HAPPY GIRL: KAT McEACHERN

KAT McEACHERN

Magazine editor and design researcher, Berkeley, California

I am beyond excited to introduce you to Kat McEachern. I met Kat a few years ago and it's always a pleasure since she literally is always wearing a smile! She also has a beautiful soothing energy that I like very much.  

She became a customer and came last April to my studio to pick up her new addition for her home. I always have in the studio a large basket full of scrap fabrics that stay there before I find out what to do with them instead of throwing them. She asked if she could take a few. And to my biggest surprise, few months later she came visit me at the West Coast Craft with a neckless made out of it! See picture here. 

As I am always trying to find a way to reduce my studio wastes so I decided to ask Kat if she could create a little collection made out of the Happy French Gang's scraps. She made a bunch of earrings, necklaces and bracelets in pink, grey, blue and beige... she added stones (rose quartz, river stone, howlite, and sodalite) and leather and the result is awesome! I love the collection she designed and I cannot wait to show them to you at our next event this week end at the West Coast Craft in San Francisco.

She also kindly responded to our interview and shared some pics of her home, see below! 

pic by Ana Kamin- Fluxi / California week end mag

Tell us more about who you are and what you do. 

I’m an editor at a design magazine –slash- a design researcher. In both roles, I get to feed my curiosity about people. At Rue, I interview interior designers and makers who have seemingly limitless creativity and I’m so inspired by them. In my design research work, I talk to individual people about all sorts of aspects of their lives – from toothbrushes to personal finance – and learn what is important to them, in order to design new or improved products and services. Both roles require the ability to ask good questions, listen deeply, and translate what I learn to share with others.

AND in my spare time, I love making jewelry, which lead to my collaboration with Happy French Gang!

When you hear the word style, who or what is the first thing that comes to your mind?

Personality. To me, style is a way to express yourself. I think that’s why – from interiors to fashion to websites – I love a wide range of aesthetics. I love when people really just go from it whether that’s an all-white interior or a totally out-there outfit. It drives me crazy when people say “oh, I couldn’t get away with a bold lip” or whatever it is that they are admiring. If you like something, just go for it!

What is inspiring you right now?

Hygge is everywhere lately but I’m super responsive to the weather so I’m all about cozy knits, muted colors, and indulgent meals. I get really into the holidays and it’s my absolute favorite time for entertaining.

You live in Berkeley, please describe in 3 words.

Funky, hippie, community.

What do you like about Berkley?

I love spending time in San Francisco and Oakland but Berkeley is my little oasis where things are just more laid-back. Berkeley is full of adorable homes in a wide range of styles and there are plants everywhere. I love taking long walks with my dog and husband and document whatever catches my eye on Instagram with the hashtag #awalkinberkeley

THANK YOU KAT! It's so nice working with you! :)

Instagram: @katmceachern

Happy French Gang's item featured above:
Tie Dye Camel Large blanket
Taupe and grey pillow
Jewelries not yet online!

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HAPPY GIRL: SOPHIA WOOD

SOPHIA WOOD

Shop owner of Muse, San Anselmo, California

I am so glad to feature Sophia Wood today! She is the owner and designer of the beautiful shop named Muse based in San Anselmo. 

She has an impeccable taste and her shop is all about beachy and fresh vibes with a minimalist aesthetic. It's beautiful and I encourage you to visit the shop!

Can you give us an introduction on who you are and which path brought you to open your own shop?
I grew up in West Marin - my dad is a landscape painter and my mom is a children's art teacher.  I studied art & design in school.  When my kids were little, I was a stay at home mom yearning for something more, something challenging and creative that I could balance with being a mom.  I have experience in the museum and design world and in 2015 I finally decided to fulfill my dream of becoming an entrepreneur, opening my own business and designing my own shop.  I had always imagined it would be enjoyable, and I was right, I love it.

I am always finding aesthetic inspiration over and over.  It gives me a thrill each time I find a new local designer to feature in my store, each time I create a new look.  Even though my store looks the way it does right now, I know that I will change it and it will constantly evolve and that is the fun part for me.

What inspired you for Muse?
I was inspired by lots of things. Visually, I was inspired by a desaturated desert color palette, Scandinavian design, Hitchcock-Madrona (a Seattle jewelry store), Minimalism, the West Coast craft fair.  I thought of opening an art gallery but I thought it would be more rewarding and dynamic for me to open a boutique.  I tried to create a store & brand that fills a gap in our area.

What defines good design for you?
To me, good design is functional, aesthetically pleasing, and doesn't contain anything extraneous or unnecessary.  Often I find myself visually "editing" what I see in the world, and most of the time I am removing design elements in my mind until I am left with something more simple.  I generally agree with a  high- quality "less is more" concept.

I like design that feels fresh.  There are cycles in the design world and good design even if it's classic it should relate to what is current. I appreciate many styles and aesthetics but for my own personal taste I appreciate simplicity, natural luxury, elegant shapes.  Right now I love nude leather, suede, blush tones, pale furs, washed velvet, pale crystals, light woods.  I also am loving the bright colors and jewel tones associated with Mexico and Morocco.  I also love Danish shapes, dark edges, raw ceramics.   I am working on developing some product ideas for Muse.

How will you describe the vibe in your shop?
My shop is light & airy with a clean color palette.  For now it's all about Scandinavian lines, modern boho elements, lots of white, light wood tones, blush pink, grey, some blue accents.  Muse has global influences and modern influences but has a refined palette.  This lightness lends itself to the iconic California lifestyle.  When I think of the coastal lifestyle I think of sunshine, sand, water, and open windows.  I am trying to bring that feeling into my shop as best I can.

HFG fits in perfectly because the overall aesthetic has a beachy, oceanic look.  The unique watercolor-like effect of the hand dying process is a more subtle version of tie-dyed colors.  The contrasting stitched edging adds a modern twist.  With tie-dyeing you can easily take it too far, and end up with a rainbow.  I appreciate the understated, grown up, sun washed, subtle look of HFG.

You live in San Anselmo, California, please describe in 3 words. and tell us what are your favorite things to do in that city!
I actually live in Fairfax CA but my shop is located in San Anselmo CA.
San Anselmo is:
-charming
-family
-food

In San Anselmo right now there are quite a lot of stylish, chic modern-boho babes living here, settling down and having families!  It's a beautiful town that is reinventing itself into a cool town with great design.  I love walking through the historic Robson-Harrington Park and then downtown San Anselmo, eating at M & H Bread and Butter, Neve & Hawk, Siren Salon, coffee at Flour Craft Bakery, visit the Star Wars fountain, Madcap for dinner, Marinitas for a spicy margarita!

Find more about Muse shop right here: http://www.musecalifornia.com/

Instagram: @musecalifornia

Happy French Gang's item featured above:
Tie Dye Blue Floor Pillow
Tie Dye Mint Floor Pillow
Tie Dye Blue pillow 18x12"

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HAPPY GIRL: SUZY COASSIN

Suzy Coassin

Interior stylist, founder of MomAgency, Sydney, Australia

Here is our third Happy Girl Interview! Suzy Coassin has one of my favorite home decor feed on Instagram. Plenty of plants, a LOT of awesome tips for you to decorate your home in the best ways possible, many decor ideas and beautiful homes featured. 

The interior stylist based in Sydney kindly responded to our interview just below. Enjoy!

Can you tell us who you are? 
I’am Suzy Coassin, An Australian, interior stylist and the creator & founder behind MomAgency. 

MomAgency is a Instagram account, and soon to be blog focused on sharing curated, beautiful interior inspiration of decorated homes with a modern bohemian style. MomAgency aims to inspire by creating a #designtip on ‘how-to get the look’ to accompany the room thats chosen to be featured. From product suggestions, interior styling, plant placement, to unique ideas on furniture layout, its a daily guide for either the plant lovers or the people who want a modern bohemian look...or if you like to see gorgeous spaces usually decked out with lot and lots of plant babies (cue the crazy plant lady).

MomAgency was created in 2016 when my family received an opportunity to move to New York City with my husbands work. Leaving everything behind including my 9 years at a leading interior decorating studio in Sydney, Australia I decided to create MomAgency with my years of experience as a creative outlet for affordable design ideas and a no excuses guide to a beautifully styled home.

The name MomAgency comes purely as I’m a mom with two boys (2.5 years and 5 years). A lot of the homes (not all) are homes of people like me who have small children and keep their love of decorating and design alive by sharing their spaces on Instagram. 

After a whirlwind 1 year trip in Manhattan in The Big Apple, I’am back based in Sydney, Australia with my young family and building MomAgency as a business and online interior styling consultancy and service. Phew! A lot happened in 1 year!!

How would you describe the aesthetic of your space? 
When it comes to my space I follow my own philosophy that I share with my clients. I fill my space with pieces that I love, that I have collected from my travels over the years, unique thrifted items or my flea market hunting. I’ve decorated an eclectic home for myself with a mixture of pieces and especially a mix of styles. From mid century modern furniture that has been found and reupholstered to bring up to date, to chinoiserie elephant plant stands, to African statues and artworks, all with a hint of beachy boho. My space wouldn’t be complete without a side of basket hoarding and of course total plant overload! It works because its a mix of all the pieces I love personally and I wouldn’t have it any other way. For me and my family that is the key to develop a truly unique home with its own personality. I also try to have my space feeling very casual and relaxed as I have a young family of boys running in and out of the house all day and can’t be precious with my styling.

What’s your philosophy when it comes to decorating? 
When it comes to decorating I believe in more is more and of course breaking the design rules. When designing a space you are told certain design sayings and rules like ‘blue and green should never be seen’ and ‘keep it simple’. Your home should reflect pieces you love and are proud of. I believe that your interior should feel like a home and not like its walked off a designer furniture catalogue. 

Anyone following you on Instagram knows you love plants. How many do you have in your home? 
I do love indoor plants in a home creating a urban jungle whether you have just one really great oversized plant or a mass of smaller plants. I recently moved back to Sydney, Australia from NYC so unfortunately I could not take any of my plants back with me (sad but true). I’m having to build my entire collection again from scratch which is hard for me to go slowly! So, at the moment I have 5 large plants including a Monstera and a huge cactus I also have about 30 smaller plants which range from mini succulents to larger varieties. It sounds like I have a lot already but ask me in a years time and I’m sure I will have doubled it...just don't tell my husband ;)

Find more about Suzy's business right here: MomAgency

Contact: momagencynyc@yahoo.com

Instagram: @momagency

Happy French Gang's item featured above:
Pink cloudy pillow

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HAPPY GIRL: RACHEL MADDEN

Rachel Madden
Owner of Rachel Madden Interiors, Marin County, California

What a great surprise it was when I scrolled my Instagram few months ago and came across beautiful pictures of Rachel. Of course my eyes where caught by the kids' room which has some of our Cloudy floor pillows. It's a treat for me to see what I create makes it into people's life especially when every single thing around is very well curated. 

Good news is that Rachel moved recently in the Bay Area and you can contact her directly to get interior design advices. See more details directly on her new website right here: www.rachelmaddeninteriors.com

On my side I'm very glad to have Rachel for the second interview of my Happy Girl blog post series. Please see below how she started her business, what defines a good design for her and more!

Could you tell us more about who you are and what you do?
I just moved to Marin County from NYC with my family last September and we are thrilled to be back in California. I am originally from the Los Angeles area, and lived in NYC for about 10 years right out of college. After graduating, I worked for several architecture firms, focusing on both high-end residential and commercial projects. After that I started my own interior design business, which then led to meeting my husband (who was one of my clients!), which then led to my 2 beautiful babies. I have always been very passionate about design and I am excited to be bringing my design business to this new town!

Is there any designer or artist who influenced you in a special way?

I remember reading Kelly Hoppen's design books in college and loved the way she broke down design analytically. I started to look at spaces differently, and would try to understand what elements made the space visually appealing and cohesive. Just that practice of observing a space and breaking it down, gave me a better eye for design.

What defines good design for you? 

Good design is cohesive spaces. Spaces that flow into each other with similar colors and patterns, but shifting those color schemes so each room feels different. Focal points are important. Once the focal point is chosen you need to build around it, and ensure that the supporting elements aren't fighting to take center stage. Texture over color. If you want to create a sophisticated, interesting space, I would rather create the interest through lots of differing textures versus lots of bold colors. I also believe if you are going to use pattern, only use a sophisticated, ultra unique pattern. Dated, overly used patterns can really kill a space for me. Throwing in something unexpected, something that breaks the harmony or cohesion or symmetry, is a great way to make a room feel livable, as opposed to staged. A room that has a good balance of warmth and cool is key. Even if its just one wood element to break up an overly cool space. And last but not least, the best design is eco-friendly design. I admire anyone who makes this a priority and considers things like where are the materials/wood sourced from, what is their toxicity levels, how will this effect indoor air quality, etc.

What are your favorite shops, restaurants or places to go in Marin County?

We love Sushi 69, El Paseo (great steak!), Terrapin Crossroads (great for kids) and Farmshop. We love to go hiking -  there are gorgeous trails everywhere. We take the kids to Muir Beach, Stinson, Discovery Museum, and love taking a date day at the Cavallo Point Spa.

Find more about Rachel's business right here: www.rachelmaddeninteriors.com

Happy French Gang's items featured above: 

Tie Dye Blue Floor Pillow

Tie Dye Mint Floor Pillow

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HAPPY GIRL: MARION PERNOUX

Marion Pernoux

Owner of ENSOMA, San Francisco

If you do not know Marion Pernoux from ENSOMA, a beauty and art lounge, then you should! She is a single mum with a beautiful energy and has lived in the city for about 17 years. She stumbled on one of Happy French Gang's booth at the West Coast Craft and has been a fan since then.

Her lounge is a very relaxing place in the middle of the busy SOMA and I love getting there and receive all the super positive vibes coming from that space and from Marion's hands. I'm so grateful to be able to visit her and ask her few questions.

Tell us more about who you are and what you do.

My name is Marion, I created Ensoma beauty & art lounge, a harem of peace in the bustling 'big village' of San Francisco, to welcome people to take a breather, be lavishly pampered, in a space indulging all their senses. This life is temporary and therefore so precious! I treat my guests to decadent beauty rituals, head-to-toes, mind & body. At the core, it involves letting go of your everyday 'hats', undressing, peeling off layers of tension, nods, holds, through breathing, mindfulness, stretching, opening, quality of presence. Then a feast of fresh aromatherapy ingredients and delicious botanical blends unfolds, with a curated playlist, eye candy visuals, in a nesty, warm, enveloping treatment bed.

What do you love most about your career?

• Crafting new beauty rituals. Caring for someone, is comparable to holding the whole universe in my hands! To lift the spirit, welcome the empirical adventure of 'sensing', and calm the cerebral activity, I mindfully select a variety of fresh skin care potions with diverse textures, scents, and active ingredients. Strategic massage pauses in between facial treatments, reiki {energy healing} all throughout, it is a wholesome journey. 
• The forgotten art of touch and the human connection: the raw, tangible bond that expands through the touch is so subtle and powerful! It is a sacred conversation of heart beats, breathe, and energy flow. The peace and tranquility that takes place during those sacred sessions are mutually beneficial! It grounds me, as it is centering for the mind and body. You can not deliver an authentic touch unless you are truly present and have a genuine intention to service someone. It fulfills my purpose. 
• The deep sighs and sense of 'plénitude' at the end of the session that reads on people's face is so rewarding! 
• Put simply: my work is an act of Love.

Could you give us your favorite beauty tip?

Beauty starts from within: your diet, your state of mind, where you are in your life, your daily routine will reveal through your body and your skin. Listen within, your body is intuitive!

Some simple self-care I practice every day: a freshly squeezed lemon juice first thing in the morning on an empty belly {to rinse off your system and detox}, lots of mineral water throughout the day, wash my face immediately after exercising {to prevent breakouts}, juicing one day a week {versus one week a year}, air out my body: walk, bicycle, run, and then restore: yoga, cat naps and mindfulness. Lessons from my daughter: get lost in my thoughts, contemplate, draw, paint, dance, be more in the moment. Let go, and love myself.

What's your philosophie when it comes to decorating and how would you describe the style of your loft?

Every detail when you enter a space should be inspiring and created intentionally as a treat for the senses: from the luminosity of the space to the scent in the air, the music, the warmth, the colors, the textiles touching the skin, and so on. Ensoma features camaïeus of soft colors to evoke a dreamy, enveloping retreat:

• the space is dressed up in the Happy French Gang Cloudy Blanket collection: dreamy baby blue large zip-pillows on the sofa, heavenly breathy white curtains, sweet rosy throw on the treatment bed, 
• organic punctuations with epic art: paper installations, tribal hanging sculpture {all artwork by Charles Papillo}, 
• natural accents: plants, gemstones, burning palo santo, fresh flowers 
• inspirational literature 
• curated music

Describe SF in 3 words.

// in constant metamorphosis // move with it // make it yours // up to you // piss and love // ever changing village //

Find more about Marion's business right here: ENSOMA

Happy French Gang's items featured above: 

Lany Cloudy rug
Zipillow

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MELANIE ABRANTES.

Melanie Abrantes 

Woodworker, Studio, Oakland

Please, can you give us an introduction on who you are and where do you come from? 
I grew up in Houston, Texas and moved to California to study Product Design at Otis College of Art and Design in LA. I gradually ended up moving up north to start my business Melanie Abrantes Designs where I design and make my line of cork and wood products for the home.

Can you explain to our reader which path brought you to work with cork?
I am half portuguese and I grew up visiting portugal during my summers to see my grandfather. That is where I saw the amazing things you could do with cork and all of the potential of a material that is very untapped in the US.

Is there any designer or artists who has influenced you in a special way? 
I believe that my professor and mentor in school, Tanya Aguiniga, was a huge influence. She was a really inspirational teacher that helped me grow as a designer and she also was the first woman I saw who owned a successful small business that was based on art and design.

For how long are you in this studio and is there a story you can share about this place?
I have been in this studio for 1.5 years now. It was an old tomato factory before it was converted to office spaces, I just love all of the charming brick walls and quirks about old buildings like these!

When do your best ideas come to you?
Right before I sleep.

Can you describe your job in 3 words?
Labor of Love.

San Francisco in 3 words?
Quirky, Fun and Original.

What is your favorite place to eat in SF?
Plow in Potrero Hill....sooo good!

Do you have a secret boutique or space that you love in SF and you'd like to share with us?
One of my favorite places to go to is Flora Grubbs in the Dogpatch, it is literally plant heaven and always makes me want to build a jungle in my home.

What are your favorite spots in town when you want to relax?
I love to hike at the Bernal heights hill. It is a hidden gem of SF, you can have a 360 degree view of the city and is always way less crowed compared to Twin Peaks.

Thank you so much Melanie for your time and your good energy!  More details on Melanie's work directly here: www.melanieabrantes.com

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NATHALIE LÉTÉ.

Nathalie Lété 

Artist, Studio, Paris

 

Hi, Could you tell us who you are and where do you come from? 
I'm a woman artist of 51 years old, and I am born in Paris, from a German mother and a Chinese father. I live in Paris, I'm married with a French painter and I'm a mother of two kids of 17 and 20 years old. 

Your work is really poetic with a total freedom. Where do you find your inspiration? 
I do similar things as I did when I was a kid. I mix different technics, colors, mediums, style of art... I like a patch of my favorite themes (animals, pattern of textiles, Flowers, vintage toys, folk art...) to build a personal world which gives me happiness and self confidence. I like to paint, to do ceramics, to embroid. I love textile, vibrations of colors, and try to have emotions and if possible to give the others some emotions through my work. 

Are you formally trained or self-taught? And what defines good design for you?
I studied at L'école des arts appliqués Duperé and then L'école des beaux arts in Paris. But I am also very interested in rough work, and I specially like when art stay naive. So I like to try to keep freshness and the naivety of the childhood. That is one of the definition for me of a good work. Also the most important thing to me: a good work should gives me emotions, it should surprise me and gives me the feeling of harmony. 

Can you describe your job in 3 words? 
My job in three words: organisation, creation, open my eyes.. 

For how long are you working in this studio and is there a story you can share about this place?
We bought this place 15 years ago, at the same time as our house which is just next to it. It was a solution to have the kids in the garden playing with other kids at same time as working... This is an old factory of metal, where they did some part of the eiffel tower. I like to live here because it is next to Paris, and I have the space, light, garden to eat outside by nice weather, and it is quite. 

What do you love about living here?
I love Paris, because as a nostalgic person, I really feel the past, and I enjoy to imagine myself at the 19 century. I particulary like it in the morning very early, when the streets are empty and just the first people begin to work and open their cafés... 

How do you start your day and what does your daily routine looks like?
A regular day is waking up at 7am, taking my breakfast while reading emails and Instagram. Going to work at 8:30 am after the home occupations of a mother, work until 1 pm in my studio which is 5 minutes from my house. Have a break with my husband for the lunch at home, eating all the rests of our last dinner, and then go back to work until 6 pm. Prepare dinner, watch tv with my husband and do foot massage at same time to each others and go to bed around 10.30. I have a very very regular life. I don't need really to go out and see friends. I do not have a big social life, even if i would like sometimes to go out more. I don't have the energy to do it really... 

Week ends, we go for a walk in the forest with our dachshund, and visit an exhibition, go to work 3 hours in the studio, come back to see a movie and have sometimes dinners with friends. My husband is going often to vernissages and have many artist friends. I like to stay at home and read books, keep all my energy for my work in fact. I must say that my job is the most important thing in my life, it feeds me really.

Thank you Nathalie for your time! You have the most colorful and dreaming studio. Please check her website at www.nathalie-lete.com.