Meet Jzhonnie - Creative soul

A mother of three, and a longtime friend of La Casa. We’ve shared beautiful
collaborations over the years, and her warmth, style, and grounded way of
living continue to inspire us. Jzhonnie embodies the heart of our world:
thoughtful, expressive, and deeply connected to beauty in all its forms, from
the way she dresses to the way she mothers, creates, and makes a home. Her
connection to nature runs deep, woven into daily rituals and the way she lives
with intention, growing her own food, spending time barefoot in the garden, and
finding peace in the ocean’s rhythm. The sea, the soil, and the simple joys of
slow living are all part of her everyday magic.

@jzhonniebechetlumiere

Motherhood is full of big,beautiful, messy moments. How do you find your rhythm between the chaos and
cuddles, and those much-needed pockets of time to recharge?

I’ve found my rhythm in the small rituals that ground me. A hot coffee in bed, brought to me by my love before the house stirs. A glass of wine in the evening, something simmering gently on the stove.

I always try to steal a moment to write in my diary, even just a few lines. It’s where I can breathe, reflect, dream. It
holds everything from thoughts and fragments to little sketches and sparks of inspiration.

Cooking is another kind of therapy. There’s something soothing about chopping fresh herbs from the garden or stirring a sauce while music plays.

And when I can, I escape into beautiful things, coffee table books, a well-thumbed magazine, or a few pages of my book, ideally out in the garden with the sun on my skin.

And the beach… always the beach. The scent of salt, sun-warmed skin, the endless hush of waves kissing the shore. I’ll collect shells, lose time, come back to myself.

It’s never perfect. But these tiny pauses, these moments of beauty, help me return to the chaos with a fuller heart, ready for the magic and the mess that follow.

It’s undeniable that becoming a mum is a big shift in anyone’s life. In what ways has motherhood changed you,
shaped you, or even surprised you?

Motherhood was nothing short of a complete rewrite. There’s even a word for it ‘Matrescence’ the becoming of a
mother, the shedding of who you were before, and the slow, sacred unfolding of someone new.

A dear friend asked what it felt like to become a parent, and I said, “The sky is bluer.” That’s still true. There’s more joy in the everyday, more meaning in the little things, more colour in life itself.

It gave me a kind of focus I’d never known before, a steady flame of devotion. It gave me the courage to show up, even when I felt emptied. And, more than anything, it gave me joy, not the fleeting kind, but the deep, anchoring kind that lives in your bones.

But like any great climb, the view is clearest at the summit. The reward is richer for the effort. In that way, motherhood is both the climb and the view—equal parts grit and grace

There’s something powerful in the way you lose who you were, only to meet yourself more fully than ever before.

Let’s be honest - kids can be adorable little tornadoes. How do you balance your love for beautiful things (like that white linen couch or your favourite vase) with the reality that tiny hands and sticky fingers will find a way to them?

There are really only two choices in life:
Live with things you love, or live with things you don’t, just in case
something breaks. That’s never made much sense to me.

We’ve definitely had to balance our style with the reality of raising children, especially gorgeous, rambunctious boys with a deep love of mud.

But our home has always leaned toward the lived-in and well-loved. We’re drawn to old, working objects, pieces that have already weathered a hundred years of life and are still going strong. They’re hardy, well made, and full of soul.

We choose materials that can take a beating and age beautifully, linen, leather, timber, stone, terracotta, steel, and marble. Things that tell a story, not just survive the chaos.

When it comes to raising your kids, what values guide you the most? With so much to juggle, how do you choose what really matters and what to let go of, based on the kind of humans you hope they’ll grow up to be?

With so much noise in the world, so many expectations, distractions, and pressures, it’s easy to lose sight of what
truly matters. But when Jasper and I decided to have children, we spent a lot of time reflecting. What made our own childhoods magical? What do we hope our kids carry with them into adulthood?

For us, real wealth isn’t measured in grand possessions or overflowing bank accounts. It’s health. It’s fresh food from the garden. It’s time spent in nature and in beauty. It’s peace of mind, the kind of richness that nourishes the soul. 

We also deeply admire emotional stability, the ability to stay grounded, resilient, and calm, no matter what life throws our way. This kind of strength is priceless.

We’re not raising our children to be obedient or to fit into a system that doesn’t honour who they are. We’re raising them to be free-thinking, strong-bodied, grounded, and deeply connected, to the earth and to each other.

We believe in regenerative living: growing our own food, learning ancestral skills, and building self-sufficiency. We set boundaries around screens and technology, protecting mental health and nurturing creativity by prioritising outdoor play and real-world connection. 

We let our children rewild. They roam barefoot, climb trees, cuddle chickens, get muddy, and build a relationship with the natural world that feels like home, not just a backdrop.

We surround ourselves with natural materials and well-made things that last. We create spaces that nurture connection and creativity. We believe in having less, but choosing items that are beautiful, meaningful, and built to endure, a home filled with warmth, not clutter.

We value emotional richness: healing old patterns, building community, and teaching emotional intelligence as a strength and legacy.

We keep conversations open.

We talk with our boys about all kinds of things, answering their questions with honesty, curiosity, and heart.

Travel and adventure are also deeply important to us. They open our eyes, stretch our minds, and remind us of the vastness and wonder of the world. Whether it’s camping under the stars or discovering new countries and cultures, or simply taking time to explore beyond our routines,
these moments shape us. They bond us.

More than anything, we believe in the power of being together. Side by side. Living simply. Loving deeply. Holding space for each other. I want my children to know that a slow, meaningful life, close to the land, rich in love, full of travel and adventure, and rooted in intention, is something to be cherished. That’s the legacy I hope they carry forward.

Embark on a journey through the heart of Namibia,

a land where the spirit of adventure pulsates through the arid landscapes and vibrant wildlife.

This series begins with Embracing the Spirit of Adventure: NAMIBIA

capturing the essence of a land that is as wild as it is wonderful.

Follow Nanda as she explores the breathtaking landscapes, encounters iconic wildlife, and experiences the unique cultures of this mesmerizing country.

Join us on this journey to discover the untamed beauty and enduring spirit of Namibia.