As a brand ambassador for KitchenAid, Garner recently helped unveil the newly released 2026 Design Series Stand Mixer, known as the Luminaire. Featuring a fluted glass bowl and an integrated light designed to illuminate whatever recipe is in progress, the appliance is engineered to offer greater visibility and precision for home bakers. In anticipation of this major product launch, Garner sat down to discuss the specific items, organizational tools, and design choices she relies on to make her house feel like a home.
When it comes to everyday food preparation, Garner points directly to her favorite portable appliances. "I live for my KitchenAid GO Cordless Collection," she explains, noting that she reaches for several of the battery-operated devices during almost every cooking session. She describes the entire cordless system as her favorite go-to gift for others. In addition to her handheld tools, Garner relies on a specific countertop appliance on a daily basis, admitting that she and her family use the KitchenAid Grain and Rice Cooker constantly.
Beyond her heavy-duty culinary equipment, Garner’s domestic life is defined by practical upgrades, simple organization, and a relaxed approach to entertaining. When asked about the most recent addition to her living space, she keeps her answer simple and sentimental: picture frames. For household consumables that she continually reorders because of their exceptional quality, she highlights PlantPaper toilet paper alongside Homecourt’s line of dish soap, surface cleaner, and hand soap, praising the entire collection for its non-toxic formulation and pleasant fragrance.
For interior organization, Garner relies on a classic pantry staple, noting that she swears entirely by Mason jars to keep things orderly. Her entertaining philosophy is similarly straightforward, casual, and focused on outdoor living. Rather than keeping a separate set of fine china for special occasions, she prefers to use the same durable, high-quality items for guests that she and her children use every day. Her entertaining arsenal heavily features glassware, particularly pitchers from Blenko Glass, alongside cloth napkins and simple placemats. Most of her gatherings take place outdoors in a relaxed setting.
A recent minor outdoor renovation has noticeably transformed her daily routine and workspace. Garner added rolled woven willow fencing to a terrace above her outdoor seating area to soften harsh sunlight and create dappled shade in a spot that previously became uncomfortably warm. She also attached wheels to an outdoor table, allowing her to easily reposition her workspace as the sun shifts throughout the day. This simple modification has turned the terrace into her favorite afternoon spot to handle work tasks while chasing the moving shade.
When the workday finally wraps up, Garner’s evening wind-down routine remains wonderfully traditional and quiet. She relies on a simple pairing of a book and a hot cup of peppermint tea to transition into the evening hours.
For design inspiration, Garner turns to a curated selection of coffee table books. She highlights The Chemistry of Memory by Lara Porzak, as well as works by Steve and Brooke Giannetti, the architect and designer who planned and executed her own home. While she admires their design philosophy for potential future updates, she notes that any home refresh is a long way off because she loves her current living space so much. She also counts The Ballerina Project by Dane Shitagi among her design and photography inspirations.
Gift-giving remains a thoughtful affair for Garner, who recently delighted her sisters by gifting them the new KitchenAid Design Series Luminaire Tilt-Head Stand Mixer. She notes that her siblings were immediately drawn to the new model because of its striking aesthetics, vibrant color options, and unique glass bowl. Furthermore, she appreciates the modern functional upgrades included in the newer models, such as the focused bowl illumination that helps prevent missed ingredients and a smoothly transitioning gear shift that moves effortlessly from a gentle folding motion to a full whip.
Inside her home, visitors frequently offer compliments on a distinctive architectural feature: custom stained glass windows created by artisan Reed Bradley at Judson Studios, a piece of craftsmanship Garner deeply cherishes. When contemplating her dream decor purchase, she takes a practical and affectionate stance, emphasizing that true dream decor is simply an environment welcoming enough to let her dog sit right next to her on the couch. Finally, when looking at pieces that punch above their weight class visually, she points to a set of faux sherpa chairs in her home that consistently trick guests into thinking they are looking at high-end designer furniture.
