According to Ancestry.com, if a family is in the lineage of one of France's “noble” families and their house has been passed down from generation to generation, it's usually called a “château.”

Well, you already know I’m nobility. And so are you.

(Not treating yourself like a queen just yet? Get ready for my special online event - the Royal Treatment - starting soon. Registration will open next week!)

And even though Fonz and I are currently building the petit French château of our dreams, it has not been passed down through generations... But maybe it will be. Who knows? In either case, I’m still unapologetically calling it a château.

Want to see some of my inspo pics? I’m handling every aspect of the design and it is SO. MUCH. FUN.

I find it so empowering to make your space an expression of the woman you’re becoming. And that was the inspiration for this issue - The Château Issue.

Your home is where you’re creating your extraordinary life. Let’s make it equally extraordinary. This issue will show you how.

Love,

P.S. Will you help inspire our new home? Tag me on all the home inspo that inspires you over on Instagram @schoolofselfimage and give me your best tips.

Even though our little château will take a year to be built, I’m never “waiting” to make a home beautiful, even if it’s temporary.

Here are some of the ways I’m elevating the feel of my little rental townhome now:

• Fresh flowers
• Candles that fit the season
• Music playing in the background, all day long
• Plants (this is my newest obsession)
• Keeping things clean and orderly
• Fresh sheets, always
• Beautiful coffee table books about things I love
• Some simple artwork on the walls

Don’t underestimate the power of these simple edits.

They can go a surprisingly long way toward shifting your state of being - and changing how you see yourself.

Living Life Perfectly Imperfect

with Elaina Veveakis, President of Expert Meetings & Events

“I am a huge fan of Tonya's work, and I love her as a friend. The transformation she made in her own life inspires me so much to also become the best version of myself.

Before SOSI, I had moved toward a maximalist style in relation to my home (and life!) However, through the SOSI teachings, I have been starting to think more about editing than acquiring. I'm on a mission to ditch ALL of the things that do not bring me closer to my best self.

It's important to me that I absolutely love everything in my home and that it feels beautiful and peaceful and is fresh and clean when I walk in the door.

Right now, I’m really enjoying vintage thrifting and antiquing, and shopping at Mom + Pop boutiques.

Here are a few photos of my home.

I think what I love most about thrifting is bringing new life to old pieces. Finding unique things that have a history is such a thrill. I love mixing old with new and higher-end with mainstream.

Creating beautiful spaces is my love language. My motto is: Living life perfectly imperfect and creating beautiful surroundings along the way.”

A Simple Way to Elevate the Beauty of your Home

Hiring an expensive interior designer isn’t the only way to elevate your style at home. Books are a great option for learning as you go. Start by noticing colors, lines, patterns, and furnishings to get a sense of the styles that speak to you—and let the beauty unfold from there.

Here’s a book I’ve been loving recently: Live Beautiful by Athena Calderone