Objects with Soul: The Beginning

Growing up, I didn’t think much about the things in our homes. The vase on the shelf, the couch pillows we rested our heads on. They were just...there. But as an adult and a homeowner, I’ve come to understand just how deeply the things that surround us can shape how we feel, live, and connect.

Let’s be real though, I didn’t always see it this way. Fresh out of college, the only thing I did know was that I wanted a “cool” apartment. Like the kind you see in IKEA showrooms. So what did my husband (boyfriend at the time) and I do when we moved into our first place? We went straight to IKEA. I love IKEA!  And honestly? Not a bad choice. We were trying to create a vibe, even if we didn’t yet have the language for it.

At the time, I already understood some style. I had modeled in NYC and managed a Nine West store. I knew what looked good. But once we bought our current and forever home, something shifted. I wanted more than “pretty.” I wanted a home that looked like someone actually lived there. A space that reflected us—our journey, our quirks, our story as “The Marshall's.”

I no longer craved a showroom-perfect house. I wanted warmth. Personality. Presence. I wanted a home that felt lived in. And that’s where my love for objects with soul began.

Living with objects with soul isn’t about having more. It’s about choosing better. Choosing pieces that speak to you, that inspire you, that feel like home.