The Beautifully Strange World of Miranda Lake

I fell in love with Miranda Lake's home after seeing it beautifully featured in Valorie Hart and Sara Essex Bradley's wonderful book House Proud: Unique Home Design, Louisiana.I knew right away that I had to meet the woman behind this magical home with the 1952 double-decker bus in the back yard. Miranda's home is fearless, playful and offbeat. I'm delighted I had the opportunity to explore this strange wonderland and share it with you.

Stepping onto the grounds of Miranda Lake’s New Orleans home feels like being transported into the whimsical world she depicts in her artwork. Just as her encaustic collages portray surreal scenes featuring cleverly juxtaposed animals and objects, Miranda’s Uptown home treats visitors to a visual feast of artfully assembled vignettes with similar motifs. The front porch alone is a delightful display: A plastic deer head peers out from a pot of colorful flowers; a small toy horse rests in front of a vintage scale holding an arrangement of succulents; a collection of tiny birds emerge from a rusty typewriter.

“I see this house as an extension of my portfolio work,” Miranda explains. “It’s as much me and as much of my art as it is a house. It is an experience.” The experience is filled with collections of “beautifully strange” decorative objects she finds in a variety of places including junk stores, eBay, Etsy, Craigslist and travel. Her love of biology, zoology and all things having to do with animals is abundantly clear. In addition to her two dogs, Mr. Whipple and Birdie, and four bunnies, Tumpta, Flapjack, Toofus, and L.B. Fou Fou, the house is filled with creatures of land and sea in various forms: plastic toys, ceramic vases, entomological specimens, faux and real taxidermy. Animals are depicted in paintings, printed on pillows, and seem to appear wherever you turn.

When Miranda bought the house 15 years ago, she knew right away that the 1910 shotgun house on Jena Street was perfect. In fact, it was the only house she looked at. “It’s a special house. It’s deceptively large. It looks teeny from the front but keeps going, going and going.” The back half of the house is divided into a separate apartment, adding the bonus of a built-in source of income. If she needed any proof that it was meant to be, she got it two weeks before she moved in when she was shopping on Magazine Street. The stars aligned when she stumbled upon a fated find: a hand-painted 1920’s wood bar with a tag that read, “Made by the Coco-Cola Company for the Jena Street Social Club.” The bar is now the focal point of her parlor.

When Miranda acquired the empty lot next door just before Katrina hit in 2005, she was able to add a swimming pool and transform the property into the compound it is today. It is a rarity in New Orleans for a modest home to have so much yard space.

It’s hard to believe the grounds that surround Miranda’s home started out as an empty patch of grass surrounded by a chain link fence. A lush garden path filled with little surprises – a claw foot tub filled with small horse figurines, antique toys tucked into the greenery – winds around the property and leads visitors into a magical adult playground where Miranda’s unique artistic vision comes to life. A fully restored ’62 Shasta camper trailer and a 1952 double-decker bus, which she describes as “one big shiny, giant happy pill you can actually get inside of,” are parked alongside a stunning lap pool. Miranda bought the bus from a friend and plans to get it water tight and eventually hook up electricity, air conditioning, and install a sound system. She envisions it as a poolside cabana. The atmosphere is perfect for Miranda’s casual lifestyle, where friends feel free to drop by for a swim.

Miranda’s home embodies the easy, offbeat spirit of New Orleans. Although she was raised in rural Connecticut, she has found a muse in the Crescent City. “The crumbling decay is just eye candy for me. It’s like Shakespeare here. The whole cycle of life is very easy to see and feel. It’s all around you.”

You can see the full tour and learn more about Miranda's style and inspiration on Apartment Therapy.

Photos and text by Jacqueline Marque

The Lawless Family

I had the pleasure of photographing this sweet family on a beautiful May evening in Middletown. Here are a few of my favorites from the shoot:

This one is my favorite. I just love this kid's curls and smile. What a cutie.

Valorie's Bold New Orleans Home

Valorie Hart is fearless when it comes to style. Her bright pink pixie coif, bold wardrobe and oversized eyeglasses, reminiscent of fashion icon Iris Apfel, make clear that this decorator, interior designer and stylist loves to have fun and make a splash. This self-described “New New,” a New Yorker transplanted to New Orleans, treats her home as a design lab, where she dares to test out big ideas with spunk to match her eccentric look.

In Valorie’s world, decorating is a way of life where nothing is off-limits. Textiles and paper Fornasetti cutouts act as wallpaper; a cow hide becomes a tablecloth. She describes her style as “free and all-inclusive.” Known for her popular design blog The Visual Vamp and her interior design book House Proud, Valorie effortlessly mixes unlikely combinations with ease: modern furniture with antiques, high-end pieces from the likes of Bloomingdales with rusty treasures salvaged from the street. A disco ball hangs from the ceiling in the same room with an antique French settee. Ceiling-to-floor silk drapes in turquoise and lime green dress windows in luxury, while a painter’s drop cloth purchased from a local hardware store hangs as a DIY wall covering.

It’s hard to imagine that this Irish Channel shotgun was “a sad little house” when Valorie and her late husband Alberto bought it nine years ago. The property, used as overflow housing and office space for a girls’ orphanage, was cold and drab. It had been renovated by volunteers using a hodgepodge of donated materials. Architecturally, it was nothing special, but to Valorie and Alberto, it was perfect. The infrastructure was solid, the price was right, and the possibilities were endless.

Valorie continues to enjoy exploring these possibilities with a sense of humor, despite a recent unexpected turn of events. She has been living alone since Alberto died suddenly four months ago. “I am picking up the pieces, and my work that I love is a key component,” she explains. On an April afternoon, her dining room table is impeccably set and a banner that reads, “Holy shit, you’re old!” hangs above her banquette. The table’s upholstered bench seating was the last project she and Alberto worked on together. She describes the fun she had selecting the perfect china from her collection to dress the table and her outdoor seating area just for my visit. Throwing dinner parties is something she’s always loved. She obviously takes great pride and pleasure in sharing her keen visual eye with others. No matter what happens in life, Valorie’s passion for style will keep her young at heart.

 In Valorie’s world, decorating is a way of life where nothing is off-limits. Textiles and paper Fornasetti cutouts act as wallpaper; a cow hide becomes a tablecloth. She describes her style as “free and all-inclusive.” Known for her popular design blog The Visual Vamp and her interior design book House Proud, Valorie effortlessly mixes unlikely combinations with ease: modern furniture with antiques, high-end pieces from the likes of Bloomingdales with rusty treasures salvaged from the street. A disco ball hangs from the ceiling in the same room with an antique French settee. Ceiling-to-floor silk drapes in turquoise and lime green dress windows in luxury, while a painter’s drop cloth purchased from a local hardware store hangs as a DIY wall covering. It’s hard to imagine that this Irish Channel shotgun was “a sad little house” when Valorie and her late husband Alberto bought it nine years ago. The property, used as overflow housing and office space for a girls' orphanage, was cold and drab. It had been renovated by volunteers using a hodgepodge of donated materials. Architecturally, it was nothing special, but to Valorie and Alberto, it was perfect. The infrastructure was solid, the price was right, and the possibilities were endless. Valorie continues to enjoy exploring these possibilities with a sense of humor, despite a recent unexpected turn of events. She has been living alone since Alberto died suddenly four months ago. “I am picking up the pieces, and my work that I love is a key component,” she explains. On an April afternoon, her dining room table is impeccably set and a banner that reads, “Holy shit, you’re old!” hangs above her banquette. The table's upholstered bench seating was the last project she and Alberto worked on together. She describes the fun she had selecting the perfect china from her collection to dress the table and her outdoor seating area just for my visit. Throwing dinner parties is something she’s always loved. She obviously takes great pride and pleasure in sharing her keen visual eye with others. No matter what happens in life, Valorie’s passion for style will keep her young at heart.

You can see the full tour and read more about Valorie's style on Apartment Therapy.

Photos and text by Jacqueline Marque

Matilde & Gustavo's Arts District Apartment

Apartment living is the key to happiness for Matilde Alberny and Gustavo Duque. These New Orleans artists never imagined they would end up renting their beloved home in the Lower Garden District to move into their 710 square foot investment property. But after short-term tenants opened the Colombian couple's eyes to the joys of living in their small Warehouse District apartment, they decided to make the move. After three months of renting Matilde & Gustavo’s Warehouse District apartment, the tenants, who were in the final stages of building their dream home, had fallen in love with the freedom and simplicity of small-footprint living. Once their house was completed, they made the radical decision to sell it and buy an apartment instead. Inspired by their tenants unexpected about-face, Matilde and Gustavo chose to give small-footprint living a try themselves.

They walked away from all of the excess in their life and started anew with only the things they really love: their favorite pieces of furniture and their art collection. The result is a simple space that feels right at home in the city’s Arts District. The thriving neighborhood of converted warehouses, situated just a stone’s throw away from the Mississippi River and French Quarter, is filled with restaurants, shops and art galleries on nearly every block.

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The paintings and sculptures that fill Matilde and Gustavo’s apartment tell the story of this devoted couple’s life together. Gustavo’s painting, “Mi Colombia,” the focal point of the living room, is where it all began. Matilde fell in love with the graffiti-style painting when she saw it on exhibit and was determined to meet the artist. A mutual friend arranged a meeting and Gustavo paid her a visit in hopes of selling her the painting. What started as a potential business relationship turned into a romance. Seventeen years later, they still wear the loving glow of newlyweds. The artwork they’ve made for each other throughout the years fills their home with memories of their journey.

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While their previous home was a quiet urban oasis, their new place is surrounded by the bustling energy of the city. It’s not unusual now for the couple to get a surprise call from friends and, minutes later, be dining together over a glass of wine just steps away from their front door. “Our life was completely different before we moved here,” says Gustavo

Living in an apartment allows them the freedom to pick up and go when they want to travel. The low-maintenance space also gives them more time for entertaining friends with Matilde’s wonderful cooking. “Life is so easy!” Gustavo exclaims with a giant smile and a twinkle in his eye. “We find more time for us. We enjoy more of life.”

Downsizing seems to have been all gain and no loss for Matilde and Gustavo. Everything they need fits comfortably in 710 square feet. Sitting on the couch beside Gustavo, Matilde looks up at “Mi Colombia,” and says “When we put this painting here, we said, ‘Now we are home.’”

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You can see the full tour and read more about Matilde and Gustavo's art collection and style on Apartment Therapy.

Photos and text by Jacqueline Marque

E's Academic Records #7: Guilty Pleasures

Most people, whether they admit it or not, have something in their music collection that they only listen to when no one else is around. For what ever reason, it's a secret indulgence that’s kept under wraps. I've got plenty of guilty gems on my iPod (Miley Cyrus’ Bangerz, U2’s Pop) and a few in my record collection. Here are four of them:

Clockwise, from left:

Lionel Ritchie – Dancing On The Ceiling, 1986 Ah, Lionel. Everybody loves Lionel. How can you not? The mustache. The blazer over a turtleneck. The hits! I own a couple of Lionel Ritchie CDs and poached this album from my brother. I guess this is a double guilty pleasure since it's stolen. It is packed with cheese, but nothing tops "Dancing on the Ceiling." "Say You, Say Me" is a close second.

Culture Club – Kissing To Be Clever, 1982 I'm not even sure how this ended up in my record collection. Actually, I'm not sure how this and two copies of their 1983 release, Colour By Numbers, ended up in my possession, but they did, and I've played them more times than I care to admit. "I'll Tumble 4 Ya" and "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me" get the most rotations. When we were taking the pictures of this, Evangeline kept saying, "I like she's hat. I want a hat like she."

Kenny Rogers – Greatest Hits, 1980 This is the first record I ever asked for. It was a birthday present. I have a vivid memory of sitting in my parents' dining room and opening this gift. I was over the moon. I'm very happy I still have it and it's in pretty good condition. There are too many great songs on it to list, but obviously, "The Gambler" is tops.

Elton John – Greatest Hits, 1974 Technically, this isn't my record. It's on loan from my parents. I wanted to include it in my photo series because it holds a lot of memories for me. The record player was in our dining room when I was a kid. We listened to this album quite a bit. I remember dancing around the dining room table singing, "BA-BA-BA BENNY AND THE JETS!" with my brother Chris. The record is chock full of classics like “Rocketman” and “Daniel.” I suppose it only falls into the guilty pleasures category when someone hears you say, "So the other day I was listening to Elton John…" I'm not a fan of his music outside of this album. Not to deny his talent and philanthropy, but he carries a wacky pop stigma that some people just can't shake.

What are your guilty pleasures?

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You can read about the inspiration for E’s Academic Records here and view my entire photo series on Instagram.

Images and text by Eamon Kelly

Kathie's Bohemian Live/Work Space

When Kathie moved back to her hometown of Newport 13 years ago, her brother Dave knew he had found the perfect spot for his artistic sister to thrive. “It wasn’t pristine,” she remembers her first impression of the former auto parts warehouse turned apartment, “But, oh, how I loved the space, the sense of space, the height of the ceiling, knowing I would have to live and work here.” With a recording studio next door and various other artists living and working in the converted industrial building, Kathie felt an immediate sense of camaraderie with her creative neighbors. “Throughout the years, there has been a collection of extremely beautiful and talented people who have lived in this building,” she says with a sense of appreciation.

Having always lived in historic homes and apartments where changes were off-limits, Kathie was delighted to finally settle into a place without creative restrictions. This new home was full of possibilities. The self-taught artist approached her new space the same way she delves into her work: like a kid at play.

Kathie’s live/work space changes seasonally to coincide with the inspiration for each of her new Teahan K woven metal jewelry collections. Art and textiles rotate, furniture is rearranged, wall colors change; nothing is off-limits. When Kathie is tired of a certain configuration, “it comes down as fast as the speed of light,” she says with a smile. “There’s no work in progress. If it takes me until 2:00 in the morning, I’m doing it. If it’s not speaking to me and making me still feel free to think, it’s gotta go.” Among this constant flux, Kathie’s goal for her live/work space remains the same: “This place has to stimulate me, but not overstimulate me.”

Kathie’s extensive textile collection, including quilts handmade by her mother, fill her home with patterns, colors and textures that inform her work. “They speak to me in a language that I understand. I am primarily a fiber artist who applies textile techniques to metal,” she explains, “I often study the pieces, the stitchwork, the choices that artist made in terms of color and shape."

In addition to fabrics, Kathie’s home is filled with an abundance of containers. Wood, metal, straw and glass; they are everywhere. They hold food, toiletries, tools and beads. Everything that enters her home in conventional packaging is transferred to a container. They help her compensate for the lack of cabinets, drawers and closets that are usually found in a traditional living space. Seeking them out at thrift stores, yard sales and catalogs has become a bit of a hobby over time.

Over a decade later, Kathie’s ever-evolving space continues to be a source of excitement. For this lively artist, there is little differentiation between home and work, the two are inextricably linked. “My space is a living work of art. It is a reflection of me, parts of me that I can’t articulate in words.”

You can see the full tour and read more about Kathie's style on Apartment Therapy.

Photos and text by Jacqueline Marque

Emily & Andrew's Colorful New Orleans Home

All it took was one weekend for Emily to fall in love. It happened during a girls’ getaway to New Orleans with her best friend last January. When she returned to her home in rural upstate New York, she handed a New Orleans real estate magazine to her husband and said, “Andrew, it is incredible. It is an old-house-lover’s paradise. We have to live there someday!” From there, the story unfolded like a whirlwind romance. About a month later, Emily saw a posting for a job at Tulane that had her name written all over it. Fast forward to September, and the couple was moving into their new home in the Crescent City. “It feels like a wild stroke of good fortune that I actually did (get the job),” she explains, “though, of course, the irony is that we bought a new house in this old-house-lover’s paradise.”

The rush to get settled before the start of the school year and lack of real estate options that fit their budget and needs led the couple to buy a newly constructed home. One of the first steps to making the generic structure their own was to add color to the boring beige walls. Their extensive collection of modern and folk art pops against paint colors like yellow, purple and turquoise. Bold rugs, floor-to-ceiling drapes and lots of fun textiles — including quilts handmade by Emily — make the house feel lively and joyful, giving it the unique character they felt it was lacking.

After living in a Gothic Victorian for eight years, moving into a house with an open floor plan was a big adjustment. Although they quickly came to appreciate the amazing light that pours into their new home all day long, the lack of walls in the kitchen and living rooms posed a design challenge. Emily and Andrew turned to interior designer Valorie Hart to help them with this hurdle. Under the guidance of Hart’s expert eye, they were able to carve out defined spaces that add intimacy and warmth without impeding the flow of the wide open space. The couple also credit Hart with teaching them how to take their decorating that last critical mile by adding pillows and throws and helping them organize their built-in bookcase with style.

Foregoing an old fixer-upper for a brand new home has afforded Emily and Andrew the time to immerse themselves in the culture of the city. The couple didn’t waste any time making friends and joining in the revelry of Carnival this year. After a neighbor learned of Emily's beading skills, she recruited her to join the all-ladies Mardi Gras marching krewe Dames de Perlage. In honor of the New Orleans tradition of perlage — French for beadwork — the women march in parades wearing corsets and headdresses handcrafted annually to coincide with a theme. Emily’s gold-beaded costume, an homage to the famous restaurant Brennan’s, which is now closed, is proudly displayed on a dress form in their eat-in kitchen. With all the exciting cultural possibilities the Crescent City has to offer, who knows what future creations will appear in this fun-loving couple's colorful new home.

You can see the full tour and read more about Emily & Andrew's style on Apartment Therapy.

Photos and text by Jacqueline Marque

Academic Records #6: My Favorites from 2013

I know favorites lists are usually published near the end of the year in which the albums are released, but I didn't start this photo series until November, 2013. At the time, I didn't know that I would be incorporating them into regular blog posts. Besides, I think it takes a while for music to settle in before it can become a favorite. These four albums top my list from last year. They're in no particular order.

Clockwise, from left:

Atoms For Peace – Amok, 2013 Usually when a "supergroup" releases a record, the music ends up falling short of the hype (see Zwan, Crooked Vultures, for example).  Amok surpassed my expectations and then some. Sprouting from the Thom Yorke solo project, The Eraser, Atoms for Peace recruited Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, producer Nigel Goodrich and drummer Joey Waronker, who has played with Beck, Elliot Smith, and R.E. M., to name a few. The live instrumentation adds an extra level of depth to Thom Yorke's compositions. I find it best played at high volume or on head phones to hear all the layers of sound throughout the songs. Stand out tracks: "Ingenue" and "Stuck Together Pieces."

Ann Pragg – Bitter Fruit, 2013 I'm a big fan of Vice Media. They have great journalism and photography and are usually ahead of the game when it comes to reporting national and world events. The one thing I don't like about Vice is their music reviews. They are generally snarky and elitist. The reviews tend to shit all over music just for the sake of shitting all over it. I was surprised to discover Ann Pragg through a positive music review on Vice. Ann Pragg is the pseudonym of musician Matt Raddick. The sound is stark and moody, atypical music to come out of sunny Florida. Stand out tracks: "Demolition Dust" and "Januarium."

Devendra Banhart – Mala, 2013 I love all of Devendra Banhart's music. Cripple Crow will probably always be my favorite. When Mala was released last March, I was so excited to hear it because it had felt like an eternity since his previous album, What Will We Be, had come out. Mala continues in his ever-evolving style of folk music and expands on instrumentation more than previous works. Stand out tracks: "Fur Hlidegard Von Bingen" and "The Ballad of Keenan Milton."

Pilot to Gunner – Guilty Guilty, 2013 I've know the guys from Pilot to Gunner for many years. They are good friends with my brother Chris. They put on a great live show and, in my opinion, have one of the best band names. Scott, the singer/guitarist, sent me a copy of Guilty Guilty to be included in the photo series along with a letter to Evangeline that I kept in the record sleeve. One day, when she will inevitably inherit this collection, she'll find the letter and have a cool little memento to accompany the album. Stand out tracks: "L.A." and "Cash For Gold"

What were your favorite releases from 2013?

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You can read about the inspiration for E’s Academic Records here and view my entire photo series on Instagram.

Images and text by Eamon Kelly

Academic Records #5: Things I Learned from my Brothers

As I said in my first post, music was a big part of life in the Kelly house. The influence of my older brothers Tim and Chris helped shape my taste. I've always thought they are just the coolest. I’m sure it must have been annoying to have their little brother constantly hounding them about everything. One big thing they did for me was recommend music. Sometimes it was a casual nudge; other times it was a more forceful suggestion: “Turn off this crappy Debby Gibson tape and listen to the Afghan Whigs.” Chris played guitar and sang in a few bands throughout college and his 20s. Seeing him play live was always amazing and such a thrill for me. Tim worked as a DJ on numerous radio stations (most recently, WMBR in Cambridge). After a year-long stint at the D.C. music venue the Black Cat and Dischord Records, he now works for Furnace Manufacturing, which presses and packages vinyl for many big record labels. These four pictures include records introduced to me by Tim and Chris.

Clockwise, from left:

Pavement – Slanted and Enchanted, 1992

Pavement will always be my favorite band. Slanted and Enchanted was my musical epiphany. I still distinctly remember the day when Tim brought this record home and said something to the effect of"Stop everything you are doing and listen to this.” It blew me away. An album had never so wholly consumed my mind the way S+E did. From the first blasts of fuzz on “Summer Babe (Winter Version),” to the loose-limbed drumming on the album's closing track “Our Singer,” I was hooked. I poured over the artwork, every little detail, trying to glean any bit of information about the band. Lucky for me, Pavement played at Club Baby Head in Providence shortly after my introduction. It's still my favorite show of all time.

The National – Alligator, 2005

A few years back, my brother Chris had a blog about baseball and life. I was an avid reader. And, as his brother, I considered it my duty to regularly chime in with annoying comments and witticisms. On occasion, he'd write about music. Even though he’s turned me on to great music over the years, I’ve been skeptical of his recommendations ever since that time in 1993 when he implored me to get the new Posies album Frosting on the Beater. He said if I didn't like it, he would buy it off of me. Well, it sucked, and he never bought it off of me. Since then, I’ve approached his recommendations with caution. Then, in April of 2005, he posted this:

”Go out and get/buy/download Alligator, The National's new album…Album of the year. I don't need to hear anything else; my vote is in. I know I have zero credibility when it comes to music (I'm the person who freely admits to liking...*cough*...*cough*...Third Eye Blind, Matchbox 20, and Switchfoot), but this album just absolutely kills wire to wire."

I was curious. I did as he said and was blown away.

Archers of Loaf – Icky Mettle, 1993

This was a pre-Posies recommendation from Chris. When he played "Web in Front" for me, I think I said something like, "Pavement rip off.” Then he punched me and I came around and realized they are nothing like Pavement (though this will be argued till the end of time). Archers are raw, arty punk rock with just enough bravado to be tongue in cheek. They’ve put out solid records throughout their career, but Icky Mettle remains my favorite.

Dinosaur Jr. – You're Living All Over Me, 1987

I'm sure I owe as much credit to my Uncle Dave as I do to my brother Tim for introducing me to Dinosaur Jr. Uncle Dave shared his love of rock and roll with Tim, who then passed it along to Chris and me. Some time in the mid 80's, I took a left turn from Van Halen, ended up at Dinosaur Jr., and never looked back. J Mascis is arguably the best indie rock guitarist of all time. The hooks on “You're Living All Over Me” are incredible. The amps are turned to 11 and the distortion pedals are at 12.

How did your siblings influence your taste in music? What music did you grow up with?

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You can read about the inspiration for E’s Academic Records here and view my entire photo series on Instagram.

Images and text by Eamon Kelly

Farmaesthetics' Stylish Skincare Apothecary

Brenda Brock, founder of the natural skincare line Farmaesthetics, remembers being a little girl, curiously standing on her tippy toes, and straining to see the top of her grandmother’s dressing table. There were toiletries in milky blue glass bottles with labels she couldn’t read, white linen hankies, crisp and folded, and sweetly scented powdery things. It was private, personal and intimate.

“I was drawn to that place. I think I knew that women were different at their dressing tables somehow, that this is where they went to soften themselves after hard work. It was mysterious to know that they had this place to be that had nothing to do with us."

All of the nostalgia and beauty wrapped up in this childhood memory is embodied in Farmaesthetics’ flagship Newport apothecary and treatment boutique. Entering the space feels like being transported back to a calmer, simpler time, not unlike the world where Brenda, the daughter of an 8th-generation Texas farming family, was raised. It was a world where everything was real and natural: tables were wood, pitchers were porcelain, bottles were glass. “It was glorious. That kind of texture was so grounding,” Brenda wistfully recalls. “Now it is considered a luxury, but back then, it was just a wholesome way of life.”

White tin ceiling tiles, antique rocking chairs and glass bottles labeled in cursive with descriptions like “Nourishing Lavender Milk” and “Cool Aloe Mist” pay homage to these bygone days and give Farmaesthetics an old-time charm that still feels fresh and refined. The space reflects the wholesome purity of the products, which are made with organic herbs, flowers, oils and grains from American family farms. The “rural kitchen culture” of Brenda’s youth is the inspiration behind her growing skincare brand. The women who gathered around the kitchen table to share natural, farm-based recipes for health and beauty set the stage for her lifelong love of herbal concocting. “So much self care information is held in verbal traditions. There was an intimacy of truth exchanged between us little girls and our elders.”

Following in the footsteps of her ancestors, Brenda began creating handmade skincare preparations for family and friends using herbs and flowers she grew herself. She started selling her beauty products at a friend’s roadside organic farm stand during the summer of 1999. From there, the demand for her natural products has continued to grow. Today her full line of skincare products for the face and body are used in spas like the Four Seasons and sold by retailers including Urban Outfitters and Terrain.

The antiques that fill Brenda’s Bellevue Avenue store keep her deeply connected to her past as her thriving brand looks towards the future. “I need them around me for reference in my work environment. All it takes is a glimpse or a quick touch to realign myself with my story and intentions for Farmaesthetics, and that is very important during the hubbub of a demanding day at a fast growing business.”

You can see the full tour and read more about Brenda's style and the apothecary's furnishings on Apartment Therapy.

Photos and text by Jacqueline Marque