Welcome Back!
Plus: The Truth About Interior Design + The Design Social Pop-Up, Newport Beach Edition
“To progress is always to begin always to begin again.” – Martin Luther
A very happy 2024 and welcome back to my newsletter, now found under Coberly Home. My name is Catherine Churchill Coberly and I’ve been an interior designer and writer for about twenty years. After a few weeks off to enjoy the holidays, I decided that the name Lido Me Home might be better suited to a Duffy boat than a newsletter, so here we are. Enough said.
The Truth About Interior Design
Like most of you, the world of interior design is intimidating to me. Take one look at Instagram and if your feed is full of picture-perfect interior and exterior shots you know what I mean (and whose isn’t these days?). My background in home design began when I studied architecture in college (or really when I was a little kid and built houses out of shoeboxes in school). After my first year pulling all-nighters in the architecture lab, my counselor suggested I quit any extra-curricular “activities” (sorority? margaritas? college fun?) and focus on my career. I was 19. It took me about two seconds to say, um, no thanks and bye bye! I decided I had some “activities” to attend to. Do I regret it? Sometimes, but I believe things happen the way they’re meant to. In 2004 a neighbor asked me to help her with her house, which was very flattering, but I had no decorating experience. When I balked, my mother-in-law offered to assist. She had been an interior designer for 30 years and had style in spades. I took the project plus a few more and found I enjoyed taking a space my clients hated, or didn’t know what to do with, or couldn’t look at one. more. day. and making it better. It wasn’t always top-to-bottom or a gut renovation or done with unlimited funds; sometimes it was just a room or a bookshelf, but I loved it. Now, did I beautifully document these projects with professional photography and start a Flickr or Facebook account (this was 2004 after all)? I did not. We were just starting our family and wanted to prioritize me being a SAHM, so this was more of a part-time gig for me. I called my company Coberly Home, made some business cards, and took on whatever I could to be able to still be there for our family. My mother-in-law showed me the ropes, taking me to beautiful showrooms and helping me open trade accounts, teaching me about purchasing, installations, subs, you name it. She had great stories of her experiences and always shared what she knew, and I am so grateful to her for that. I found a love of helping people with their most valuable commodity, their home. My clients were grateful for the help, and because I was approachable I don’t think I was intimidating. Just not my nature. The truth is, not all interior design has to be daunting, is perfect, or is unattainable. Not everyone can hire a talented interior designer (who are worth their weight in gold btw) and/or has the budget to do what they really want to with their homes. The most beautiful, interesting, and comfortable interiors evolve over time. Your home will naturally become a collected, curated assortment of things that make you happy and that work within your walls. If you’re not there yet, don’t worry! I believe there are many ways to enhance your home to make it more beautiful, and functional, for you. I’m into pretty, not perfect. Making spaces work and investing in timeless pieces are a part of the bigger picture, and my goal is to show you how and provide resources for you to get you on your way.
The Design Social Pop-Up, Newport Beach Edition
Speaking of resources, my second trip to the Design Social Pop-Up, an interior design event started by Brooks Morrison (hear her speak about it on the Business of Home podcast), was amazing. Held in my hometown in December, I was able to go for the day, see some favorite creators and meet new ones (Textiles by Smith is one), and listen to John Robshaw, Peter Dunham, and Martyn Lawrence Bullard (check out his new book, Star Style) in some fun and lively panel discussions. Wonderful and unique fabrics, wallpapers, rugs, and hardware were on display, and the rooms were filled with local designers vying for a peek at the gorgeous wares. If you are in the industry, I highly suggest you go! The 2024 schedule was just announced on the website this month (also below).
Although I listed some favorites in my last post, here are more that might inspire you:
Retorra Rugs - custom rugs made in Pennsylvania that are truly a work of art
Hoffman Hardware - created by interior designer Krista Hoffman, her pieces are beautifully made and unique (worth another mention!)
Abnormals Anonymous - always amazing inspiration from these fun patterns
Hollywood at Home - Peter Dunham’s shop in L.A. is one of my favorite places to find beautiful textiles, furniture, and accessories
As always, thank you for reading. Please share with anyone you think might be interested and stay tuned for an exciting announcement coming soon! Until next time…