Kate van Geldern Bowler has been the author of the popular
lifestyle blog, DomestikatedLife.com,
for nearly a decade, chronicling her adventures in entertaining,
home cooking, DIY projects, and life as a new mother. Exploring the
charming coastal town of Scituate, where she resides with her
husband and adorable two-year-old daughter, has allowed for
endless, unbelievable family photo ops, helping her build a
following of approximately 20,000 followers on Instagram. Her blog
does not only provide pretty pictures for inspiration; it’s
chock-full of logistical advice and tips on arranging flowers,
organizing your linen closet and baking the perfect pie. Whats
more, her very first entertaining cookbook,
New England Invite: Fresh Feasts to Savor the
Seasons, was just released in October of this
yeara guide to over seventy recipes and all things, dcor, seasonal
blooms, and more for your upcoming ftes.
What is your favorite room in your home and
why?
I think the living room is my favorite room in the house because
it went through such a transformation since we first moved in. When
we bought our house, we needed some serious vision to see the
potential. There were a lot of quirks (like a hair-salon in what is
now my office!), wallpaper, old carpet, and tons of dark wood
paneling. The living room had the worst of the wood paneling. After
applying ten coats of white paint to cover up that dark woodwork
and ripping up some old shaggy mauve carpet, we ended up with a
living room that is bright, cozy and modern. Im so proud of our DIY
work that transformed that space.
Where you raise your family is one of the biggest
decisions you’ll ever make. What specifically about the South Shore
captured your heart?
We landed on the South Shore truly because it possesses a lot of
the things we previously loved about living in the citylike
walkable downtowns with cute shops and great restaurantswhile
offering us the comforts and space of suburban living and the perk
of being close to the water.
With the holiday season fast approaching, Kate shares how
she throws the perfect holiday celebration, cooks up festive meals
her family and guests will enjoy, and creates consistent content
that truly resonates with herdevoted followers.
Can you share any tips for the perfect holiday table
setting?
My best tips for creating a beautiful table setting for your
guests are to think about the functionality of the space. Will each
guest have enough room, can people see over the centerpiece, and is
there ample space on the table for food and wine (the important
stuff!)? I also almost always start with classic white plates,
because they work for every occasion. Get creative with the table
linens to make them work for your occasion!
I like to think about bringing in seasonal elements to make it
feel currentnatural elements are an inexpensive way to do that.
Pumpkins and gourds in different shapes and sizes, small bud vases
filled with in-season flowers, or cut branches and greenery from
your yard in clear mason jars are all very simple, but impactful
ideas.
What was the most memorable celebration that you’ve
planned? Are there any annual gatherings that you host at your
home?
My wedding is definitely my most memorable celebration that I
planned it was brimming with DIY projects and definitely reinforced
my love of throwing parties!
My other favorite gathering though is for New Years. We have
always hosted a big New Years Eve partyits my favorite holiday, I
love the idea of celebrating a fresh start! Its evolved a bit over
the yearstwo years ago I hosted it eight days before my due date,
and my husband convinced me to pull back on my usual over-the-top
party and have some friends over for a low-key dinner party with
take-out. It ended up being one of my favorite celebrations! And
last year, we decided to switch to a New Years Day brunch since so
many of our friends have young childrenI really love seeing how the
party evolves with us each year.
What is your favorite fall recipe in New England
Invite?
Its a tie! I love the macaroni and cheese stuffed applesthey
have a real wow factor in both flavor and presentation. I also love
the pumpkin butter. Its so simple to make and it fills the home
with the most beautiful fall scents.
Aside from your book launch, the holidays are fast
approaching, so its clear youre definitely busy right now! What
else do you have planned for this year?
I am spending lots of time at the end of this year touring
around New England for book signings and events, which has been a
very exciting experience so far. Im also cooking up several new
holiday features for my blogits the best time of year to write
about entertaining! And Im really looking forward to celebrating
the holidays with my family. Our daughter is almost two years old,
and this time of year is magic with little ones.
What do your family and friends make of the success
you’ve achieved with your brand?
My family is a big part of the success, so I think they feel
proud! Im so lucky to have such an amazing, supportive, tight-knit
family that has jumped in to help me make big things happen.
Writing my cookbook was a family affair, it was done on a pretty
tight timeline and they all pitched in for babysitting,
dish-washing, therapy sessions, and lots of recipe testing
feedback. Im so grateful for them!
