I always tell people, my brother lives the exciting life – having spent two years in Manhattan and now in San Francisco – his is definitely the more exciting life! While I reside in subdued Calgary, I enjoy the perks of having a place to crash in a city I’ve grown to love, almost more than New York! Words I never thought I would say!
What’s not to love about San Fransisco? Views of the bay, amazing food, no need for a gym membership (the hills are killer!), world class wine just a short drive away, and the weather – sublime.
On my recent trip to SF, I was intentional in not overbooking myself, I wanted to have time and space to explore the city as I wanted. Which naturally resulted in an afternoon of discovering gorgeous interior design and decor shops in the incredibly stylish Presidio Heights. While there was so much to take in, including a shop devoted entirely to ribbon, can you imagine! My favorite discovery was Hudson Grace.
I was a kid in a candy store among this incredible collection of dinnerware, glassware, table linens and napkins, flatware, candles, and other serving and entertaining products and home accessories – just walking in made me want to host a dinner party.
Hudson Grace is the brainchild of Monelle Totah and Gary McNatton, best friends with a real passion for casual elegance, with a nod to coastal California living.
Monelle Totah has extensive retail experience in home and tabletop product development for Williams-Sonoma and Banana Republic. She scours markets across Europe for one-of-a-kind items that sometimes wind up as the basis for new product lines made exclusively for Hudson Grace. “I don’t just design with beauty and practicality in mind. I buy that way, too.”
Gary McNatton has thirty years of experience delivering award-winning design and production in personal care, fine fragrance, home product and package design. McNatton is passionate about the authenticity and simplicity of Hudson Grace products. He believes “there’s a comfort in holding something beautiful and chunky and not at all delicate. We go for things that are meant to be worn, to be used, to be loved.”
Some of what I wanted to bring home with me included the gorgeous cutting boards made of salvaged from reclaimed 19th century European timber. Beautiful Italian made, exclusive to Hudson Grace server-ware. And the collection of handmade Cire Trudon candles, glorious fragrances reflecting the tradition and history of this Parisian company.
