By Casa de Suna
Published Aug 02
WELCOME TO OUR LATEST SERIES, BEHIND THE HEAT WITH CASA PICOSA, WHERE WE DIVE INTO THE ROUTINES OF OUR COMMUNITY AND EXPLORE HOW THEY FIND BALANCE AND INSPIRATION IN THEIR DAILY LIVES.
Meet Erin Pollard, founder of Underwater Weaving, and a creative soul who cherishes life’s simple pleasures. Splitting her time between Brooklyn and a charming fishing shack in Montauk, she balances urban living with coastal tranquility. Her ideal day includes gathering, making, and sharing – whether she’s weaving, gardening, baking, or capturing moments on film. Join us as we explore Erin’s world, from her summer traditions to her favorite dishes and the little things that make her feel at home.
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Photo by Anna Watt
QUESTION 02What is your favorite summertime tradition?
Harvesting peas and lettuce at the start of the year with my son in our garden in Montauk.
QUESTION 02Tell us a bit about your neighborhood/city. What does an ideal day look like for you?
I live in Brooklyn with my son, stepdaughter, and husband and we also have a small fishing shack by the ocean in Montauk. Both neighborhoods are so rich with history, culture, and beauty. I’m a homebody so my ideal day includes gathering, making things, arranging things, and sharing that with others. If I find myself in either place weaving, harvesting, baking, arranging wildflowers, gathering shells, or taking film images then it’s a great day.
QUESTION 04What is your favorite part of your home? How do you make your house feel like a home?
In Brooklyn I am in love with our master bathroom. Living with a six-year-old boy and teenage girl is no joke, so if I go missing, you will find me submerged in the tub, or mud-masked and meditating on the windowsill. When my husband designed our home, we carved out areas for family, like our TV den, where a built-in couch takes up half the cozy room, and we can all pile in for movie night. Jason and I both have studios in our home, and we invite the kids to explore and make ceramics and other projects. Living in a space where everyone is free to be creative, and we live with the things that we make - that’s home.
QUESTION 05How do you carve out moments to slow down each day?
The foundation of my studio was built through the discovery of a handcraft as meditation. Keeping my hands busy quiets my mind. The irony is that starting a business is the opposite of slow, so I am constantly reminding myself to breathe. I often stop, close my eyes and chant ‘nam myoho renge kyo,’ a Buddhist practice honoring the dignity and possibility of our ordinary lives.
QUESTION 06What is your favorite Casa Picosa flavor? How will you be cooking with it this summer?
Casa Picosa made me a “hot sauce person” and So Pepper is So Good. I became a vegetarian this year and so I’m always looking for ways to add flavor to food. So Pepper adds a hint of spice to pasta or a tortilla wrap with grilled vegetables, garlic scapes, and feta.
QUESTION 07What are five things from the Casa de Suna shop that you’d love to add to your tablescape this season?
If I were to set a Garden Table using Casa de Suna selects, here's what I'd choose:
- Anastasio 810 Tray in Cherry Gold - This eye-catching tray is perfect for serving summer treats or refreshing drinks on your table. It brings a touch of exotic elegance to your sunny gatherings.
- Hawkins Tablecloth - A versatile, artfully-fringed tablecloth perfect for both formal dining and family meals, and it's machine washable.
- Hawkins Marble Bowl - These weighty marble bowls are perfect for storing snacks or displaying items.
- Ferm Living Still Carafe - The sweetest way to serve summertime drinks, whether it's lemonade, cocktails, water, or wine.
- Ferm Living Host Water Glasses - These elegant glasses are sure to add a touch of sophistication to your summer table.
- Jean Dubost 3-piece Cheese Set - A must-have for any cheese board.
- Il Buco Board - These sculptural cutting boards, made from reclaimed wood make food prep a pleasure.
- Il Buco Twisted Beeswax Candle - Handcrafted using a medieval technique, these candles add a timeless touch to any table setting.
- Il Buco Splatterware Pasta Dish - Love these for displaying your finest Italian cuisine.
- Mepra Linea Flatware Set - This Italian flatware set is not only stylish but comfy to hold - perfect for those inevitable second helpings!
- Hawkins Dinner Napkins - Linens ideal for everyday use or special occasions. They come in a range of colors to suit any style.
QUESTION 7What is inspiring you these days? An ingredient, an artist, a destination, something you’ve recently learned, anything…
The shapes of vegetables, 1970’s interior design, 90’s fashion, Japanese farming culture.
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QUESTION 8What’s your go-to summer dish that always impresses your guests?
A garden salad with all things from our garden, a simple pasta, a fruit crisp, or homemade ice cream sandwiches.
QUESTION 9Which book, movie, or song best encapsulates the spirit of summer for you?
Dirty Dancing
Photo by Fyodor Shiyeav
Photo by Anna Watt
Photo by Kate Moore
