Contact Us

Use the form on the right to contact us.


Capistrano Beach, CA

Habitation Co. is committed to honoring the process of living in a particular place and the journey of discovering beautiful objects that reflect the unique styles and stories of artists around the world.  Every pretty item you purchase supports creative individuals, communities, and organizations on almost every continent.

Blog

An overdue shop update {Store Temporarily Closing}

Hailey Fynaardt

unnamed.jpg

Habitation Co. is taking a hiatus and the shop will be closing, at least for a little bit. While it's taken us a long time to reach this decision, if we've recently hung out, talked, texted, or you've lurked on Instagram, this may not be a total surprise. Over the past few years, we've faced a few big changes (gratefully, mostly great things!) and new demands with our careers (again, good stuff!) that have meant we've had less and less time to devote to Habitation Co.. In that time, we've also been wrestling with what the next chapter of the shop and business itself will look like. The dream of having a brick-and-mortar space and building a community around our business is alive and well, we just don't know when, or where, it will come to fruition.

Speaking of where– Southern California is our home and where Habitation Co. was born but we're grateful to have been able to explore new places that have left imprints on our hearts. While Living abroad has been another longtime dream, our lives (and pets, and jobs, and parents – hi mom & dad!) are here in the U.S., but we've been feeling a tug toward a place that's just about as far from mainstream America as you can get: New Orleans. The Crescent City. The Big Easy. She's cute, you'd like her. While we don't know yet if Nola is our next stop, it's a place steeped in art, culture, history, diversity, creativity, and community, and one that celebrates small business and entrepreneurship– core Habitation Co. values, and frankly, things we freakin' love.

One of the unique opportunities our jobs provide us is the ability to work remotely, from virtually anywhere, within certain timezones. We're also grateful to be healthy and physically capable of entertaining the idea of making a cross-country move. But for now, we're taking things one step at a time, even if that means taking a step back from a business we love and deeply believe in. This little shop has opened doors and allowed us to connect with so many incredible people around the world. From artisans and makers to fellow business owners– but none of it would have been possible without YOU. Your super awesome taste in gifts, accessories, and home decor (...just sayin') has helped support communities far and wide, all across the globe. From improvements in women's healthcare, to clean water, education, sustainability, and more – your past purchases have already made the future brighter for us all. You're awesome.

If you've made it this far– goodness! grab yourself a drink – and please just know, we appreciate you. Thank you for making the first chapter of Habitation Co. so great. We don't know what's next, but we hope we'll see you there!

Thanks for being part of our process.

Hailey

Founder & Treasure Hunter, Habitation Co.

Shop Small // Give Big: Holiday Gift Guide

Hailey Fynaardt

The holiday countdown has officially begun and before we know it, we'll be reflecting on the past twelve months and making resolutions for the New Year ahead. Between the shopping, decorating, celebrating, and making, the last month of the year always seems to fly by, but the things we all truly crave don't come wrapped in boxes and bows: new adventures, time spent pursuing old passions, gatherings with loved ones, moments of rest and rejuvenation. What if we simply saw everything we bought this season, and beyond, as tools for creating more of what we really want? This year, we want to encourage you to think outside-the-box when it comes to holiday gift-giving. Instead of focusing on more stuff, imagine the mood, and memories, each item will inspire...

But, we know it can be overwhelming, so we've rounded up a few of our most popular gift ideas for the artists and adventurers on your list this year:

1. Vintage Embroidered Camera Strap - $34

2. 14K Gold Infinity Arrow Necklace - $52

3. Medium Pink Hope Basket - $48

4. One-of-a-Kind Tassel Scarf- $62.50

5. Coconut Hibiscus Bath Soak - $18

6. One-of-a-Kind Mala Bead Necklace - $128

7. Everyday Envelope Clutch - $78

8. Tretchikoff Zip Pouch- $12.50

9. Handcrafted Soap - $6.50

10. Upcycled Patchwork Yoga Bag - $78

11. Sari Song Bell Garland- $24

12. Magical Mandala Wood Block - $44

PLUS, get FREE SHIPPING on ALL orders 11.26-11.28 at midnight with code SHOPSMALL at checkout, and we'll include a handmade ornament with each purchase *while supplies last*, so you can worry less about waiting in lines, and instead look forward to the postcards and posts you will inspire.

When you shop small, you give BIG, by supporting the kind of world you want to live in. Thank you!

Enjoy the process!

 

 

 

About the Process: Creativity, Meditation, and Finding Inspiration in the Everyday

Hailey Fynaardt

image courtesy of Marianne Angeli Rodriguez

image courtesy of Marianne Angeli Rodriguez

Marianne Angeli Rodriguez is an artist and designer based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her work is greatly inspired by her unique upbringing in various countries and cultures around the world, as well as the sights, sounds, and flavors she experiences in her everyday life. I fell in love with Marianne's work after finding her on Instagram before our own trip to New Orleans a few years ago and have followed her creative journey ever since. In fact, one of Marianne's "Offerings" paintings hangs in my own home, and inspires me on a daily basis. When Marianne and I discussed the idea of offering a collection of her original paintings through Habitation Co., I couldn't wait to learn more about her creative process! You can find links to our collection of original paintings in the shop after the interview. 

Enjoy the process!

Hailey


I never once considered taking up art seriously as a career, but I always had the urge to create things... It was an unusual effort of sustaining what seemed like a dormant beast, that I was subconsciously both avoiding and hoping would wake up.

Tell us a bit about your creative background growing up...

My parents are avid collectors of art and handmade goods, they acquired interesting pieces from travels abroad, and from local artists in whichever country we happened to be based in, including sculptures, textiles (rugs, accessories, traditional garbs), hand carved furniture, and paintings. Being surrounded by these unique items made me curious about art. When I was 10, I lived in Guatemala and our neighbor happened to be a watercolor artist, so my mom arranged for me to take an after- school session with her. That was my first ‘real’ art class. I never once considered taking up art seriously as a career, but I always had the urge to create things, so I made it a point in high school and college to take every single elective course in the arts. I took classes in photography, ceramics and mixed media collage. It was an unusual effort of sustaining what seemed like a dormant beast, that I was subconsciously both avoiding and hoping would wake up. 

When did you discover your true calling as an artist and decide to turn your passion into a business?

When I moved to New Orleans from New York, there was a period when I was completely on my own with few friends, I spent a lot of time by myself drawing and painting quietly and comfortably. Although I still had a job that I reported to, I would spend my evenings on personal projects, which grew into doing commissions for other people, and then further to collaborating with local and national brands. 

What core message do you want to share through your work?

I hope that my work is a reflection of the eclectic sensibilities that have helped shape me, to share beauty through various arrangements in color, pattern and texture. Deeper than that, I want my work to be a gentle reminder of how we are all connected, to appreciate one another and to appreciate nature. 

image courtesy of Marianne Angeli Rodriguez

image courtesy of Marianne Angeli Rodriguez

Can you walk us through a normal day in your life?

I begin my day attending to my three pets, I make sure that they get their care and exercise. Over coffee, I go over my small goals I hope to achieve for the day. Lately my schedule has been completely erratic and nocturnal. I handle all of my admin tasks in the late afternoon/evening. I start the creating process around 9/10pm usually up until 6/7am, sleep til noon, and start over. This may change with the season... 

Where do you tend to create your best work? What's your favorite time of day?

My best work comes about when I’m by myself in my home studio. My favorite time of the day are the couple of hours before sunrise, and then right at dawn - that tiny window of darkness before the sun comes up is magical. I’m usually wrapping up my work and washing my brushes at this time.  

You're a total nightowl! Where do you find most of the inspiration for your work? 

Thanks to the internet, I find a lot of interesting images on Pinterest and google that I’ll file for reference. I am obsessed with folk art. I love going to and always find inspiration at flea markets, vintage stores and ethnic food markets. I also draw a lot inspiration from foreign films in the set and costume design. 

image courtesy of Marianne Angeli Rodriguez

image courtesy of Marianne Angeli Rodriguez

If you could host a dinner party for 3-5 dream guests (past or present) who would you invite, what would you love to ask them?

I would invite his holiness the Dalai Lama, Alan Watts, Bob Ross, Salvador Dali and Ellen Degeneres. I’d ask them each what they would have done differently in life, and then after dinner we would all do group Karaoke.

Now that's a Karaoke party I'd love to come to! Can you share a bit about your creative process: what is your first step in creating a new painting?

I like to produce work in small groups or series, this way it becomes a longer drawn-out practice with the opportunity to go back and forth and refine whatever ideas and notions I want to capture. Sometimes I draft ideas out in pencil in my sketchbook and other times I go right in with paint. I often switch between watercolor and acrylic.

Are there any books, podcasts, blogs, etc. you would recommend for someone interested in a creative career?

There are so many wonderful resources out there to choose from! Personally, my creative journey this year has been tied strongly with my quest for spiritual wisdom -  keeping creativity a priority while putting forth the conscious effort to be a better human. I feel it’s important to first have clarity on what your intentions are, especially in doing creative work which serves as your unique message that you cast out into the world. On my website I have a section listing the various resources that have inspired me to pursue a path with more mindfulness. (link at bottom)

image courtesy of Marianne Angeli Rodriguez

image courtesy of Marianne Angeli Rodriguez

Where do you hope your business will be in 5 years?

It would be a dream to have a brick and mortar studio-shop space that would dually function as a small center for community gatherings geared toward the practice of meditation and all things related to wholesome living. 

That sounds amazing! Ok, last question: if you could hop on a plane tomorrow, where would you love to go? 

The sacred sites of the Buddha, Thailand


Shop our exclusive collection of original paintings from Marianne's "Offerings" series here

To view more of Marianne's work and follow her creative journey visit:

Website: www.marianneangelirodriguez.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marianneangelirodriguez/

Link to meditation resources: http://www.marianneangelirodriguez.com/dhamma/