The halcyon weather of September in Illinois is my favorite - just a few leaves hitting the ground with warm sun and cooler nights to be enjoyed. The approach of fall brings transition - back to school, resetting routines and rhythms and sometimes facing new challenges. With my eldest off to college, I’m waxing a bit sentimental these days. I’m aware in new ways of how much home means to us - safety, comfort, memory and the familiar. Many of our clients are renovating, building or decorating with that sentiment as the guide as well. They aspire to create a home that serves their family with function, of course, but perhaps more importantly with comfort. Not just creature comforts like soaker tubs and heated floors, but that which can’t be defined but only experienced - the feeling of home. That is the heart of our work, and what we love best about the design process.
Other random notes from life these days - back to school means a tad more meal planning on my part. I’ve been a Trader Joe’s junkie as of late - leaning on their ready made sauces and offerings to simplify busy nights. Their Tikka Masala Curry Sauce is great go-to for an easy crowd pleaser at my house. I use two packages, plus a can of fire roasted tomatoes. Simmer cubed chicken in the sauce, add some frozen peas at the end and serve over rice with TJ’s frozen Naan. Feel free to add any left over veggies languishing in the fridge, or some diced potatoes. I’ll make this dish vegetarian with chickpeas as well. If it’s a slow cooker kind of day, I use chicken thighs and cook with the sauce for 6-8 hours on low, shredding the chicken before serving. Another recent TJ’s discovery are their ready made chicken meatballs - gluten free, super clean ingredients and delicious! I’ve done them greek style with a tzatziki yogurt sauce, and Heather has used them for meatball subs - there are so many ways they could be served.
I also had a marvelous day recently taking my time on a drive home from a field hockey tournament in St. Louis. I googled antique stores along the way and stopped at every one - heaven! Scored some beautiful art and it will be fun to see where she’ll end up living. Finds like this reconnect me to what I love most about this crazy world of interior design - the soulful pieces that take a space from expected to special.
I’m wishing you all whatever energy you need to make the fall’s transitions as smooth as possible - and enough time to soak in the last moments of summer.
