The Quiet Beauty of Home | Caroline Rodrigues

Caroline Rodrigues is the founder and heart behind Merci Milo, a beloved toy shop known for curating beautifully made, thoughtfully chosen treasures for children. Currently living in Portland, Oregon, with her husband Jason and daughter Milo, Caroline brings the same sense of care and intention to her home as she does to her shop. In this conversation, she invites us into her world. A space rooted in memory, creativity, and comfort. With a deep appreciation for meaningful objects, family rituals, and soulful living, Caroline shares how home has become a place of refuge, reflection, and lasting connection. 

Let’s begin with an introduction.
Can you share a little about yourself? What you do, where you live, and what “home” looks like for you right now?

My name is Caroline Rodrigues, and we are the founders of Merci Milo. I currently reside in Portland, Oregon, with my husband, Jason, and my daughter, Milo. Home is a place of refuge and comfort these days.

How would you describe the feeling of your home? What aesthetic or atmosphere inspires the space you’ve created?

I feel comfortable and at ease in the space we've created. I don't follow trends and see my home as a place filled with memories. We wouldn't call ourselves minimalists; we tend to collect heirlooms. That's partly how we develop character in our home. It's a place we build loving and lasting memories.

If you had to name three core values that guide the way you live, what would they be? Why do those values matter to you?

Live genuinely
Always do things with good intentions
Be a kind human

We live in a time of chaos, and the world feels like it is collapsing. We need to take a moment to center ourselves and stay true to who we are. Be a good human. 

How do those values show up in your home? Are there small decisions, habits, or rituals that help bring them to life in your space?

I think when you live authentically, you do not care what others think of your space or home; you truly become one with the space. There is no people pleasing, no judgments that move your decisions. 

Is there a daily ritual or moment in your home that brings you peace, inspiration, or a sense of rhythm?

I meditate in my space, which is a place of peace. I work to consistently clear negative energy to protect the space and home I have created.

What does “home” mean to you, beyond four walls? Why is it such a meaningful part of your life?

Growing up, we moved a lot, and I felt zero sense of security, which I so deeply craved as a child. Once I settled down, I decided this was where I would build all my foundations. I created my home to feel a sense of security, which I so longly desired.

When it comes to caring for your home, what practices feel most nourishing to you?
(Think cooking, cleaning, organizing, gardening, repairing, or anything else that feels like devotion.)

When we cook meals or pull weeds in our garden, we do it as a family. The three of us enjoy doing this together, and we feel even more connected. As if we are nurturing this home we live in.

What are some of the most meaningful objects in your home? What stories do they carry, and how do they add soul to your space?

The most meaningful objects are the ones my friends have created. Most are artists and designers, and so we collect and cherish the things they have made.

When you bring something new into your home, how do you decide it belongs? What values shape your choices when it comes to acquiring or keeping things?

I try to fill our home with pieces that hold meaning. Many are handmade by friends whose work we love to support. Others are treasures we've discovered on our travels as a family. Each one brings back memories and becomes a beautiful reminder of the time we spent together.

How has your relationship with home changed over time? Is there a lesson your home has taught you?

I always had this vision of the “perfect” home. It felt unattainable and I started to realize that those superficial things did not matter. I released all the aspirational desires and started to become true to myself and comfortable with how I decorated my space. Now I feel so much happier being in my home, where I am not wishing and hoping for more than what I really need.

What book, poem, or piece of writing has shaped the way you think about home or slow living? Why does it resonate with you?

I wish I had more time to read! I do love Todd Selby and his book on photographing other people’s homes. I love how every single home is a reflection of that family’s life values and how they live. Not one home looked the same, and everyone had their own perspective on living.

If your home could whisper one word to describe how it holds you. What would it say?

You are where you should be.