Chai Style Home: Kaufman Family Home Bathes in Dreamy Chic

Sophie Kaufman is a self-proclaimed “color lover,” a mother of two, and “#happyhousedreams finder,” who’s passionate about infusing joy and creativity into every part of her life and sharing it with others. In other words, an ingénue “Martha Stewart” with a Morningside love letter to homemaking.

The Kaufman family home turns on the charm for this new generation lifestyle expert with an eye for detail to live deliciously in an unforced, sumptuous style as a base to raise kids. Kaufman explains, “I follow tons of interior design accounts and magazines with dozens of folders saved on my Pinterest and Instagram of design inspiration. I didn’t use a designer here and conceptualized everything on my own through ‘stalking and browsing.’ I sourced all the art and furniture myself, which is something that took lots of energy and patience.” Find her on Instagram @sophlog

With “Candy Crush nesting” where nostalgia meets modernity, the Kaufmans are living at the “pink” of perfection. Sophie summarizes, “I want to bring a sense of wanderlust to everyday experiences.”

Take the tour …

Jaffe: What does it mean to be an influencer?
Kaufman: I really don’t consider myself one because I’m really all about community building on my platforms. Since the beginning, I’ve used social media as a tool to communicate with others and showcase my creativity.  I’m lucky that many like to come along — and have really enjoyed building a following that has grown with me through life’s stages. I’m very much an open book on my social, so I will share my lows just as much as my highs — and that resonates with many.”

Jaffe: On what topics are you an expert?
Kaufman: Social media, digital marketing, copy and influencer marketing. I have always looked at personal social media as a brand development play — and really love working with DTC brands on growth strategies through online marketing. I studied journalism at UGA and earned my master’s at the University of Southern California. I’ve always been drawn to the world of ideas, color and storytelling — whether through design, photography, writing, or just daydreaming.

Jaffe: Label your style.
Kaufman: Creating spaces that feel layered and lived-in, where the elements unite to tell a story. I’m drawn to classic elements like chinoiserie, antiques, and timeless silhouettes. I always balance that with a sense of fun, color and functionality. There’s a mix of old and new throughout the house, and every piece, vintage or modern, has a purpose.

Jaffe: How do all the colors interplay?
Kaufman: Our old home was a reflection of who I was then: vibrant, spontaneous, and unafraid to mix and match where I was color chasing murals. Now, I am chasing diapers and my sports-loving toddler. Here after becoming a mom, my sense of home evolved. I leaned into grand millennial and traditional styles, classic patterns, rich textures, and timeless pieces. It’s a blend of comfort and elegance, with a nod to vintage charm — still feeling fresh and inviting. There’s lots of color throughout, with the art, wallpaper and playroom.
We are now more grounded with soft blues, warm whites, and timeless details. It’s still full of love and personality but now feels like a peaceful foundation for family life. For paint, I played off the wallpaper for a tonal effect. Goldie’s room has the most gorgeous Colefax and Fowler wallpaper in Bowood with matching fabric for pillows.

Jaffe: What is worth splurging on?
Kaufman: Wallpaper. It’s an upfront initial cost but has easy maintenance and durability. It totally transforms a room. My favorite wallpaper here is Schumacher’s Hydrangea Drape in the dining room. It’s the same wallpaper in “Gone with the Wind!”

Jaffe: Your kids’ rooms are idyllic.
Kaufman: Goldie’s room is a total pink storybook dream. It’s bathed in soft shades of pink, mint, and ivory with whimsical florals, cozy textures, and brass touches. In our old home, Goldie lived in the dining room, so I was excited to finally bring her dream nursery to life.
George’s room is a charming nod to all-American classics. The color palette is crisp blues and clean whites, so his space feels fresh and timeless. I custom upholstered his gingham beds for a classic look, and sourced baseball posters and equestrian artwork to reflect his passions. It’s a space that he can grow with for many years to come.

Jaffe: What do you collect?
Kaufman: Everything from antique Staffordshire dogs to brass trinkets to art and vintage frames.

Jaffe: What art of others did you use?
Kaufman: My art is a mix of high and low. Some pieces from HomeGoods, some I’ve painted myself, some I’ve commissioned by a Ukrainian artist via Etsy. Some I sourced via eBay and some I’ve splurged on from sites like Chairish. Most of the art is custom framed.

Jaffe: What’s the kitchen magic?
Kaufman: It’s the heart of my house. When we got the house, it was a dark green with brown tile. We refreshed it with white subway tile and painted it Farrow and Ball Parma Gray, a beautiful soft blue with gray undertones. It’s where we cook, play, eat, and talk. My husband and I rotate cooking each night, but lately I’ve been cooking with George (4) as a fun “mommy and me” activity.

Jaffe: You’re a personal injury attorney. What do you think about your wife’s ability to live artfully?
Michael: Sophie is the most creative and organized person I have ever met. We buy a house; and she has it fully decorated like a magazine within three months. I don’t always understand the vision, but I’ve learned to trust it!