Line Leader

Founder and Creative Director of The Last Line, a Los Angeles based jewelry brand, Shelley Sanders is leading the charge on rewriting the rules of the industry. The signature, juxtaposed style that has come to define her work—that mix of high and low, vintage and modern, playful and sophisticated—can also be spotted throughout her home, so come along as the mom of three invites us inside for a tour.

MINI | Thank you for inviting us into your home! Tell us about the place! How would you describe your home?

SHELLEY SANDERS | We bought our house and it was a true, 1940’s, cut-and-paste remodel, in full transparency we hated the house (as it was) but loved the land. Cue the remodeling process. We remodeled everything from the inside out, added in a lot of light to a super dark space. In retrospect, it was challenging working within the existing structure and we really should have knocked it down and started fresh, but lesson learned. In our hearts, we are into modern pieces, clean lines, and lots of texture, but somehow our home sort of feels like a mountain oasis, especially with the natural light. Designing the house was very similar to how I design jewelry— I focused on the details, from the marble to the fixtures and brass hardware.

MINI | Do you have a favorite room?

SHELLEY SANDERS | Selfishly, I would say my daughter Goldie’s room because it’s so cute and I wish it was mine. I have an awesome great room designed for genuinely hanging out. It’s the kitchen, dining room, living room, and family room all in one; I love it. I can relax, entertain, or play seamlessly without fuss. The mom in me is also thrilled because I can see the kids from all angles.

MINI | Talk to us about your kids’ rooms. What are your favorite elements in their rooms?

SHELLEY SANDERS | Ironically, the kid’s bathroom because of the stone. My sons (Arrow and Howl) share a room and their beds are attached, so they’re always close which makes me happy. It’s very sweet and I like that they can feel close and talk to each other before bed. In my daughter’s room, I love everything. It feels so feminine and sweet. Her room has all these fun elements from a dreamcatcher and then a neon sign with her name (what better way to practice letters?) and this really great black Moroccan rug for some edge.

MINI | Since you’ve recently welcomed a new little girl, let’s talk about pregnancy! How was this pregnancy similar or different from your others?

SHELLEY SANDERS | I think Goldie was easier simply because I had gone through it twice before. Arrow is my easiest child, but was the most brutal pregnancy. It’s interesting to have a girl after two boys.

MINI | What were your first thoughts when you found out you were pregnant?

SHELLEY SANDERS | When we decided to have a third, I was fully prepared to be a mom of three boys (you have to!). After we found out we were having a girl, we were so excited, but I had a little bit of an “I’ll believe it when I see it” feeling.

MINI | Now that she’s here, what do you hope to instill into your daughter?

SHELLEY SANDERS | In Goldie, it’s the same for my sons, teach them to strong and confident in who they are. I hope they always have the courage to be themselves, whatever that turns out to be!

MINI | How did you decide on your children’s names?

SHELLEY SANDERS | Howl is part named after the Allen Ginsberg poem, Howl. The book was on our bookshelf and both Teddy and I liked it. Additionally, my husband Teddy is a Howlin’ Wolf fan so that may have helped confirm our name choice. Arrow— I met a little girl named Arrow and I thought it was very cute and it paired well with Howl. Goldie just had to be Goldie. In fact, her full name is Goldie Darling. When I was imagining her before she was born, I imagined her to be a Goldie, bright and sweet. I also like that it was kind of nostalgic name.

MINI | How did you prepare your boys for the new baby’s arrival?

SHELLEY SANDERS | They were begging to have a sister so when we found out we pregnant they were so excited. The only rule in the house is “Don’t make Goldie cry.” They call her the Queen, so I think she’s definitely a winner in their book.

MINI | What do you love most about raising your kids in LA?

SHELLEY SANDERS | The weather doesn’t hurt and both of our parents are here, so that’s a bonus. I love the fact that we can take them to the beach or skiing without having to leave the state. I also think bigger picture, there is a lot of opportunity in LA and when they grow big, they’ll have lots to explore and selfishly, maybe never leave me.

MINI | Tell us about your work at Last Line LA. How did the brand come to be and how have you seen it evolve?

SHELLEY SANDERS | We’re coming up on our first anniversary, so it’s been quite the year! Before starting The Last Line, I had the rare opportunity of being on both the design and production sides of the process, which was so helpful when designing the collections. The core of the brand is quality. I wanted to create pieces that can be worn, but not worried about. The inspiration behind the name of The Last Line is it is the last place you’ll have to look for fine jewelry and so far, we’ve been holding to that! The brand is two-fold: the Heart and the Soul, and everything is designed in Los Angeles. The Heart pieces are the core of the brand and your jewelry box, the staples that you never want to take off. The Soul pieces are the hand-crafted, special pieces you want to treat yourself to that make you feel special. It goes without saying, but I love jewelry, truly. I love design of all types and I love to create. I can’t stop! It is an obsession, so stay tuned, there is much more to come!

MINI | What helps you to juggle motherhood and career?

SHELLEY SANDERS | Coffee in the morning, wine at night; plain and simple. The most relaxing moments of my day are that first cup of coffee and that first glass of wine.

MINI | What do you think is the greatest challenge of being a working mom?

SHELLEY SANDERS | Time splitting. If I had four extra, uninterrupted hours, I would be perfect. It’s a give and take and not always a beautiful one. One day you spend less time on the business and one day you have to spend less time with your babies.

MINI | Where have you seen the biggest changes in your life since becoming a mom of three?

SHELLEY SANDERS | Balancing it all fairly, including time with my husband.

MINI | What is your greatest parenting worry or fear?

SHELLEY SANDERS | I worry about them most when I’m not there, especially at these ages. I want to protect them from the unnecessary garbage in the world or just the mean kid at the playground.

MINI | Has your style changed at all since becoming a mom?

SHELLEY SANDERS | The one thing is maybe it’s become a bit more utilitarian— less dresses when I’m digging in dirt with the little ones.

MINI | Tell us about your beauty routine.

SHELLEY SANDERS | For my skin, I go to the best esthetician, Biba De Sousa. She has her own product line that I exclusively use on my skin to combat the insane fatigue that gloriously goes with having three children and a new business.

I also rely heavily on YSL lip gloss. The number is a little faded from pure love, but (I think) my go-to is 09 “Great No Rules - Rust Red” which in actuality, is the perfect bright red.

MINI | If you could give your kids one piece of advice, what would it be?

SHELLEY SANDERS | Know that you’re fine and don’t sweat the small stuff, which is impossible as a kid.

Stay home at night.

Goodnight Moon.

E Baldi.

Literally everything. I think my last played on Spotify was Willie Nelson but right before that was Beyonce. My kids are way into Michael Jackson and Guns n Roses so we listen to those often.

Pizza and wine.

The internet. With that, it’s all local to me.

String cheese.

Despicable Me 2.

Samsara.

Photography by Julie Shuford