Modern Roots South tells the tale of a love for simple, deconstructed design that has at long last wound its way through the rustic roads of the Southern States.

Europe aside, with origins on the West Coast and spatterings throughout the rest of the country, Modernism in architecture and design, through its many iterations, is here to stay! The South, as y’all know, is deeply rooted in tradition and hospitality, all which revolve around the comforts of texture, layering, color, symmetry, frills and good ole’ country living. Whether on a plantation, in a mountain retreat or a Victorian estate, the emergence of an easier, more relaxed way of living has taken hold of the most proper amongst us and I love documenting the transformation that these parts are undergoing. As a visual guide for all things modern, I will share with you how to revel in the simplicity of clean lines, rudimentary materials, stripped down ideas and heart-felt exchanges. I’ll take you on a tour of the Peach State I currently call home, up through Appalachia and the Smokies, down to Dixieland and across the plains to our most western neighbor where the Big Sky reigns supreme. Hitch a ride and I’ll show you my latest discoveries on how Modern Roots South!

Patricia Jaliu was born and raised in Southern California, the heartland of Mid Century Modern Architecture. With Romanian parents newly immigrated to the Land of the Free, a strong European aesthetic and no-nonsense approach to furnishing for a family just starting out prevailed in the household. Growing up with the notion that good design and quality will last a lifetime, to this day the entire set of Swedish Mid Century Rosewood furniture her parents worked so hard to acquire in the 1970’s is still the foundation of her maternal home.  Upon completing studies in Hospitality Management at Ecôle Hôtelière de Lausanne, Switzerland, Patricia’s experience in the luxury hotel industry led her to be on the opening team of Barndiva in Healdsburg, CA, where she honed her focus and creativity in design and art. Subsequent studies at Otis College of Art & Design in Woodworking, Interior Design and Mid Century Modern Architecture culminated in her launch of Mineral Forest. And her passion for photography, travel and all things aesthetically pleasing and soulfully created fuels this lust to explore modern design and art through her Southern lens. Patricia landed in Athens, GA in 2011, lives with her husband and young son and is enamored by the South and all its charm.