the real raleigh :: Sonya Jeffrey

Name Sonya Strike… but Sonya Jeffrey is currently my legal name

Occupation Real Estate but I’m a design lover at heart

Who do you live with My husband Strike

What’s your sign Aries

What do you like to do in your home Rearrange things, relax on the deck, play pool, spend time with visiting friends and family, watch Strike cook…. I’m good at cleaning up!

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned this year The older you get the faster time flies, only spend time with the people that make you happy

Fool proof dinner party tip Strike’s made from scratch Pavlova

What’s always in your refrigerator Eggs, bacon, creamer, and milk for tea

You and strike have made this house feel really modern, and also warm, layered and cozy – what were some of your tricks I grew up 2 doors down so I remembered this house from my childhood. When Strike and I made the decision to move to Raleigh from Chicago a few years ago we came to look at the house and immediately had a vision of what we wanted to create in the outdated space… a modern, open concept home with lots of one of a kind touches. We completely gutted the inside of the home and took out 6 internal walls just to start with! Everything evolved throughout the building process and included extensive research by both of us as we did not have any professional help in regard to the design. We were lucky in that we both had ideas in our heads that we were excited about incorporating and that our home turned out to be a true reflection of our personalities.

Where is the last place you traveled Islamorada

What did you bring back Long sleeve fishing shirts and two sand dollars

Favorite cocktail Homemade Watermelon Margarita in the summer, Old Fashioned during winter

Necessary extravagance/simple indulgence Skincare/Coconut Cake

Favorite city the vibe of London, the scenery of Salzburg

Color you never tire of Army green

Scent CREED Virgin Island Water

Album that always puts you in a great mood Train in Vain by The Clash

Netflix obsession Just finished Dead To Me and patiently awaiting Season 5 of Peaky Blinders

Favorite restaurant Crawford and Son… because of the amazingly talented Bret and Krystle!

Favorite places to score finds for your home My best friend’s store in Roanoke, VA called Magnolia, CB2, Slate in Charlotte, Etsy, The Mahler Fine Art is our favorite gallery in Raleigh to purchase art

If you were a boxer, what song would you walk out to Scenario by A Tribe Called Quest

What do you bring with you everywhere you go Lip gloss

Favorite place to get coffee in Raleigh Our kitchen, Strike makes me a Salted Caramel Oak Milk Latte every morning when I wake up and it can’t be beat… but Oakwood Pizza Box makes a great after dinner espresso!

What smell do you love Capri Blue Volcano Candle

Dream dinner party guests My mom and my grandparents who all passed away too soon

Your favorite 3 things in your house It’s difficult for me to choose 3… Indoor porch swing made by Raleigh Reclaimed, Concrete dining chairs and platform bed that Strike made, My dad’s NCR Cash Register, and our art collection!

Favorite song right now It’s not new but I always have Fluorescent Adolescent by the Arctic Monkeys on repeat

What would you save in a fire A Walter Piepke watercolor that my mom and dad gave me in high school. It was my first piece of art and he is still one of my all time favorite artists.

Fave piece of jewelry My wedding band that was handmade with my mom’s diamonds

Style icon SJP

What’s on your summer wishlist Tickets to Royal Ascot

Best concert you’ve ever been to So many great ones but I love The Killers live

Favorite hotel Obsessed with the art installations and design elements of Casa Malca in Tulum

What would people be surprised to learn about you I’m a dedicated ice hockey fan and I love to paint

Go-to hostess gift Concrete succulent planters that Strike makes and a nice bottle of red

Favorite weekend destination Chicago

What would be your perfect weekend Snow skiing and apres ski on a sunny day in the alps

Style mantra Whatever I put on must put a smile on my face and must be comfortable… but I will suffer for cute shoes

Favorite pieces of clothing right now my I could wear my Nili Lotan Toledo pants everyday… also loving maxi skirts, high waisted paperbag pants, bodysuits, fashion sneakers, clogs

Best place to buy clothes all of the department stores in London, Zara, Shopbop, and I’ve just recently discovered Alex Long Studio… she is the best!