Remember when The NY Times said the feeling of 2021 was languishing? I so identified with that. I wish I could say the feeling went away with the start of the new year, but it seems to be hanging around. Just like this pandemic.

Sometimes I feel quite guilty about the languishing. I’m a creative person with lots of supplies on hand. Why can I not figure out something to do with them? I know it would make me feel better to create something, but it’s nearly impossible without a real purpose. Give me a reason (that bed needs a bright throw pillow; someone needs help finding a new rug), and I’ll get started immediately. Without that, I find myself dragging out a bunch of pretty fabrics or my sketchbook only to put it all away again after a few minutes. That said, even though I have few creative projects of my own to show right now, I’ve enjoyed seeing what some other creative people are doing, and I thought you might like to see too.

In December, I got to meet artist and entrepreneur Emily Kurth. Emily runs her abstract art and coaching business, Coco & June, from her home, with the help of her friendly golden retriever, Augie. 

I’ve been wearing a tank top that Emily designed with the words “Stay Wild” on the front (so many possible meanings, I love it) for several years, so it was a real treat to get to talk with her in person.

Emily’s basement studio is a bright, playful space featuring a work bench, a desk, a large easel, and a beautiful velvet couch.

Coco & June began when Emily and a friend decided to monetize something they were already doing—refinishing old furniture. When Emily’s business partner took a new job, Emily began selling lifestyle goods, including shirts she designed and hand-painted wooden signs. Her signs sold well, but after a while she started getting a pit in her stomach every time someone ordered one.

Long story short, she listened to her gut, and it led her to shift directions yet again.

Emily now focuses on her real love: abstract painting. Though paintings aren’t necessarily where she makes her money, she’s found clever ways to incorporate her artwork into lifestyle goods that people want.

You can find her abstract art on jewelry, pillows and bags, mugs, and one-of-a-kind hand-painted Vans. Last spring she added a new dimension to her business: coaching other female business owners. Painting abstracts and helping others tap into their own inner strength puts her into a flow state and allows her to embrace her natural tendency to work intuitively. Now she helps other creative ladies do the same.

Yesterday I photographed a very cool old house that Lisa and LJ Giuliani have dubbed The Meditation Palace, which will soon be available for rent on Airbnb. You might recognize it from the studio tour I blogged about last fall.

It’s a beautiful old house, and they’ve filled it with a great combination of lovely new textiles and vintage finds.

Naturally there’s a mediation room. It’s got a very pretty rug overtop a padded yoga mat, plenty of floor cushions, and room for a massage table. So you can book a private massage while you stay. Oooh la la!

As you can imagine, the interior designer in me would LOVE to have an extra house to fix up and decorate, so I was ever so happy for the opportunity to live vicariously. Spring is coming soon(ish), which always helps. In the meantime, if you have projects and would like some help, let me know! We can escape the languishing together.