“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”

- Maya Angelou.

We thought now would be a good time to introduce ourselves.  We are Kristin and Rachael and here are our stories...

Hi! I'm Kristin (and that's Trinity sniffing my neck). Here’s my short story: 

• I’m a wife, a stepmother, daughter, sister, friend, and an animal lover. Pit Bulls are my jam.
•  I’m obsessed with all things design, skincare, and really bad reality TV.
•  I only have one (complete) big toe. Long story. 
•  Sometimes, I swear too much. 

Want to know more? Read on…

I come to this website honestly with a history in retail and design. I’ve loved interior design all of my life. I still covet the circa 1974 matching wallpaper and fabric my mother used to decorate my childhood home.  I’m lucky enough to also have a stepmother who is still an amazing designer and buyer in her own right. I owned a high-end plumbing showroom during the housing boom and thankfully got out just before the economic crash in 2008. I’ve spent untold hours in vintage/junk/antique shops, wholesale furniture, plumbing, and European markets. I love and obsess over well designed and thoughtfully put together spaces. My favorite rooms are a combination of old/new/handmade/thrifted/ and repurposed treasures. “TEXTURE” should be my middle name. I could probably shop for rugs for the rest of my life and be as happy as a bug, in the said rug. (see what I did there?). 

In 2011 I had to admit my occasional drinking (alcoholism) was a “tiny” problem and my life was a "tad" chaotic.  Just a tiny bit. Ya know, days in a blackout are totally normal and burning through a case of cheap wine (on your own) in a week is clearly within the doctor recommended range. Isn't it? Well, I actually KNEW that much booze wasn’t helpful but I wasn’t ready to give it up so, I went down with a fight (and a total life re-set). I’m oversharing all of this because it’s an integral part of who I am now, eight years later. 

I come to you today with a new appreciation for my life and immense gratitude for the people in it. I now see connections where once I saw differences and division. I’ve had my ass saved and I’d like to return the favor in any way I can. So, with my dear friend (and catalyst in that little life “re-set”), Rachael, we decided to focus our passions and intentions to create Holistic Habitat. With our mutual passion, our intention is to be able to give back to those in our global and local community who need help the most.  

This is the space we wanted to create: a place where you know that what you're buying has roots in compassion and assistance to the creators of those products and a place where you can find one-of-a-kind treasures for your lifestyle and your loved ones that create connections to your environment and your relationships within it.  We source our products thoughtfully and holistically. We believe we can use our dollars to make a wider impact beyond just our pretty living rooms. We sell things we would buy, at prices we would pay.  This business is our labor of love to the world of design, artisans, and human connections. Also, we’re addicted to pillows so, we became our own dealer.

XoXo-

Kristin 

Rachael's Story...

 Hi guys! I have been in the south for 20 years and still say "guys" when referring to "y'all" because I'm a midwest girl at heart. I waited until the very last minute to write my intro because apparently, I’m more of a fly by the seat of my pants kind of girl. I don't dig organization...but I'm getting better because I HAVE TO. Thank God for Kristin! She is brilliant, organized and has a head for business, so she keeps my tangents in check! Did I mention I’m ADD as heck? Case and point…I forgot the actual INTRODUCTION! I’m Rachael, Co-Founder of Holistic Habitat. PHEW! Glad we got that out of the way!

 I’m pictured here with my husband Brian, my 9-year-old daughter Riley, and my grandparents. Truth be told, I couldn’t find a decent picture of just the three of us, and my grandparents are such a huge part of my story that I figured you should meet them too. We are a creative bunch and we come by it naturally.

 Brian is an artist but is a massage therapist by trade. He will tell you he was put here to help others, so that’s his day job but it doesn’t stop there. He is the guy you call when you need help. He never says no. He shows up…ALWAYS. He has a heart full of love and he gives it out freely. He teaches our daughter important lessons through his actions. He’s the best kind of guy.

 Now, Riley… My eyes well with tears when I think too long about her. She made me a mom, but more than that, she expanded my view of the world. To say that she is special would be an understatement. She has a personal relationship with God that goes far beyond anything we could’ve taught her. She holds His light in her eyes and his empathy in her spirit. I have no doubt that she does and will continue to make the world a better place. She was called to be His light…so shine she will!

Wow, we’re getting DEEP!!!

 Before I stray too far, I guess I should move on to me.

 My grandmother once shared with me that when she wasn't creating she felt "off balance". She described it as walking down the street with one foot on the curb and one foot on the pavement. I was born to create and I was given the tools to be creative long before I can even remember. I grew up with a sketch pad, a paintbrush, and a journal. I would often escape to the highest branch of my backyard tree with at least one of those things in hand. Art runs deep in my genes. I come from a family of creative people and my grandmother was the start of it all. Whether we were spending the day painting a still-life portrait of her fruit bowl or making dolls from her peonies, we were constantly "creating". It is a part of who I am. Without it, I would be lost… “off balance” if you will.

I have channeled that creativity in many ways throughout my 33 years. As an adult, I have found my creative “balance” in design. Taking a room and turning it into a collected and comfortable space has become my passion. I see an empty space and within minutes (or a few hours) I have it visually mapped out in my head.  And, don’t get me started on accessories… throw pillows, lamps, and art, OH MY!

Have I lost you yet? Now, for the "who, what, when" of how we got here. Kristin and I believe we were “called” to this journey. We have been friends for years but in April of 2017, simultaneously, we shared this vision. I was working, doing what I love, with people whom I love, but felt led to do something different. Holistic Habitat is a journey of the heart. Kristin and I are big “feelers” so when we felt like this was meant to be, we ran with it. We found that when we walked through one door, we were directed to the next…so we walked through that one too. That’s sort of how it’s been: a series of open doors on our divinely inspired journey. We come to you gratefully and authentically. We can’t wait to see where this road takes us. We can’t wait to share the experience with you all. AND for gosh sakes, could we ever get sick of throw pillows? We think not. HERE…WE…GO!!! We hope you’ll come with!

Rachael

Co-Owner, Holistic Habitat