KOBEL + CO

If you could have a second home anywhere, where would you live? 

• Mallory: On a ranch! With miles of land, sunsets for days and the ability to lean fully into a cowgirl chic aesthetic. 

• Elizabeth: Coastal New England or the English Lake District. 

What are three words to describe your style? 

• Mallory: Grounded, playful, unexpected. 

• Elizabeth: Curated, elevated, discerning. 

Tell us about your childhood bedroom?

• Mallory: YELLOW! And admittedly with a cheese cloth sponge texture. I loved to experiment with art on the walls and flea market antiques in my room, even as a kid. 

• Elizabeth: My Dad had super strict rules for our bedrooms. Mine was white and as I wasn't allowed to nail artwork into the walls, I hung collections of framed magazine clippings from ribbon and a nail tacked into the crown molding. In hindsight, it was pretty chic. 

What’s the first investment piece you ever bought for your house?

• Elizabeth: When I was in my 20s, I found a vintage Paul McCobb console I adored and spent every free penny having it refinished in a black matte piano finish. We still have it in the living room and despite the signs of life over the last 20+ years it's still one of my favorites. 

In the history of design, if you could hire any designer other than yourself, who would it be? 

• Mallory and Elizabeth: Ohhhhh, there are so many. I think we are incredibly inspired by Kelly Wearstler and her ability to mix dominant materials in a way that feels new. And Joseph Dirand- Girafe in Paris is THE most lovely space. 

No room is complete without: 

• Mallory: A piece of art that makes you look twice. 

• Elizabeth: Something “imperfect” and layered lighting, everything on a dimmer. 

People think of me as ________, but I am really _____________ 

• Elizabeth: the extroverted one // the homebody 

• Mallory: the easy going one // the graceful enforcer 

Things you omit from (Elizabeth and Mallory) 

• A flower arrangement: Symmetry or too many colors. 

• An hors d’oeuvre platter: Pre-sliced, packaged cheese of any variety. 

• A bar cabinet: Anything you drank in college. 

A song for": 

• Dinner at home:

  • Elizabeth: Anything Chet Baker. 

  • Mallory: Big fan of the Turnpike Troubadours. 

Working at your desk:

• Elizabeth: Our studio playlists. 

Going for a run:

• Elizabeth: Robyn’s Dancing On My Own. 

• Mallory: Probably podcasting. 

Biggest Vice? 

• Elizabeth: “Fridge Cigs“ (Diet Coke). 

• Mallory: Salt and bad police procedural shows. 

If you were on an Ambien high and internet shopping, what would you buy?

• Elizabeth: Luxury leather goods for sure. 

• Mallory: Frilly fabulous dresses I have absolutely nowhere to wear to. 

Do your clothes reflect your design sensibility, if so, how? 

• Elizabeth: Strangely not always – I live in a blazar and a pretty basic beige, blue, and black palette, but I LOVE playing with pattern and color in our homes. I keep my own style tailored and clean, but love a loud floral in our work or print curation in our work. 

• Mallory: Absolutely! I love to embellish and play with scale + adore anything that leans slightly western in wardrobe and interiors. 

Who is your star crush? 

• Elizabeth: Martha Stewart. What a babe. 

• Mallory: Rip from Yellowstone. 

What is the thing you would never do on a project, but don’t detest when you see others do it? 

• Elizabeth and Mallory: Hypermodern, slick, minimal design is something we so admire, but just cannot imagine doing! 

For posterity, what would you like your work to be known for? 

• Elizabeth and Mallory: Designing deeply personal, beautiful, enduring homes that reflect individuality and become cherished settings for generations of family memories. 

A Few Favorites: 

Movie: 

• Elizabeth: It's seasonal! Anything Wes Anderson, Practical Magic in the Fall, and Little Women in the Winter. 

• Mallory: Father of the Bride or Sound of Music. 

Book: 

• Elizabeth: I'm a terrible reader, but eat up beautiful visuals. 

• Mallory: The Secret Garden - a classic I’ve reread more times to my girls than I can count. 

Scent: 

• Elizabeth: Le Labo The Noir 29. 

• Mallory: Fresh ocean air–the sea breeze has me every time. 

The fabric you always come back to: 

• Elizabeth and Mallory: Always suckers for Mohair or a vintage feeling floral. 

Dream project: 

• Elizabeth: European country home complete with grounds, gardens and stable. 

• Mallory: Boutique hotel, deeply informed by its location. 

Meal: 

• Elizabeth: I never turn down a giant bowl of pasta. 

• Mallory: Anything Indian, Thai, Chinese, or with a potato in it (I’ll take a french fry any day). 

Drink: 

• Elizabeth: Ice cold, slightly dirty Martini with blue cheese olives. 

• Mallory: Spicy ginger margarita, baby. 

Hotel: 

• Elizabeth: Relais Christine in Paris. 

• Mallory: Austin Proper or Casa Rosada (not a hotel, but we took our families there last year and it was INCREDIBLE). 

Travel Destination: 

• Mallory: Montana Ranch complete with the whole horse corralling experience, 

• Elizabeth: Anywhere with the tiki huts on stilts. 

Thing to collect obsessively: 

• Elizabeth: I love collecting antique champagne buckets. 

• Mallory: Nudes (SKETCHES of course!). 

Era in the history of design: 

• Elizabeth: I would love to experience the Regency Period in England. 

• Mallory: I think the 70s–all that pattern and rich earthy textures and murky colors. Would have loved a conversation pit sectional. 

Museum: 

• Elizabeth: I have long loved the V+A in London, but have to give a shout out to the Nelson-Atkins and the Bloch Impressionist Collection in our hometown. It's an unbelievable collection, and I am incredibly proud to have it around the corner. 

• Mallory: Crystal Bridges in Bentonville - not only an incredible collection, but the most scenic of locations - a perfect weekend getaway. 

Benjamin Moore Paint Color: 

• Elizabeth: It's such a basic response but Revere Pewter is a magic color. My parents house is over 100 years old and they went all in with this color a few years ago and it's a chameleon–light and neutral during summer, but by candlelight during the holidays is warm and moody. It's a one hit wonder, every time. 

• Mallory: Antique Copper – it's warm and rustic while still being sophisticated and polished. Would look equally amazing in both modern application or timeless restorations. 

Favorite person to follow on Instagram: 

• Elizabeth and Mallory: Oh so many and such a random assortment. We adore all things Nicole Cohen and there is nothing more satisfying as when your weekly IG saves line up with her Sunday shares. 

Dogs, Cats, or No Pets? 

• Elizabeth: Both - I have a standard poodle named Whitman and am a new cat momma to Gigi + George, kittens found in our parking lot, and have never felt more seen. 

• Mallory: Definitely dogs. We love our three-legged rescued chow mix.