At Home with Us the Duo

Husband-and-wife folk-pop duo Michael and Carissa Rae Alvarado first caught our ear with their 6-second covers on Vine. But it’s their latest album, this summer’s Just Love , that we currently have on loop. In fact, the eleven-track album—a mix of folksy harmonies, pop hooks, and R&B influences—was the unofficial soundtrack during our latest project: a shoot of the couple’s California bungalow. And as it turns out, the duo’s home is much like the album itself: an eclectic blend of styles that somehow strikes all the right notes. Here, the musical pair shows us around and chats style and songwriting along the way.

Tell us about your respective styles. Are they similar? Different?
Carissa loves mixing vintage pieces with more modern ones, while I [Michael] like minimal and clean decor. But for the most part, our likes and dislikes are very similar, and our tastes come together to create a balanced living space.

You’ve said in the past you each have your own strengths when it comes to songwriting: Michael the lyrics, Carissa the melody. Did you have a similar dynamic when it came to decorating?
Just like songwriting, our styles truly complement each other. We disagree on some things, but we always find compromise to create a masterpiece.  

Can you walk us through that process? Where did you begin?
We started by browsing Pinterest and creating idea boards. After we both agreed on the collective style we wanted for our home, we brought in an interior designer, Keiko Harada, to help us with the execution while we were away on tour. We really couldn’t be happier with the results—now we never want to leave home.

Was there anything your home just had to have?
We had to have a bar cart! It’s something we’ve been wanting for a long time as we love to entertain. It might actually be our favorite piece in the house.

If you had to pick a theme song for each room in the house, what would it be and why?
It would have to be some sort of jazz for the living room. The minimal vibe of the decor with the neutral colors and gold accents automatically transport us to an earlier period in time. Most evenings, we play Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, or Duke Ellington on the record player. It instantly sets the tone of the space and takes us back to the 1940s.

For the bedroom, where Carissa usually does her make-up, it would be something sassy and empowering—Beyoncé is usually her music of choice.

In the studio room, the theme song is constantly changing since we’re the ones making the music. The white walls and soft decor help to give us a clear head—it makes the inspiration and creativity come easy.

Sounds like a great soundtrack—no wonder it’s hard to leave. When you are at home, what are your favorite ways to spend your time?
We love listening to records on the record player, drinking espresso on the back porch, filming cover videos on the couch, and writing new songs in the studio.