Good Taste, Great Company: Inside Model + Vinter Michele Ouellet’s Venice Home

For model, mom and entrepreneur Michele Ouellet, a life well lived is all about the little things. From beautiful meals shared with friends to slow mornings with family, she has a way of making everyday moments feel special—and as our fall model and muse, she made our latest campaign feel that way too.

Now settled into a character-filled home in Venice Beach, Michele is embracing a new chapter of California living. For our latest At Home, we stepped inside to discover how her love of food, entertaining and collected treasures shapes her space, and how motherhood has brought a new perspective to the meaning of home.

Thank you for welcoming us into your Venice home. Please tell us a bit about yourself and how you spend your time.

Thanks for coming! I grew up in Napa Valley and have lived all over the world working as a model since I was a teenager. After being based in NYC for over a decade, I moved to LA to be with my now-husband, Ned. I love our little neighborhood in Venice. Looking up and seeing the palm trees makes me so happy every day. 

I’ve always been really into food, restaurants, and wine. My mom and I have a wine company called Lorenza that we founded in 2008, which is another side of my career. I’m very passionate about the things that I love, so much so that I started a Substack called Amuse Bouche that covers my favorites in fashion, entertaining, beauty, travel, and beyond. The thing I’m most proud of is our 10-month-old daughter, Lucia! It was so special to get to shoot together for Coyuchi. I’ll treasure the pictures forever!

Pictured above: Bonita Decorative Pillow Cover in Undyed w/Praline, Topanga Organic Matelasse Coverlet in Praline Chambray, Women's Isla Organic Cotton Short Sleeve Pajama Set in Indigo Chambray 

Tell us about your home. How do you make it feel like “you”?

We moved here just about a year ago, right before our baby was born! It was a crazy time to move, but I’m so glad we did. The house was designed by architect Charles Ward and has a very calming energy to it. My husband and I love unique spaces, and this is definitely a special place. The wooden ceilings in the living room are so cool, and there are little nooks and lofts to discover everywhere. Our style is kind of maximalist disguised as minimalist. I think we’d like to have less stuff, but it’s not really who we are. My husband and I have each collected things and pieces over the years that anchor any space we live in. Putting up our artwork and getting busy in the kitchen helped us feel settled quickly in this new home. 

Pictured above: Lido Organic Throw in Undyed w/Espresso, Lido Organic Decorative Pillow Cover in Undyed w/ Gulf

You're known for effortless entertaining. What's your philosophy of hosting?

All I want to do is surprise and delight my guests. This doesn’t necessarily mean going super fancy or over the top, but having a few special and thoughtful details. This could be as simple as setting a beautiful table or having your guest’s favorite cocktail ready upon arrival or baking a cake for dessert. It’s the thought that counts! I also like a humble ingredient on a large scale. Like a giant bowl of potato chips. When in doubt, I go for abundance. 

Pictured above: Coral Bell Print Tablecloth in Cerulean, Tilden Striped Organic Napkins Set of 4 in Ginger Stripe

What does the perfect dinner at home look like: who's there, what's on the table, what's playing?

We’d have my best friend and her boyfriend over; I like small dinner parties. I have an addiction to tablecloths and napkins, so I’d pick out something beautiful for the table and put out my favorite bowls, flowers, candles, and glassware. I love cooking fish with dashi and vegetables in a Donabe (a Japanese clay pot that makes everything delicious). Plus rice, pickled vegetables, and a bottle of Lorenza Rosé. It’s such a cozy, healthy, and satisfying meal. This is my favorite dinner party playlist at the moment!

Pictured above: Coral Bell Print Tablecloth in Cerulean, Tilden Striped Organic Napkins Set of 4 in Ginger Stripe

How has motherhood changed the way you think about your home and daily rhythms?

Oh, everything has changed now, but in a way that is so full of joy. I hope to have a home that is comfortable and safe and fun for our daughter. It might look like fewer trinkets on the coffee table and more baby gates, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I love our daily routines of making breakfast, going for walks, trying to get a little work done while she naps, and then playtime. I think we all have benefitted from having a little more structure.

Pictured above: Bonita Decorative Pillow Cover in Undyed w/Praline, Cascade Organic Matelasse Coverlet in Undyed, Topanga Organic Matelasse Coverlet in Praline Chambray,  Women's Isla Organic Cotton Short Sleeve Pajama Set in Indigo Chambray 

Between being a model, mom, vintner, writer, and host, you’re quite busy. What does a slow Sunday at home look like for a multi-hyphenate? 

A dream slow Sunday would include making a frittata, then going on a long walk with my husband, baby, and dog. Then coming home and watching some tennis on TV and taking a family nap on the couch. Then play play play with our daughter until dinner, which would be spaghetti bolognese. Finally, it’s bathtime, which is one of our favorite parts of the day. After we put the baby down, Ned and I would watch a movie (if he gets to choose) or Love Island (if I get to choose).

Pictured above: On Left - Cambria Embroidered Organic Linen Duvet Set in Natural Chambray w/Multi, Organic Relaxed Linen Sheet Set in Natural Chambray,  Bonita Decorative Pillow Cover in Undyed w/Praline, Topanga Organic Matelasse Coverlet in Praline, Women's Isla Organic Cotton Short Sleeve Pajama Set in Indigo Chambray 

Chambray. On Right - Air Weight Organic Towels in Stone Blue

What Coyuchi piece do you gravitate towards the most? 

I love the linen sheets. I remember shooting with them on set and feeling like they were the nicest sheets I’ve ever encountered! 

Pictured above: Cambria Embroidered Organic Linen Duvet Set in Natural Chambray w/Multi, Organic Relaxed Linen Sheet Set in Natural Chambray,   Bonita Decorative Pillow Cover in Undyed w/Praline, Topanga Organic Matelasse Coverlet in Praline Chambray, Women's Isla Organic Cotton Short Sleeve Pajama Set in Indigo Chambray 

You can shop Michele's full list of Coyuchi favorites here.