What the Garden Remembers

The garden is not really mine. I am the current keeper. A meditation on flowers, mothers, daughters, Celtic heritage, and the four generations of women whose hands still tend these plants alongside my own.

The Design EyeMary Madore-HickeyMay 4, 2026mix old and new decor, heirloom decor, layered tablescape, French inspired table setting, timeless table design, how to style a tablescape, layered table design, home decor inspiration, intentional gathering, pacific ocean, coastal inspiration, coastal art, coastal landscape, creative process, founder led brand, creative discipline, intentional living, creative restoration for women, emotional leadership, work life balance for women, women and authenticity, Provence, Botanical Skincare, Artisan Craft, Women Founded, Intentional Living, Craftsmanship, Skincare Ritual Routine, French roast chicken, Sunday roast, slow living recipe, bouquet garni, Le Creuset chicken, vermouth chicken, French Home Cooking, French country garden, hydrangeas, design with the heart, slow living, the design eyeComment

The Design Eye | Spring 2026 — Gathered from the Garden

The most beautiful arrangements are never the ones we plan. They are the ones the garden offers in its own time — and we are quiet enough to receive them. The first edition of The Design Eye explores what a morning after the rain taught about beauty, intention, and the design of a gathered life.

The Design EyeMary Madore-HickeyApril 20, 2026mix old and new decor, heirloom decor, layered tablescape, French inspired table setting, timeless table design, how to style a tablescape, layered table design, home decor inspiration, intentional gathering, pacific ocean, coastal inspiration, coastal art, coastal landscape, creative process, founder led brand, creative discipline, intentional living, creative restoration for women, emotional leadership, work life balance for women, women and authenticity, Provence, Botanical Skincare, Artisan Craft, Women Founded, Intentional Living, Craftsmanship, Skincare Ritual Routine, French roast chicken, Sunday roast, slow living recipe, bouquet garni, Le Creuset chicken, vermouth chicken, French Home Cooking, French country garden, hydrangeas, design with the heart, slow living, the design eyeComment

French Roast Chicken with Vermouth and Fresh Herbs | A Sunday Slow Living Tradition

There is a particular quality to a Sunday afternoon when something good is roasting in the oven. This French inspired roast chicken — made in a blue Le Creuset with vermouth, fresh herbs, and root vegetables — is a recipe inherited from a mother's kitchen and refined through French cooking classes. Slow living at its most nourishing and beautiful.

Composing Rituals in Provence: Craft, Concentration, and the Art of Intentional Care

A story of Provence, memory, and recognition. This feature explores L’AUGUSTE, a French botanical skincare house shaped by art, ritual, and the women behind its creation.

The Warmth of Becoming: The Climb That Shaped Me

For many years, my life was defined by the climb. Strength was rewarded. Softness was rarely acknowledged. I learned to endure, to lead, and to hold everything together. What I did not realize was how much of myself I had carefully kept within the lines. It was not until I stood before the turning sea and its fearless spectrum of color that I understood balance was not about dividing my time, but about reclaiming space to see myself clearly again.

Overlooking the Pacific Ocean

Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, I encountered a landscape defined by layered color, shifting current, and bold coastal contrast. What began as daily walks along the California cliffs became a season of creative clarity, restoring my eye for depth, structure, and disciplined observation.

Live beautifully. On purpose.