Sunday Notes from the Kitchen
(and the Garden)
It’s a beautiful Sunday here in New Jersey, and I’m writing to you from my kitchen while baking some gluten-free bread and planning out this week’s dinners. These next two weeks are full of end-of-school activities—8th grade graduation, parties, dances—and soon enough we’ll settle into our slow-ish summer rhythm.
I’ve intentionally taken on fewer interior design projects the last few summers to really soak in the season—a choice I feel lucky to make. After nearly 10 years of running BDesign’D, I’ve learned I don’t need to take every project that hits my inbox. Giving myself space to step back allows me to recharge, work on personal home projects, and, honestly, miss the work a little. Anyone who’s experienced burnout knows how quickly joy can fade when there’s no break in sight.
This week, I posted an 11-minute video on Instagram walking through a room design palette and explaining why paint should never come first. I hoped to post it here too, but Substack only allows 5-minute videos (womp womp 🤪). The funny part? I’m way more comfortable talking about my garden than I am talking about my actual job. Public speaking makes me cringe, and talking to my phone? Even worse. (You can watch it here). However, I’m putting it out into the universe… I think I’m going to start a podcast.
Yes, me—starting a podcast.
(Deep breaths.)
I’m thinking it’ll cover all things home and garden, but mostly be a resource for homeowners to better understand design decisions—like choosing paint, tile, or wood stains—and feel confident taking the lead on their projects. I’d love to interview some of my closest design friends, share behind-the-scenes stories, and maybe even answer listener questions. Would you tune in?
In other news, I’m officially finishing up my certificate in landscape design—eep! While I’ve consulted on exteriors over the years, I figured it was time to make things official. Garden and landscape consulting will hopefully be coming soon. Stay tuned!
Now, a quick garden update:
May’s weather was all over the place (anyone else exhausted by the chill and rain?). I don’t mind cooler spring temps—60s and 70s with chilly nights are my thing—but my plants disagree. We added a twine system for the cucumbers, tomatoes, and zucchini to grow vertically (fingers crossed!). I’ve got six zucchini plants and so far—just male flowers. One cucumber is flowering, tomatoes are growing steadily but no blossoms yet, and the peppers? Not moving an inch. I’m making a note to direct sow them next year instead of transplanting.
The beans are coming up strong, and I’ve rearranged the carrots like a maniac—apparently, they’re good companions for peppers, so I tucked them in all around. We’ll see how that goes. Here’s hoping the warm weather this week kicks things into gear. You can check out a walkthrough from last Tuesday here if you’re curious!
Thanks for being here—and for letting me share this evolving mix of life, home, and garden with you. I’m so grateful for this space. I’ll leave you with a mini photo tour of my gardens.
More soon,
Maria