Anna Rossi on Healing Crystals, Styling Secrets, and Taking Risks
Interieur: The Interiors Series is back again with another installment focusing on 10 questions with people we respect from the worlds of design, food, retail, and everything in between.
For this conversation, we sat down with Anna Rossi, the effervescent face of NBC Boston's The Hub Today. Besides the innate charisma she brings to our screens, she's also a national food writer, chef, and was a finalist on MasterChef USA Season 3 (what can't she do!). Anna grew up in the Pacific Northwest but has been on our coast for so long that her New England sensibility is natural and genuine, just like her love for food, people, and connection. Let's get to know her design side, shall we?
Anna Rossi
When do you feel the most creative?
AR: It’s all about time, place, and people. Early mornings before the kids are up for school is a sacred time for me to set intentions, journal, respond to emails, and brainstorm.
I usually smudge a little palo santo and bask in the solitude before the day takes a life of its own. At home, the kitchen and garden fuel new ideas. I love creating recipes for my family. And a connection to the earth and seasons keep me grounded. Professionally, I work in a very collaborative environment with a small, nimble team. We are given a lot of freedom in our storytelling and I value working with trustworthy, talented, and committed colleagues.
How would you describe your design style?
AR: I don’t take myself too seriously. I’m not afraid to invest in classics and am drawn to neutrals but love an element of surprise. Great art, stainless and copper cookware, statement earrings, and quality makeup are my jam. In our home, we have light-colored walls and window treatments to bring attention to the art we’ve collected over the years. Our living room is minimal, so within 10 minutes it can be completely reassembled if we have an impromptu guest.
Then there are spaces where it’s just real and a bit messy, like the kid’s craft table in the kitchen and our laundry room.
Is it an extension of your fashion style?
AR: With fashion, I’ve invested in great denim, and I give my skin and hair extra love at the grace of the team at G2O Salon & Day Spa who are always my go-to for glam when I need to feel pampered. Producing lifestyle content, I get to have a lot of fun and lean on my stylist, Jeanne Mooney, and the Anthropology team to help curate custom looks for my shoots. I’m not afraid to make a statement and love pieces that are unique.
How does your career influence your style (what you gravitate towards personally, professionally)?
AR: My career keeps me excited to try new things and take risks. I love seeing what’s new, trying out fresh takes on classics, and learning styling tips that can take a look to the next level. I love seeing artistry and creativity manifest across design, fashion, and food. I’ve created a fluid dialogue between my personal and professional environment that nourishes my soul and celebrates the talented individuals who generate those new ideas.
Do you have a favorite design trend happening right now? Or a place that you look for style inspiration?
AR: I find a lot of inspiration from Instagram and love that I can curate my feed. I follow a mix of the uber-talented chefs I’ve cooked with in Boston, stylists and designers, plus (not going to lie) some reality TV stars “living their best life”!
What is your home like? And what does “home” mean to you?
AR: Our home is in process. It’s a big, beautiful Royal Barry Wills Cape that has so much potential and the dining room is the cornerstone. We eat dinner as a family almost every night together around an old French Monastery table my husband and I found in NYC when we were first married. It’s endured a flood and countless gatherings and is covered in nicks and dings that make it welcoming and perfect. When I think about what I want my kids to feel when they think of “home” as they grow up, I hope it’s synonymous with big hugs, cozy movie nights, great food, loving chaos, and an open door.
Lastly, what’s currently on your coffee table?
AR: With a 5- and 6-year-old, the coffee table is a lost cause! I do manage to sneak in the latest Martha Stewart amongst ongoing Lego projects and a half-completed puzzle of a barnyard. Mercy! Needless to say, my “Coffee Table” Pinterest board looks a bit different.
And if you can indulge us, on your Bedside Table?
AR: My bedside table is a reminder of the things I love and what inspires me. It has a framed photo of our family of 5 (Lucy the Malshi, included), a lamp adorned with a Kukui Nut Lei from our honeymoon, a little tray with a Mimosa & Cardamom Jo Malone candle my husband and daughter picked out for me for Christmas, an amethyst crystal symbolic of healing, and my favorite fragrance Santal 33 by Le Labo. I also always have a small vase of fresh flowers. I just shot with Winston Flowers for NBC and they sent me home with the most gorgeous bouquet of yellow parrot tulips. They are so cheery and full of hope, and the perfect way to start and end the day.