle of millwork drawings as plumbing and appliance selections are close to finalized! Which elements are you choosing?

Which vent hood?

Glass cabinetry or no glass cabinetry?

Pantry Shelving

Cozy in the Highlands - Design Guideline

This might have been my favorite design guideline yet for my twin brother, Carter. He is a deep and intentional thinker with a crazy musical artistic side. Think the coziness of the Gryffindor common room meets the elegance of the Scottish Highlands meets the nostalgic smell of an old well-loved library.

After meeting with him, I learned that I would love to someday only take clients who have a deep artistic spirit in them - whether writing, music, baking, etc. Pairing nature, mental health, and ART!?! Say less.

If you are someone who needs help defining their unique interior design style, drop me a line! Artistically spirited or not ;)

Happy Curating!

P.S Any design questions curiosities on your mind? Message me to be featured on my ask column, Riffin w/ Robby! Think of it as free design advice from your bestie who loves to collab but also knows what the heck she is doing.

With Scandinavia! Okay first, the fashion (mostly in CPH) - it’s so effortlessly “cool girl” yet comfy and practical for hopping on your bike to grab a pastry at a moment’s notice. (Like those are my only goals in life.) Second - the interiors! They know how to curate the most COZY spaces that are connected with nature. Denmark is the HUB for the most intentional interior and furniture design.

I studied abroad in Copenhagen for a stint and learned the Danes pay extra care to their home’s interior. One reason for this is the winter months can be absolutely BRUTAL with minimal daylight hours and harsh temps. Think warm honey-like flooring, roaring fires, the biggest sheepskin blanket, and a cup of gløgg in hand…

Let’s jump to our current reality.

The sun hides at 5:00pm, you feel gloomy, extremely tired (even though you had 3+ cups of coffee), a little hopeless, extremely unmotivated, and you are craving extra mashed potatoes and gravy with a side of steak fries. (plus dreaming of euro pastries…) These are common symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Nearly 10% of our population has seasonal depression. In fact, it is more commonly found in women over men.1 The term “Winter Blues” is a milder and temporary state of our bodies when we feel the sadness for the loss of sunshine compared to the energized months of May-August.

What is crazy is that 40% of people experience some sort of mood shift as we transition from Fall to Winter.2 What you are feeling is real. You aren’t alone.

In this season, our homes have the power to nurture our mental health midst these winter blues. We must make thoughtful design decisions for this to happen. Here are three strategies to help you feel a little more like you this cold season.

Subscribe now

Seize the Daylight:

Sunlight releases serotonin in our bodies. Since there is way less daylight in winter, our brains produce less serotonin.3(These blues are definitely more than a “feeling” to “get over” KYLE!!) Here are two design ideas to play with.

• Curate cozy work and rest zones near windows to get as much sunlight as possible. Channel your inner hygge goddess to make these areas appealing as you can. Think a designated chair for reading, journaling, knitting, you name it! Include a nice scent, a blanket, etc. Move your desk where there is the best daylight in your home. Try spending time at a coffee shop that is flooded with daylight. You are worth it!

• Try light therapy. There are specialized lamps that mimic daylight that we crave in these melancholy days. Here is a link to the 9 best SAD lamps - they all meet necessary requirements from doctors and researchers.

Welcome an “Open Air Life”

Scandinavia very much embraces friluftsliv or an “open air life” in wintertime. (Even Danish babies take naps outside!) But I get it, putting on layers and layers of winter gear is a HASSLE. But gosh, a brisk walk outside boosts endorphins, increases our serotonin, and reduces stress.4 Let’s make connection to nature a priority this winter:

• I’m curious how we can create a special moment in your entryway to encourage outdoor time. Think a cutie umbrella bucket, a nice coat rack, a delightful basket for gloves, hats, and/or a nice tray for your snowy boots. Make it special and style with a great mirror, favorite books, and some new artwork.

Thank you AD for doing the WORK to find aesthetically appealing coat racks - The best coat racks don’t need to hide.

• Treat yourself to new plants! If there is anything notable about Scandinavian design, it is an obvious connection to nature. Plants are easy to harness this. Even when outdoor trees are bare, house plants bring fresh life into our homes. There have been multiple studies how plants can lessen our anxiety and improve our blood pressure. 5 (Tip - pick-up some real potted mini evergreen trees for a seasonal decor that will last you from now through March).

Embrace Sleepy-Coded Moments

Our bodies are encouraged to sleep longer in winter. With less daylight, our bodies produce more melatonin. With less sunlight also comes less vitamin D and this decreases our energy levels. (3) Who knew, science!? Let’s give grace to our bodies and invest in our sleep habits and rituals. (and make it cute and cozy, obvi!)

• Let’s examine your bed, when was the last time something was updated? Maybe it is time for new pillows, or even fresh accent pillows or a cozy blanket. You are worth it! (Tip - two accent pillows paired with a lumbar pillow and accent blanket is an easy formula to dress your bed!)

• Explore curating your bedtime routine with visual cues that help you wind down for the day. Do you drink tea in the evening? Display sleepy time tea in your kitchen with a vase of greenery. What is on your bedside table? Add a designated candle or diffuser to engage all of these senses for relaxation. Again, channel your inner hygge!

The winter blues are oh so real. This is your gentle reminder to prioritize your mental health this season. Embrace winter as a time to rest and curate coziness in every corner. I am here to help you along the way. (I’ll also check back in again mid-winter).

Happy hygge-ful curating,

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. I am simply a gal who is insanely curious on how your home can help your mental wellbeing. This article is for educational and informational purposes only. This is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor, psychotherapist or other licensed professional. :-)

When do you start decorating for the winter holidays? Do you decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving? (For my non-American friends, when exactly do you hang up the hat on your autumn decor?)

One of my dear pals is a serious thanksgiving LOVER. She even has her own playlist. (linking it here!) To some, decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving makes your home public enemy #1. Autumn does not deserve to be rushed. (Like let’s enjoy those pumpkin cream cold-brews while we can, you know?)

On the other hand, there is something about winter decor that brings such nostalgia and magic. Decorating for the winter holidays in November just makes SENSE! (Also, the rave for those holiday bear cups is warranted. Bye bye pumpkin, hello peppermint mocha in a cup that kinda makes me teary?)

I was at a craft store this past week and saw the clear battle of Autumn vs. Christmas decor. I heard a lady tell her son to STOP looking at Christmas decor to focus only on the pumpkin paraphernalia that was on sale. Others in the store were scavenging for ornaments, faux Christmas trees, and more. It’s like people either send pumpkins or candy canes to the front lines of their homes (and for some reason, it is a DISGRACE to have both?!)

Instead of this division…what if there was a third option?

Instead of focusing on the specific holidays, what if we start focusing on the seasonal change? As mid-November hits, we have an opportunity to celebrate the rich end of autumn while simultaneously welcoming a slow start to winter.

This year, I am exploring exactly how to style this seasonal blend. How can our homes say goodbye to fall yet welcome the goodness of peppermint schnapps and glistening snow?

Here are some ideas!

(and they are here for you to steal!)

COLOR:

Color is critical here. I am primarily decorating with a deep burgundy as it is the perfect transitionary color. I have trees in my neighborhood exactly like this shade! It also hints at the rich reds of December that is to come while still holding onto autumn. Oranges are still welcome, but they are not the main event.

I’m trying to avoid “cherry red” tones to remove any obvious Santa vibes. Or even too “orangey-red” colors as that feels like a rotting pumpkin from halloween. The in-between is key here.

METAL:

I typically style bronze candlesticks with my winter decorating, but this year, I am pulling them out earlier! They feel warm, elegant, and not obviously holiday specific.

TEXTURE:

I am keeping most of my pumpkins, removing some orange ones and prioritizing the white ones. I picked up a tiny evergreen tree to bring some classic greenery and LIFE inside.

Styling Ideas:

• Maximize your bare evergreen trees! Save any decorating with ornaments for later. Lights are still okay and provide a bit of magic. Mini potted evergreen trees are my new obsession this season. They give a little hint of what is to come in December.

• Play with some burgundy velvet ribbon to tie around your pumpkins! (White pumpkins + wine ribbon = I’m drooling.)

• Source some new-to-you gold pieces! Thrifting bronze candlesticks, bookends, figurines, etc. brings richness and warmth into your home. A little sparkle is always a little more fun and these pieces can last you through winter.

• Still celebrate autumn with woven rattan baskets or a cornucopia. This texture paired with pumpkins, apples, etc. always reminds me of abundance and provision that holds true for our December holidays.

Here are two of my personal vignettes that celebrate this blend of seasons.

Pumpkin Collection:

You could even put these elements in a rattan basket.

Mini Evergreen Tree:

I played with putting ribbon on the tree but that felt a little too Christmassy so I left it to the pumpkin.

What are you planning for your Thanksgiving tablescape? Or what styling pieces are making you excited? Let me know if the comments below.

Happy Curating!

Textures of the Week:

P.S need an SOS kind of design help? I offer consultations! Message me below or reply to this email.

Big-Box design likes to stop you from having your coziest, most whimsical home. Take for example the latest kitchen flip your neighbors completed - why does it feel so uninspiring, cold, and sterile?

My answer?

Those DANG cabinet pulls. You know the ones! You can find them at your local hardware store. They are rectangular, bulky, and collect more fingerprints than a sheriff’s office during spring break.

I refuse to believe these are our only options. Let me be your guide out of grossly ordinary cabinetry hardware and into pieces that are whimsical, ethically created, and most importantly - they feel a little more like you!

When looking at drawer knobs, pulls, hooks, etc. I like to ask three questions:

1. Is this a moment of surprise & delight?

Sometimes it’s a yes, sometimes it is a no! Take for example, your kitchen. You will need something that will hold up to rough wear and tear (like spilling an entire pot of coffee!) Remember cleanability for these pieces. An elevated pull or knob will work perfectly here.

For other areas in the house, like bedrooms, living areas, libraries, powder baths, etc. these can be a little more intricate and delightful.

2. What metal jewelry do I like to wear?

Answering this will help you choose what type of metal to use. It is always okay to mix metals. Bronze with nickel works so well! If you are feeling any decision paralysis, brushed nickel will feel classic and match with other design elements well.

3. How can the material support the overall feeling of the space?

You don’t have to select metal! Are you wanting to create a space that feels warm and cozy? Consider leather pulls as metal is often cold to the touch. Do you want the space to feel luxurious and intentional? Look for polished brass or chrome. Do you want to feel transported to your favorite forest? Choose some cutie wooden knobs!

Here is a list of my favorite spots to source hardware. P.S looking at them tastes like honey. Click on the links to look at more options.

Doing Goods

These beautiful knobs are ethically handcrafted and created out of recycled brass.

Mia Poppy Knob:

Dallas Boot Knob:

Etsy Picks

Etsy is always the best for finding unique pulls and knobs while also supporting a small creator. ❣️

ConniePullKnob

Did someone say, connie baby??

American Retro:

Diamond Striped Cabinet Pull:

VersaHomeDesign

Crystal Knobs:

Leather Wrapped Pulls:

MossyConerStudio

Modern Curved Arch Pulls:

Walnut & Beech Pulls:

Beslag Design

A European company that offers a handful of vendors who prioritize quality, ethical working conditions, and minimizing their environmental impact.

Handle Viva - Sage Green

Toniton Knob Key:

What ones are speaking to you?

Happy knobful curating!

Meet Curtis, a playful 5 pound 5 ounces west highland terrier puppy.

It has been quite the sourcing journey to get puppy supplies that are actually aesthetically cute. It is so HARD because if you walk through Petco - the aesthetics, as the kids say, are so mid. I am not saying everything needs to be perfectly curated, but come on, let’s put a little more fun in functional with these standard wire crates and dog beds!

I am embracing this season of puppyhood as a temporary one. We have puppy gates up, a ratty towel over his wire crate, and a lime green dish towel under his food and water bowls. There is even a shelf of paper towels and cleaners on deck to pick-up any accidents. I can’t fail to mention I also have an air mattress in the living room (in the color teenage boy grey, mind you.) My husband and I have slumber parties to watch this lil guy overnight. (Did I mention a nickname is Poops McGee?)

Do I hate how it looks? Absolutely. Am I going to wait and buy a new sofa in 2+ years? You bet. Did this furry menace throw up on my rug this week? Yep! (Do I love my lil puppy?? Yes. My heart is so soft.)

With all of these puppy supplies and adjustments, my apartment is definitely in an ugly phase. What is an ugly phase you ask? Every creative project has one!

Think of a painting that is 40% complete - something is there but it objectively looks incomplete and unsettling. It’s transitory. It’s mid-exploration. It can be frustrating. Sometimes, we don’t even have all of the supplies! A lot of the time, we don’t even recognize it.

Whether welcoming a new furry friend or even a new baby, it takes time to learn who they are, who we are with them, and how our home can nurture us both. This naturally causes some “aesthetic hiccups” as you take the time to explore and uncover your home’s refreshed identity.

Further, when we design slowly (with or without new family members), this comes with testing and exploring different ideas. We live in a 3D environment of an incomplete painting. And that tension is okay! (P.S. invite guests over anyways ;))

Take comfort to know professional designers work through many MANY iterations to land on a final solution. There are often multiple “ugly phases” before landing on the right direction. Good design takes time.

Embrace this temporary season. Prep for the next one. In the meantime, hold onto those little luxuries that inspire delight. (For me: these ceramic dog bowls my sweet mother-in-law bought for me).

Aesthetic ugliness is part of the process. Welcome it as a necessary step in your home curating journey! I’m here for you, your home, and especially for that new family member.

P.S here are four of my favorite dog supply places that DO in fact fit the aesthetic. (and best if you are living that double income with a dog life.)

The Foggy Dog

Beco Pets (does not ship to the U.S, tragically!!)

Lambwolf Collective

Awoo Pets

Happy Curating!

(& happy Curtis curating to me!)

TEXTURES OF THE WEEK:

Is your home in an ugly phase? Are you unsure how to move past it? Drop me a line!

I turned 28 last week! I feel like I should have my life somewhat put together. Newsflash - I don’t!!

In honor, I’m spilling 8 of my favorite design secrets. They feel like a hug you melt into. NOT a forced hug from a long-lost relative (twice removed). They smell like fresh rain and pine trees. They sound like a timeless BOP.

We all could use a hug in today’s climate. Come on in!

1. Lighting becomes magic when we consider it like a sunset.

Sunset light is soft and glowy. Selecting fixtures that shield the lightbulb entirely or with frosted glass creates a soft diffused light. Further, consider how sunset light bounces off a body of water to create an ethereal kind of magic. Table and floor lamps can help have this same effect in our home. You are worth as many lamps as your heart desires!!

2. A dedicated scent brings peace.

Pleasant scents have been proven to help regulate our nervous systems. Take extra care in selecting favorites for your different rooms! I love having multiple scent options and to consider the overall scentscape of a home.

3. We are wired to wonder with curves

Big-box design loves a rectangle. In fact, they love strict symmetry and simple squares. When we introduce curves (whether through furniture, plants, a wallcovering, etc.) they contrast so beautifully within the squares and rectangular shapes we so often see. Curves are so often found in natural landscapes that fill us with such wonder.

4. Your home not only hosts others, but it hosts yourself too.

Treat yourself to intentional little luxuries in your home. You are THE celeb in your home! I love making it feel like a 5-star hotel (penthouse suite, of course) through little moments of personal hospitality. Upgrade your coffee or tea ritual with a fun simple syrup. Have a water carafe next to your bedside table. Place a favorite book and flowers in your bathroom! The options are limitless.

5. Hobbies love to be displayed in cozy corners

I’ve learned displaying or styling my hobbies within little corners in my home is such a HACK. When I can clearly see them, they gently nudge me to engage with them. I find myself spending less time on my phone!

6. You are worth the investment in seasonal decor.

Our brains get so bored of our spaces. Bringing in fresh florals, seasonal branches, or those bronze candlesticks you bring out once a year is so important. When we change our environments, we feeeel better. Thrifting is also perfect for this!

7. Curating gentle movement feels like magic

Our homes often miss the opportunity to host gentle movement. The thing is, our interiors are stagnant. However, our favorite natural landscapes are not! Think of opening a window and a soft breeze brushes along drapery. Or even, placing colored glass vases near a window to cast colored light onto your living room. This gentle movement creates the smallest moments of magic in our home.

8. A walk in nature is the best form in inspo.

Are you feeling stuck? Or not sure what paint color to choose? Take yourself to a new park, a new neighborhood with trees as tall as giants, or book that trip to the Tetons! Nature offers plenty of inspo for us. Simply being with it can also help bring clarity to those endless decisions.

What home decisions have you made that make your home feel safe & cozy?

Happy cozy curating!

Textures of the Week:

P.S Have any design questions, challenges, or curiosities? Leave me a note below:

P.S.S. Do you need help selecting healthy & eco-conscious materials for your home? I have two evidence-based PDFs that are perfect for you. Find them here.

As a self-proclaimed lover of color, I do not treat each shade with the same adoration and praise inside my home.

Specifically, I am talking about the color yellow. I often distance myself from this shade. Thinking “oh, it is so beautiful! But it’s not for me.”

Sometimes I feel like yellow shouts “HERE I AM! I AM YELLOW! HEAR ME ROAR!”

I’ve been fascinated by the butter-yellow phenomenon. This specific shade’s resurgence in fashion and interiors is INSANE. It’s gentle, soft, and approachable. It’s comforting and fresh. It’s delightful in the way a grandmother bakes cookies for her loved ones.

I am curious if butter yellow can become our gateway color to richer shades of yellow?

When I experience golden yellowy tones in nature, my brain absolutely lights UP. This color of joy is often found in autumn leaves, happy florals, and twinkling sunlight. They act like a best friend you only see once a year but you always seem to pick up right where you left off. Or like a bubbly puppy that greets you when you get home!

“Robyn hi!! I’ve MISSED you! Let’s dream big dreams, play, and soak up the sunshine together!”

I went hiking with a group of friends this past weekend. The aspens are in PEAK color in the mountains.

Our hike for the day had little clumps of aspen scattered throughout the trail. We wandered around curves and were warmly greeted by a small handful of aspen trees. In a sea of stone and pine, the cluster of yellow was a welcome surprise - such a little pocket of delight!

After our hike, we explored an abundance of aspens right off the road. I was transported to another planet of these grinning yellows and yellowy - greens. It was absolutely magic. Such awe and wonder!

I’m curious how we can bring this same surprise and delight of yellow into our homes? Here are some ideas to test and try.

If you are unsure about yellow:

Let’s start small. Yellow flowers in the living room? A yellow coffee-table book? Perhaps a golden-yellow accent pillow? Notice what shades of yellow found in nature light you up. A soft sunset? Sunflowers? Yellow-orange fall leaves?

Maybe you aren’t into those “cheerful” yellows. What about a mustard tone?

How can these small moments be scattered around your home to encourage surprise and delight? Just like stumbling across a little pocket of aspens!

If you are a yellow enthusiast:

Okay hear me out, what if we transform your powder bath in the magical experience of being immersed in aspen trees? Since a powder bath is typically only used by guests, it is a perfect opportunity to play. Going bold in a powder bath can easily bring surprise and delight for you and guests.

Do we dare install a yellow tile? Or maybe a wallcovering could do the trick?

If you are somewhere in between:

Start hunting for furniture or art that have the yellows you are intrigued by. You can even recover an old chair with new fabric. Or maybe find some great ceramic vases, plates or bowls for hosting.

What do you think about the color yellow? Where are you encouraged to try it in your home? I am starting small with a cutie dog bowl. I also have dreams of owning a yellow chair!

Happy curating!

Textures of the Week:

P.S Have any design questions, challenges, or curiosities? Leave me a note below:

P.S.S. Do you need help selecting healthy & eco-conscious materials for your home? I have two evidence-based PDFs that are perfect for you. Find them here.

And man can it feel like a mixed bag. On one hand, I am becoming my truest self - wearing an insanely comfy sweater, admiring golden aspens with the hottest apple cider in hand, all while dreaming of soup.

On the other hand, the start of this season is absolutely crazy with school, the end of wedding season, work chaos - you name it. I hate how this mayhem takes over. I feel like I can easily miss the beauty of this season.

Further, maybe you think curating coziness isn’t worth the time, effort, or expense since this season is soooo busy. Or, you might have some naysayers who are like “why on earth do you need seasonal throw pillows?” (come on, LIVE a little Kyle!!)

I believe we are worth diving into all the goodness autumn offers us. I also believe our homes can be a tool for rest in the middle of the crazy. These curiosities will help you battle the chaos, slow down, and curate coziness in your home. (There is science to back these up too ;))

Subscribe now

Scent:

Let’s transport to an apple orchard in New England. The afternoon light is purring through the leaves. Sweet, appley and earthy scents fill the air around you as you walk through enchanted trees.

Our autumn landscapes are a multi-sensory experience. Scents we notice are key in curating rest in our homes. Using natural scents have been found to increase positive emotions, enhance feelings of comfort, and decrease anxiety. Pleasant smells can also bring clarity to our weary minds.1

You know I love a simmer pot. Here are two easy recipes to instantly bring the coziness of autumn right to you. Give yourself the freedom to play with these ingredients!

Smells like: Walking in a sweet apple orchard:

• Apple skins or slices, cinnamon sticks, & vanilla

Smells like: Watching fall leaves and eating pumpkin bread:

• Pumpkin chunks, orange peels or slices, a cinnamon stick, clove, ginger, & nutmeg.

(Hack - If you are cooking or baking, you can freeze food waste like apple skins, ginger ends, pumpkin chunks, etc., Keep them in your freezer and have on deck for your simmer pot creations.)

Sound:

I LOVE a curated playlist. Music can actually lessen the feelings of pain, sadness, and stress! A brain fact for you - music stimulates the hippocampus to lower the amount of cortisol (aka our stress hormone) in our bodies.2 More music = less stress.

A playlist for: You are driving around and witnessing fall foliage:

A playlist for: You need some cozy heads-down focus time @ work

A warm drink in hand, of course!

A playlist for: Cooking the most decadent & cozy soup

Talk about multi-sensory!

Sight:

You know, I can’t find a study that has proven mini pumpkins lower stress. However, I feeeel them somehow changing my brain chemistry for the better?!

We DO know that looking at nature can simply lower our stress levels. So, it is a no-brainer to incorporate natural materials and real nature into our home.

I like to follow the fibonacci sequence when styling any natural elements. Think of having groups of items that have 2, 3 or 5 elements. I love using 3 mini pumpkins, 1 vase with a branch or greenery, and 1 book which makes a group of 5!

Taste:

You guys. I’ve learned something wild. There was a study that proved comfort foods are actually helpful to our mental health. They can stir positive emotions inside of us and help reduce feelings of isolation. This is because comfort foods that we adore remind us of fond memories and nostalgic traditions.3 Take some extra time to bake that pumpkin bread or a cozy tomato soup!

The colder season brings the best bakes and in my book, these eats deserve a Hollywood Handshake.

Eats:

• Apple Cider Donuts from Trader Joes. (A NEED to try. I’m drooling. They are so good!)

• Butternut Bisque by Kelly Minter

  

• Pumpkin Coffee Cake by the Pioneer Woman (I think I can trust this woman with my life)

Fall be crazy. Take some time and curate some cozy moments in your home. You are worth it!

Happy curating my autumn lovers!

P.S Have any design questions, challenges, or curiosities? Leave me a note below:

Textures of the Week:

I don’t know about you, but some days it is WAY hard to prioritize nourishing food. I feel like I either run out of time to prep something nutritious or am forgetful of what exactly is in my fridge! The food we eat directly affects our mood and mental health. And boy, do I feel it some weeks!

Did you know our homes can either help us or hurt us in eating healthier? This is a design challenge as our spaces have the power to shape our habits. (Good and bad. Insert Atomic Habits by James Clear ;)) Visual cues are so powerful!

That said, styling your kitchen is oh so important. This week I invited Grace, from Grace & Greens, to provide some key “chef tips” for us along with some of my favorite kitchen styling tips. Grace is a home chef insanely passionate about helping you live a healthier and energized life.

Subscribe to Grace & Greens

(P.S I love LOVE this collab as Grace is just as passionate about helping you cultivate healthier eating as I am about helping you create a restful home. It is a treat to have her!)

Fruits & Veggies 🍎

I know, I know, “eat your fruits and veggies” the doctors say! We can make enjoying them just a little more fun with intentional visual cues.

Styling Tip 1: Clearly display fruits and veggies on a dining table or kitchen island. We want these front and center! Lately, I have been loving a low wicker basket or wicker tray to put fruits/ veggies on. It makes it feel a little more farm to table even though they are from a local grocery store.

Styling Tip 2: Cut-up fresh fruits and veggies and store prominently in clear containers in the fridge. If they are pre-prepped, they make it much easier to grab and snack on. (A cute container also can’t hurt! I love a ceramic berry box.) Try to store them close to eye level so you are always reminded they are there.

Grace’s Chef Tip:

As a big fan of ingredient prep, I’ve learned a lot over the years when it comes to preparing food ahead of time and actually enjoying it a few days later. Here are a few specifics to keep some of my favorites fresh and ready to enjoy in no time:

• Greens - Any greens like lettuce or kale that are not already washed/bagged can be washed and dried prior to storing. Once dry, place in an air-tight container with a paper towel in the fridge.

• Bell peppers & cucumbers - Slice them, add to an air-tight container with a paper towel on the bottom and these with last days for easy snacking.

• Berries - For fresh berries, wash and dry them prior to placing in an air-tight container with a paper towel in the fridge.

• Bananas - Once ripe, peel bananas and place them in a large ziplock bag in the freezer for creamy smoothies.

• Carrots - Wash and slice them into smaller sticks, then add them to a mason jar with water to keep them extra fresh.

• Tomatoes - To maintain flavor, keep tomatoes on the counter and wait to slice them once you are ready to enjoy them.

• Avocados - I purchase non-ripe avocados, placing them on the counter to ripen. Once ripened, I place them in the fridge until I am ready to enjoy them. (Avoid storing near bananas since they ripen faster!)

Herbs Herbs & more Herbs! 🧄

Did you know fresh herbs do more than make your pico taste better?! They actually have a higher vitamin content than dried herbs.

Styling Tip 1: Display a couple of herbs on your kitchen counter, window sill, or dining table. These can be little potted plants or cut herbs in glass jars with water fresh from the garden. I love walking by fragrant herbs on my kitchen counter - the smell refreshes me and gently connects me back to nature. Depending on your daylighting, having a fresh herb next to your stove makes it easy to bring in fresh herbs for cooking too.

Styling Tip 2: When purchasing store-bought herbs, store them in a glass jar with water in the fridge. If I keep them in their little plastic packet, I often forget about them! They help make my fridge look a little more fun too.

Grace’s Chef Tip:

I absolutely love herbs as they can flavor up a simple roasted vegetable or make a soup extra delightful. Though I love to grow herbs in my garden, I often grab a bunch from the store because of how generous I am with using them in my dishes (I love you cilantro & basil).

• Basil, garlic - Best kept on the counter, don’t wash them until you are ready to use them.

• Cilantro, parsley, dill, chives, rosemary - Add to a mason jar of water, cover with a plastic bag or produce bag, and place in the fridge until you are ready to use. Remember to wash them before chopping them.

Oils & Spices 🧂

Veggies are NOTHING without some good oil and seasoning. It’s important to pay extra attention and detail to these common ingredients to make cooking a bit more fun.

Styling Tip 1: Display olive oil or an equivalent oil with a beautiful bottle on the counter. You can group oils on a small wooden tray or small cutting board so they feel less cluttered and more intentional. Etsy has some amazing handmade ceramic oil bottles.

Styling Tip 2: Similarly, having cutie salt and pepper shakers displayed with your oil makes cooking and eating veggies all the more enticing. If you are looking for something less traditional, I am loving this grinder and this one.

Grace’s Chef Tip:

After diving deep into the cook book world and immersing myself in all the chef tips and tricks, I realized just how valuable a quality olive oil is. Plus, knowing when, how, and which salt to use is the key to making meals taste restaurant-quality.

In my kitchen, I most often cook with olive oil and bake with avocado oil. Occasionally, I’ll use sesame oil or coconut oil, but never sunflower oil or vegetable oil due to the recent studies on the negative impacts to your overall health.

Olive oil - When purchasing an olive oil, I look for cold-pressed, single-source olive oil whenever possible. I love Kosterina’s original olive oil and their garlic olive oil is a fun way to increase the flavor of your dish without extra ingredients. (Get 10% off with this link here)

Avocado oil - This is a great, neutral base for baked goods like these Gluten-free dark chocolate chip banana walnut muffins or these better-for-you chocolate brownies. Chosen Foods pure avocado oil is one of my favorites, with a high smoke point and made without any additives. They also make a sprayable version and an avocado mayo that is so delicious!!

I store all of my oils and some of my bigger spices above my stove. Luckily there is a handy cabinet that makes it easy for me to grab from when cooking. Speaking of storage, I have greatly enjoyed this bamboo salt cellar to store kosher salt in for cooking. The art of salting is something that takes lots of time and practice, but a beautiful vessel is the support you need as you navigate the art.

Cookbooks/ Weekly Menu 👩‍🍳

Do you have cookbooks you love but often forget about? Or, do you forget what your planned meals are for the week? (aka ME!) Displaying these can be a gentle reminder to us to cook nourishing meals at home and skip that Chick-fil-a run.

Styling Tip 1: Open shelving are perfect to display favorite cookbooks. When I am in a cooking rut, it is so nice to have a couple of cookbooks on display to encourage me and freshen up my perspective. If you do not have open shelves, you can easily style these on the kitchen table or counter. Propping up one with your oil, salt and pepper shakers works beautifully too.

Styling Tip 2: Display a meal plan or a menu of the week and make it special! You can simply print it out and display it on your fridge with cute magnets. Or, you could display it in a pretty frame and set it on your counter. Having this on display in your kitchen gently reminds you of your plan for the week and helps discourage an impromptu fast-food run. (My common vice!)

Grace’s Chef Tip:

As someone who loves to read and cook, cookbooks are a phenomenal love child of these two past-times. Some of my favorite cook books to flip through are Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by Samin Norsat, The Blue Zones Kitchen: 100 Recipes to Live to 100 by Dan Buettner, and Asia: The Ultimate Cookbook by Brian Huskey. I often find inspiration from many of these works as I develop my own recipes for the weekly menu.

Speaking of the weekly menu, if you are looking for an easy way to cook healthy and delicious meals at home, the Grace & Greens community just might be for you. I know how overwhelming the planning and preparation for cooking healthy meals at home can be, so each week, I share a menu, grocery list, and prep guide to help you get organized and build a rhythm of cooking at home. It’s a labor of love and I greatly enjoy sharing a variety of recipes from my kitchen to yours.

One of my favorite ways to keep track of the meals we are eating for the week is through this meal planner calendar that hangs on the fridge. It’s a sleek background with lots of colorful pens to make something as simple as meal planning a bit more fun. I also have a printable version of the menu each week for when things get busy.

Dining Table Magic 🍽

Okay, I know, sitting on your sofa watching the latest episode of TSITP feels like a luxury! There is time and place for this, however, when we sit down at a table to eat (with no little screens either!) we are much more conscious of the food we are consuming. We can create an intentionally wonderful dining experience right at home.

Styling Tip 1: Consider your dining table shape. Round tables invite more conversation over a rectangular or square table. Circular tables are great for group convos as you can clearly see across the table and lose an “hierarchy” as you would have with a rectangular table.

Styling Tip 2: Don’t overlook a centerpiece! You know how restaurants have mini candles or lamps? Bring this same idea into your home! Mini cordless lamps are perfect here. Pair this with a small tray of fruit on the table, or a glass jar of herbs or stems.

Grace’s Chef Tip:

I am very into the mid-century modern and European styles, and anytime I can find a restaurant or coffee shop that does one of those, I am usually such a fan! From the relaxing feeling of light wood and vibrant greenery, which contrasts stark whites so well, these spaces often feel clean and inviting, just as I am enjoying my meal.

When it comes to decorating my table, my focus is on making the food the center of the show. Quality plates, a dainty cloth napkin, a candle in the center, and a vase of freshly cut flowers will do the trick. Depending on the mood and event, I can add more flowers and candles, or change out the plates and napkins to match the theme. These four focus areas also help keep me focused on the task at hand: providing a delicious and flavorful meal!

Some encouragement from our lovely home chef, Grace -

Home environment and home cooking are two key pillars that play into your overall health, and it is amazing to see how well they can work together to create something both beautiful and beneficial. I once saw eating fruits and vegetables as a way to be healthy, just as many people may see their house as a place to be away from outside. But those lines of thinking completely omit that beauty and joy that can be found in cooking, eating, connecting, and simply living a life you love.

I encourage you to take a step back and see all of the areas of your life that have the potential to nourish you, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Then, decide the next right thing you want to choose nourishment. Maybe that means re-organizing your spice cabinet or buying those pot holders you’ve been eyeing. Maybe it means prepping a nourishing breakfast for the week or making a warm meal and sharing it with your loved ones this week. Whatever you may choose, know that nourishment is powerful. It has the ability to support you so you can show up as the best version of you each day, as you continue to flourish.

Robyn here, I absolutely LOVE this -

You are worth the extra effort in styling your kitchen with fresh herbs, reorganizing your spice cabinet, buying that cutie salt container or prepping breakfast for the week! We are both here to help you.

Thank you Grace for her endless wisdom & passion! Find her here:

Substack: Grace & Greens

Instagram: @graceandgreens.blog

Tik tok: @graceandgreens.blog

Pinterest:

Happy kitchen curating!

We can feeeel how dogs help our overall mental health or perhaps help soothe our weekly menty b. Remember when the 2024 Olympics had the therapy golden, Beacon? How heartwarming?!

I love a little furry friend. I also love collecting kitschy interior materials that have dogs on them. I hope one day to use them with the right client. You may be questioning that perhaps only a dog spa could use these? Perhaps not! I IMPLORE you to consider them for your home because design isn’t that serious, anyway!? We could all use some play and whimsy!

(But if you aren’t a dog person, I get it. This post isn’t for you this week.)

Subscribe now

Tile

Pawsh Pups by Audrey Lane

Would be so fun in a kid’s bathroom, powder bath, or built-in dog wash station.

Delft Blue Tile by The Dutch Project

Okay consider for your kitchen or laundry room backsplash! Pair with white square tile and create a checkerboard pattern.

Canine Collection by Lili Tile

For you if you like a more industrial/ pop art vibe. Perfect for a powder bath!

Wallcovering

Dog Days by Olivia + Poppy

Powder bath, ASAP!

Country Dogs Toile by Spoonflower

Insanely cottage core. Put this in a bedroom and use those delft tiles from above in the bathroom.

Wallpaper in Dogs by Spoonflower

A little playful, a little fun!

Rugs

Dalmation Rug by Doing Goods

Use it as a bath rug, kitchen rug, or hang on the wall as wall art.

Washable Dog Rug by Lorena Canals

Perfect for a kids room or play area.

Indoor/ Outdoor Vacationland Dog Rug by LLBean

You could put this guy literally anywhere.

A Basket/ Some Hardware

Basket Luna by Lorena Canals

Stores blankets or toys!

Dog Door Knocker

So regal.

Terrier Cabinet Hardware

Imagine this as the only type of cabinet knob in your kitchen ahaha.

Truly the dog decor you didn’t know existed! If you are more of a cat person, please let me know and I can do another similar round-up. 🐶 🐱

Happy Curating!

P.S. Send in your design questions! I am starting an ask column. The people voted and spoke passionately. It will be titled Riffin’ with Robby.