The Life I Left and Why I’m Coming Back

I left this life behind. Now it’s all I want.

I’ve been reflecting on just how much remains to get done at the cabin.

Floors to finish.
Rooms to design. *coughs* the kitchen.
Projects stacked on stacks on stacks.

At least the heart of the pine loft bedroom floors are done, the well (and electrical) are safe, the wood-burning stove vents are in place, and the windows no longer leak…

But this morning, none of that to-do list mattered…

What stopped me in my tracks was something much simpler:

A stack of freshly chopped firewood and the vision of chickens wandering the yard. There I was in the garden with a cup of coffee, grinning - alone, and quiet, save the babble of the creek.

And suddenly, everything felt…right. Not stressed.

I felt warm. Grounded. Calm in a way that has nothing to do with temperature.

---

The Circle I Didn’t Know I Was Closing

Here’s the thing: I didn’t grow up in the city.

Small town kid. We had a pig. We had chickens. Yes, really.

Then life sped up.

I moved to San Francisco.
Packed schedules. Deadlines. Constant motion. Always chasing the next thing.

For a long time, that energy felt exciting - even energizing.

But somewhere along the way, something shifted.

Now, what I crave looks like this:

• Kindling stacked by the stove

• The quiet crackle of a morning fire

• The soft cluck of chickens wandering outside

• Fresh eggs and bacon on the griddle

• the sip of my morning coffee, steam a rise

• A little time in the garden before the day begins

Simple. Slow. Alive.

The funny thing is - I once couldn’t wait to leave this life behind. Now I can’t get back to it fast enough. The circle has a funny way of looping us back in and closing.

---

What This Has to Do With Design and Why It Matters for Your Home

If you’ve been following me at 136home, you know this is the lesson the cabin keeps teaching me:

Good design isn’t about perfection.
It’s about supporting the life you actually want to live.

That’s why so many of my design decisions right now are focused on:

• Natural materials that age beautifully. It’s not just about buying “things.”

• Spaces that feel calm, curated, and live in, not busy

• Restoring original elements instead of just replacing them

• Confidently bringing plants, texture, and warmth into every room

If you’re trying to create that same grounded feeling at home, these guides might help:

• 10 Common Decorating Mistakes to Avoid and Solve them like a Pro

• Learn What Your Design Aesthetic is Based on Your Zodiac Sign

• How to Design Any Room From Scratch, like a Interior Designer Does

• Low Light Large Indoor Plants that Make a Space Look Like A Million Bucks

Each one comes back to the same thought that your home should feel like a relaxing personal story of YOU.

---

Bringing “Life” Into Any Space

You don’t need acreage or chickens to create this feeling.

Start small:

1. Create a cozy morning ritual space
A chair by a window. A candle. A plant. No phone.

2. Add something living
Herbs in the kitchen. A pothos on a shelf. Even one plant changes the energy of a room.

3. Lean into natural materials
Wood, linen, stone, ceramics. Texture creates warmth faster than color ever will. Some of my favorites can be found HERE.

4. Cook something simple and seasonal

One of my favorite ways to slow down lately has been to turn on a great song from my Spotify playlist and just cook at the cabin.
If you want something cozy and easy, try:

• My Mother In-laws Grandmothers Spaghetti Sauce Recipe with Fresh Tomatoes

• Fluffy Lemon Ricotta Pancakes for an Easy Elevated Breakfast

Simple food. Simple spaces. Same energy.

---

Real Luxury Right Now

The older I get, the more I realize that real luxury isn’t bigger houses or more stuff.

It’s quiet mornings with the pups.

The simple delight of cheese and honey on fresh-baked sourdough.

Warm golden sunlight reflecting off my favorite coupe glass.
A fire crackling in the wood-burning stove.
Something lush and beautiful is growing in my greenhouse.
The joy that is (The Traitors - poor Maura) trash TV. Get into it.
A space that feels curated, beautiful, and grounded.

That’s what I’m building at the cabin and refining in SF.

Not a perfect home.

A life that feels slower. Fuller. Closer to where I started.

And honestly?

That’s the kind of design I want to help you create, in your spaces too.

If you’re new here, you can explore more at 136home.com - where I share real renovation progress, practical design guides, plant care, and simple recipes for everyday living.

And if you’ve been here for a while, thank you (like seriously) for being part of this little circle with me. Hit subscribe, it’s free after all!

More updates soon.
- xoxo Ant