LETTER FROM THE EDITOR:

If you’ve been a longtime reader of the magazine, you’ll know that I’m currently rebuilding my own house after losing our previous home in the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California. While I could fill an entire book with what I’ve learned so far, the biggest takeaway has been truly understanding the meaning of home. As I walked through our property this week, carefully deciding where every outlet, switch, and light fixture should go, my builder said something that stopped me in my tracks: “The best design happens when you think about the life you want to live here.”

It really struck a chord because it perfectly captures the common thread running through this issue of Rue. The most memorable homes aren’t defined by a particular style or trend—they’re shaped by the people who live in them.

(And, can I quickly say what a gift incredible builders and tradespeople are? Without their craftsmanship, this magazine and great design in general simply wouldn’t exist.)

Nate Berkus, our cover star and celebrated interior designer, has built a career on the meaning of home. His debut book, The Things That Matter, explored the idea that our homes tell the stories of our lives, reflecting the places we’ve been and the people we love. In this issue, we visit the Greenwich Village apartment Nate transformed for art collector Cassie Rosenthal. It’s deeply personal, a concept which Nate sums up best: “You need the option of landing in your own environment that you’ve created, that you’ve edited, that you’ve chosen.”

That same philosophy appears throughout these pages—in a Jersey City brownstone designed for a young family, a Toronto bachelorette pad, a cabin outside Nashville, and an Oklahoma lake house. Each home looks entirely different, yet every one is a reflection of the life unfolding within its walls. There is no single “right way” to create a dream home.

In our interview with author Annie Meyers-Shyer, one thought lingered with me long after our conversation ended, and I have a feeling it will stay with you too:

“At the end of the day, a beautiful house only matters if it supports the life happening inside it.”

I’ll be holding that concept close as my own home takes shape. I hope this issue inspires you to create spaces that tell your story too.

Kelli
@kellilamb_

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