The Klein Family
In our latest edition of Marigold At Home we visited the Klein family on a sunny winter afternoon where we received an enthusiastic welcome by Nell, the oldest of their two kids, who is also their resident barista.
The Kleins have lived in the Mission since 2012, just down the street from Marigold.
Courtney is the co-founder and CEO of Storq, a line of maternity and nursing essentials for new parents. Zach is the former CEO of Dwell Magazine, co-founder of Vimeo, and the creator of the book Cabin Porn. Zach is also a member of the local running group SF Hill Runners and most mornings he’s running laps around Bernal’s ring road, and often stops at Marigold for a morning coffee. These two multi-hyphenate creatives have built an incredibly stylish and modern home that maintains a warm accessibility that's important to them and their two young children. We instantly felt welcomed by the families warm and inviting demeanor, and enjoyed learning about morning routines, how they balance their family and work life, and an eight year olds approach to brewing coffee.
They have two sweet kiddos, Nell (8) and Lew (6).
Tell us how you start your day. What are your morning rituals?
ZK: We have a 6yo and 8yo and right after they were born we came up with this idea of Morning Captain. It was our way of making room for selfishness in parenthood … we rotate, one parent has to get the kids ready for school, the other gets a free pass to sleep in, exercise, make a second cup of coffee, whatever. I usually run out to the Bay and back with some neighbors.
CK: When it’s your day to be Captain, it’s what you imagine: tamping down their bed heads, scooping yogurt into bowls, making lunches, and walking them to school. Actually, when it was time to figure out where our kids should go to school, we realized that an easy commute should be a priority and we limited our search to schools we could walk to (and grab a pastry on the way).
What’s your favorite way to make coffee? Or tea?
ZK: I pour over with a V60. I’ve been hand-grinding for a decade, but was recently gifted a Fellow standing burr grinder and I’m converted. For bonus points, I use the mug my daughter made me at Clayroom.
CK: Team tea all the way! My morning go-to is Mariage Frères’ Marco Polo with steamed milk.
How do flowers or plants play a role in your home?
CK: I'm of the opinion that you can never have too many fresh blooms around. I try to pick up a bouquet of something fresh each week for the house as an instant mood booster. As for our many houseplants, I’m so lucky that Zach has a green thumb because I get all the benefits of their presence while lacking the skill to care for them.
ZK: We love living in California because you can grow year round. We planted a sidewalk garden and spend an hour every other weekend weeding and cleaning it. They’re important resources in San Francisco because they can capture rainwater that would otherwise enter the sewer system, and it’s incredible how much wildlife they attract. We love to tend to it and share it with our neighborhood.
Are there any flowers or scents from your past that feel nostalgic or remind you of someone or a certain place, a specific time?
CK: Lilacs. I grew up with a giant lilac bush in my front yard. The sight of them in bloom and their sweet smell are still some of my favorite things. Whenever I see them, I can't help but pick up a bunch to bring home with me.
ZK: Squash blossoms. When I was kid my family moved from New York State to Indiana. My mom tried to soften the blow of the move by promising me that out in the country there would be enough room for me to have my own garden. She came through and soon after we settled in she helped me plant a 4x8’ plot. I remember the first time I saw that yolky yellow blossom on a vine I planted. It was pure magic and it changed me and I’ve been trying to recreate that moment in everything I do ever since.
How do you incorporate your kids into your morning rituals?
ZK: During the pandemic we relaxed TV rules for our kids. Before we were like, “You can only drink oat milk and watch Planet Earth”, and after the first round of lockdowns we were like, “Sure, you can have Gatorade and watch Matrix 2, just for the love of god give us 10 minutes to relax.”
With the entire Netflix catalog at her fingertips, our daughter only wanted to binge on Great British Bake Off and ever since she has been seeking out ways to have more responsibilities in the kitchen. One morning I challenged her to make a cup of coffee and it turns out that after all those years watching me at breakfast, she had figured it out. Just like baking, it works like chemistry to her, and now I ask her to make my first cup most days.
You have such a keen eye for design. What is your process in collaborating together on creative projects?
ZK: I think this is a strength of our relationship, and I think it’s central to our attraction to each other: we experience beauty in the same simple things. And it’s been like that for fifteen years. Everything’s easier when you don’t have to stretch so much to share a pleasant moment.
CK: Creative collaboration isn’t as easy. Usually we both agree on the goal, but then we revert to a couple of CEOs arguing what the process should be. There’s a healthy amount of stomping feet.
How do you reconnect at the end of your day?
CK: On weeknights, we give the kids an early dinner so that we can enjoy dinner together without any time constraints or rush. We both love cooking, and sharing a leisurely meal gives us an opportunity to unwind and be completely present with one another.
Any upcoming trips you’re looking forward to?
CK: Our family is headed to Maine this summer to help a friend build a cabin on an idyllic piece of land. Our West Coast kids have never experienced a proper East Coast summer, so we can't wait to show them the magic. We’re already fantasizing about the warmer nights, lobster rolls, ocean swims, popsicles, and fireflies.
