Free Shipping on orders over $100
Menu
In our recent two-part podcast episode, we sat down with two minds deeply attuned to material, process, and meaning: Alyssa Gerassimoff, curator and founder of Erria Design, and Hannah Bigeleisen, designer and artist whose practice bridges object and architecture. What began as a conversation about sourcing and storytelling became something richer—an exploration of how creativity shows up in the quiet, imperfect spaces we call home.
As founder of Erria Design, Alyssa’s goal is to create a platform where the handmade becomes accessible—not diluted, but clarified. She’s building systems that help consumers understand the process behind what they’re purchasing: what lead time means, why something might cost more, and how these details tell the story of the maker.
“There’s so much more that happens behind the scenes that the general consumer is completely uneducated on,” Alyssa shares. But rather than seeing this as a hurdle, she sees it as an opportunity to create connection—to translate the labor and love embedded in handmade work.
At Âme Atendre, this desire to demystify the process resonates deeply. We believe that meaning grows when people know where their objects come from, how they were made, and who made them.
When asked about objects they treasure, Alyssa and Hannah’s answers were, personal, and full of warmth. Hannah mentioned a sheepskin rug from her childhood—once the same size as her body, now kept on her husband’s side of the bed. Alyssa described a collection of handmade ceramics and wooden pieces crafted by friends. “Each of those objects just holds a little piece of my friend’s soul.”
At Âme Atendre, we think of these kinds of items as living heirlooms—objects that are less about status and more about story. They ask to be used, remembered, passed down. They ask us to be present.
Hospitality, too, emerged as a shared theme. Hannah spoke about hosting small dinners—moments to welcome people into the imperfections of daily life, rather than waiting for the “perfect” moment. Alyssa offered a gentle reminder: “You can entertain for yourself. It’s just about the intention.”
We couldn’t agree more. A well-set table is not about performance. It’s about presence. Whether shared with others or used to ground a solo meal, the table becomes a stage for everyday ceremony—a place to be with what matters.
As we closed the episode, both guests left us with resources that mirror the Ame Atendre ethos. Hannah recommended Bruce Mau’s “Incomplete Manifesto for Growth” and the newsletter 3PTS, both encouraging nonlinear thinking and slow, thoughtful expansion. Alyssa shared “Home-Made: Contemporary Russian Folk Artifacts” by Vladimir Arkhipov—a visual record of creative, resourceful making born from necessity.
Each is a reminder that good design doesn’t have to shout. It can whisper, evolve, and meet us where we are.
In the end, this conversation affirmed something we hold close at Âme Atendre: that the most meaningful homes aren’t built in a day. They are shaped, curated, and lived into—through objects, rituals, relationships, and time.
Listen to our episodes with Hannah and Alyssa from the From Brain to Home Series wherever you get your podcasts, or head to the On the Table With Ashley page to explore more.
