Quick Takes With: Marjory Sweet

When I first read through Marjory Sweet’s book, [   ] is a breakfast food (over breakfast), reader, I actually teared up. As much poetry book as recipe book, filled with lyrical odes to and photographic snapshots of to the day’s earliest meal, it’s just a beautiful physical object. It’s true, I’ve come to realize, of most everything everything Marjory creates: recipe books, rental houses, pastries.

Marjory is “a farmer, cook, and writer”—in that order.”I was born and grew up on the coast of Maine,” she tells us. “After a brief stint working for artists in New York and a transformative year-plus-some in Italy, I lived in New Mexico for 11 years managing small organic vegetable farms. I got into cooking—and writing about cooking—as an extension of the farm work. If you mush all of that experience into one bite you get to where I am now: back in Maine, cooking food at Cafe Grazie, which I co-own and run with my biz partner, Marcy Taubes.”

Today Marjory writes in with her ideal house (“I’ve been a Judd freak for a long time,” she says), kitchen pet peeve, the color she thinks is “sneakily neutral,” and also some photos of really delicious-looking summer cakes.

Above: Marjory, captured by photographer Krysta Jabczenski.

You’re invited to dinner. What’s your go-to gift?

Candles! Danica (which produce a veritable rainbow of colors and sizes) are a local fave here in midcoast Maine, but my friend Kate (also local) hand-dips these delicate, FRAGRANT, twisty guys, which are the just the perfect little offering along with some fresh flowers.

What’s on your bedside table?

Several pairs of Ursa Major earrings I’ve remembered to pluck out just before drifting off to sleep, my 64-oz water bottle that I can’t ever be without, and a stack of books I’m reading and “reading”: Circe (nearly finished!), The Magic Mountain (technically actively reading, but I’m seriously trudging) and Lucia Berlin’s short stories (one of my favorites, which I am re-reading intermittently alongside the other two.) Also, this morning’s coffee cup that I abandoned after the last sip—a vintage Snoopy mug that says “at times life is pure joy!”

First design love?

I’ve been a Judd freak for a long time. I know that’s a boring answer, but visiting Marfa for the first time really was life-changing for me, and then living in the southwest allowed me to spend time out there somewhat regularly, which deepened the connection. I think at least in mainstream culture, he’s a very misunderstood artist. As much a maximalist as a minimalist. As much a preservationist as an artist. Over the years, I’ve made much of my own furniture based on the Judd designs, and I always have him in mind when I’m thinking about spaces. My dream home is a 1790s New England Cape on the outside and a desert Judd ranch on the inside.

What podcast or playlist do you put on when you need inspiration?

I don’t consume a ton of podcasts; I listen almost exclusively to Berlant & Novak (Poog 2.0), two different NBA podcasts, and the random dharma talk that my partner sends me. Though if I hit on the right combination of those three, it can actually be quite inspiring. For music, just an endless rotation of records at home: lots of rare soul, highlife, and Jamaican oldies from the ’60s and ’70s. Kkind of an eye-roller of an answer, but it’s the truth.

What’s a film or TV show whose aesthetic has stuck with you?

I’ve always loved Fellini’s Juliet of the Spirits: I admire the use of super colorful, hallucinatory, circus-like visuals to express this woman’s really serious inner emotional state. Even the more spare shots are so rich and good. That beach scene with the tent! I want that beach tent.

Which Instagram account do you go to for design inspiration?

I consulted my “saved posts” collection to help with this question, but I don’t think there’s one account that is a consistent source of inspiration for me. Lots of bookmarked images of Luis Barragan’s kitchen in Mexico City, Italian beaches, fun layer cakes, salads from restaurants in London and Glasgow, surreal stills from the Simpsons, and beautiful golden lighting in houses, mostly in LA.

What has been your best house upgrade?

Anything floor-related has always unlocked the most profound upgrades in my experience as a homeowner/dweller.

My favorite sheets are…

A pristine cloud of cotton percale c/o L.L. Bean. Don’t overthink or overpay for sheets!

Your design pet peeve?

I find most kitchen trends annoying and particularly oppressive. Every five years you see the same kitchen popping up everywhere. Too spare, or too opulent, or too plywood, or too fantasy England manor, or too something.

My go-to kitchen utensil is…

Offset spatula! Really does it all. I’ve also recently become extremely attached to this mini, yellow, silicone spatula at work. Now some other beloved spatulas are coming to mind now that I’m thinking about it: a slender steel number that’s very versatile, and a larger heavier one that’s great for flipping and smooshing. My go-to kitchen utensil is all the spatulas.

What item from your closet do you have on repeat?

A vintage Agnes B. snap cardigan, a hand-me-down from my stylish mom.

What is the last thing you purchased for your house?

I just opened a cafe, and I’m spending so much time there it’s essentially become a second home of sorts. All of my recent purchases have been for the cafe (plenty of fun ones, mostly mundane essentials), but I’m most excited about two gorgeous ceramic pieces we got from our talented friend Ariela (ANK Ceramics). One is a white pedestal bowl that we are using to display Italian chocolates at the register, and the other is a pleated blue bowl that we plan to fill with summer fruits.

Something you’re coveting?

One of these Sophie Lou stainless wavy-handled pitchers from my number one favorite shop for all things home & life: The Post Supply. First eyed one at my friend Kacee’s house (talk about a source of inspiration, her home is incredible!!!!!!)

I don’t leave the house without…

My trusty Lindquist “Pal” in chartreuse, gold embossed with my last name—SWEET—on the exterior. It sounds kind of silly when described, but in person it’s just the right amount of personal adornment. Chartreuse is such a sneakily neutral color.

Thanks so much, Marjory! You can follow her work @marjorybsweet and @doublegrazie on Instagram and at marjorysweet.com.