Conversations with Rich & Mike
Minimalism & Maximalism
SOMO LIFESTYLE
* Question
Tell me about yourselves and how you eventually called Phoenix your home?
Answer
We both grew up in the Chicago suburbs. After meeting online and both graduating from professional school, we spent four years in Iowa for Richard’s medical training. We were eager to escape the harsh winters in the Midwest, so we decided to make our way out West. For the next three and a half years, we called Oregon our home where we enjoyed going on adventures with our two dogs to the coast, the waterfalls, and the various hiking trails. While we loved our time in Oregon and everything it had to offer, we craved for more sunlight and warmer temperatures. Michael also dreamed of having a cactus garden. After exploring different cities to live in, we landed on Phoenix due to it checking many of our boxes – mainly the cost of living, healthcare, and weather.
* Question
What do you love about living in Phoenix?
Answer
We knew Arizona was going to be very different from Oregon, especially the climate. Our dogs appreciate not being wet all the time and appear to not even mind the heat as much as we thought they would. Michael loves the desert plants and learning to grow cacti and succulents outside. We enjoy going to the different farmer’s markets on the weekends.
* Question
What was the inspiration behind the design of your home?
Answer
When we were planning the interior of our home, we took inspiration from the various designs by designer Orlando Soria. For example, we fell in love with his use of pink in some of designs which was the major inspiration for our laundry room. We also took some inspiration from various aspects of the home of Eva Chen seen in Architectural Digest.
* Question
What advice would you give to someone looking to create a home design that reflects their personal style and preferences?
Answer
Don’t get hung up on design rules and trends that you find online. Trends can be a good starting point or reference point, but typically don’t result in a home interior with a lasting presence or meaning. It takes time to develop a personal style. Visiting flea markets, antique shops, art galleries and looking at pictures online will help you see what you are most drawn to. It is more meaningful to bring objects into your home that you love and brings you joy rather than get pieces that look nice or trendy just to fill your space.
* Question
What are your favorite places to shop locally?
Answer
Our primary experience with shopping locally has been at the various plant nurseries the Phoenix area has to offer. We enjoy going to The Plant Stand, Plant Bodega, Chlorophyll Corner, Jungle Box, Arizona Cactus Sales, Pueblo, and Phoenix Desert Nursery.
* Question
Share something you would like everyone to know about you that makes you both unique?
Answer
Mike used to be in competitive bowling and has bowled three 300 games. Most of his bowling paraphernalia has found its home in one of our closets. Four days a week, as a psychiatrist, Rich is working from home evaluating patients of all ages in thirteen states, 40+ hospitals, reviewing lab results, imaging, medication lists, various records, to help determine their proper diagnoses and next best steps in medical managements. The three other days of the week, he can be found doing home improvements such as painting, repairing stucco and drywall, replacing or aligning cabinets, etc. Rich has become no stranger to the hardware store.
