The Back Porch

Memorial Day weekend always feels like a gentle unofficial nudge into summer. Grills get rolled out, porch pillows are fluffed and faded flags find their way to the front yard again. Red, white, and blue quietly take over—on everything from crab-shaped chip bowls to vintage blue Fiesta plates and red-and-white striped tablecloths. It's not just seasonal decor—it represents a celebration of warm weather, outdoor gatherings and longer days. 

Summer Time Classics

A few years back, Kirsten and I finally checked off something that had lived on our design dream list for years: a trip to Paris for the famed Maison & Objet show. We packed light (well, we tried), mapped out four days in the city, and added a must-stop at the legendary Paris Flea Market before heading south to Bordeaux for a little countryside charm and, of course, wine tasting.

Paris La Maison Collection

Some flowers whisper softly; sunflowers throw their arms wide and sing. Bright as a July morning, as cheerful as your favorite neighbor waving from the porch swing, the sunflower is more than just a sunny face in the garden. It’s a symbol of warmth, resilience, and a legacy that stretches from ancient fields to the stars.

Shop Sunflowers

When it comes to home furnishings and lighting, Kirsten Lee and I aren’t exactly new to the game. If you've peeked at our bios, you already know we both have been at this for over 30 years. That’s three decades of sourcing, styling, and curating beautiful pieces for the home. So, what does that mean for you? It means we know what we’re doing (most of the time).

But unlike us, Thomas Lee Living is the new kid on the block—our little spring chicken, if you will. Hatched from a deep love for home décor and a desire to share the pieces we adore; this business is our baby. And like any good parent, we’ve been learning along the way—especially about you, our wonderful customers.

Shop Little Sprouts

Shop Sundries

As we bid farewell to 2024, we’re thrilled to welcome 2025 with open arms—and a little extra excitement. There’s just something about the way "2025" looks that we already love.

Looking back, 2024 was an incredible year for us at Thomas Lee Living, but the absolute highlight? You. Connecting with our amazing customers has been the best part of this journey. Running an e-commerce business isn’t just about transactions—it’s about building a community. Every time you visit our site, we hope it feels like you’re stepping into a beautifully curated store, with us right there to help you find your next favorite piece. And when you reach out? You’re not getting an AI-generated response. Nope. It’s either me, Kirsten Lee, or sometimes both of us (double the fun, double the emails!).

Shop Celebration

Fall is finally here, and at Thomas Lee Living, we couldn’t be more excited. For us, fall is more than just pumpkin spice lattes (though we love those too)—it’s a time to turn your home into a cozy haven filled with memories, stories, and a whole lot of charm.

This season we’re bringing you everything from cozy woodland critters to stunning heirloom-quality pieces that turn your space into a reflection of the season’s beauty.

Growing up on the Chesapeake Bay was the foundation of my childhood and the source of many treasured traditions. Despite moving around frequently, the bay near Annapolis became my constant, my home. Yes, I'm one of those people who LOVE crabs! Every year, I have a bushel shipped to San Diego, where I enjoy my own little feast, picking crabs for myself and everyone else. My crab cakes are legendary, especially when paired with a corn and tomato salad, reminiscent of the farm stands we visited on trips to Rehoboth and Ocean City. The corn and tomatoes from those stands are simply the best, bursting with flavor.

Shop our Chesapeake Charm Collection

Oh, the beach life! Growing up on the East Coast, the beach wasn't just a place; it was a vibe, a muse, a second home. I can still feel the salty air on my face, the sun-drenched sand underfoot, and waves crashing in my ears. Fast forward 46 years, and I've swapped coasts, landing a block and a half from the Pacific in sunny San Diego. Yet, my heart still whispers, “East Coast, best coast,” and I’m already plotting my retirement back east. But that’s a story for another time another blog.

Shop our Beachy Keen Collection

Bonjour! Anne and I were enchanted by France this past autumn, and from that adventure, our exclusive Parisian Prints collection was born. Captured through our lens while wandering the French landscape, these prints are a love letter to the everyday magic of Paris. Imagine them as a vignette on a cherished wall in your home, each serene and organic image weaving together the threads of romance, history, and design that are quintessentially French. The only thing missing? A bottle of Bordeaux to complete the scene. We hope these prints beckon you to celebrate France's heart and soul in your own space.

Shop our Paris La Maison Collection

Anne and I are buzzing with excitement over our latest collection—it's a project that tugs at our heartstrings. My journey in this industry began as an appraiser and a dealer of fine antiques, while Anne's roots are deeply embedded in a childhood surrounded by historical treasures. She has lived and restored a historic home in Richmond, and embarked on international quests to procure European antiques for a former employer. There's one truth we've come to learn: unless you're fortunate enough to have relatives showering you with heirlooms, assembling a home brimming with the charm of collected history is no small feat. It demands time—lots of it.

Shop our Curiosities Collection

It started with a question. “Have you been to the Masion et Objets show in Paris?” It ended with a 10-day trip to Paris and Bordeaux and this is how it went. The Masion et Objets show in Paris has always been on my list to go ever since I found out about it 15 years ago. It has grown to be the largest home market show with over 3,500 exhibitors in 8 buildings totaling 2,800,000 square-feet. Which means, bring your walking shoes cause there’s a lot of ground to cover. Both Kirsten and I have been in the lighting and home furnishings business for over 30 years; we have been to most of the home market shows in the United States. We always heard the Masion et Objets show was the crème de la crème of market shows; so naturally we had to check it out for ourselves.

Shop our Paris La Masion Collection

When it comes to dining, there are several options for wiping your hands and face. Most people probably opt for a paper napkin, while there are others who use their jeans, shirt, dish rag or paper towel, you know who you are. But what about cloth napkins? Are they worth investing in, or are they just an unnecessary hassle? Keep reading because I am going to explore the pros and cons of using cloth napkins and whether they're a worthy addition to your everyday place setting.

Shop our Cloth Napkins