Growing up in Louisiana, Monelle Totah was enmeshed in Southern hospitality that evolved into a love of entertaining. After studying fine arts, she followed her family’s move to California where she worked in the showroom of a firm selling imported dinnerware and textiles, eventually moving to Williams Sonoma and working with Chuck Williams who taught her to edit and curate. “What a learning experience,” says Totah. “He told me ‘We can sell anything, but we don’t.’” Looking to indulge her passion for product design, a dozen years ago she and a best friend, Gary McNatton, launched their first store, focused on entertaining. Now owned by Crate & Barrel, Hudson Grace was named for the founders’ pet dogs, and Totah’s current black cockapoo, Henrietta Grace, is proud to bear the monogram of the ongoing firm.
What inspired you to start Hudson Grace? What niche did you want to fill?
I was working in retail tabletop, and when you see so many beautiful things, you want people to be able to have them. I wanted to have it there for them.
Why do you specialize in white merchandise?
Originally, everything was white—you can see the silhouette. If it’s painted, you don’t see the beautiful sculptural line of a handmade plate or the gorgeous white glaze that it’s dipped in. There’s a modern feel about it and a simplicity. Food looks pretty on a white plate, and it allows you to tell a story with your flowers, glassware and napkins.
But your tabletop accessories are so colorful.
We’ll never stray away from white, it will always be the foundation. But I got brave, I wanted to be a little bold. We took a chance to have bright napkins—hot pink, yellow, blue—they’re wonderful. The world needs happiness now, and we want to bring something that makes you smile.
What was the inspiration for the current season’s collection?
We’re evolving with color and wanted to shake it up this year, and it came from fashion. I saw an ad—it was chocolate brown with a pink top and a green sweater—it was so unexpected and chic. So brown is a base, it’s kind of a neutral in my eyes, grounded, it goes with everything—it looks pretty with so many colors.
Why are so many of your products produced overseas?
You can find little unique things in European factories—it’s kind of like a family, it’s not just manufacturing. You see an item and it feels like “something my grandfather made.” Things are handmade and hand painted—there’s an authenticity to it.
Your cofounder, Gary McNatton, is just retiring. What is it that made him such a great business partner?
He’s a genius, we’re a great complement. In one of our first interviews, I was saying I collect silver, linens, dinnerware, and he said, “I’m a collector too, but I don’t put it all out.”
What is the effect of Crate & Barrel owning the firm?
They’re an amazing partner, significant in keeping the brand together, but we can do more things. The sky’s the limit, and I’m excited about the growth we’re going to have.
Why do you love entertaining?
I love gathering people in my home. I love cooking, the smells in the house, pouring glasses of wine, it feeds my soul. I like impromptu ‘what are you doing? Come on over.’ Suddenly you’re cooking up a pot of chili or gumbo, the music is on, people are mingling, you’re pouring cocktails. Casual is the best.
How do you entertain at the holidays?
Lots of food: a buffet set in different heights—on footed bowls, cake stands. Always a bartender to keep guests hydrated. I don’t always set up a tree, but have lots of greens around. And some wonderful napkins—I love red and green.
What’s the origin of your perennial gnome decoration?
We found a tiny plastic gnome—twinkly eyes, chubby cheeks, hands hidden behind—it made us laugh and giggle. We sent it off to Italy, and our mold maker created a wonderful reproduction. The gnome has been with us for 11 years—we made him into an ornament this year. He’s our new elf-on-a-shelf.