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Wu Haus Candle 03: Soft + Wooded

Wu Haus Candle 03 is a collaboration with Kelly Crosby of CROSBY Elements and ceramic artist Fernando Aciar of fefo studio. Only a limited supply is available; get yours here.

I can hardly believe that it’s already time to release the third and final Wu Haus Candle! These have been such a long-time dream of mine to create, and I am so fortunate to be able to collaborate with artists with so much talent, passion, and willingness to explore and play.

Each candle has been so different from the other, even within a release. That’s the true beauty of handmade goods; every piece has its own story, from the time it was thrown on the wheel to an untold future. Every time you light your Wu Haus candle or sip from its vessel, I hope you take time to honor and recognize the journey it took to get to you – how it was shaped by the hands of a ceramic artist, poured by a scent storyteller and packaged by yours truly.

wu-haus-candle-03-fefo-studio-crosby-elements-portland-nyc

For Candle 03, Kelly Crosby of CROSBY Elements and I took inspiration from the Oregon coast to create a woodsy, masculine yet equally soft scent that I can’t get enough of. With scent notes of tobacco, Himalayan cedar, bergamot, frankincense, amber, oud and patchouli, this candle is reminiscent of late summer and time spent outside amongst the trees. It reminds me of the last camping trips of the season, spending time in the forest and cozying around a campfire after the sun magically sets and the night sky fills with stars. I love spending this time in nature, hiking and walking along the Pacific Northwest coastline, reflecting on the beauty of summer and looking forward to what another fall equinox brings.

The vessel for Candle 03 is the work of amazing artist and dear friend Fernando Aciar of fefo Studio. Fernando is an Argentinian chef-turned-ceramic artist, a warm and welcoming person who’s inspiring to be around and a super passionate creative.

I first met Fernando while working on the menu for the Houston restaurant, Vibrant. As I dreamed up the restaurant menu, I also dreamed of what ceramics would look and work best with each dish. Fernando brought that vision to life and created a gorgeous collection of custom ceramics for the restaurant. We kept in touch and were able to reconnect when I returned to Houston to train the staff and chef on the menu. Fernando is the owner of New York-based OCafe, and was starting-up Vibrant’s coffee program and training their staff on the machines. We got to know each other better during our time in Houston, bonding over our shared love for food and desire to create.

For Candle 03, I wanted to incorporate Fernando’s organic style to round out the series. I love how he uses pops of color on his organic shapes, using them sparingly on these earthy, yet sophisticated pieces. Fernando’s work is in demand internationally, and I’m so grateful to have collaborated with him on a project that means so much to me.

Photo by Drew Reilly

Here’s more about Fernando and his work:

Wu Haus: How did you start in ceramics?

Fernando Aciar: After I closed a juice bar, I felt that I needed to go back to cooking – what I was doing before. It was hands-on, not just building a business and creating a new concept, but making it. There’s a school across the street in the Village, and my wife gave me [a semester there] for a Christmas present. I had the idea to start making cups….I realized that I loved being there, doing that, and I found myself – 20 hours a week – going to the studio. I realized that it had to be a business, because it was taking so much of my attention.

I had a friend who invited me to make a plate and do tablework for a fashion show. That commission became over 1,000 pieces within a month. The manager of the school where I was [attending] gave me the push to go and grow. The rest of the story is I’ve been doing [ceramics] for restaurants, for architects, for fashion shows. I’m about to fly to France because I’m doing lamps for a new hotel that’s opening in Nîmes.

WH: What techniques do you use?

FA: I like a lot of hand-building, which is using the slab, and I love to make molds. I like natural shapes and a lot of structured, more architectural shapes. More art deco lines. I use color as a graphic element…. I always keep playing with solid color, and my signature is the sunset – a half-circle. Everything has a connection when it comes to whatever I do. You try to bring the same DNA. Even if it’s a new concept, it’s the same person. It’s me.

WH: Where do you draw your inspiration from?

FA: I’m inspired by very simple things. I go to a container store and I see a shape, and I see a shape that’s going to be a lamp. I can be at a museum and see a drawing, and I [flip that drawing upside down]. Now it’s going to be a vessel, or a cup. I don’t follow ceramicists. I try to not get inspired by other ceramists, because it’s easy to fall into the same thing. I try to keep my own way of seeing things. Half of everything that I create comes from something broken, or something that went wrong. That came from cooking. You recycle everything, you transform. That happened to me with ceramics. If something breaks, I don’t get mad – it becomes something new.

WH: What was your process for the Wu Haus collaboration?
FA: [Alison and I] were having a glass of wine in Houston. It was a very hot, humid day, and we were talking about the candles. She was telling me that she wanted to do a line, and I said I’d love to collaborate. Eight months later, we were still talking about it. I have these [style of] cups, and she picked the colors – sand and blue. They’re the size for a matcha latte or any latte, and they fit the hand. They are an extension of your body. They’re not square, but organic shaped.

I also have a candle line, so I thought it was a beautiful thing to do a cup that can be reused. I often work with different artists; I have a chocolate bar that I do with a friend who’s a graphic designer. We collaborate in the ways that we have passion.

WH: What do you love about candles?

FA: I love light. It comes from there. In my house, we have to have candles all over. I love perfumes. I make my own perfumes and I love natural essential oils. We’re in this new era of handmade candles and I’m very into it. I like the light that the candle gives us at home. Or any environment. I’m a cook, so I appreciate a dinner with candles. It makes the whole experience different.

July 23, 2019 0 comment

Home Lifestyle Style

Wu Haus Candle 02: Warm + Floral

Wu Haus Candle 02 is a collaboration with Kelly Crosby of CROSBY Elements and ceramic artist Amelia Wrede Davis. Only 100 are available; get yours here.

Smell is such a powerful sense. It helps you recognize poisonous substances. It helps you fully appreciate the flavors of your food. It can also transport you to different memories and places.

With the release of Wu Haus Candle 02, I’m curious to know what memories it might bring up for you. Maybe the pink grapefruit notes remind you of spending summer afternoons with your grandmother on her porch, eating perfectly pink segments of fruit while letting the world go by. Or perhaps the sandalwood takes you back to the first time you hugged your partner and took a long breath in to soak up the scent of their cologne. Or maybe these scents don’t recall anything specific yet, but become your future path back to this summer and all the memories you’re about to create.

For Candle 02, I once again partnered with the amazing Kelly Crosby of CROSBY Elements to create a scent that celebrates the beginning of summer and all the wonderful smells associated with this time. Here’s how Kelly came up with scent notes of geranium, cedarwood, sandalwood, rose, pink grapefruit, hinoki wood and black peppercorn to create a perfectly balanced scent for the summertime:

“We’re transitioning from spring into summer, so we wanted to do something sweet and floral, but also had that warmth of summer. So to have that musky richness to it, we have sandalwood, Virginian cedarwood, and hinoki wood. The brightness comes from rose, geranium and pink grapefruit. I don’t typically gravitate towards a floral candle, but when it’s blended with these beautiful woods, they go really well together.”

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For the vessel, we collaborated with the talented Amelia Wrede Davis, a beautiful soul currently residing in Tacoma, Washington. We initially connected via Instagram a few years ago, and I completely fell in love with her pieces. Anyone who knows me knows my love for desert tones and neutral palettes, and Amelia’s work is dedicated to honoring the earth and letting its natural beauty shine through. Not only do I love the classic look of her pieces, but her commitment to environmental causes and sustainable business practices are also incredibly inspiring.

Candle 02 features the marbled clay that Amelia also uses for her limited O’Keeffe Country collection. I love the way the white and tan colors swirl together. It’s really beautiful – each one unique. I hope this vessel becomes part of some of your favorite memories, first as a candle, then as whatever you choose it to be.

Here’s more about Amelia and her work:

Wu Haus: How did you start your business?

Amelia Wrede Davis: I began working with clay my first year of high school. I immediately fell in love with it. I was at a time in my life where I didn’t realize how much I needed a contemplative creative outlet. Clay is an incredible teacher in this way. Throwing on the wheel became a sort of therapy for me – seeing how when I wasn’t centered in my body or present with what was right in front of me, I would also struggle to center the clay. That combined with the beauty of making functional objects and being connected/in relationship with a grounding material from the earth had me hooked. I’ve been throwing consistently for coming up on 12 years now.

Portrait by Taylor Jones Photo

WH: What techniques do you use?

AWD: All of my pieces are wheel thrown by me in my home studio in Tacoma, Washington. My aesthetic lingers where earthly meets utilitarian. I love refined, functional designs and timeless hues that can compliment any space or mood. All of my pieces embrace bare clay and feels of landscapes that are close to my heart –whether it be in hue, texture, shape or overall vibe.

My business ethos is rooted in sustainability – I practice zero-waste shipping with 100% plastic-free and recyclable/biodegradable materials and offset my carbon footprint while traveling for markets. I see these vessels as a vessel for positive impact, whether it be through shipping materials, purchasing supplies only from small or local businesses, donating monthly sales percentages and pieces for auction to important non-profits, inspiring folks to reduce single-use containers, recycling clay, and cultivating conversations around compassion, consumerism, and mindfulness.

WH: Where do you draw your inspiration from?

AWD: I went to school for environmental studies and that has been my greatest teacher and source of inspiration. The natural world, both in the sense of design and feel, but also the notion of slowing down and making room for pause. I take a long walk with my dogs each day in the woods or down at the beach here along the Puget Sound, and it has always been my recharge time. I brainstorm, troubleshoot and let my imagination go wild in this place. I’d say my creative process cycle often times begins there and ends there.

Because my work with clay is about so much more than clay to me (it is also a spiritual/environmental practice and way of life), my influences really come from all over. I also find inspiration in cooking seasonally, plant medicine, slow fashion/slow, circular business models, abstract expressionism, and permaculture. I spent a few years organic farming in my “formative” years – being both in sync with the earth and also deep in the slow food movement.

I am incredibly moved by the innate connection between food and pottery and all that it inspires. I have seen firsthand how they have the capacity to shift habits around single-use plastic, eating on the run, and creating community with loved ones or friends. There is a thread woven through each of my designs and what purpose I envision it to nurture: whether it be creating time each morning to slow down with one’s tonic or coffee in a favorite mug, sharing laughter and stories with loved ones over a meal, or inviting a close friend for heartwarming conversations and herbal tea out of a carafe…there is a narrative surrounding each piece in regards to nourishment of good, fresh food that ultimately keeps me forever inspired.

WH: What was your process for the Wu Haus collaboration?

AWD: Alison and I brainstormed together for the floral scent she was planning to house in my piece, and we wanted to create something feminine, uplifting and warm. The shape is also soft and has a body-like curve. Each one has a unique marbling pattern – no two are alike.

We quickly settled on the colorway that is part of my O’Keeffe Country Collection. These pieces came to life for me out of my love for and pilgrimages down to Abiquiu, New Mexico, that began while I was living in Colorado. This place quickly became very special for me, and a symbol for a renaissance of spirit I had during my first trip down there. I was coming out of a tough relationship and voyaged down with my dog (who was coincidentally rescued from New Mexico a year prior), and was in a place of needing to find myself again without that of a significant other. I felt closer to myself than I had felt in a long time – and deeply aware of the legacy that Miss O’Keeffe led as an autonomous woman aligning her life and art with her natural surroundings. Independence, groundedness, and the freeing feeling of being “home” is the landscape of Northern New Mexico for me. And in that way, I feel it has been the most empowering place for me as a woman and human. I feel very carried by her spirit when I am there, as well as many other female artists who have had a similar connection to this transformative place. So I hope this piece will, too, stand as a symbol for both femme empowerment as well as connecting to the Mother and truly aligning with her in all that you do.

WH: What do you love about candles?

AWD: For me, lighting a candle symbolizes keeping my internal flame/hearth warm and strong. I am often susceptible to burnout or low energy dips/waves and have incorporated a practice of lighting candles – especially while eating or relaxing after a long day. I visualize the flame within me and watch how it, too, flickers and dances to adapt and move with what is happening around it. Most days my output/input ratio is far from balanced and this is one tool (out of many) in my toolbox that has helped me to cultivate more input and recharge my batteries.

On a recent trip to Denmark, I also fell in love with how every cafe, coffee shop, bar, etc. we stopped at there had a candle on each table (with a real, good ol’ flame – not a plastic, battery-operated one). It made each meal/pastry/coffee/beer feel just that much more special and festive.

June 12, 2019 2 comments

Home Lifestyle Style

Wu Haus Candle 01: Fresh + Herbaceous

It’s here! I am so excited to officially release Wu Haus Candle 01, the first of a three-part series with some amazingly talented artists and friends. For this month’s release, I’ve partnered with Kelly Harland of CROSBY Elements and ceramic artist Justin Caraco to create a candle that will fill your space with springtime vibes and provide a beautiful vessel to enjoy long after the candle is finished burning. Only 100 of these limited-release candles were created, so be sure to purchase one before they’re all gone!

Last week, I shared how I met Kelly and her journey of becoming a storyteller through scent. Together, we worked with Justin to create a fresh + herbaceous candle that draws inspiration from not only the energy and fragrance of the spring season, but also from Justin’s background working in the kitchen in some of my favorite Portland restaurants, Ava Gene’s and Tusk. With scent notes of basil, ginger, black peppercorn, arugula, cedarwood and white birch, here’s how Kelly describes her approach to creating the first candle scent:

“This one was really driven by three parts: Justin as a person, his creative background via ceramics and food, and the candle’s springtime launch. It made sense to do something more herbal and citrus-forward, and also nice to ground those scents with something a little more woody and masculine.”

I first became acquainted with Justin’s work when collaborating with Shannon Sims of Food Art Love on a snack board photoshoot. I was immediately drawn to his pieces that she’d borrowed for the shoot, and eventually connected with him directly about purchasing some of his work. I love his use of color and texture, and how his pieces manage to find the perfect balance between playfulness and sophistication.

He was still working at Tusk at the time, and it was clear that this side project of his had the potential to become so much more. It has been great to watch his business grow and see him take on ceramics full-time. Working with him on this project has been such a dream, and I’m so thrilled for those of you who get to keep a piece of his art and make it become part of your home and story.

Here’s more about Justin’s story:

Wu Haus: How did you start your business?

Justin Caraco: I started doing ceramics in high school. I originally got into it because of my dad, who was a ceramics and art teacher. He taught me, and I’d use his studio as a teenager. I gave it up like most interests I had as a teenager. I’d been thinking about getting back into it for a long time, and about 5 years ago I bought a ceramics wheel on Craigslist. It was kind of an impulse buy, and I didn’t use it for a year. I’d been a chef for 15 years, and was working at one restaurant that was opening another restaurant where they wanted to bring me over. There were construction setbacks, so I took off a few weeks, which turned into a few months. That’s when I started using the wheel. When the new restaurant opened, the chef and owners wanted my work in there. So I started making things for that restaurant. A lot of my dishes at Tusk are used for hummus and desserts, as well as for garnishes. A lot of my work has been mostly dinnerware and planters. About two and a half years ago, I quit cooking to focus on ceramics.

WH: What are your influences?

JC: Definitely other ceramicists, both local and commercial names that are well-known. I’m inspired by a lot of their glazework. There are so many great ceramicists in Portland. [Tusk] had already been using other artists in town that are an inspiration. I saw the different clays and materials they were working with, which helped me create my own taste and style. I knew what I was using in the restaurant and knew what styles I wanted to see and work with. That’s why I started making things – I wanted to make them for food.

WH: How would you describe your style?

JC: I like to have a lot of clean glazes, a lot of simple colors, a lot of matte. I’m not glossy. I like my work to resemble what I see in nature. I like to show raw clay in the body. A lot of my work has speckles in it, which comes from the properties in the clay I use, like manganese. I also do marbled work with mixed clays. It’s all wheel work, except for the handles on mugs that I hand-make.

WH: What was your process for the Wu Haus collaboration?

JC: I used two different clays – a greyish-white clay with tannish speckled clay to get a grey speckled clay. We went over some shades and glazes and picked out the colors together. Since she’s doing a basil scent, I thought shades of green would go well with it. One’s teal, one’s grassy, and one’s light pastel.

WH: What’s your inspiration when creating pieces?

JC: I get a lot of inspiration from living in the Pacific Northwest and going hiking. Whether it’s from trees, plants or rocks, it’s the colors I see. I relate my work to the colors of the season. In the spring, I use a lot of pastels. In the fall, I’ll use burnt orange and reds. Even the grey skies inspire me. I’ll show that in the clay body, and then top it with a bit of color, like the colors that pop up around here.

I’ve also been a passionate skateboarder all my life, and I draw huge inspiration of style and aesthetic from my favorite skateboarders. They always put an emphasis on their tricks looking right, proper and with finesse. It’s about paying attention to the details and focusing on form, technique and style as the most important. It’s also about limiting what you put out and not trying to do too much. It’s kind of silly, but it relates to my approach with my art.

WH: What do you love about candles?

JC: I think it’s another way to enhance a space. It’s been really cool doing this project, because it enhances a space through multiple senses. You get an object that’s cool-looking rather than just a glass jar, and it’s something you can associate with that scent.

May 8, 2019 1 comment

Home Lifestyle Style

Wu Haus Office + Den Makeover

Very excited to finally share the Wu Haus office + den makeover with you! We started this project waaaayyyy back in October, but then I left town for 6 weeks, then it was the holidays and then it just took me a while to pull everything together to finish the project. What started as switching to pocket doors turned into a full-on makeover with all new furniture and lighting. The main challenge with this project was turning a very small, very particularly laid out room that we use for multiple purposes. If you scroll to the bottom of this post, you can see all the ‘before’ photos.

As you may remember, my husband ended up losing his closet in this room when we remodeled the kitchen. (In case you don’t remember: what everyone working on the project thought was the walls hiding our old oil heat chimney that jut out into the kitchen was actually Chris’ closet. Oops.) So needless to say, one of our main objectives for the new office + den was to find a way for my husband to have some sort of closet (without actually having a closet). We also use this room as an office and a den where we like to hang out in the evenings and watch a show or movie.

In terms of design, I was really inspired by warm desert tones, but I also wanted to bring in an unexpected shade of cool, icy grey/blue. Though I chose the colors before we went on our trip to Morocco, I think I must have known how much I was going to love it there because this room definitely feels inspired by our trip. I decided on the color for the Venetian plaster accent wall before I left on our trip. I grabbed some paint chips for color inspiration, but my contractor ended up tweaking the color based on how it was showing up on the wall once in the room. I’m so obsessed with Venetian plaster, it’s hard for me to imagine doing a project and not including it in my plans.

One of my favorite details is the crocheted Hamimi lantern that I found in Marrakech. I love the light it gives off and the beautiful shadows it creates. I also love the Milena Silvano pillow that acts as a focal piece on our gorgeous custom Young American day bed. The nubby wool pillows are from Pampa and my sweet mama made all the smaller pillow covers. I worked with my dear friend Jake, who designed and built the day bed, to create something that was functional, beautiful and very comfortable. The base is made of ash wood with powder-coated metal legs. It serves as a bed for anyone staying the night and is also perfect for cozying up to read a book or watch a movie. The ottoman functions as both a place to rest your feet and a coffee table. We had our contractor install a floating shelf in place of a side table next to the day bed.

Instead of spending a ton of money on custom cabinetry, we decided to go with a couple pieces from IKEA for the wardrobe and dresser. We were able to suspend two rods (one high and one low) in the wardrobe, so my husband has double the hanging room. We sanded, primed and painted both pieces that were originally white laminate. The wardrobe is STUVA / FÖLJA and the dresser is the 4-drawer MALM. We painted them Olympus White from Sherwin Williams and used gold hardware from Superfront to give it a fresh, modern look.

The new desk area feels separate without feeling out of place. Our beautiful new About A Chair 23 from HAY pretty much matches the Venetian plaster accent wall identically, which is a great tie into the rest of the room. The Copenhagen 90 Desk from HAY is minimalist perfection with plenty of space to work and to house the oversize Edendale Task Lamp from Rejuvenation. I’ve always dreamed of having a Laura Berger print and I love how the colors of this one work so well with the colors in the room. Our contractor made the shelving to match the floating shelf in the corner of the room next to the day bed. Our CB2 filing cabinets help keep all our papers and random office stuff organized.

March 18, 2019 7 comments

Drinks Style

Hibiscus Pistachio Iced Tea Latte

I love collaborating with like-minded creatives on fun projects, so doing this shoot with my friends at Older Brother was an absolute dream. Older Brother is a half Portland, half Los Angeles based apparel brand that uses natural dyes and organic and sustainable threads. They work exclusively with eco-conscious textiles that range from small batch organics to renewable plant-based synthetics. They carefully select their textiles based on quality, environmental impact and social responsibility. All of their garments are cut and sewn in Los Angeles.

What I love most about Older Brother is that they put the Earth first. They understand that we as humans and consumers have an obligation to take care of our planet and the people on it. So many of the synthetic materials and toxic dyes that are used in the fashion industry are not only terrible for us and our health, but are destroying our planet. Older Brother’s collection is gender neutral, and their designs are classic and timeless, so they will never go out of style. Their collection is thoughtful, considered and made with love.

This season, Older Brother uses hibiscus as the main dye for their collection. They offer a lighter more muted tone and a vibrantly saturated hibiscus color, as well as natural, undyed options like what I’m wearing in these photos. I especially love the Chore Coat, the Jeans and the Raglan Crew. I created this Hibisucs Pistachio Iced Tea Latte inspired by Older Brother’s collection. I love that what we drink as nourishment can also be used to create beauty in what we wear on our bodies.

Hibiscus-Pistachio Iced Tea Latte
[Serves 2]

Hibiscus Tea:
4 cups filtered water
1/4 cup dried cut hibiscus flowers (I get mine from Mountain Rose Herbs)

1.) Pour water and flowers into a airtight jar. Let steep in the refrigerator overnight for at least 12 hours.

Pistachio Milk:
3 cups filtered water
1 cup shelled pistachios, soaked in water for at least 6 hours

1.) In a high-speed blender, blend the pistachios and the water on high for 2-3 minutes. Strain the milk through a nut milk bag, cheese cloth or fine mesh sieve.

Hibiscus-Pistachio Iced Tea Latte:
2 cups chilled hibiscus tea
2 cups chilled pistachio milk
1 Tablespoon tocos powder
1 teaspoon reishi powder
1/4 teaspoon cardamom
1-2 medjool dates
Optional garnish: dried rose petals and crushed pistachios

1.) In a high-speed blender, blend all ingredients for 1-2 minutes. Pour over ice, and enjoy!

April 19, 2018 1 comment

Home Style

Wu Haus Kitchen Remodel

The Wu Haus Kitchen is finally done!!! And I’m beyond excited to be sharing the results with you today on the blog. After 9 weeks of renovations that had us cooking all our meals off a $14 hot plate in the dining room, we’re finally moved back into our brand new kitchen and absolutely loving it. I’m thrilled with how it turned out, and it was more than worth any of the chaos that came with remodeling.

First and foremost, I have to give MAJOR props and endless gratitude to our amazing contractor, Forrest, who worked his ass off on this project. My husband definitely put some time and elbow grease in, which was great, but for the most part, Forrest did everything on his own, from demo to the Venetian plaster walls to wiring the lighting to installing the new sink and plumbing to making the open shelving. It’s really quite amazing to work with someone who knows how to do literally everything.

I’d also like to thank my good friend and designer Jacob Schaeperkoetter-Cochran of Young American for helping me bring my vision to life. Jacob has a brilliant eye for design and offered so much guidance and advice on making this kitchen the most beautiful it could be. It was so fun working with him on our kitchen and watching as his plans became reality over the past several weeks.

Starting this project, I had a very clear vision of what I wanted. I played around with different layout ideas, but without changing the structure of the room too much, this layout made the most sense. We removed one wall that enclosed a “butler’s pantry” and took out the corner by the old refrigerator that we thought was the old oil-heat chimney. On our first day of demo, we soon found out that the “chimney” was actually my husband’s closet in our second bedroom. Oops. Not quite sure how we overlooked that. Anyways, we decided to roll with the original design of the kitchen and worry about the closet situation later. Still haven’t figured out where my husband’s new closet will go…I’ll keep you posted on that!

All of the amazing pendant lighting came from Rejuvenation. The pendants I chose are a collaboration with Portland-based ceramics studio, Pigeon Toe. During this whole process, I got to go tour Pigeon Toe’s studio and see how the ceramic pendants are made. I love supporting two Portland-based brands, and Pigeon Toe is woman-owned and operated. At one point, I felt like we went overboard with the lighting, as we also did recessed cans and under cabinet lighting, but now that I’m in the space working, I’m SO glad we went with all these lighting options. The pendants really allow for mood lighting, while the cans and under cabinet lighting is great for working. Since our kitchen is north facing and there’s only one window, having good lighting really makes a massive difference.

We decided to do the floors pretty last minute, like 4 weeks into the project, but I think it was one of the best decisions we made. Looking at it now, I think the finished floor really lends to the whole vibe and aesthetic of the kitchen. If we had kept the orange-hued wood floors that are in the rest of our haus, I think it would have really detracted from the finished look. It took Forrest a bit to get it just right, as Skimstone is essentially like a plaster application where you hand brush it on. Skimstone is a great option if you want something that looks like concrete.

I knew from the get go that I wanted marble countertops, and despite pretty much everyone advising me against it in the beginning, I’m so glad I stuck to my guns. If you aren’t familiar, marble etches form acids like lemon, vinegar and tomatoes and can stain easily. Personally, I love the way marble ages. The stains tell a story over time, and I think lend to a beautiful aged look. It’s definitely not for everyone. If you are type A or a particularly messy cook, I would suggest going with something more forgiving like quartz or granite.

We spent a good amount of our budget on the countertops, the refrigerator and other design details. Where we chose to save money was on the cabinets. Custom cabinetry can get really, really expensive, so we decided to use IKEA Sektion frames and use semihandmade custom fronts/doors. I’m SO happy with how they look, and that we decided to go this route. Semihandmade has lots of options and I found them incredibly easy to work with.

Walls: Venetian plaster application. Accent walls color matched to Pout from Miller Paint.
Countertops: Carrara marble slabs from Oregon Tile & Marble.
Floors: Skimstone Arctic White with the smallest amount of Oystershell added in
Lighting: All pendants from Rejuvenation. Recessed lighting from Home Depot.
Cabinets: IKEA Sektion frames with Semihandmade Cabinet Fronts in Supermatte Clay
Hardware: Park Studio X Sarah Sherman Samuel Half Moon, Ottawa and Mackinaw in Brushed Brass
Shelving: Plywood with maple facing
Sink: ROHL Shaws Classic Fireclay Single Basin Undermount Sink
Faucet: Delta Trinsic Pull Down Single Handle Kitchen Faucet
Refrigerator: smeg Fab 32

The BEFORE photos…Haha I guess I should have put these at the beginning of the post, but come on, I’ve been just dying to show you the AFTERs, so I had to get right to it. Honestly, our old kitchen doesn’t look so bad, but since I spend most of my day in this space and it’s essentially my office, I really wanted to up level the space and make it into something I feel incredibly inspired by.

April 9, 2018 19 comments

Lifestyle Style

All My Favorite Ceramics

I get so many questions over on Instagram about my ceramics collection. I thought it was about time I do a post on all my faves. I’ve been collecting ceramics for the past several years, purchasing them on my travels, working with ceramicists on custom pieces and picking them up locally in Portland. I don’t collect many things, but my ceramics and crystal collections definitely hold a place in my heart. I love supporting people making beautiful things by hand. Handmade ceramics almost always cost more, but they are always worth it. They’re more sturdy and typically last longer than mass-produced dinnerware, as they don’t chip as easily. Handmade ceramics bring great joy to my home. I love picking out which mug I’m going to drink from each morning or which bowl I’m going to eat my lunch out of. My ceramic collection is mostly mix and match, but all have a similar vibe and aesthetic so when I’m setting my table for entertaining it still looks cohesive. If you like an artist’s work but don’t see the exact piece you are looking for, don’t hesitate to reach out! Most ceramists will do custom orders.

Colleen Hennessey – One of my all-time favorites. I especially love Colleen’s bowls.

Fefo Studio – Aside from being an amazing human, Fernando also happens to make insanely gorgeous ceramics.

Alexandria Cummings – Alex and I have known each other for years. It’s been so wonderful watching her work evolve and her business grow. She just made the cutest mugs for one of my NYC workshops.

Justin Caraco – Justin’s work is brilliant. He doesn’t sell online, but shoot him a DM if you are interested in any of his works.

Zamaa Ceramica – I discovered Zamaa when I was in Tulum last year. Seriously stunning work.

Kati von Lehman – I’ve been a long-time lover of Kati’s work. I have one of her tumblers, and it’s definitely one of my favorite vessels.

Anamone Studios – Just discovered Anamone recently, and I’m thrilled that a couple custom pieces for our new kitchen are on their way to me now.

Pigeon Toe – These babes make the coolest stuff, including the rad pendant lights that are going in our new kitchen.

bX Ceramics – Becki’s work has so much depth and beauty. She made 50 mini matcha mugs for my other NYC workshop last month.

Mary Carroll Ceramics – Picked up one of Mary’s mugs at the Portland Airport on my way to NYC last month, and it’s definitely my new favorite.

Brian Giniewski – The most fun! Brian’s work is so original. I have several of his mugs.

Earth + Element – I met Liz at Spirit Weavers Gathering last year, and my best friend and I purchased matching tea bowls from her.

Notary Ceramics – Sarah’s work is understated and lovely. And she’s also an all-around lovely human.

A Question of Eagles – I’ve been swooning over Melissa and Jonathan’s work for a while. I need that soap dispenser!

Earthen – Loving this line from SF. On my wish list!

Helen Levi – I’ve long been a fan of Helen’s work. Her marbled pieces are insane.

Mimi Ceramics – A Portland local. I love how playful and fun her work is.

March 20, 2018 1 comment

Lifestyle Style Wellness

Holiday Gift Guide 2017

Laura Berger Leaning In Print $60
Incausa Palo Santo Incense Bundle $14
You Are A Circle by Prof. G $14
Areaware Contour Key Ring $18
Mini or Big Cloud Light $15/$90
Brian Giniewski Sherbet Vessel $65
Double Handled Market Basket $44
Bonne Maison Rosebud Waves Socks $21
Humble Ceramics Stillness Plate $95
Living Libations Bedtime Story Essential Oil Diffuser Blend $48
Donation to the Environmental Defense Fund
Matcha Travel Sticks $34
Sonos 2-Room Wireless Speaker Set $298
Woodlot Rose + Palo Santo Mist $22
Mquan Crescent Ornament $40
Rose Shell Arc Comb $18
The Wild Unknown Animal Spirit Deck $50
Zenbunni Chaga Chai Gheenache $20
Moondeli Meditation Tonic $40
Fingernails Sleep Mask $85
Fluted Ceramic Vase $20
Open Habit Knotted Clutch $68
Donation to Planned Parenthood any amount
Norden Ojai Candle with Reusable Ceramic Vessel $55
Skull Candy Hesh 3 Wireless Headphones $125
Workaday Handmade Mug $44
Gift Certificate to Imperfect Produce any amount
Sun Potion Yin Power $115
Abaca Terrazo Coaster Set $38
Monthly Subscription to Kait Hurley’s Movement + Meditation Site $19.99/mo
Hello Sacred Life Board Book $16
Vitruvi Stone Essential Oil Diffuser $119
Slowdown Studio X Marleigh Culver Harrison Throw $230
Norse Projects Beanie $75
Donation to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) any amount
Zenbunni Full Moon Chocolate Club Membership $39/mo

More gift ideas, HERE!

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November 28, 2017 0 comment

Music Style

Summer 17 Playlist

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HERE WITH ME – SANGO
UNFORGETABLE (FEAT. SWAE LEE) – FRENCH MONTANA
HOT HANDS – DARIUS
COME CLOSER (FEAT. DRAKE) – WIZKID
LOVE GALORE (FEAT. TRAVIS SCOTT) – SZA
BLEM – DRAKE
PINE & GINGER – AMINDI K. FRO$T, TESSELLATED & VALLEYZ
TEENAGE FEVER – DRAKE
CHURCH (FEAT. CHANCE THE RAPPER & BUDDY) – BJ THE CHICAGO KID
BTSTU – JAI PAUL
DO NOT DISTURB – DRAKE
IT’S A VIBE (FEAT. TY DOLLA $IGN, TREY SONGZ & JHENE AIKO) – 2 CHAINZ
DARKEST (DIM) (FEAT. GAVIN TUREK) – TOKiMONSTA
PLAYING FOR YOU (FEAT. BASSETTE) – JOE HERTZ
LIGHTS ON – H.E.R.
NO ONE (KAYGE CALYPSO & DUNN REMIX) – MOTHICA
SOMETHING ABOUT YOU – HAYDEN JAMES
DROPS – JUNGLE
OFF THE GROUND – ANDERSON .PAAK
UKIYO – HERMITUDE
CHASING SHADOWS – SANTIGOLD
LOVE (FEAT. ZACARI) – KENDRICK LAMAR
WITHOUT YOU (FEAT. KERRY LEATHAM) – LAPALUX

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Listen on Spotify, here.
Listen on Apple Music, here.

July 10, 2017 2 comments

Style

Autumnal Table Inspiration

Wow! I can’t believe the holidays are right around the corner. With the start of November, I begin dreaming of holiday foods and entertaining. What new dishes will I make? How can I decorate my home to look festive without looking cheesy. This fall, I partnered with Fred Meyer to share this autumnal table inspiration. Using different varieties of chrysanthemums as a splash of color on an otherwise mostly neutral table palette. I love the vibrancy and robustness that this color adds. It really is the perfect color for the season. Mums are amazingly hearty flowers and will last for a couple weeks when cut.

I wanted my holiday table to represent my aesthetic while still feeling festive and seasonal. I chose a mostly neutral backdrop with white plates and clear wine glasses from Fred Meyer. I also used a natural colored table runner and ivory beeswax candles. I like having a tall, dramatic centerpiece that makes a statement when you walk into the room, but can be taken away when it’s time to sit down to eat. I used smaller vases of flowers to fill the rest of the table and won’t block guests’ line of vision at mealtime. Guests can each take home a small white pumpkin when they leave for the night.

Overall, the table feels uncluttered and sophisticated without being cheesy. Draw-dropping florals in the colors of the season paired on a neutral background offers a vibrant and modern holiday feel.

[This post was sponsored by Fred Meyer. All thoughts and opinions are my own.]

November 4, 2016 0 comment

Style

Designer Profile: Jacob Schaeperkoetter-Cochran of Young American

I sat down with my dear friend, designer, woodworker, ceramicist and all-around talented guy, Jacob Schaeperkoetter-Cochran of Young American, to discuss who and what inspires his work, how he got his start as a furniture designer and who he would like to invite to his dream dinner party. Jake, as he is known to many of his friends, has designed and built several pieces of furniture for our haus, most recently a white oak dining table seen here, here and here. He does beautiful custom work, and I’ve been dreaming about a Young American coffee table for sometime in 2016. Be sure to follow along to see his latest work on the Young American Instagram feed. He is also teaching a wooden spoon carving workshop at Wildcraft Studio‘s Portland location on May 7th.

WH: What and who inspires your design?
JSC: I think the “what” in that question is much easier to talk about than who inspires me. A while ago I worked at a local furniture restoration and design house, refinishing, repairing and sometimes replicating parts for pieces by Finn Juhl, Borge Mogensen, Eames, Hans Wegner and so on. I put my hands on so many amazing and original pieces. Just being in such close proximity to those designers’ works influenced me a lot. The things that stood out to me as really great design I started to see popping up in my own work without even trying. That felt like true inspiration. It’s one thing to make a counterfeit or knock off, actively trying to implement design qualities that knowingly have been used, but it’s something completely different when those same qualities arrive without any attempt to do so. It’s more effortless and pure and much easier to re-work into something unique yet inspired. I also read blogs and magazines. They showcase the work of a lot of contemporary designers that I admire. The new stuff by HARTÔ. Anne Boysen’s TOWARD sofa. Everything that’s put up on Sight Unseen (particularly Erika Emerén‘s work). The blog, Good Thing. 90’s ceramics books. Lilith Rockett‘s porcelain and more. There are a lot of people who I admire, and I enjoy looking at what they make. But back to the “what!” What inspires me is the funny stuff that can’t easily be categorized. Like in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, when Angel Eyes comes to collect. As Lee Van Cleef sits across from the man he’s about to rob and kill, eating from a wooden spoon, there is this strange mix of humor and seriousness that is really wavering and intriguing. I don’t know exactly how to react, but I’m drawn to it and want to watch it over and over again. I guess it’s moments like that I find the most inspirational. More than attempt to recreate a style from the past or follow a current trend, I’m much more interested in the “what;” what I’ve made, what place it has and what it does.

WH: How did you get into furniture design?
JSC: I kind of just started doing it without even knowing. Furniture was never a big interest for me, and I certainly never thought I would ever be as passionate about it as I am today. Building and creating things has always been a passion for as long as I can remember, but it was never so specific. I started college in London at Central Saint Martins with a focus on architecture. It was interesting and held my interest for a while until my designs started to be extremely less functional than they were conceptual. I transferred to the Pacific Northwest College of Art the following year. At PNCA, there was one class called Experimenting with Materials where you chose a topic and experimented with it the entire semester. I chose paper. I started to make my own tools for the process and got really into it, like more than making the paper itself. My dry racks were these spindly, spider-like zigzags that ran parallel to one another and were held together with joinery, wire mesh and dowels. That rack was replaced by another more intricate one and and eventually paper drying racks turned into shelving and shelving eventually turned into tables and chairs.

WH: What would be your dream piece to design and build?
JSC: My current dream piece is this sofa I’ve been thinking a lot about. It might sound a little boring, but it’s not just the sofa that’s so dreamy, it’s the collaboration involved.

WH: If you could have dinner with 3 people (dead or alive), who would they be?
JSC: I recently saw this book of recipes by Salvador Dali. It was amazing, and those dinners looked out of this world. So, Salvador Dali would be one. A good story is alway nice at the dinner table, so the old man from The Old Man In The Sea would probably have to be another one. Also, Bukowski would probably make for interesting company.

WH: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
JSC: In ten years, I see myself working with people I respect and admire. Doing things similar to what I’m doing now, but on a bigger scale. There are so many people out there doing amazing things in design, photography and craft; in ten years, I hope to be closely surrounded by those people while being excited about what’s to come.

[All photos taken by the talented Mikola Accuardi.]

March 22, 2016 0 comment

Style

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*Listen on Spotify, here. *Listen on Apple Music, here.

Listen on Spotify, here.
Listen on Apple Music, here.