At home with lifestyle blogger Ashley Kane
I met Ashley in London during a trip to discover a new Jo Malone scent around a year ago. I’ve been fortunate enough to meet some wonderful people through the work that I do - many of them becoming friends, and Ashley is one of them. With a shared interest in interiors and similar taste in style and fashion - so similar in fact that we have many of the same items in our wardrobe, which we often point out to each other on direct message in Instagram, we have become friends. So during my trip to California in November I paid her a visit in her beautifully decorated, light-drenched and very enviable apartment filled with fresh neutrals, cosy soft-furnishings, flowers, candles, plants and of course her pup Scout. I couldn’t not do a home tour while I was there so before we sat down to have a good chat - that lasted more than three hours! - I quickly snapped some photos.
Ashley studied merchandise marketing at FIDM San Diego (funnily enough the city that my mum is from). In 2009 she moved to San Francisco to pursue working in fashion and personal styling. There she landed a job at Google working for their Boutique.com site. Having also always had an interest in digital - there have been a few blogs before she started Brunch on Chestnut, transitioning to a full time blogger a few years ago was a natural progression. Today she blogs about her personal style, interiors, life - she got married last year - and her life in San Francisco: “I've always been fuelled by inspiration hunting –– since I was little, my eyes are always looking for something to move me, the feeling of being inspired deeply is what fuels me as a person every day.”
Best career advice you ever received?
In challenging times, remember why you started.
What would you do if you weren’t doing the work you do now?
Interior design has been a passion of mine my whole life. I think if I didn't end up on the path I'm on, I might have pursued it because it's endlessly exciting to me. I also kind of think I was a florist in a past life, flowers make me so happy and picking them up each week or so and arranging them is so therapeutic for me. I'm very grateful that the career path I'm on now allows me to dabble in all of my passions.
What were the biggest decorating challenges in your current apartment?
Not necessarily a challenge because we got pretty lucky with our space –– but each room's wall space and layout leaves little room to rearrange. Everything has a place and has to stay put unless we swap things out completely. I've always been one to love changing things up and moving things around so miss having that option!
How would you describe your interior style?
A combination of cozy Californian with a very strong European influence. I love to start with a neutral foundation and build from there adding colour, charm, and character.
I've learned over the years that your home should house your collected treasures. If I could give my 25 year old self design advice, it would be to hold off filling in just to feel nested, and save up/hold out for things that I truly love and is special/versatile enough to hold onto for the long haul.
Favourite piece of furniture/treasures?
Our burl wood nightstands make me so happy, they are like pieces of art! I also treasure my vintage crystal ash tray, silver candlestick holder, and my vintage alabaster lamp.
Favourite places/shops to buy for your home?
A few top favourites are Fferrone for glassware (we collect pieces from their Dearborn collection), Louise Roe Copenhagen has the most beautiful jewel box vases, Armadillo & Co. for the softest jute rugs, March SF, Hudson | Grace, McGee & Co., June Home Supply, Parachute Home for bedding, Candelabra for unique furniture, and then vintage finds from flea markets, antique shops, or online (I love browsing Everything But the House, Chairish, eBay, and ETSY!).
What styles inspire you?
I'm very inspired by capsule wardrobes right now. The theme this year for my has been paring down aspects of my life and focusing on fewer, better things. Inspired by french minimalism, danish fun, and laidback Californian.
What do you like most about the area you live in, in SF?
San Francisco is endlessly charming! I will be walking down a block I've walked hundreds of times and will notice something new and beautiful for the first time. We live in Cow Hollow, in close proximity to a lively street with so many shops, restaurants, workouts–– I won't ever take for granted the accessibility and convenience of a short block walk to some of my favourites!
Favourite sources for inspiration?
Tumblr, Pinterest, and travelling.
Favourite three lifestyle blogs?
I’m more into lifestyle publications or brand sites these days. I love Net-a-Porter's online editorial site. I also enjoy Badlands Journal (incredibly design/style-forward and appealing to the eye!), Doré, and A Piece Apart's "stories" on their site. I love reading about great beauty tips, inspiring interviews, recipes, and learning about new designers/brands/products!
Favorite Instagram follows?
My favorite follows are those who inspire me with interiors –– @liz_damrich, @emily.a.schoen, @glenn.ban, @discinteriors
Last good book you read?
Where the Crawdad's Sing and The Great Alone. Must reads!
What’s in your magazine pile?
Porter Magazine is my whole grail of editorial reads, but also just subscribed to British Harper's Bazaar. I find that UK and Australian fashion magazines have one up on us Americans!
What’s on your nightstand?
My nightstand is very much 'lived-in' and holds many things most days; a big book stack as I read a few at a time, lotions and oils for evening rituals, CBD oil, lip balm, my slip silk eye mask (never loved one more), jewellery, water.
What’s your morning routine?
I start my day with either celery juice or hot water with lemon, apple cider vinegar, and cayenne pepper. I read a couple chapters in a book, take my dog on a walk with a podcast on, come home and make coffee, get a workout in (either pilates or Melissa Wood Health at home) and then I get to work.
Go-to alcoholic beverage?
Pinot Noir! Particularly love Pinots from Sonoma Coast, St. Rita Hills, or Russian River.
However, I will have the occasional cocktail –– while we were on our honeymoon this summer in Italy I discovered my spirit animal drink, the Hugo Spritz: Prosecco, elderflower, mint, and lime.
Handbag essentials?
AirPods, sunglasses, lip balm, hand cream, a book, cell phone.
What do you do to relax?
Listen to music, read, take a bubble bath, arrange flowers, take a walk while listening to an uplifting podcast, sip pinot with Netflix!
SF favorites:
Park Tavern brunch, Coqueta for lunch, Cotogna for dinner, Union Larder and West Coast Wine & Cheese for vino! Sacramento Street for the best home shopping, Fillmore Street in Pacific Heights for a coffee pickup and window shopping, Jackson Square to go get into some trouble (read: Isabel Marant, Zimmerman, Aesop, and many more danger zones)...
SHOP THE STORY
Photos and words by Marissa Cox.
