Kate's 5 Things

Happy Friday and happy April! I hope it’s warm and sunny where you are.

---

What I’ve been reading:

The Family Firm by Emily Oster. I love following her on social media. Her data-driven approach to parenting is a breath of fresh air in a sea of pseudo-science meets Keeping-Up-With-the-Joneses messaging on social.

What I’ve been cooking & eating:

This healthy take on the Costco dill pickle salad!

What I’ve been watching:

Succession…I can’t believe this is the final season.

What’s in my cart:

These sunglasses. I wore my beloved cheap amazon ones all summer long, so i think it is time to invest.

One thing I’m looking forward to…

My weather apps all say it is supposed to finally feel like spring this weekend. I’m not holding my breath, but I can’t say that I’m not looking forward to walking outside without a jacket on. My parents are coming to visit for Easter, so I’m crossing my fingers everyone stays healthy and we can be together!

---

Reader Question:

Why, in your opinion, do we love interior design so much?

Kate’s Answer:

I have often asked myself this question because it does feel a bit silly at times to be so obsessed with aesthetics. But when I started looking into the psychology behind how spaces affect our moods, it became quite clear why some people (more than others) are really particular about their homes. Here are just a few reasons why it may resonate with you: 

Self-expression

Interior design allows you to express yourself by creating a space that reflects your personality and style. In a world where we often are not able to fully express ourselves, the opportunity to decide the vibe, color, pattern is really about feeling like yourself at home and being seen for who you are. . 

Creativity

Interior design is also an opportunity to exercise your creativity. You can experiment with different designs and styles, and put your own personal spin on them. This process is FUN and not often something we have the opportunity to do in our daily lives. 

Comfort

A well-designed space can promote a sense of comfort and coziness. This is a huge factor for me. I like to feel cozy, stable, and cared for in my space. I like things to feel easy and effortless.  When a space is well-designed (for your particular needs), it can make you feel calm and relaxed, and can be a refuge from the stresses of everyday life.

Functionality

Good interior design takes into account how a space will be used, and can improve the functionality of a room. A well-designed space flows well and makes it easy to perform tasks and move around. Less friction in your life = a positive benefit in your life. 

Aesthetics

Interior design simply because it can be beautiful to look at. Beauty is one of those intangible things that humans are drawn to. I think it’s part of our DNA to gravitate towards what we find attractive and beautiful, whether its a lovely hotel or a vacation spot with a gorgeous view. Our domestic lives deserve to be beautiful, too.

---

Last but not least, Fiona Golfar’s Cornish home really caught my eye this week. It’s a wonderful study in letting one saturating color dominate as a through-line (in this case, wood floors painted a cobalt blue) which casts all the rustic details in a fresh light. I’d highly recommend browsing the article on House & Garden UK.

---

Thank you for reading & supporting my newsletter. If you are already a paying subscriber, you will receive another newsletter to your inbox a week from today! If you are a free subscriber and would like to upgrade, there is a button at the bottom of this page where you can do so.

Have a wonderful weekend!