Grandfather’s drill & garden tools
My grandfather passed away last year and he will always be a symbol of strength and resourcefulness to me. I loved hearing stories about how he grew up on his family farm. After being interned in a camp during WWII and losing his family farm in Mountain View, CA, he became a draftsman for architectural plans. He did woodworking in his spare time and made unbelievable pieces of furniture that live on in our family. I used his drill to make the window seat pictured.
Father-in-Law’s Ceramics
My husband’s dad is a retired high school ceramics teacher. We have a houseful of his ceramics. I love all of the pieces because he used many different styles throughout his career while embracing the wabi sabi imperfection of the process so each piece is truly unique. This one is special because of the antler used as a handle that’s attached with leather with the texture piece on the side.
Buy Now$25+Antique Wolf Dress form
I got this Wolf dress form as a gift when graduating fashion school at Otis College of Art and Design. Since it’s from 1947, I don’t use it for draping as it was intended, just as decor at my house. It’s in great shape for its age; most of the muslin covering is still in tact, the shoulders collapse, the stand raises and lowers, and the original casters are still on it. It’s lovely, and Wolf forms are highly regarded in the industry for their quality and craftsmanship. It’s a nice reminder to have around that good design stands the test of time.
Peak Bracelet
I adore this 14K Gold bracelet by Amy Agamemnon. She’s a very talented jeweler who is new to LA from New York where she studied at FIT. Her designs are inspired by and named after architecture. This bracelet is a favorite because the chain, closure, and curved bar are minimal, geometric, and feminine – and gold is my favorite metal.
Justice Laub art piece
My husband is a painter and he always captures our relationship dynamic. I love this piece because the canvas is asymmetrical and it’s so simple yet expressive. It’s the two of us; I’m on the left and he’s on the right. We’ve been in 3 apartments in the past 2 years but this piece always goes in our bedroom.
Shop Now$50+Silk, dip dyed Siren Dress
This is a dress that’s new in my collection; it’s bias silk, and each one is individually dip dyed and can be created in custom colors. Bias is a diagonal cut of fabric that has a very graceful drape that’s flattering on all body types. It’s a classic shape done with intense rich color which makes it perfect for events. Last year, I did a version of this dress for my friend Katie Rusch who got married on a sail boat on the east coast!
Opal and Silver Antique earrings
These earrings have a special place in my heart. My husband’s mom passed away when he was 14 so I never got to meet her. He has a deep wish that we could have met and been friends. When we moved houses a couple of months ago we went through everything and really pared down. In the process, we came across a tin of her jewelry. It was a very moving and personal experience to see the pieces as an expression of her personality and who she was. They were obviously collected over years and were mostly simple pieces. It was quite intimate to get to know her through her collection.
Buy Now$200+
The New Bohemians book
This is a home decor book that I adore and aspire to. I really love the homes Justina Blakeney profiles because they’re filled with true personal style, and unexpected combinations of color and texture. The homes are comfortable, colorful, creative, and the best part is that Justina makes them accessible with the DIY projects in the book.
