This all started because I follow an Instagram account called Dreamspaces, which shares beautiful and often jaw-dropping environments. Last week, she posted a carousel of Life magazine photos from 1964 featuring iconic Italian actress Sophia Loren and husband Carlo Ponti at their home outside of Rome. This naturally prompted me to do a deep dive on the property. I am who I am.

The details: Situated along the famed Via Appia and constructed atop an ancient Roman crypt, the estate encompasses a 16th century villa with 50 rooms, including an otherworldly pool house (2nd photo above) and extensive grounds. Sadly the current house has been stripped of its radiant Renaissance ceilings, murals, wallpaper, and much of the color, but their version of the home is incredible and inspiring.

As you can imagine, I am particularly obsessed with the integration of the ancient architecture, including a dining room in what they think was once a Roman tomb. Wild.

And finally, here’s a little round-up of items channeling this Roman estate and the love story it became home to. What a dolce vita:

01. Pintuck cotton dress (J.Crew) $129.50

02. In the Kitchen With Love by Sophia Loren (Etsy) $145

03. Lumbar (Target) $30 and Vintage Poppies 21x21” (Amber Interiors) $316

04. Rattan gardening tray basket (McGee & Co) $95

05. Gardening hat (Porta) $355

06. Pewter “Cigarettes” cup (Porta) $72

07. Coffee set (Porta) $64

08. Faux poppies stem (Afloral) $12

09. Citronella candle in sculpted glass (Nickey Kehoe) $75

10. Embellished ceramic vase (Target) $35

11. Corded Marble Mirror (Target) $84

12. Metal outdoor dining chair (Olive Ateliers) $495

13. Cast side table (Olive Ateliers) $495

14. Melamine small plate set of 4 (Porta) $168

15. Iron watering can (Olive Ateliers) $95

16. Printed cotton tablecloth $278 and napkins set of 4 $20 (Amber Interiors)

Thank you for being here,

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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