Quick Takes With: Sally Kohn

You’ve probably seen Sally Kohn on the news—through her work as a political commentator, community organizer, writer, and communications strategist, that is. Or, perhaps, maybe, you’ve seen her work right here on Remodelista? We’re delighted to be among the esteemed publications she lends her voice to—among them CNN, MSNBC, Afar, and also not one but *three* TED talks.


“After 25+ years in New York City, I moved back to Pennsylvania, and I’m now DIY-ing my way through life in a 1780s farmhouse on eight acres,” says Sally. Her remodeling dispatches (and emails) are filled with surprising wins, occasional mishaps, and her characteristic humor, and her design opinions are no different: Today she writes in from PA with a favorite shop, the designer she wants to hang out with (are you listening, Joanna Gaines?), and an unpopular design opinion she’s doubling down on…
Above: Sally’s guest bedroom. (See her hard-won tips for hosting here.)


You’re invited to dinner. What’s your go-to gift?




A bouquet from my wife’s cut flower garden arranged in a vintage vase or mason jar.


What’s on your bedside table?




In addition to a bunch of non-fiction public affairs-type books (duh), we’ve been buying garden books out the wazoo. A bunch of Piet Oudolf books for inspiration. But my new favorite is The English Gardener’s Garden: so many fantastic pictures and tons of inspiration!


What podcast or playlist do you put on when you need inspiration?




I’m a news nerd. And while I prefer to read the news, if I have a long car ride you can bet I’m listening to The Daily podcast from the New York Times.


Which Instagram account do you go to for design inspiration?




I really love Beata Heuman (@beataheuman), the way she mixes patterns but does so in a way that still feels classic. And I’m secretly a Joanna Gaines (@joannagaines) superfan. I love her aesthetic and her sense of humor. I think personality is such an important design, and I guess I just wanna hang out in EVERY Joanna Gaines design WITH Joanna Gaines. There, I said it.


What has been your best house upgrade?




That depends on what you mean by best. The “fun” thing about living in a 1780s barn is that there are endless upgrades, all of which are necessary. But if we’re talking best in the sense of most pleasurable? My home office is in an outbuilding that used to house squab. So we call it the Pigeon House. The building also has a garden shed with a separate entrance, and we decided to insulate the shed, line it in rustic pine, and break through the wall. So now I have this extra little room in my office with all my storage and my printer and stuff like that, plus a little bathroom with a composting toilet. It’s just so delightful and sweet and feels like found space, which is so rare. Now I just need a new garden shed…or I have my eye on a stunning BC Greenhouse! | bit.ly/3XLoEJb


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