While writing this, I’m sitting at my kitchen counter, listening to the thunder and mentally making 3,000,000 different to-do lists for my birthday party this weekend. The neurosis really shines when I commit myself to anything that feels like a performance – including hosting (and writing this newsletter). Which, I love – but it’s also a ‘thing” to achieve in my mind, which is complicated. But I digress.
To give my brain a little relaxation, I’m immersing myself in interiors and playing house. That’s what I say when I play out my future via inspiration :’) Did I mention I’m neurotic?
Today’s brain detox session is called, “If I had a house.”
Hopefully, I have a good long while left at my grandmother’s house. AKA a good long while to keep saving $$ before I buy my first home. BUT I do have a dream list of things I’d love to do (or have) in a home of mine whenever that time comes.
Before we proceed, I need your help.
I have no idea what to call my interiors style. It’s certainly evolved over the years but I’ve never been able to commit to a label – and perhaps I don’t need to. But practically speaking, if I’m going to be writing about interiors, I’d like SOME kind of language to use when describing to complete strangers what they can expect when they visit TCC.
My style manifests in mixing traditional pieces with a lot of clean and contemporary lines. Hence the cottage-style house I shared at the beginning of this newsletter combined with the modern shapes and clean lines you’ll see as you read on. My older pieces are the anchor for everything, though. Those pieces tend to be curvier and more exigent – they demand more attention and ground the space. They’re also old and exude history.
My modern flare comes in the way of lamps, chairs, art, colors + tones. These things make the space sing.
Contenders?
Modern Eclectic (Maybe it’s design trauma from my early 20s but the word ‘eclectic’ connotes a very specific style IMO — and I’m not sure it’s me)
Bunny Mellon Modern
Art Deco Meets Traditional Meets Modern
Read till the end, check out my Pinterest and lmk what you think.
Ok, here we go with my future home dream list:
One of the things I wish for most is to one day be able to afford working with local Alabama makers and businesses when designing my home. The bespoke feeling of local marble and specialty curated brass from a small business owner indescribably translates to the experience one has in a space.
How perfect are these brass ring pulls?? I adore the low profile. I’d have these installed on my kitchen cabinetry in a hot second.
Unlacquered brass FOREVER.
Have y’all ever gripped a heavy or antique door knob?? It’s the epitome of luxury. I’d love to have some dark unlacquered brass door knobs from Brandino Brass Co. throughout my house. The dark patina on these makes me swell with joy.
I care a lot about good neutral paint colors. Here’s a list of ones I’ve bookmarked:
School House White | Farrow & Ball
Shaded White | Farrow & Ball
White Dove | Benjamin Moore
Swiss Coffee Benjamin Moore
Silken Pine | Benjamin Moore
Pashmina | Benjamin Moore
Vapor | Benjamin Moore
I’ve been browsing antique round kitchen tables for months and will, no doubt, definitely find the perfect one on Facebook Marketplace. If you’re on a budget like me, Chairish and 1st Dibs are good for figuring out what your criteria is before starting your FB marketplace search.
I love the warmth of a round kitchen table in a breakfast nook — especially paired with a contemporary pendant above 😍
Powder rooms are so underappreciated. These little jewel box rooms can feel so humbly luxurious, and when I own, I’m going to dedicate my efforts to making one bathroom feel very special.
Sinks are important. I always notice them wherever I am. I will specifically prioritize a cutie baby pedestal sink in said powder room. I love the design of the first photo above with the towel hanger attached.
An oversized piece of one-color art has been on my wish list for a few years now. Think Rothko. I’d LOVE a red piece, but this blue is gorg too. I’d hang this art in a living room or library if I were lucky enough to have one.
Art deco Chinese rugs literally take my breath away. One of my clients owns a boutique hotel, and I remember walking into the common area after the designer (Cloth & Kind) was done a few years ago and GASPING when I encoutered a muted purple and teal Chinese wool rug for the first time. I’ve been hooked ever since. My only hope for owning a rug of this caliber is to stumble across one for only half a leg at an estate sale. I’m *manifesting.*
Did you know Alabama, specifically the city of Sylacauga, is known for its marble around the WORLD? It was literally used on the Lincoln Memorial and other noteable American monuments. Alabama Marble Mineral & Mining Co.’s 50-acre quarry is in Sylacauga and the company processes and exports their gorgeous marble about 60 miles from me, which I think is pretty cool.
I dream of having Alabama marble in my kitchen OR bathrooms. Something super veiny and icky. Intentionally having a little piece of my home state built into the fabric of my home feels special. :’)
Last one for today – but this one may be at the top of my wish list. I want a desk in my closet. This would require a sizeable walk-in closet or enough bedrooms to dedicate one to a dressing closet, which may not be in the cards for my first home, BUT I’m dreaming, ok?
The thought of sitting down in a little slipper chair at a desk among my clothes and accessories, which inspire me like nothing else, sounds absolutely magical.
I currently have a pretty big walk-in closet at my grandmother’s, and I’ve loved having the space to hang out in there and ponder style and fashion. There’s also a window in the closet that lets in etherial light. It’s not quite big enough for a small desk, but I’m scheming. 👀
Going to run a bunch of errands now! Let’s chat in the comments <3 What’s my style called? HALP.
xoxo
kw