Katie created The Neo-Traditionalist in 2009 to gush about the things she loved. Having worked in interior design since her teens in San Francisco and New York, Katie holds a particular affection for interiors, though her obsession also includes graphics, fashion, art, and travel. A native of California’s sun-drenched central coast, Katie is an optimistic gal with a big smile and big dreams to match. After four years at an all-girls Catholic boarding school, Katie escaped to Switzerland where she attended university on a lovely little lake by the Italian border. It was during her years abroad that Katie truly honed her eye for design visiting museums, galleries, auction houses and architectural monuments from Mexico City to Sarajevo. Twenty-some countries later, she returned stateside determined to make her mark.
Katie’s greatest inspirations are her grandmothers: Paula, a librarian, history professor, public defense attorney, and national Jeopardy champion and Rita, a witty redhead whose style rivals Jackie O. and decor boasts such novelties as a six-foot-wide angel wing carved by the late, great Tony Duquette. In 2011, Katie co-founded online lifestyle magazine, Matchbook, to further celebrate those that share her traditional-with-a-twist aesthetic. When not blogging, Katie’s favorite pastimes include gallery hopping, quoting Diana Vreeland, and snacking on raspberry macarons. Katie currently resides on New York’s Upper East Side with her handsome pug, Alfred.
Follow Katie’s adventures on Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Facebook!
(images of Katie and her apartment by Cooper Carras)
Katie created The Neo-Traditionalist as an outlet through which she could gush uninhibitedly about her borderline obsessive love for colorful, whimsical, vintage-inspired design. Having worked in interior design since her teens in both San Francisco and New York City, Katie holds a particular affection for interiors, though her obsession also includes graphics, fashion, art, and travel. A native of California’s sun-drenched central coast, Katie is an optimistic gal with a big smile and big dreams to match.After four years at an all-girls Catholic boarding school, Katie escaped to Switzerland where she attended university on a lovely little lake by the Italian border. It was during her years abroad that Katie truly honed her eye for design visiting museums, galleries, auction houses and architectural monuments from Mexico City to Sarajevo. Twenty-some countries later, she returned stateside determined to make her mark.
Katie’s greatest inspirations are her grandmothers: Paula, a librarian, history professor, public defense attorney, and national Jeopardy champion and Rita, a witty redhead whose style rivals Jackie O. and decor boasts such novelties as a six-foot-wide angel wing carved by the late, great Tony Duquette.
When not blogging, Katie’s favorite pastimes include scouring rummage sales, listening to NPR’s This American Life, quoting Diana Vreeland, and dreaming up whimsical names for her future children. Katie’s most recent adventure has transplanted her back to the San Francisco bay area where she lives on a charming time-warped island with her handsome husband and their babies, Alfred and Wallace (pleasantly plump pugs).