i first began my admiration for artist serena Mitnick-miller and her architect husband Mason St. Peter when in 2009 they opened their inspiring and very well-curated general store in san Francisco’s often foggy outer sunset district. i think their move to the neighborhood lured a lot of other amazing talented makers, cafes and shops to what once had been previously pretty sleepy area of the city — people just responded to their authenticity, creativity, and charm. since then, they’ve grown, moving to their beautiful topanga home and opening their second venice shop location in 2012. the creative couple currently splits their time between San Francisco and Los Angeles, running their two stores, designing & building homes and making art. and now they’ve gifted us with their beautiful new book, Abode: Thoughtful Living with Less.
the yearning for a life of pared-down purity has never been more sought-after, and Serena and Mason are very admirably at the forefront. in Abode, these tastemakers and slow life livers make a graceful case for living better no matter your budget or abilities, guiding you to create a space this is simple and true. their time-tested methods create interiors that maximize openness, strip a building back to its bones, and amplify natural light, evoking unpretentious tranquility. The blueprint for their signature aesthetic is all in the book — the embrace of elemental materials, curation of handcrafted objects, and collection of furnishings from eras when craftsmanship was king — and they walk the walk and talk the talk, all very authentically. Abode beautifully features their greatest collaborations and will share with you breathtaking interiors, masterpieces of warm minimalism and is also a practical glimpse into the couple’s process and a guide to manifesting your own beautiful interiors. it’s another new design favorite on my bookshelf that i think you’ll really want to include on yours.