What My Mother's Pottery Taught Me

Acquisitions No. 3: Bohemianism, Rick Owens' Favorite Novel, and Handmade Lace Button Downs

A glimpse of my secret “The Vibe Is…” Pinterest board

Years ago, I met a couple, an electronic musician and a writer, who had just built a stunning, yet simple home in a rural pocket of Piedmont Virginia. As a guest of their guest, I had the privilege of learning about them within the context of their highly personalized space. As they walked me through three minimally-appointed rooms, I learned the writers’s father performed John Cage’s 4’33” at their wedding and her mother made the pottery perfectly arranged atop the long kitchen cabinet. The few stone steps leading to a finished attic would eventually become a nursery or their new bedroom, whichever arrangement made sense once their family grew. At the end of the tour, the musician made his way to a stump out back where he slaughtered a chicken for dinner. The writer set out snacks and tea for us to graze on while she prepared a hearty salad. Yes, her mother made the plates. As I noticed original compositions cooing from monitors tucked into corners, I asked myself: How can I go about creating this exact life for myself – minus the baby? And who the hell is John Cage?