amandahesser

I’ve joined a cult. We make pizza. open.substack.com/pub/amandahess…

Is Jeopardy the only remaining part of pop culture that's pure? This interview with Jamie Ding is a great read (you might need tissues). wsj.com/arts-culture/t…

Online shopping has become a real drag. Today, I wrote about why that is, and shared a new resource that I hope will come in handy for you — as long as you’re interested in my home goods, food, kitchen, office, and travel recommendations! open.substack.com/pub/amandahess…

Sleeping pillows are some of the most difficult things to buy for your home. There are now a lot of specialized pillows to choose from. Which makes it even harder. You gave me a bunch of recommendations and I tried out 7 of them. Today: the results. Plus a short list of good Mother’s Day gifts, created by a recipient with 20 years of experience. open.substack.com/pub/amandahess…

Some people are into art or music. I’m into storage. This week, I’m opening up all the cabinets in our Ojai kitchen for you to see my kitchen storage methods… open.substack.com/pub/amandahess…

As East Coasters, we’ve been indoor people for most of our lives. Now in CA, we’re learning how to be outdoor people. When we designed our house, we decided to commit as fully to designing outdoor living spaces as we did to the ones inside the house. Today, I’m sharing the plan and the progress. Enjoy! open.substack.com/pub/amandahess…

The past few months in Ojai have felt like a lucky dream. Read on for the details … and the pie! open.substack.com/pub/amandahess…

Benjamin Renaert shared all sorts of great home design advice but I most appreciated his tip on dusting: feather duster + cordless Dyson open.substack.com/pub/amandahess…

We had super sweet lamps made by local ceramicist Rebekah Miles. (You can find her work at @NickeyKehoe!) Plus sources for teapots, socks, mixing bowls, and old love letters. open.substack.com/pub/amandahess…

We moved into our house 3 months ago. Settling in is a longer process. Perhaps you can relate? open.substack.com/pub/amandahess…

Who needs The Strategist/Wirecutter when you have a well-informed community of readers?! Get Homewardians’ picks for everyday dinner plates. I added my two cents as well. Plus a damn good almond cake by the one and only @Dorie Greenspan 👸🏻 open.substack.com/pub/amandahess…

This week, Paul Denoly and Nick Blaine, founders of Hawkins New York, take us inside their Sea Ranch home — and show us how to renovate a historic property with a strong design sensibility but a light touch. It’s magical — hope you’ll check it out! open.substack.com/pub/amandahess…

Turning winter’s lemons into lemon marmalade. Plus: fans of Raina Lee’s art—she made a special piece for a mundane part of our home: house numbers! open.substack.com/pub/amandahess…

For anyone who‘s dealt with household pests, let’s commiserate! This week, I shared our many encounters with the wild. open.substack.com/pub/amandahess…

This week, I wrote about how our renovation is as much about my own need for renewal as it is about rebuilding our house. Also: a bright and spicy citrus salad for the new year! open.substack.com/pub/amandahess…

I finally got a chance to design a kitchen from the ground up — and I was lucky to collaborate with the great minds at Bestor Architecture and Reath Design. This week, I’m sharing the thinking behind the layout and features we landed on. Also: an A+ recipe for hot chocolate with salted whipped cream from Aleksandra Crapanzano’s new book, Chocolat. open.substack.com/pub/amandahess…

This week, I’m writing about the collision of perfectionists and renovations. With a side of passion fruit dressing and passion fruit curd. There are videos. Enjoy! In defense of perfectionism (even while renovating, ha) open.substack.com/pub/amandahess…

Whenever I read @ChristeneBarberich’s A Tiny Apt or her IG posts, I feel grateful that she’s let people in to see how she thinks about design, how she shops, what she’s paying attention to. I’ve learned a lot from her. This week, she paid a visit to Homeward, and it’s a wonderful read, filled with snapshots of her home and life. Hope you’ll check it out! Inside a 650-square-foot cabin made with straw and cork open.substack.com/pub/amandahess…

Hey! This week, I wrote about: - my 6 flatware picks for our new place — I need your help choosing and recommending. Already loving the comments with people’s feedback and ideas. - a great new book on cold water and its benefits - a hazelnut cake with maraschino meringue icing from … 1882! open.substack.com/pub/amandahess…

I did a deep dive on cooking ranges: gas burner innovations, induction, oven “drift,” BTUs, technology, and design. Hope you enjoy the read and find it helpful — settle in, it’s detailed! open.substack.com/pub/amandahess…