2020 Solstice Interiors Highlights
You read that right people, 2020 highlight time. Amidst a dark, doomy, scary, long, never-ending, hectic year, there were SO many things to be grateful for. So that’s what we’re doing - focusing on the highs because we’ve just about had it with the lows, okay?!
From projects, books, press, to new happenings - we have a whole lot to celebrate in this corner of our world this year. I feel a lot was flying at me in basically all facets of this year, and this business and outlet of design truly kept my head above water. I’m forever grateful for the projects I got to work on, started, and completed this year - and the clients who patiently endured all delays and mishaps and so graciously understood the factors out of our control this year. The contractors, tradespeople, vendors, and makers who made dreams come to life and brought joy to myself and my clients. Just wow. We did it people. it takes a village with design, and if we can all put out even a little light in a year like this, imagine what we can do next year. I’m not crying, you’re crying!!
PROJECTS
The Plot Restaurant: For starters, this was my first restaurant project which was extremely freakin’ exciting. Then you layer in the elements of this restaurant being plant-based, zero waste, and extremely involved with local farmers and the community. As if that wasn’t enough, these clients (hi, Jessica & Davin) are some pretty phenomenal humans. AND we got to collaborate with some of our favorite local makers, and CLTVT on the buildout. All-around dream of a project on so many levels. This project was such a fun collaboration and meeting of the minds and I am forever grateful for this one. It’s crazy to even think we shot this project in 2020…feels like 10 lightyears ago. Anywho, if you’re local be sure to support The Plot and order takeaway - you’ll thank me later.
Crystal Sands Residence: I feel like residential projects really took on a whole new meaning this year. This project wrapped late last year and we shot it in February - so RIGHT before shit hit the fan. Once we went into lockdown in March and the world stopped for the rest of the year I couldn’t help but reflect on this project specifically and how happy I was that this sweet family had their beautiful new home to hunker down in. This home was such a classic, timeless, and true representation of my California roots blended with a more traditional/ classic style of the clients. And bonus: this beaut got featured on Lonny which you will see below!
Cool Cats on the Block Residence: Okay, now this one we were actually mid-demo as the pandemic hit and shelter in place went into effect…. so you can imagine the whirlwind everyone felt in this project. It was a new space to navigate with social distancing and wearing masks, and with this family home we obviously wanted to deliver nothing but the best and turn their space back over to them ASAP. This family lives in a more traditional neighborhood but had a deep love of mid-century modern design so this was a fun challenge of blending the style of the home and bringing in those mid-century elements and accents they loved. I am so in love with how this kitchen turned out, and the amount of storage and counter space this client gained (creep IG for some befores!) The two-toned, skinny shaker-cabinets, mixed metals, and natural woods made for one dreamy blend. Also, some very sneaky cat-litter box access in the powder bath - always love a unique challenge!
Robbins Ranch Residence, Part Two: I hate to play favorites, but this project, home, and client are seriously one of my favorites, HA! We worked with this sweet fam last year on phase one which was their main family room, kids bath, and master bath and this year we kicked off phase two: the kitchen, and surrounding dining rooms. We had so much fun with this project, had a lot of creative freedom which is always the dream, and got to play off this original-Spanish style home. Fun fact: this is actually my clients’ original family home she grew up in and was built by her father - so it was a really special space to bring to life and update, but also pay homage to the existing elements. We can’t get enough of this project and all the dreamy angles so be prepared to continue to see this beauty on our IG all 2021 and the years to come.
Cali Cool & Collected Residence: Okay, we actually haven’t fully revealed this project yet but I already know its going to be a major favorite. We started working with this sweet family/ client late last year and again were given so much creative freedom - where the most magic happens. The client had a vision for the space and knew what they liked but really let us run with it. We remodeled their kitchen, informal dining area off the kitchen, formal dining room with a new bench nook, some custom millwork throughout the home, flooring throughout, a kids bath, and one dreamy master bath. Stay tuned for a very special press feature on this space and a full project reveal coming SOON!
NEW HAPPENINGS
E-Design: One major, new offering this year that I am very excited about! Obviously this year we are ALL sitting in our homes, staring at those areas and places we want to update and that art we haven’t hung up yet. I really wanted to provide an offering to those people wanting to spruce up a room but didn’t necessarily need full-service design. Insert: e-design. We worked up two tiers with a flat-rate fee structure to better serve those clients needs, and help some folks out for those trouble areas or rooms they’re spending so much time in.
The Print Shop: Say hello to our newest baby, The Print Shop! OHHHH I am so so excited about this. Dreamy film photos all taken on 35mm by none other than my honey, Attila AKA Tilla. These film photos are printed locally, and photos have been taken all over the globe including some dreamy shots right here in California - since it isn’t too shabby here and all. ;) Print sizes range from 8x10 to 24x36 and we can do custom sizes as well! I’ll be incorporating these framed beauties into basically all of my own projects, so its another way of getting a little slice of Solstice Interiors in your own home without actually having to hire us. You’re welcome!
The Weekly Mix: Hands down the most important new happening of the year. I’ll try and keep this brief - but I had a real rude awakening this year surrounding racial inequality, injustice, and systemic racism in the world after the murder of George Floyd. If there is one good thing about this year as a collective, its that we were all forced to face this really harsh reality. Is it ideal that it took a pandemic for us (me) to look at this? No. But we are here, I am here, and I’m not turning back. While I continue to educate myself and stand up for what I believe in on this small business platform, I started The Weekly Mix: a series on our IG every Monday highlighting Black-owned businesses, books, articles, podcasts, movies, songs to listen to, organizations and charities to donate to, and beyond - all in support of the Black community and raising awareness to those interested in anti-racist work. I can’t wait to continue this into 2021 and not only continue to learn and educate myself, but hopefully inspire ONE person every week to read an article or listen to a podcast and learn something new as well.
Woman Inc. Podcast: A personal new-happening this year that I am so proud of, I was on my first podcast! With an old roommate/ now cofounder of the podcast Woman Inc. We talked about my journey as a designer, how I got to where I am today, how to stay motivated amidst a year of being extremely low energy and unmotivated…and laughed a lot. It was so nice to share my path to owning my own design business and all of my steps along the way. I actually had a goal to be on a podcast this year and I love that somehow it worked out just in the nick of time.
PRESS FEATURES
So many exciting features this year, and so cool to look back on. Linking to all of these here in case you missed them this year.
George & Willy // 2. Lonny // 3. Shoutout Socal // 4. San Diego Magazine // 5. Wescover
FAVORITE READS
Last but not least, when we weren’t doomsday scrolling this year we were reading a lot of good books. My love for reading runs deep, and this truly was such an amazing (and is always an amazing) outlet to unplug, wind down, keep your mind of the daily crazies, LEARN, and tap into another story and perspective. Linking to these favorites from the year here.
1. Untamed by Glennon Doyle // 2. Know My Name by Chanel Miller // 3. The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin //
4. Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman // 5. White Fragility by Robin Diangelo // 6. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
Thank you to all those that read our blog, we put a whole lot of love into this baby and a lot of thought into what we share. Here’s to rounding out the year with all the things we are grateful for. I hope this inspires you to reflect on any wins of your own this year.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!