I’ve been a Stern fan since 2018, when I interviewed her about her shark-studded single-wide trailer in the western Mojave Desert. The space’s quirky, joyful energy was one of a kind, and Stern has gone on to make a name for herself infusing that feeling into ceramic ghosts, snake rugs, and even shoes (that sprout flowers, of course). A peek inside her brain is an opportunity I could never pass up. Enjoy! —Lindsey Mather, digital director

What I’m loving right now: Nature-inspired decor. Plants and animals make me happy; I feel more balanced and inspired when I surround myself with them. I have both of those in my home, but I like to add in nature-themed pieces to take it to the next level.

It looks great with…everything. Nature is timeless.

Courtesy of Dusen Dusen

Where I’ve spotted it in the wild:

This lemon-shaped house a couple towns north from where I live in Cartago, California.
Dusen Dusen’s tulip shower curtain (above), which I have in my bathroom.
My partner, Dave, makes nature-inspired doorknobs for us and some lucky friends, but I also love these lizard patio door handles by Martin Pierce.
Interlocking animal-shaped puzzle pavers, particularly lizards, inspired by Dutch artist M.C. Escher.

Courtesy of Cold Picnic

Three real-life ways I’d try it:

Swapping out outdoor spigots. I’m working on getting a variety of different animal ones for my new house.
Coordinating wallpaper with rugs and upholstery, like Cold Picnic’s matching Disappearing Daffodil collection (above).
A coffin! I’m a huge fan of Kane Kwei Carpentry Workshop in Ghana. I have a miniature shark coffin by them, but my goal is to also get a full-size alligator coffin one day.

If money, time, and space were no object, I’d…live in a terrarium and have an indoor lawn.

My shopping criteria: The item has to make me feel happy.

My elevator pitch to skeptics: You are nature, nature is you.

How I see it evolving: Since we are in the age of tech, I could see people wanting more nature in their homes to help balance things out.

Shop the Look

Snail Table Lamp

West Elm

SHOP NOW

Brass Clover Hook

Matilda Goad

SHOP NOW

Blue Tulip Candleholder by Laetitia Rouget

Ssense

SHOP NOW

Cuisinox Fish-Shaped Lemon Squeezer

Wayfair

SHOP NOW

Stillwater Floral Sham

Schoolhouse

SHOP NOW

Little Garden Rug

Lorien Stern

SHOP NOW

SPOTLIGHT

20% Off Pom Pom at Home

Heat getting to you? Not only are this retailer’s bamboo sheets cooling as advertised, our photo director compares sleeping on them to “climbing into a cloud.” Get 20% off sitewide with the code DOMINO20.

Blake Duvet Cover, Pom Pom at Home

What’s the next…

Paint color you want to use: I love green, white, and light yellow; that combo reminds me of greenhouses.
Decor item you’re on the hunt for: An adult-size frog-shaped toilet.
Vintage score of your dreams: A tulip or daffodil floor lamp by Peter Bliss. However, the best vintage score of my life so far was a frog candelabra for my @napkinapocalypse candles.
Design destinations on your bucket list: The dinosaurs in London’s Crystal Palace Park and The Tarot Garden by Niki de Saint Phalle in Italy.
Home project you’d like to tackle: Making a majority of my pendant light shades.
DIY you might actually do: Customize my toilets.
Trend you hope makes a comeback: Fun, colorful, affordable plumbing fixtures.
Collection you’re working on: So many things! But to tease one: an animal-themed bathroom hardware collection.

Photography by Lorien Stern

What’s the last…

Thing you bought for your home: Vintage deadstock Italian plumbing fixtures (above left).
Post you saved: This cardboard frame for a grass chair, designed by Studio Nucleo.
Account you started following: @fashion4botanists.
Photo you snapped: My cat, Bob, enjoying a miniature mausoleum/side table/cat house I made in college (above right).

View in Browser

Manage Preferences