Some of the most meaningful conversations about home have very little to do with design.
For this edition of At the Table, we sat down with Winnetka-based interior designer Kristin Kavanagh to talk about the quiet rituals that shape a family, the memories held around the table, and why the smallest traditions often become the ones that last.
Kristin shared that some of her earliest memories weren’t of what was served for dinner, but of helping set the table.
“Growing up, my mom always made setting the table feel really special. Whether it was a Tuesday after soccer practice or a holiday, my siblings and I were always helping set the table. It was just something we did.”
That simple routine stayed with her long after childhood and continues to influence the way she thinks about home today.
It’s also why she has such a love for collecting dishes.
“Some are new, some are vintage, and some remind me of the very ones that I grew up seeing in my own home. Every time I set the table, it brings me right back to that feeling.”
Perhaps the most memorable part of our conversation came when Kristin reflected on what those evenings around the table were really teaching.
“Looking back, I realized my mom wasn’t teaching us how to set the table. She was teaching us that gathering around it mattered.”
It’s a beautiful reminder that the rituals we repeat every day often become the memories our families carry for years to come.
For her table, Kristin chose our Sally Floral Placemats in Nantucket Blue and Blush, paired with our James Stripe Placemats. A layered combination that feels classic, collected, and perfectly at home with her timeless approach to design.
As our conversation came to a close, Kristin left us with a thought that feels especially fitting for At the Table:
“My hope is that in 20 years my kids won’t remember this room because it was beautiful. They’ll remember how it felt to be here. And maybe one day, we’ll be pulling up extra chairs because everyone wants to come home.”
We couldn’t think of a better definition of home.
You can follow Kristin on Instagram at @kristinkavanaghinteriors.
