Carol Estes + More Sunday Favorites

Modern living room with wood coffee table, sofa, chair, brown rug, big windows.

I think many of you probably already know and follow Carol Estes. She is an artist/designer from San Diego, and a couple of years ago, she renovated an apartment in Paris. @cestesdesign and @studio_estes

Cabin with stone firpleace, white walls.

Coffee table with bowl of interesting stones, silver candle holders, small bowl, books.

Carol has the most soothing aesthetic. I think I may have first discovered her when she had a small cabin in Idyllwild, California. She favors earthy colors and pairs nature and art. Her style is effortless and minimal. She talks about how much she loves living with less when she is in Paris.

A Haussmann mantle in carol estes' Paris apartment.

There’s a collected quality to Carol Estes’ work — the kind that comes from someone who’s spent years paying attention to texture, wear, and the small imperfections that give a space character. Time spent in Paris has shaped that sensibility.

Carol’s work pulls in scraps of fabric, paper, worn canvas — and builds them into compositions that feel stripped back rather than busy. The color palette stays muted and soft, which gives the finished pieces an aged, settled look. She leans into recycled and reclaimed materials, which add an environmental thread to her pieces.

Studio Estes Art Exhibition posters, signed,

Collage art by carol Estes of Studio Estes on wall next to drapery.

Carol explains the process of how she creates the beautiful collages: “I first paint tissue-like papers with watery acrylic paint. Let them dry. Then tear or cut into various shapes and start creating compositions for my collages. I actually prefer collages to painting now as it’s so much fun to move pieces around before committing to a composition. It is fun to just let the compositions create themselves. The less force the more exciting to see what can happen. When happy with the results, I glue them down. I think the paper your art is glued to is Japanese 100% cotton deckle-edged that I get in Paris.” See more of Carol’s art at Studio Estes.

Carol Estes’ art in our home

Large black and white photographs of waves, collage art piece, leather camp stools under console table, plant in pot from Denmark.

Large black and white photographs of waves, collage art, leather camp stools under console table, plant in pot from Denmark.

More Sunday Favorites

Tahilla Gatherings

Jeanne Henriques hosts monthly gatherings at her home in Peterborough, New Hampshire. In September, it’s called Sketching in Silence with artist Joan Hanley. These are intimate gatherings with about 12 people who share in a workshop, lunch, and connecting in nature.

If you live in the area, or are in search of something different, one of Jeanne’s workshops at Tahilla Farm could be just the thing. You can read more here.

Outfit of the Week

Grpahic with shirt from Sezane, birkenstocks, Mary Jane flats, red lipstick, jeans, Mansur Gavriel pleated tote.

Annie Diamond wearing black short from Sezane, jeans from ALex Mill, Mansur Gavriel pleated tote.

Mansur Gavriel Mary Jane Flat // Birkenstock Sandals // Sézane Chlo Shirt // Alex Mill Jeans // Mansur Gavriel Pleated Tote // Heaven Mayhem Odette Earrings // Chanel Red Lipstick // Warby Parker Tal Sunglasses in Rosmeary Matte Crystal

Remember Bill Cunningham? The Fashion photographer from the New York Times who rode his bike around Manhattan capturing what people were wearing on any given day? The feature appeared in the NY Times Sunday Styles Section and was called “On the Street” – My daughter and I could not wait to see what he featured each week.

I recall one feature where it was all about New Yorkers returning to wearing all black by mid-August. The feature was called “Summer Madness” –”It’s mid-August in New York City, and suddenly everyone is in black”

I think about this shift every summer and notice that I stop reaching for the lighter colored clothes in my closet, and yes, start wearing a lot of black.

What I read this week

Last week I finished Whistler by Ann Patchett. Have you read it yet? I saw it made the 2026 Barack Obama’s Summer Reading List! I didn’t want the book to end, so this week I read (listened) to Tom Lake, also by Ann Patchett. It was narrated by Meryl Streep! And now I’m starting her book of essays, These Precious Days.

Covered butter dish

You know I love butter! I saw this adorable glass covered butter dish and thought it would make a great stocking stuffer for anyone who loves butter! It’s so cute, and $5. This splatter-wear butter dish is also cute! If you happen to be traveling to Paris and plan to bring back butter as a souvenir, a butter dish would be a fun addition to the gift. You can read our post on food souvenirs in this post: The Best Food Souvenirs to Bring Back From France.