I have a piece in the April issue of Real Simple. It doesn’t seem to be online. But check it out at the newsstand if you’re not a subscriber, because it is so FREAKING PRETTY. It’s a decor story (I KNOW! ME! WRITING ABOUT DESIGN! IT IS TO LAUGH!) about a really lovely woman upstate who has decorated her home through swapping, thrifts and Dumpster diving. She has an amazing eye — very Fuck Your Noguchi Coffee Table — but spends almost no money. Kim is a former costume designer who now takes in border babies for an adoption agency (she’s very matter-of-fact about it, not all virtuous and annoying), makes tote bags and aprons she sells at the local farmer’s market, and does costumes for local plays. I was totally smitten by her home and I loved her values. Her place is small (it’s a cottage, maybe 1400 square feet, where she lives with her husband and two tween boys and a very sweet dog and whatever baby she’s currently caring for) but just so serene and visually enticing, you could plotz.

And we went Dumpster diving and found a big trove of vintage Hardy Boys books. Whoo.

3 Comments

  1. Rebecca Schorr March 18, 2012 at 6:45 pm

    That’s it — I am now going to scour every one of my mags for your byline as soon as they arrive in the post. I had really enjoyed the article but never thought to check for authorship. You rock!

  2. Joanna Brichetto March 22, 2012 at 7:43 pm

    Hee. I love the Noguchi link, even though I secretly want half the stuff. Right now, especially those shoe lasts poised atop the free-standing, blackened stove. Actually, I wouldn’t mind that stove, too.
    And of course I clicked through to Real Simple before I read that your article wasn’t online yet. I guess I was the Real Simple. But I’ll look for it wherever fine magazines are sold. Goody.

  3. Robin Aronson March 25, 2012 at 2:14 pm

    I *just* resubscribed and I saw that piece and thought, Hmmmmm who’s the lucky writer who got to meet THAT lady. Pretty terrific — especially that looks don’t deceive.

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