I cannot speak for everyone, but I myself am exhausted. Last night I found myself sitting at at the edge of the bed saying a prayer for the man I watched be killed earlier, while scrolling Threads as I sipped my morning coffee. I spent the entire day oscillating between winter storm prep and physical disgust and sadness. I think this post sums up the disorienting feeling of life right now. It’s hard to be inspired or inspiring when your soul (and faith in humanity) is being slowly crushed. I’m thinking of my neighbors in Minnesota often.

Okay. You don’t come here for that (though there is no separation of a person, their work, and the world they live in), but here’s what I focused on today: seeking a little peace.

This Architectural Digest story landed in my mailbox over the summer. It features fashion critic Cathy Horyn (and her black Lab, Murray), who created a property outside of Charlottesville to stunning results. It’s part Scandanvian, a little bit colonial American, and every bit calming to me. Designed with architect David Bers, the space is truly a dream, and it made me happy.

Here are some ideas on capturing the collected, classic vibe, and links to shop below (all linked in one place here):

01. Iron table lamp via Lulu & Georgia $599

02. Vintage landscape painting via Amber Interiors $2000

03. Akari 45D Ceiling Light by Isamu Noguchi $350

04. Vintage wool Moroccan rug via Lulu & Georgia $5500

05. Bill Cunningham: On the Street by the New York Times $65

06. Lai console table by Amber Interiors $3000

07. Reading light via Visual Comfort $749

08. Roman Sofa by Amber Lewis $5000

09. Pillows: 14x14 cream cover via Etsy $18 and 16x24 striped lumbar cover $128

10. Storage ottoman (made to order) by Interior Define $730

11. Faux peony arrangement (with vase) by Pottery Barn $299

12. A Nice Spot for Lunch by Slim Aarons fine art print via One King’s Lane $1,315

13. 1990s Windsor Chair via Chairish $550

14. Pewter matchbox cover and striker by MATCH $200

15. Danser steel tray via Lulu & Georgia $164

16. Vintage bird figurine via Chairish $88

17. Vintage French 19th century basket via Amber Interiors $120

Thank you for being here and indulging me. Take care of yourself and your neighbors.

A Craftsman rental, my first North Carolina house had a wide covered front porch that I turned into something of an outdoor living room. It wasn’t screened, which made mosquitos and stray cats lying on my furniture kind of a drag, but you could almost always find me out there reading, doodling, or just breathing.

Only blocks from said rental, I found my new house while out on a walk. I didn’t intend to buy anything for a while, but I really missed working on a space and being able to make it my own. In this case, things just worked out. The house was miraculously within budget (a rare find in the neighborhood) meaning there would be wiggle room to make some changes before move-in. After seeing it twice, I had to jump on it. The closing happened a week or so after my 40th birthday. Perfect. And then I had to figure out how to get work done on an house, and I gave myself 3 months to do the essentials.

You know what’s not essential? Renovating a porch. It’s something I could have waited to work on, but it was one of the first things I really wanted to do. I am a porch person! I loved its slate floors, and was unbothered about the walls and ceiling, but the prior owners installed louvered windows in the 90s that were beyond broken and crumbling. There were no screens, and the soffit hung down over the front… Choices were made.

Here’s what I did…

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