Feels Like Home

Thank you guys SO much for listening to season 1 of the podcast! We had so much fun putting it together for you guys and chatting with all the amazing guests.We’re taking a few months off, and we’ll be back later in the summer with new episodes. And if there’s any subject that you’re interested in having us cover on the podcast, or someone you’d like to see as a guest, feel free to reach out and let us know on Instagram @feelslikehomepodcast, or via email at feelslikehomepodcast@gmail.com.Thanks again, enjoy the rest of spring + beginning of summer, and we’ll chat again soon!

In this episode, we’re diving deep into creating a bedroom that is both welcoming, soothing, functional, and captivating. At its base function, a bedroom should be a sanctuary space for you to recharge, feel safe and cozy, and relax.Whether you’re wondering about what screen devices to shy away from in your bedroom, what kind of bed to get, how to make the most of bedroom storage, soothing lighting, or making your bedroom secure for “private” time, we dive into all of it in this episode. Tune in here!SHOW WEBSITE - https://feelslikehomepodcast.com/FIND US ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/feelslikehomepodcast/FOR DESIGN + GARDEN ADVICE CONTACT - FeelsLikeHomePodcast@gmail.com

Our guests in this episode are mother and daughter team Sarah and Jo Blasi from Selva Floral Design. Sarah is a floral artist known for her unstructured and abundant floral & botanical designs. She focuses on sourcing local and sustainably grown flowers and foliages from the small flower farm she runs with Jo. Jo is an incredibly talented floral gardener and both she and Sarah grow a *HUGE* variety of flowers on a half acre of land in Oregon.When it comes to getting more blooms out of your flowers, they recommend starting with the soil. A good, nourished soil will create much more blooms more easily and produce a healthy thriving plant that will bud more vigorously. They recommend using soil amendments like bone meal + compost, and there are many companies making organic soil amendments specifically blended for flowers. Growing conditions are also key, so make sure you understand the exact needs of that species of flower (does it need lots of sun, does it prefer partial shade, does it need a lot of water, etc) and plant it in a location that fits its needs + water it accordingly. And lastly, pinching back the stems can be really helpful with certain flowering plants.Sarah and Jo also recommended a TON of amazing flower varieties during the show, and we have them listed below as well as some general resources. But make sure to listen to the show to soak up all of their *insanely helpful* flower growing advice!Annualszinniassunflowerswildflowerscosmosa...

We welcomed the incredibly talented artist, designer, and straw bale home owner + builder Sharolyn Schofield onto this show for this chat about sustainable design both in furniture and in home construction. Sharolyn is a multi-talented creative who works with natural materials like wood and metals to create sculptures, furniture, jewelry and other artwork. The foundation of many of her pieces comes from wood sourced at the local Dee Mill, which processes reclaimed urban lumber, natural edge slabs, and can do custom milling based on the needs of her projects.Because of her commitment to and passion for sustainability and natural earthen materials, she always dreamed of building her own straw bale house. Straw bale homes are indeed made of straw bales, which are then stacked up to ceiling height, staked with a metal rod in the center to keep in place, and then plastered over with natural plasters and clay to seal them. They’re 3x more energy efficient than conventional framing, and they’ve been used in building construction for hundreds (if not thousands) of years.And on top of that, the interiors are ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING, as is evidenced by Sharolyn’s images of her dreamy eco-friendly home coming together. The beauty reflects the details and nuance that come from doing it by hand with a personal touch, which takes time, but it’s worth it to have a space that is specifically made to exactly what she needs, and holds memories of the creation of this incredible home. The natural and charming feel that comes from a straw bale home is warm and welcoming, and the curves and organic shapes also stirs a sense of creativity and inspiration. You can see what I mean in the photos Sharolyn provided below 😀Make sure to tune in HERE to learn all about the process of building her straw bale home, what she learned, and where she’s at now—and a very HUGE thanks to Sharolyn for sharing all about her home with us!References + Mentions:Schofield Designs Site + InstagramSharolyn’s Straw Bale Home’s InstagramThe Dee MillStrawbale.com (recommended resource for those interested in learning more about straw bale home construction)Straw Bale Home WorkshopsSHOW WEBSITE - https://feelslikehomepodcast.com/FIND US ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/feelslikehomepodcast/FOR DESIGN + GARDEN ADVICE CONTACT - FeelsLikeHomePodcast@gmail.com

In this episode we’re diving into the most requested interior topic—kitchens! We’ve all soaked up the gorgeous gleaming and pristine kitchens on Pinterest and in design magazines and blogs….but how do those really hold up when you’re actually cooking, living, and moving in the space?Well, one of the most important things when it coming to designing a kitchen that’s as useful as it is beautiful is the cabinets. When you’re picking out your cabinets, you want to think about accessibly and how you’ll use them. We recommend having drawers on the lower cabinets, so you can access the back of the cabinet storage space easily and don’t need to crouch down as much. If you want to store dishware in the drawers, many cabinet makers offer great wooden peg drawers that allow you to customize the storage space of the drawer to fit your exact dishware.If you have frequently used appliances like a coffee machine, toaster, or microwave, and don’t want them out visible on the counter all the time, you also might want to consider getting an appliance garage cabinet. This is a cabinet that rests on your countertop but is set back so that there is a bit of usable counter space in front of the cabinet. Vertical slats are also really useful for kitchen storage for large but flat items like cookie sheets and cutting boards.In terms of overall kitchen layout, you want to give at least 40 inches between the island and the cabinets so that there is enough room for someone to walk by when you have your dishwasher door or cabinet door open. It’s also important to think about the “kitchen work triangle”, which is the distance and trail between the sink, oven, and refrigerator. You really want that walkway to be as simple and accessible as possible, and minimize any awkward objects in the way.We’re diving into LOTS more kitchen information in the episode including undermount vs overmount sinks, allll the types of kitchen countertops and which are the most durable, and much more, so make sure to tune in HERE + soak up all the useful kitchen tidbits to make the most of your space!References + Mentions:Inset vs Overlay cabinetsPeg drawer organizerAppliance garagePull out pantry cabinetUndermount vs overmount sinkFarmhouse style sinksKitchen work triangleSHOW WEBSITE - https://feelslikehomepodcast.com/FIND US ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/feelslikehomepodcast/FOR DESIGN + GARDEN ADVICE CONTACT - FeelsLikeHomePodcast@gmail.com

Get ready for some insanely gorgeous interiors, because in this episode we’re diving into all things plaster with Lauren Dillon. Lauren Dillon is the lead designer at Master of Plaster, a traditional lime plaster and lime wash maker based out of South Carolina. She’s passionate about restoring historic structures and infusing modern design with traditional plaster work, and specializes in making and recreating ornamental plasters.So, what is lime plaster? Well, it’s mainly composed with hydrated lime made from limestone. It’s a natural material that is safe to use within the home, and not only that, but it also reabsorbs carbon dioxide from your home during the curing process, and it also has a high pH which is why mold and bacteria can’t grow on it, either.And in addition to being an environmentally friendly interior finish, it’s also INSANELY beautiful. As you can see from the images in this post, the texture and depth and nuance it adds to your interior space are completely unique and unparalleled. The crushed limestone in the basecoat creates a subtle shimmer that’s visible when the light hits the plaster, and it just adds such depth and visual magic to an interior space.One of the most common questions folks ask is whether or not plaster can be applied to newer wall materials (like drywall), and the answer is yes! Lauren recommends painting the wall with primer first before applying the plaster layers to the wall. And lime plaster can also be applied to existing plaster walls in older homes, too.As far as how to apply the plaster to the wall, this should be done using a trowel, where the wet plaster is applied to the trowel, and then the trowel is pressed against the wall in a sweeping motion to apply the plaster to the wall. Lauren does 1:1 coaching sessions via video and/or in-person with their plaster clients who want to apply it themselves and coaches them through the application process to make sure things go smoothly.Make sure to tune into the episode to learn about how to incorporate lime plaster into your home!References + Mentions:Master of Plaster’s websiteMaster of Plaster’s InstagramTrowel (the tool used to apply plaster to the wall)SHOW WEBSITE - https://feelslikehomepodcast.com/FIND US ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/feelslikehomepodcast/FOR DESIGN + GARDEN ADVICE CONTACT - FeelsLikeHomePodcast@gmail.com

In this episode, we’re diving into making the best use of gardening in limited spaces with Melissa Cameron of The Good Seed! Melissa is an Organic Master Gardener and founder of the Good Seed. She is passionate about the connection between human health and nature and believes that regenerative gardens can help create food security and broaden ecological diversity.For those just dipping their toes into gardening for the first time, Melissa recommends having a purpose-driven garden to make sure that what’s grown is used + enjoyed. For example, having a salsa-garden with tomatoes, cilantro, chives, and jalapeños if you’re a salsa fan, or a smoothie garden with kale, strawberries, and mint, etc.Getting creative with the containers you use to house your plants is fun, too! She loves using untreated wood pallets for vertical gardens that make the most of limited space while up-cyling a regularly discarded material. She’s also seen bed frames and drawers re-purposed as beautiful and playful planting containers, too.She highly recommends mulching the tops of your container plants to keep water from evaporating out of them as quickly. And if you have raised beds, the hugelkultur method of putting some old branches and twigs at the bottom to absorb water + slowly release nutrients into the soil is a great idea, too!Make sure to tune into the episode for all of Melissa’s incredibly helpful advice for small-space gardening!References + Mentions:The Good Seed’s WebsiteMelissa’s Garden Masterclass on GardenologieAbermoray Garden CollectiveMelissa’s InstagramVermicompost resourcesTea garden ideas: chamomile, lavender, lemon verbena, mintVertical gardening resourcesSHOW WEBSITE - https://feelslikehomepodcast.com/FIND US ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/feelslikehomepodcast/FOR DESIGN + GARDEN ADVICE CONTACT - FeelsLikeHomePodcast@gmail.com

With more folks working remotely and no longer physically tied to their place of employment, we’ve gotten more flexibility with where we live, and more and more people are opting to move out of the city and into a quieter, more peaceful rural area. Sam made the move from Singapore to her husband’s family’s countryside apple orchard a few years ago, and I (Eva) am in the process of building home in the countryside to leave the city of Portland, so we’re diving into and sharing about our experiences + recommendations with that transition.Some of the less glamorous but SUPER important things to consider when relocating to a rural township are access requirements for staples like water + electricity. Will you be using well water, will you be able to tap into the local electric grid, how much will it cost to bring electricity and internet out to the future homesite if you’re building, etc.It’s also important to think about the wildlife and environment you’re moving out into. Often times you’re more exposed to the elements in rural places, so you want to think about the seasons + weather and how that will affect the home (does it snow a lot, would it makes sense to have a wood stove, should you get a metal roof to prevent embers from igniting the house if you live in a wild fire-prone area, etc.) And it’s important to think about the wild animals that live around your home, too, and how you can protect your home from damage (like woodpeckers) while also respecting that you’re living in their habitat, too.When you live out in the countryside, you’re also farther away from the conveniences of the big city. So keep in mind that you won’t have grocery delivery at your fingertips, and will have to make trips to the city to purchase particular things from time to time.And lastly, it’s so important to embrace the sense of community. When you live in a small town, you get to know everyone, and everyone gets to know you. It’s a place where your actions have a more visible impact on the people and environment around you, so be courteous, be kind, and give back when you can.References + Mentions:Wanderland book by Jini ReddyLVNEA bath saltsListener Mail:Cara asks: How do you style a space to feel larger when it has low ceilings and not a lot of windows?Sarah asks: What veggies can you grow in an apartment if you have no balcony?SHOW WEBSITE - https://feelslikehomepodcast.com/FIND US ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/feelslikehomepodcast/FOR DESIGN + GARDEN ADVICE CONTACT - FeelsLikeHomePodcast@gmail.com

You're in for a treat! In this episode we dive deep into the perspective of Jessica Helgerson, a masterful Interior Designer, with an unmatched ability to honor a home's history while incorporating the current dwellers. Jessica shares what drew her into design and what life experiences inspire her to today. Part of Jessica's expertise lies in the details she incorporates into a space to truly make each and every inch special. Her projects are known for meticulous detailing and craftsmanship with a unique flare with the materials used. It truly is a work of art to see her projects come together. With projects throughout the United States, and beyond, we are thrilled that she was willing to share a little bit of her magic. Grab a warm cup of whatever strikes your fancy and listen in on how you can honor the soul of the house you live in, while bringing in unique pieces to make your house truly feel like home!References & Mentions:Jessica's InstagramJessica's WebsiteSHOW WEBSITE - https://https://my.captivate.fm/feelslikehomepodcast.com (feelslikehomepodcast.com)/FIND US ON INSTAGRAM -https://www.instagram.com/feelslikehomepodcast/ ( https://www.instagram.com/feelslikehomepodcast/)FOR DESIGN + GARDEN ADVICE CONTACT - FeelsLikeHomePodcast@gmail.com

In this episode, we do a deep dive into what it means to be environmentally thoughtful when considering a new house build. We are joined by the very knowledgeable and thoughtful builder, Brain Thackary of JRA Green Building (https://jragbc.com/). JRA is known for their thoughtful approach to sustainable design and construction. With so much greenwashing happening today, we dig a little deeper in how to incorporate green building technologies and methodologies into the design of your home. We break down energy efficiency, envelope resiliency, and how to incorporate sustainability initiatives without breaking the bank. Brain, who serves as a Project Manager for JRA, has extensive knowledge of how to make sustainability attainable in an easy-to-follow and approachable way. We hope this episode will help bring clarity to green building systems and options! Get ready for a few good laughs and to learn where Sam sourced FSC certified furniture within big box retailers!References & Mentions:JRA Green Building: https://jragbc.com/JRA’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jragreenbuilding/FSC Certification: https://fsc.org/LEED: https://www.usgbc.org/leed SHOW WEBSITE - https://https://my.captivate.fm/feelslikehomepodcast.com (feelslikehomepodcast.com)/FIND US ON INSTAGRAM -https://www.instagram.com/feelslikehomepodcast/ ( https://www.instagram.com/feelslikehomepodcast/)FOR DESIGN + GARDEN ADVICE CONTACT - FeelsLikeHomePodcast@gmail.com

In this episode, we’re diving into all the ways you can create an inspiring, visually soothing, and functional home office. With COVID, many of us are working from home, and also dealing with many more family members at home while we’re trying to work, too, which can definitely make things tricky!One of the best things you can do is to create privacy and separation between your work space and your personal “home” space—so if you’re able to have your desk in a separate room that’s not used as often (like a guest bedroom or a formal dining room), that’s reallllly helpful. And if you don’t have that option, creating a sense of separation through a beautiful room divider or a backless bookshelf can help with creating boundaries around the working area, too.In terms of functionality, having comfortable seating is a MUST for an office. Nowadays we spend so much time sitting in front of our screens in chairs, that we really need to make sure we’re getting the support our bodies need. But you don’t have to sacrifice aesthetics for it, either. Covering an unattractive chair with a linen slip cover can make a huge difference!Having some greenery around will also lift your mood and make the space feel more vibrant, light, and happy. Even if you don’t have a lot of light, there are houseplants like “snake plants” that do great in low-light situations and add a ton of beautiful green foliage to your space. And if you’re working out of a windowless space, like a walk-in closet, fake plants are totally fine, too! There’s lots of realistic-looking faux succulents out there that look really rad in glass terrariums.Art and photographs will also help add beauty to your space, and give you comfort on those tough work days. Having family photos around can remind you of why you’re working and help with motivation, and just reminding you of the folks you love. And artwork is a great way to bring in your own unique style and tone into your space. Sam and I both definitely have a tendency towards curio/ old anthropology museum vibes with lots of glass cloches and scientific sketches of flowers and honeybees, and that’s reflected in our workspace, too. So definitely have a think of the types of images + spaces you love, and how you can incorporate that into your work space via artwork.And lastly, the biggest visual impact you can create within your home office is through color. The color palette of your space has suuuuuch a big influence on how you feel while working in it. Do you want bold bright energetic tones? Or do you prefer soft and soothing pastels? Or do you want neutral walls and furniture so the art work and photos in your space really pop?References + Mentions:Snake Plants (low light houseplant)Room DividersListener Mail:Swarnika asks: How do you create an illusion of a rustic interior that’s also bright + airy?Allfoodalldrinks asks: What should I grow in this narrow strip on the side of my building?SHOW WEBSITE - https://feelslikehomepodcast.com/FIND US ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/feelslikehomepodcast/FOR DESIGN + GARDEN ADVICE CONTACT - FeelsLikeHomePodcast@gmail.com

Today we’re joined by the deeply resourceful + knowledgeable landscape designer Mulysa Melco of Resilience Design. Mulysa is a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to plants, habitats, and garden design—she focuses on a deeper, relational approach to land use + tending, growing food, and supporting habitats through whole-systems thinking, permaculture, and mindful landscape design.In this episode she’s sharing her expertise on the subject of starting a vegetable garden, which was THE most listener-requested episode topic. There’s nobody who would be better to cover this than Mulysa, Eva has been working with her about long-term forestry management and landscaping for her 29-acre future homestead for the past several years, and Mulysa truly is a wealth of helpful, practical, and sustainable gardening knowledge. Get ready to turn your thumb green in this fascinating interview!References + Mentions:Resilience Design’s WebsiteResilience Design’s Online Seed + Plant Shop + Seed CSADesign Your Own Yard Workshop on February 1st-22ndMulysa’s InstagramSHOW WEBSITE - https://feelslikehomepodcast.com/FIND US ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/feelslikehomepodcast/FOR DESIGN + GARDEN ADVICE CONTACT - FeelsLikeHomePodcast@gmail.com

In this episode, we dive deep into Laura Muthesius and Nora Eisermann’s eye for design and renovation process. Laura and Nora are the married design duo behind the Design Tales instagram account, and their gorgeous blog Our Food Stories.They share about how their love for design began, how they work together to design a space, and what goes into remodeling an old interior. All of their design work has been on older pre-existing buildings, and that has meant a lot of adventures and unexpected twists and turns to their various design projects. Strap in and enjoy the ride as they share their tips, insights, and design process in this fascinating interview!References + Mentions:Design Tales Instagram AccountFood Stories Instagram AccountNora + Laura’s BlogTheir *INSANELY* gorgeous Schoolhouse renovation, before here and after here and here.SHOW WEBSITE - https://feelslikehomepodcast.com/FIND US ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/feelslikehomepodcast/FOR DESIGN + GARDEN ADVICE CONTACT - FeelsLikeHomePodcast@gmail.com

Welcome to our very first episode! This has been a long time coming, and we are beyond excited to nerd out about interior design, garden, and all things home with you in the coming weeks, months, and (possibly) years. We’re diving into a little background here, so you have some context for who we are and why we started the podcast.It helps to say who “we” are— Sam Struck of StruckSured Interior Design, and Eva Kosmas Flores, a stylist + photographer. Sam is an incredibly talented interior designer who works out of Hood River, Oregon, with her team of 4 designers at her own interior design studio. Eva is a photographer, stylist, cookbook author, blogger, and general plant nerd. She teaches online courses about photography and the like, and is based in Portland, Oregon.We started this podcast because we wanted to dive into the connection between your home’s exterior and interior, and also highlight sustainability within the design realm, which is often overlooked. There’s nothing like getting cozy in a room that makes you *feel* good to be in, and have a lovely view out of the window of a lush little garden, too!Over the coming episodes, we’ll be interviewing experts in interior design, landscape design, and sustainable building + design practices. We’ll also have some cozy episodes that are just the two of us diving deep into one particular subject, dishing up the most helpful advice + insights possible.We’ll also be answering listener mail in every episode, diving into one interior design and one garden question, so make sure to send those over to us with pictures 🙂 We can’t wait to talk more with you!SHOW WEBSITE - https://feelslikehomepodcast.com/FIND US ON INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/feelslikehomepodcast/FOR DESIGN + GARDEN ADVICE CONTACT - FeelsLikeHomePodcast@gmail.com