Listener Spotlight: Global Style with Maria Resto

In this episode, I talked with Maria Resto, a longtime listener whose Chicago home reflects her love of travel, vintage finds, and evolving style. She shared how over 25 years she’s layered antiques, global pieces, bold textiles, and personal items—like a burgundy sofa and a juju hat—learning through trial and error to create rooms full of character. Maria also plans to highlight more of her Puerto Rican heritage, blending family history with her eclectic style. What excites her most is that a home can keep changing, staying personal and never truly “finished.” Want to finally define your style? Grab your free worksheet and uncover your personal aesthetic!

This episode with Francesca Wezel is for all you design enthusiasts. Francesca is a colorist who creates stunning, one-of-a-kind colors. She shares the inspiration behind her colorful palettes, including her Himalayas palette, which was inspired by a trip to India. We also talk about her Houghton Hall and Poison into Medicine collections, which both have incredible backstories. We discuss the health benefits of using lime wash, which is the oldest form of paint known to man. Francesca explains that she never uses the words "right" or "wrong" when it comes to paint colors and that a paint color should be unique to who you are. A home should reflect your life experiences, your dreams, and what makes you feel happy. Want to finally define your style? Grab your free worksheet and uncover your personal aesthetic!

This week, I’m answering a listener question from Meg about how to balance style with function, especially when it comes to storage. She wants a home that looks good but also works for real life. I walk through different strategies depending on where you are in the process: whether you're starting from scratch, filling in gaps, or trying to upgrade over time. I also share my thoughts on when it makes sense to go with something quick and affordable like IKEA, and when to hold out for something more lasting.We discuss using placeholders, being honest about your priorities (speed, price, or quality—you can only choose two), and how to avoid clutter by utilizing storage solutions that also add character. I show a few examples from my own home, including how I use vintage crates, tins, and even sugar bowls to keep things both tidy and personal.This is the last episode of the season. We'll be back on August 18th. Also, early bird pricing for the retreat ends August 1st, so if you’re thinking about joining me this fall, now’s the time. All the details can be found here. Want to finally define your style? Grab your free worksheet and uncover your personal aesthetic!

In this episode of the Slow Style Home podcast, I talk with Elizabeth Rees, founder of Chasing Paper. We cover what makes her peel-and-stick wallpaper different, why it’s not just for renters, and how it holds up over time. Elizabeth shares how she built a high-quality, sustainable product that’s easy to use and doesn’t feel temporary or trendy. We also get into how to choose the right pattern, scale, and colorway—plus how to make wallpaper work with artwork, furniture, and older homes that aren’t perfectly straight. If you’ve ever been curious about wallpaper but felt overwhelmed or unsure where to start, this one’s for you. Want to finally define your style? Grab your free worksheet and uncover your personal aesthetic!

In this episode, I talk with Joseph Marini, author of Mastering the Art of Entertaining. We cover what it really means to host, beyond the perfect table setting. Joseph shares why entertaining is about connection, not performance, and how a little planning goes a long way. We talk about what makes a good guest, how to keep people out of the kitchen, and why it’s okay to serve store-bought food, as long as you put it in a real bowl. This is a practical, honest conversation about making people feel welcome in your home, no matter your style or budget. Want to finally define your style? Grab your free worksheet and uncover your personal aesthetic!

In this edition of the Fix My Room series, I spoke with Kayla, who lives on beautiful Vancouver Island in a post-and-beam home full of character and full of wide open spaces. Her main question was what to do with the big, undefined area between her staircase and the main living space. It’s not a hallway, not quite a room, and right now it’s mostly being used by her young kids as a runway! Together, we walked through the space and explored ideas for how to make it more functional and intentional, without blocking movement or creating clutter. Want to finally define your style? Grab your free worksheet and uncover your personal aesthetic!

In this episode, I welcome back designer Jewel Marlowe, whose work is bold, layered, and always intentional. We dig into how she builds palettes using color, pattern, and materials—and why contrast matters just as much as cohesion. Jewel breaks down how she mixes unexpected elements (like leopard print and florals) and why visual weight and scale play such a big role in how a room feels. She shares examples from her own evolving home and current client projects, all while staying rooted in meaning and play. If you’re drawn to the idea of decorating over time with confidence and creativity, this one’s for you. Want to finally define your style? Grab your free worksheet and uncover your personal aesthetic!

This week, I’m joined by Professor Annetta Grant, whose research examines why so many of us feel uneasy in our own homes — even after we’ve renovated them. We dive into her concept of dysplacement (yes, spelled with a “y”), and how the rise of HGTV, social media, and resale-minded design has shifted the home from a space of personal expression to a performance of market standards.Annetta and I talk about why we second-guess our own style, the emotional pressure to “get it right,” and how even dipping our toes into “bold” choices can feel risky.  If you’ve ever wondered why your beautifully updated space still doesn’t feel quite like you, this conversation will give you language — and permission — to rethink everything. Want to finally define your style? Grab your free worksheet and uncover your personal aesthetic!

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to market a design book—especially when you’re doing most of it yourself. This episode is all about doing things with intention, working within limits, and inviting you to help shape this journey with me.Leave Me A Message! I need your feedback on the ideas from this episode.  Go here and hit “record!” https://www.speakpipe.com/SlowStyleHome Want to finally define your style? Grab your free worksheet and uncover your personal aesthetic!

In this episode, I sit down with interior designer Jade Joyner, co-founder of the firm Metal + Petal, to talk about how she approaches design with intention, balance, and a strong point of view. Jade is the opposite of a formulaic designer—she’s not interested in trends, matching sets, or playing it safe. Instead, she leans into mixing materials, layering stories, and building spaces that reflect the people who live in them.We go deep into two of her residential projects, walking through how she makes decisions around shape, material, and layout—and how she balances aesthetics with real-life function (like designing for a family with five kids). We also get into what she calls "connective tissue"—the subtle moves that make rooms flow together without feeling matchy or over-designed.This conversation is a behind-the-scenes look at the kind of thought, care, and creative problem-solving that goes into designing spaces that feel both grounded and alive. If you've ever wondered how to pull off a mix—or how to avoid the dreaded “blanket look”—Jade has some smart, candid advice you won’t want to miss. Want to finally define your style? Grab your free worksheet and uncover your personal aesthetic!