Do what you love. Love what you do. And style your home with an amazing selection of gorgeous antique rugs at the same time. This is the business and life vintage and boho buff Monique Volz has built. We think you’ll be as inspired as we are by her passion for comfort in all forms — food, design, style, wellness, music and more.
Your food blog, Ambitious Kitchen, compiles pages and pages of wonderfully photographed, delicious-looking recipes that are both healthy and hearty. What inspired you to create it?
I created Ambitious Kitchen back in 2011 with the hopes of sharing my healthy comfort foods with the world. It was a place for me to talk about my personal stories and also share my love of food and recipes that I was always making. Fast-forward seven years and you’ll not only find a website with hundreds of unique recipes, but also an ambitious community who craves wellness inspiration. You can find me sharing my favorite cookie recipe along with personal accounts of my wellness journey in order to inspire others to find balance, self-love and a delicious menu to come home to each day. You can also find me on Instagram @ambitiouskitchen.
What is your personal favorite recipe on AK?
It varies, but I really love my Thai Coconut Yellow Curry Chicken and Rice, and my Tahini Brownies.
Tell us about the stylish sister to AK, Ambitious Home. How does it co-exist with Ambitious Kitchen?
I started Ambitious Home after searching for rugs that would create a statement in my Chicago apartment. I’ve always loved older, vintage pieces that tell a story. I began rug hunting through wholesalers, dealers, antique shops, estate sales and auctions, and feel in love with learning about vintage rugs and the beautiful, bold colors they brought to my home.
After a trip to the Middle East in late 2015, I decided that a [ecomm] rug shop would be my next adventure, and later, my husband joined me to help make the dream a reality. We couldn’t be happier doing what we love!
What is your favorite interior design style?
I’d say my personal interior style is modern bohemian. I love mixing patterns and bold colors, but also love earthy textures and the cozy feeling you get when you’re in a comfortable home.
What projects are you currently focusing on?
We just signed a lease for a space in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago that we hope to turn into a home goods store and open sometime this spring. The idea is to have a mix of vintage home goods (including antique rugs), wellness and beauty, plants, ceramics and art. We love the idea of curating something special for our community and customers.
Whether it’s design, decor, or new dishes, who inspires you?
I love to look for interior design inspiration on Pinterest and Instagram. Two of my favorites are @houseofsixinteriors and @carlaypage. For decor and new dishes, I always love Anthropologie, and Lulu and Georgia Rugs!
