WINTER IN THE SALTBOX
Notes from the season: what I’m loving, using, and returning to
The Northeast has been exceptionally cold and snowy this winter, and I’ve been spending more time indoors than usual. I’m a homebody at heart, so I embrace it, though I do miss the vitamin D. Between the freezing weather and a news cycle that’s been heavy and genuinely upsetting, I’ve found myself focusing on simple rituals that help me feel balanced and grounded.
This year so far has been about getting back to basics and establishing healthy habits. Being happy and steady in my work. Moving my body every day. Ending the day with a cup of tea. Learning piano with daily self-taught lessons. Doing more tactile things with real materials. Cooking more, creating more content I enjoy. Embracing comfort in whatever form it shows up.
This is a snapshot of winter at home as it looks right now. What I’m loving, what I’m living in, what I’m reading, what’s inspiring me, and the small rituals that are helping me ebrace this season.
What I’m Working On
I have a mix of projects right now that’s keeping things interesting. From small Brooklyn homes where we’re getting creative with millwork and storage, to an antique Colonial renovation that’s all about respecting what’s already there, to a new build I’m helping design for sale. I appreciate the variety. Each project asks for a different approach and style but all filtered through my signature Heritage Modern lens.
One part of the process I’m especially enjoying right now is creating material boards. Pulling finishes together, testing combinations, and seeing how things relate to one another is where so much clarity happens for me. I recently renovated my home office to add proper sample storage so more materials are at my fingertips while I’m working. It’s already made a noticeable difference in how I move through projects. (I’ll be sharing a look at that space soon.)
Alongside client work, I’m also deep in a rebrand and new website for the studio. It’s been about tightening the message, clarifying what we do best, and creating something that feels more aligned with how the work has evolved.
What I’m Coveting
I’ve been daydreaming about adding Delft tiles around my living room fireplace, and keep coming back to one special source…KV Tiles. Katherine’s custom designs are so thoughtful, unique and beautiful and add so much character to a space. They’ve been on my wishlist for a while now, either for my own home or a client project that deserves something truly special.
I recently picked up a Diego Giacometti–style coffee table from the 1960s at a local auction that I’m very excited about. It’s one of those pieces I’m happy to hold onto and I can imagine working into a future client project down the line. In the meantime, I may find a temporary spot for it in my own home, just to admire it a bit.
When it comes to window treatments, I keep coming back to the striped fabrics from Gotain. The colorways feel perfectly curated and the materials are beautiful in person. I have them sourced for a few projects right now and still find myself lingering on them.
A couple of weeks ago, I visited the Nickey Kehoe showroom in NYC and haven’t stopped thinking about it since. The space itself, set within an incredible, ornate townhouse is as inspiring as the collection. They recently partnered with Litchfield County–based Dumais Made on a lighting line, and I’m especially drawn to one of the pendants. The scale and weight of the chain is so substantial, even more striking in person.
Lastly, I’ve been feeling the urge to build out a more intentional collection of ceramics—unique dishes like this oyster plate and everyday earthenware. I’m always inspired by the way Josh Young approaches dishware collections: simple, artful, beautiful. It’s the kind of thing that makes even a Tuesday night dinner feel considered.
What I’m Cooking & Eating
Winter has pushed us toward simpler, repeatable meals. A lot of fish, soups, and stews, and more winging it than following recipes. Rice bowls, pastas, and whatever is on hand to throw together. We recently signed up for Wild Alaskan Company’s monthly mixed box and have been really enjoying the quality and variety of their wild-caught fish. It’s made cooking fish at home feel easy and low-stress, which means we do it more often.
This white chicken chili has been in heavy rotation, and we recently tried a roasted fish and leeks recipe that’s immediately earned a spot on the regular list. Last week’s standout was a simple bowl with brown rice, scallions, avocado, roasted broccoli, salmon, and chili crisp (easy, healthy, no recipe necessary).
This braiser has easily become my most-used piece. It lives on the stove, works for everything from soups to braises to one-pan dinners, and makes cooking feel a little more elevated.
I’m also fully on a canned fish kick. I’ve been trying different sardines to find my favorites. Sea Tales sardines in spicy tomato sauce on toast with sliced cucumbers on top is my current go-to lunch.
I end every night with a mug of chamomile tea, usually in front of the fire or the TV. It’s a small ritual I genuinely look forward to, and I think it’s helped my sleep a little.
What I’m Living In
I gravitate toward soft materials and max comfort when I’m at home, especially in the winter. Our house is old, and a few rooms never quite warm up completely, so I’m almost always in layers. These shearling sandals have been my house shoes for years. I wear them barefoot in the summer and with thick socks once it gets cold. They started as something I wore on photoshoots when I needed support for long days on my feet but couldn’t wear “real” shoes, and now I don’t like walking more than a few steps in the house without them.
I’m also constantly reaching for this cozy quarter-zip sweater that’s polished enough for a Zoom meeting but still feels relaxed. It’s the kind of piece that works equally well for a workday at my desk or a slow weekend morning, which is exactly what I want from anything I keep in rotation. And my Varley pieces get a lot of use this time of year. Their sweats are genuinely soft and easy, and I’ve been living in them all winter.
What I’m Reading
I try to read before bed instead of scrolling on my phone. I’m not especially consistent with this yet, but I’m trying.
I just finished The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo. It kept my attention and was an enjoyable read, though I haven’t found a novel recently that fully grabbed me. The Women by Kristin Hannah was my favorite read from last year. If you’ve read something you couldn’t put down lately, I’d love recommendations.
On the design side, I’ve been spending time with stylist Mieke ten Have’s book and Interiors of a Storyteller by Stephanie Sabbe. Mieke has such a one-of-a-kind, beautiful eye, and I love studying her images for ideas I can apply to my own home and to client projects. Stephanie is a generous storyteller, and I appreciate that she doesn’t take herself too seriously despite being incredibly talented. It’s a design book you’ll actually want to read cover to cover.
Winter has a way of slowing everything down and asking for a bit more intention. Lately, that’s meant paying closer attention to what supports my days and helps me feel settled. Letting routines form, ideas simmer, and allowing myself to move a little slower while the world outside feels heavy. Winter in the Saltbox, for now.