The end of summer brought a welcome pause—including a glorious week on Cape Cod, where time seemed to stretch and I could sink into familiar rhythms. We went to the beach, puzzled, read, ate ice cream, and showered outside. Almost immediately, life shifted to a different pace: back-to-school mornings, full calendars, and the excitement of my new book launch. With it I’ve felt many emotions—vulnerability, anticipation, nervousness, joy, a bit of overwhelm, and gratitude. As I prepare for upcoming events and travel this fall, I’m aware of how different this pace feels, and I'm also curious about what it might open up. One thing I know is that I will actively need to plan in rest.
What follows are some of the ideas, inspirations, and observations shaping my days in the studio and at home.
From my sketchbook:
On my mind:
What is it about back-to-school season that makes me want to organize? Do you feel the same way? I’ve been mapping out the calendar for the next two months—including date nights, days off, and yoga classes—to bring some balance.
I’m carrying that same focus into the studio with the help of my team (thank you, Matt!). Four new large flat files just arrived, and I’m thrilled to finally create a better system for storing large works on paper and new strike-offs.
If you’d like to hear more about what I’ve been thinking about lately and working on, listen to my interview with Business of Home.
Reading, Listening, Watching, Looking:
While on Cape Cod, I finished Tom Lake. It reminded me how much I enjoy getting lost in a good book.
I’m currently reading Practical Magic. I thought I’d read it years ago, being a fan of Alice Hoffman (and the movie), but it turns out I hadn’t. I’ve read The Rules of Magic, its prequel, and now I’m planning to make my way through the whole series before the new movie comes out next year.
I finished The Gilded Age and wish there were more episodes. This season was especially good.
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On Decorating and Home:
I’m honored to share that our Charleston home, as seen in my new book, is featured on Architectural Digest.
This weekend, I moved our Peggy Martin roses to the backyard. My dream was to train them up the beams and across the porch, but with repairs needed, it wasn’t practical. They were growing quickly and needed support, so I added two trellises along the back fence. Fingers crossed they thrive there—I’ve become quite invested in their success.
To Inspire:
Clare Grill. Her painting, Wick, hangs in my living room and appears on the cover of my new book. I’ve followed her work for years and it’s always resonated with my deeply. When I first discovered her, she was painting from embroidery samplers, while I was making paintings of knitted fabrics I’d created. That connection stayed with me, and I continue to find her process and paintings inspiring. Here’s a recent interview with her.
In case you missed it, I started a new series on staying inspired. You can read the introduction here and the first post, about making the time, here.
Georgia O’Keefe: The Brightness of Light. I really enjoyed this documentary. I was lucky enough to watch it in the iconic Cape Cinema underneath the awe inspiring mural by Rockwell Kent. A memory that will stay with me!
As life speeds up again, I’m reminding myself that inspiration often comes in the quiet pauses. I hope you find a little space for rest and reflection in the weeks ahead, too.
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