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To me, home is both a place and a feeling. I strive to make my family’s home feel like a sanctuary — a cherished space full of love where peace lives. As we settle into the first summer in our new (100-year-old) home, I’m considering everything from functional necessities to decorative delights.
My current favorite home fragrance — Night Blooming Jasmine & Damask Rose — comes from Flamingo Estate. Like all of the brand’s creations, it’s a treat to experience. The aroma envelopes you in summer blossoms: blooming jasmine, Ionian bergamot, pink peppercorn and white sandalwood. I’m not alone in my love for it; the popularity of the signature candle led to expansions into body and household products.
The idea of future heirlooms is always on my mind as I bring anything new into our space, especially glassware. My new favorite is Akua Objects, founded by Annika Zobel Agerled and Josefine Arthur in Copenhagen, Denmark. Its creations are a testament to Bohemian and Murano craftsmanship. A few garden clippings in their vases look like an artful arrangement. An Alban vase now lives in my great-grandmother’s china cabinet, perfectly perched and celebrated.
Photography provided by Flamingo Estate, Akua Objects, Carepod, House of Hackney and Walden
Last winter, I quizzed friends and scoured the web for humidifiers, finally landing on Carepod. Its origin story gave me instant solace: A doctor-dad designed it for his kids. Its stainless-steel construction combats mold and bacteria, making it the most hygienic option. The pod is sleek, easy to clean and built for wellness. It truly changed the game for me.
House of Hackney is renowned for its nature-inspired wallpapers and botanical motifs. Its Hollyhocks wallpaper is on the shortlist for a reading nook in my daughter’s room — it reminds me of the cheerful garden at my childhood home. Artist’s Stripe is a dream for the powder room, with bold yet imperfect stripes. House of Hackney’s designs are the epitome of joy on paper — a perfect way to infuse a space with color and depth. The company’s commitment to protecting our planet is equally inspiring.
In my second postpartum journey, I discovered Walden, a brand devoted to enhancing meditation practices. Inspired by Thoreau’s idea of retreat, they create tools for reflection. I use the Journey Set as a space for quiet at the end of the day. The buckwheat and memory foam mat is gentle on joints, and the headrest and weighted lavender eyemask are the cherries on top. That quiet corner reminds me: Home is not just where we live, but where we pause and return to ourselves.
My very best,
Emma Cutler Velez, Publisher
