Inside a French Rustic Home Rooted in Nature and Nostalgia

Editor’s Note: There’s something magical about a home that truly reflects its owner. It is a space that feels deeply personal, rooted in memory and in harmony with its surroundings. That’s exactly the feeling you get when you step into Lily Riesenfeld’s thoughtfully curated home. sense of placea wonderful book by my dear friend caitlin fleming and her mother julie goebel. Together, they have built a body of work that celebrates the art of creating spaces imbued with meaning.

SWhen you step into a special home, you discover that our environment has the power to inspire, comfort, and connect us more deeply with what is important to us.

A house rooted in place

When you meet Lily Riesenfeld, you can’t help but notice her deep roots and connection to the earth.

An advocate of green living, Lily seems to feel very comfortable in her environment. Her home, built in 1921, is a black shingle house with mahogany doors and trim that blends in with the surrounding giant sequoia trees and has a hiking trail in the backyard. Lily and her family chose this home because of its location near the Tamalpais Mountain Trail, with the San Francisco Bay inlet to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west.

childhood spent outdoors

Lily grew up in Berkeley, California. When she was 8 years old, her family purchased a ranch in Healdsburg, California, a short drive from their home.

“It was special to watch my mom and dad develop their vision for the ranch,” Lily says. Over the years, the family planted hundreds of trees, built a ranch house, restored an 1850s redwood barn, and eventually planted 100 acres of French varietal grapes. Her family developed the ranch with the idea that animals, vineyards and natural habitat coexist. Lily’s favorite part of going to the ranch is sharing it with the people who visit.

In addition to the Healdsburg ranch where they spent most summers, the family spent two weeks each summer visiting various family homes in Maine. As a child, Mayne was in a wild and free place. The porch furniture and the porch itself in the house that belonged to her great-grandparents was painted a celadon green, which the family called “Gumby Green,” after her great-grandmother. Gumby liked the color so much that he even had a set of Wedgwood china made in that color. Many of Lily’s choices in her home were inspired by her grandmother’s house in Maine, her parents’ home in Berkeley, and their ranch in Healdsburg.

Build a life at the intersection of health and purpose

Lily began her work focused on personal health in early adulthood, launching her first entrepreneurial endeavor, The Lily Pad, located in Malibu. After meeting her husband and moving back to the San Francisco Bay Area, Lily co-founded The Pad Studios, a Pilates and yoga studio. Over the years, she began developing purpose-driven events that help connect communities and launched a brand called Kinship Experience. As these experiences evolved, “I began to move my work to the intersection of human health and global health,” Lilly says. She then launched a summit called Futurewell.

Today, Lilly is an advocate for regenerative agriculture and works to advance a healthy and equitable food system. She is raising money for a regenerably built food and agriculture center that will provide a permanent farmers market near the Marin Civic Center. “The buildings we plan to build will consume more carbon and energy than they use.”

harmonious house

Lily designed her home in Larkspur with the guidance of Caitlin Fleming. “Caitlin is a huge inspiration and the reason my home came together in the most synchronized way possible.”

Colors in the house coexist in calm harmony. Earth tones of deep green, wheat, and light blue hues are mixed with a variety of complementary patterns. All of these color choices can be found outdoors around her: golden hills, redwood trees (one of which is in her garden), and the light blues and grays of the water.

Large William Morris patterns are painted on the walls of the entrance and dining room. Many rooms feature small prints on curtains and pillows, along with wood-grain plaids. Two small vintage French chairs are covered in a hand-printed leaf pattern, continuing the outdoor spirit. The plates also combine vintage transferware patterns in various shades of green with green Wedgwood pieces from my great-grandmother’s business.

If this house has a heart, it’s definitely the kitchen. Homemade tortillas wrapped in linen towels sit by the stove, and slow-simmering pinto beans are available for those hungry. It is a nourishing place, and Lily is ready to welcome those who need its healing powers.

10 Reflections on my hometown

1. What attracted you to where you live?

It was definitely Mount Tamalpais and the hike here. Our family lives in Berkeley, but we never set eyes on Berkeley. I thought it would be great if we could also be a bridge between them and their parents.

2. How does the environment where you live affect the aesthetics of your home?

The colors of the nature where I live definitely influence my aesthetic.

3. What are your thoughts on home?

A place where people can gather and spend a comfortable time, a place where you can instantly feel at ease.

4. What is your favorite season where you live? Why?

I have to say it’s the end of summer. Suddenly the light changes and everything glows golden.

5. Do you collect anything?

It’s no secret that I’m interested in wicker baskets and hats. I love anything in the kitchen, but I especially love interesting pottery.

6. How do you spend your weekends?

We spend our weekends hiking, cooking, and going to our kids’ sporting events. When I have time for vacation in the winter, I love going to my cabin in Sugar Bowl, which is right near Tahoe. This cabin was built in the 1930s to look like a Swiss village.

7. What can you not live without?

Maybe a latte in the morning. Of course my kids and husband too! Also, my daily morning hike helps me stay sane.

8. What are the elements that turn your house into a home?

It has a strong nostalgic element, so I think it feels like home. I also love adding layers of texture and textiles. This house is the complete opposite of a bare scene.

9. How does your home inspire your creativity?

I love styling meals and bringing people together around the table. My mother-in-law comes over for dinner every Sunday, and I always try to dress up and cook a delicious meal.

10. Is there a person or company near your home that you rely on to inspire your creativity?

I learned a lot from Alice Waters as I was able to co-organize several events with her. With Alice’s specific instructions, I learned how to create a food experience and execute the presentation perfectly. Purpose-wise, my work is inspired by local creators like Paul Hawken, Jack Kornfield, Dr. Daniel Siegel, and my dearest friend Jennifer Siebel Newsome.