Style Matters

I just read a really important book.  It's called "Make Space For Happiness: How To Stop Attracting Clutter and Start Magnetizing the Life You Want."  Today I'm talking with the author and expert behind the very successful company, dClutteryfly, Tracy McCubbin.  How often do we get real with ourselves about why we're buying all this stuff in the first place? Why is shopping so powerful and what are the real holes in our lives that we're trying to fill?   Before you try another organization hack or tool or system, listen to this conversation and let Tracy's words of wisdom really sink in.

You can hear the pride in the voices of Scott Mast and Juan Goiricelaya, owners of the vintage furniture store, Circa Who.  Beyond selling furniture, they are curators, restorers and stewards of the fanciful Palm Beach aesthetic that's having quite a moment lately.  We talk about what goes into running a store full of vintage treasures, and their connection to a particular designer, Mario Lopez Torres.  Mr. Torres was the creator of the iconic furniture pieces that feature rattan animals and plants... I'm talking about rattan palm trees that hold light fixtures instead of coconuts, monkeys holding up tables like a waiter holds a tray above his head, and all kinds of birds doing all kinds of things.  I'm not sure rattan ever went out of style, but it's certainly having a revival, with no signs of it slowing down.  Scott and Juan have taken the legacy of Mario Lopez Torres and continued his work for the rest of us to enjoy.

A few weeks ago I sent out a survey to listeners, mainly to ask 2 questions: what's your biggest challenge in terms of design, and what topics are you most interested in having me cover?  The answers came pouring in and I'm so grateful because it really helps me create the most relevant content for you.  In this episode I share the results of this survey and dive into some of the questions you left in the comment boxes.  Think of this as a Q&A session!  And if you want to ask more questions, you can always email me!

I talk with Cynthia Zamaria, author of "House & Flower" about the many homes she's renovated and gardens she's revived along with her husband, and how those experiences have informed and responded to her own, personal growth.   She uses the word "ethos" when describing her design approach.  How does your own home manifest your beliefs and aspirations?

Today, you're going to hear from a sculptor who talks so eloquently about his craft and why we need to surround ourselves with beauty and I felt honored to talk with someone who thinks so deeply about his work.

I'm talking with Rachel Robarge of the rental services company, June Homes.

I was talking with designer Anne Hulcher Tollett on the Style Matters podcast about the importance of having objects in a room "in dialogue" with one another.

What makes this conversation a little different is that Jessica specializes in helping first-time owners through the particular challenges they face.  I also just want to mention here, because it doesn't come up in our conversation, that Jessica has a free guide that kickstarts your living room.

Inspiration for a new design in our homes can come from anywhere.  One of the most playful examples I've heard of is taking your cues from a favorite cocktail.  On the Style Matters podcast, Rydhima Brar walks us through one of her moodboards for a Lavender Old Fashioned.

In this interview, I  talk with Mona Ying Reeves. Not so much about her design firm or any of that other stuff at all.  Instead, we talk about her latest side project called Kickstart House.  It's an online community for people who are taking on the renovation journey themselves.  And she's passionate about helping people through it.