Tori Mellott swapped the glossy pages of print magazines for the dynamic world of brand storytelling, now leading the charge as Senior Director of Home & Lifestyle at Tuckernuck. In our latest Tastemaker Q&A, she shares her take on living gracefully, the thrill of a well-set table, and timeless details that she believes bring beauty and charm to everyday life.

Tell us a bit about yourself! 

I’m originally from a very small town outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania but I moved to NYC for college in 1998 and I’ve never looked back. I have 13-year-old identical twin daughters who are the absolute lights of my life. I’ve had a long career as a magazine editor but recently switched to the brand side when I joined Tuckernuck this past winter. Saying I’m passionate about home is an understatement – I am entranced and enraptured with all things home and lifestyle – I love setting a beautiful table and entertaining, writing notes on luxurious stationery, decorating, designing, collecting, antiquing, and immersing myself in everything and anything that pertains to the home.

Tori wears the Valencia Mini Dress

You’re currently the Home & Lifestyle Senior Director at Tuckernuck, a brand known for its classic, coastal sensibility. How did your career path lead you to this role, and what drew you to the brand?

I was looking for a new opportunity and wanted to leave print magazines (as much as I love them, it was time to go!). I also wanted to shift gears away from the trade industry and work at a B2C selling finished goods. With those parameters in mind, I made a list of brands I loved, and I identified which ones had a home vertical that I could help grow and shape. At my last job I worked with a woman named Lucy Pash who had made the move to Tuckernuck roughly five years ago. I called Lucy and asked her to put me in touch with Tuckernuck’s founders, and the rest is history. I am so overjoyed to be a part of the Tuckernuck team. The brand is like a rocket ship moving full speed ahead - dynamic, focused, unstoppable. The company is led by some of the most brilliant women I’ve ever met and while I am contributing a great deal with the skills and knowledge I bring to the table, I am also learning something new every day. It’s an exciting time to be at Tuckernuck!

Your Instagram reads like a personal diary - equal parts wit and beauty. How do you approach curating your social presence, and when did you notice your audience begin to grow?

I’m fortunate in that I was a very early Instagram adopter (2012!) so while most of the people in the home industry were poo-pooing it and thought it was tacky and vulgar; I dove in headfirst and embraced the platform. I love images and photography, and I love writing quippy, pithy captions, so Instagram dovetailed perfectly with my interests and strengths. I noticed my account really start to gain momentum around 2017-2018. However, I only monetized my account this year which was a huge mistake – I should have done that years ago! I didn’t want to monetize it because I thought it would be too much work, and I didn’t want it to interfere with my full-time job, nor did I want my feed to feel contrived – like a streaming advertisement. However, as it turns out, I can engage as much or as little as it makes sense for my schedule and make some extra cash on the side (raising teenagers in NYC is NOT the most cost-effective way to rear children!). All that aside, I love the platform; I love sharing great finds, tips for entertaining, cute outfits, things I’m obsessing over – it’s a fun way to connect with people.

Follow along on Instagram @torimellott

What’s currently catching your eye in the world of design and fashion? Any styles or trends you’re loving this season, whether at home or in your wardrobe?

Fashion and home designs are moving at such a fast pace that it’s tough to keep up with new trends and styles, which is why I tend to ignore them and just go with things that look good on me and fit well in my home and work with my lifestyle. That said, I always love a high-waisted, wide leg jean that gives off 70’s vibes. I love a flowy, cotton peasant blouse and I find Isabel Marant, Vanessa Bruno and Sea always make great ones. I'm starting to veere away from hyper-exaggerated puffy sleeves.  I'll always love a puff sleeve, but I'm going for a softer, gentler look these days and I'm still not over cowboy boots (but I only want real cowboy boots from Lucchese or Tony Lama). As for home, I am loving all the Tuckernuck Home linens and accessories! We have pieces that are very different than anything else out there, which makes it fun to mix and match and experiment with patterns and color combinations. I’m currently mixing my green spatterware ceramic dinner plates with our newest table linen pattern which is kind of like a jungle-inspired toile; it feels very festive for fall. I also love our napkin rings and place card holders - we have a unique selection – for instance, in the current offering we have little brass frogs that look adorable with a place card set inside!

Do you have any personal style signatures or non-negotiables when putting together a look?

When I’m designing a room, the most important element is scale; the scale of the furniture must fit the space correctly otherwise it feels all wrong. Ergo, I live by the adage “Measure twice, cut once.” I do like adding oversized artwork or mirrors as a point of interest or a fun surprise but otherwise, just like a well-cut dress, one’s furniture must fit perfectly in the room. For clothing the same rules apply – the fit and the cut are everything. If you’re wearing ill-fitting clothing, you’re doing it wrong.

What does it mean to live stylishly, both inside your home and out in the world? Any rituals, routines, or details that help you feel your best?

For me, living stylishly means living gracefully by slowing down, not feeling frantic or rushed, making careful choices about everything from how I set my table to my word choices. It’s how I chose to interact with the people at my workplace and in my community. Sometimes it’s gently saying no to things and sometimes it’s cautiously saying yes – it’s moving through the world with grace, consideration, kindness, and compassion.

Who or what are your enduring style muses - people, places, eras?

I oscillate between wanting a bohemian look (think Jane Birkin, Bianca Jagger, and Britt Ekland in the 70’s) and a classic look (think the usual suspects like Grace Kelly, Jackie O., and Audrey Hepburn in the 50’s and 60’s), so my closet is half shift dresses and the other half bellbottoms. I’m a Gemini so a split fashion personality checks out!

What first drew you to Mestiza, and what do you admire most about the brand?

I was introduced to the co-founder of Mestiza, Louisa Rechter, at a rooftop cocktail party in NYC and instantly felt a connection! She has a great energy, and her style is timeless and elegant. She moves through the world in a beautiful way. Before I even knew that she founded Mestiza, I was admiring her dress – it was very chic, and the cut and design was meticulous without feeling fussy. She looked so put together in it – sort of the way I had always envisioned adults to look at a fancy cocktail party in NYC. Aside from being enamored of the founders, the clothing is stunning – the fabrics, the materials, the quality, the cut – you can tell that so much time and care has been poured into every single style. It’s obvious that the Louisa and Alessandra are very deliberate and thoughtful about each detail.

How do you feel when you wear Mestiza?

I feel so elegant! When I wear my Mestiza dress I feel like I am FLOATING down the streets of NYC! The dress I have is airy, lightweight and the perfect cut for my body. It’s become one of my go-to’s!