I am honored to be sharing a conversation with one of my all-time favorite shopkeepers and entertaining gurus, Ted Kennedy Watson. I’ll never forget discovering his store in Seattle — walking inside felt like Christmas morning with its shelves of gleaming vintage silver, tins of packaged chocolates, boxes of perfumed soaps, and Livia Cetti’s vibrant paper flowers! I bought so many treasures that day and would fly to Seattle in a minute with the sole purpose of shopping there again. Ted’s beautiful eye and knack for curating treasures is a gift. It’s no wonder that his store has been named one of the best in the country by Architectural Digest. Retail aside, Ted has been writing a daily lifestyle blog for years and it is one of my favorite places to go on the internet. He has a palpable positivity and zest for life that’s contagious, and whenever I’m in a funk or need a boost, I make a beeline to his site where I find instant inspiration. His books on entertaining (namely Ted Kennedy Watson’s Guide to Stylish Entertaining) are also wonderful, with party tips, links to soulful playlists, and wisdom gleaned from a lifetime of experience breaking bread and making memories with loved ones. Without further ado, I hope you enjoy this conversation!

1. Where are you from originally and what was the impetus to open your own shop?

I was born in Kansas City and moved to the Pacific Northwest to go to college, then to Seattle for my first job as a tennis pro at the Seattle Tennis Club. That was almost 40 years ago! I taught tennis until I was 30 and decided to get into the wholesale/retail world. Five years later, on my 35^th birthday, I opened my first shop in the Pike Place Market. Even as a child, I always loved design. I think well-designed, lived-in spaces feed the soul.

2. Where did you get the entertaining bug?

My parents loved to entertain in big and small ways, which absolutely rubbed off on me. My husband (also a Ted) and I have been entertaining for close to 38 years. Having guests over for supper is one of our all-time favorite things to do in the world. Nothing beats breaking bread with those you love. It’s a source of tremendous joy for us, be it a big party or just sitting with one friend catching up over a glass of wine.

3. Your shop is a treasure trove and oozes originality.  How did you achieve that singular style at Watson Kennedy?

My years of owning a wholesale showroom and selling to some of the best shops in the country was an incredible learning experience. My takeaway was to only buy things I truly love and would have in our homes or give as gifts. Every single item at my shops and on the website has been given great care and consideration. Not one thing is ‘filler’ or bought because it was the ‘it’ thing. Everything must resonate with me and I think customers feel that too.

4. What are some of the most fun, unusual, or clever bits and bobs you’ve used on a table before?

If it’s cool to look at, most likely I have had it on one of our tables! Quail eggs, twigs, shells, bird nests, books, small art from travel, hotel silver, dominos, vintage French match strikers, vintage English silver boxes—to name just a few. For table coverings, I’ve used old scarves or blankets, vintage bed sheets, newspapers from France or England, and old fabric remnants.

5. Are there mantras you live by?

“Live In the Moment.” The little details in my day-to-day are what bring me the biggest joy, from striking a match to light a candle, pouring the water over the coffee grounds each morning, spritzing on my cologne as I get dressed, asking someone how their day has been, noticing a blooming flower… It all comes down to being present in the moment.

Also, “Comparison Is the Thief Of Joy.” Don’t ever compare your life to others. You are your own person, and your life is yours. Rejoice in that!

6. What are your go-to rules or rubrics for making the ordinary feel extraordinary?

Have great music on. (We love jazz.) Have the lights on low. Have a favorite nibble out, like cashews. Enjoy a glass of Champagne even when it is take-out on a weeknight. It instantly elevates the mood.

7. I loved your analogy of the chipped plate in your book, and how the things that are chipped, cracked, or seemingly imperfect reveal the authenticity of a well-lived life. How does that mentality on imperfection translate into your life more broadly?

The chipped plate analogy is so much of how I live my life. Life is not perfect so you must enjoy and embrace the imperfect. What is perfect anyway? Patina adds interest to things. Long ago I strived to do things perfectly, and I had no fun in those pursuits. The moment I let go of that silly goal is when I really started to enjoy entertaining. The same philosophy can be applied to life too!

8. What do you gravitate to on your travels, scour the internet for, or find delight in collecting?

I love a collection! Vintage English hotel silver, abandoned bird nests, green and white McCoy pottery, apothecary bottles, faux bois boxes, vintage Baccarat vessels…

9. Can you share three things one can do to make a home or gathering feel more special this holiday season?

1. Light TONS of candles. Put them everywhere. Instantly festive. I am a big fan of Trudon and white unscented votives in clear glass holders. Simple as could be, but majorly magical.
2. I adore paperwhite narcissus bulbs and amaryllis. They just speak to me of the holidays. Buy lots!
3. I am a big fan of little trees. We often have one in almost every room, and they’re great on tabletops. We don’t decorate them, but make sure they’re strung with tons of lights. The faux ones have gotten so good, and often they’re already lit. A mix of faux and fresh absolutely works!

10. What’s your favorite part of fall and how do you entertain during these months?

We always arrive at “Hawthorne,” our farmhouse in the Hudson Valley, in the middle of September and stay for a month. It’s still officially summer for a week or so, and fun to grab the last bits of the season. Then things start turning towards autumn quickly. The temperatures drop and the trees start turning. We buy white pumpkins and mums and make a fire each night on the back porch. When we get back to Seattle I am rested up and ready for a crazy 2.5 months the moment my feet hit the ground. We host shop parties and private events, ship parcels around the globe for many of our longtime customers, and the shops have a buzz of happiness throughout the season. We fly back to New York on Christmas morning and don’t return to Seattle until the end of January. That time is when we start our personal holidays. Caretaker Bill has the tree up and lit for us, the fridge is stocked, and we host a big family Boxing Day supper.

11. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

From my father: Bet on yourself! I go back to this piece of advice time and again over the years.

12. Who’re three people from history you would have loved to have over for supper?

Julia Child, Matisse, and Lee Bailey.

13. Your optimism is contagious and such a beautiful gift to all. Tell us about starting your blog, the ways it has fostered a spirit of positivity in your life, and how you sustain that sensibility.

Again, my father was my role model in how to have a positive outlook on life. From my earliest memory, he would talk to me about how you handle situations and how looking at things positively can make such a difference in your day and ultimately your life. Tennis also taught me about taking each moment and shot singularly. Give it your best try. If it is a winner, great. If not, learn from your mistake, and move on. My motto, live in the moment, is something I strive to achieve always – but it takes work. It doesn’t just happen. Being kind, especially in the world now, is so important. With so much negativity swirling around, you just have to keep moving forward, work hard, be nice. I absolutely believe goodness comes back to you. It multiplies.

14. Finally, what’s next for you?

I start on my third book next year. It’s about the design of our homes, filled with ideas you can take away and make your own. Right now, the title will have City, Beach & Country somewhere in it, since those are the spots our homes are — it will be fun to highlight what makes each place visually interesting. I am excited about it!

Visit Watson Kennedy here and you can follow him on Instagram or via his wonderful online blog!