the real raleigh :: katie smith

Who do you live with Austin & Golden Retriever Bailey
Describe your style in 3 words Casual, Coastal, Clean

What do you collect chinoiserie inspired pieces and dinner napkins…you can never have too many patterns!
Favorite places to score finds for your home Flea Markets, Vintage/Thrift Stores, Furbish, Serena & Lily

What surprises you most about Raleigh The growth! It’s been crazy to watch. It is all incredibly exciting, but I am hopeful Raleigh continues to maintain its original vibe.

Necessary extravagance “luxurious” candles. Anyone who knows me knows that I gravitate towards candles wherever I go. Each room of our house (even my husband’s office) has its own scent.

What do you like to do in your home We love to entertain friends and family. Given we have a small cottage, making the most of both indoors and outdoors is something we do quite often!

Favorite place to buy clothes Shopbop, J. Crew and Tuckernuck

Favorite piece of clothing right now I scored a black leather jacket with rose gold hardware last year and love it for all seasons. It can be paired with jeans in the winter or a dress for an evening out in the summertime.

What’s always in your refrigerator Champagne and pimento cheese

Dream dinner party guests Mark Sikes and Gwyneth Paltrow

Fool proof dinner party tip A fully stocked bar cart. It’s inviting for guests and allows them to feel right at home and create their own libations.

3 favorite things about your house its history — I always imagine how many family dinners have taken place in our dining room over last 80 years, the original claw foot tub and the wide porch perfect for afternoon wine on the swing

What would be your perfect weekend? An early fall weekend at the coast. Being from Wilmington, one of my favorite times of year is when the tourists start to fade away and it becomes a quiet little beach town again. Taking the boat out in the waterway in the late afternoon with a bottle of wine and dinner on the water.

You’ve done an amazing job at making a small house feel special and cozy – what were some of your tricks Living in a small space has taught me to make more thoughtful purchases for our home. Finding pieces that are both stylish and functional is huge for us, but not always the easiest. I’ve learned that patience is key and to only go for pieces that I truly love.

Netflix obsession Just finished Friends from College and Ozark
Favorite song right now A closeness by Dermot Kennedy

Where is the last place you traveled Charleston, SC
What did you bring back Locally crafted candles (obviously) from some of my favorite boutiques

Favorite cocktail Aperol Spritz…or a margarita. That’s a tough one.
Favorite restaurant Can I have two? Girl loves to eat. Mandolin & Bida Manda.

How do you unwind one of two (very different ways): a really hard workout or sweats on the couch and online shopping.

What can you not stop thinking about These *beautiful* leather Gucci slides that I tried on a couple of weeks ago.
What smell do you love Gypsy Water by Byredo and gardenia

What’s your newest music discovery Shane Smith & The Saints. Their album “Coast” has been on repeat

Your favorite 3 things in your house the two sweet souls that I share it with, our vintage bar, and a portrait my mother painted of Bailey.