In Bed With: Silja and Phil Torres

We recently caught up with Silja and Phil Torres, the globetrotting couple who has made a home with their two girls, Atlis and Fjora, in their A-frame in the woods of Washington. As a conservationist, entomologist, photographer, and the TV host of Expedition X, Phil shares his passion and fascination with the natural world from the tropical Amazon Rainforest to the frozen arctic waters of Norway. Silja is a model and recipe developer who offers nurturing, seasonal dishes often inspired by her Scandinavian roots. Together, they share how they find moments of calm through exploration and creation and the role rest plays in their daily routines with their most recent addition to their newly renovated bedroom—The Bedford.

What have you taught each other about slowing down?

We went from living in NYC to living amongst the trees. I think we’ve each chosen ways to give ourselves permission to slow down. Phil has learned from me the value of a slow family meal and time at the dinner table together over something we crafted together. Phil has taught me the importance of a good snuggle and being present in those moments.

You both live such full, intentional lives. How do you balance exploration and stillness — especially at home?

I’d say stillness for us is something we seek in our explorations in the way that we’re always after moments that inspire us to be still, whether we’re stopping to watch a monkey climb through bamboo in Trinidad, or slowly enjoying the last bite of a pastry we picked up off the streets of Lisbon. At home, a woodpecker outside our window or a candle lit meal creates that same moment to stop, look at what’s around you, appreciate, and savor.

What are the nighttime essentials you need for a good night’s rest?

A good facial cleanse, washable silk pajamas, bedside water bottle. For my husband, he just needs magnesium supplements and a good cozy bed.

How do you reset and recharge after returning from your travels?

The combination of good deep rest at night, and sauna and sunlight by day gets our bodies grounded and sends the signals that this is our now, ignore those tempting moments of jet lag creeping in.

How do your worlds — science and style, nature and creativity — influence each other?

We love to immerse each other in our passions— he’s been on set with me for my modeling jobs and by my side in the kitchen for my many baking experiments, while he has taken me to the middle the of the jungle surrounded by venomous everything. We both are people that don’t like to sit still and love to absorb the new, so these experiences have been so fulfilling and especially fun to start to share with our daughters.

How would you describe what “home” means in this chapter of your life?

We spend around half the year on the road, so when we’re all waking up in the same place together ready for a walk, an adventure, a new bakery to explore, that feels like core home for our family.

What’s inspiring you right now — a place, a person, or a philosophy?

The European/Scandinavian lifestyle has been inspiring us because we’re heading into the dark season living in Seattle and in Scandi countries they really lean into this cozy season in and around their home and learn to love it.

What are the elements that make your space feel like home?

An important part of our home is the connection to nature, so our windows play a big role. But also our bookshelf is full of little pieces of art we’ve collected in our travels.

Is there a piece in your home that holds a story — something you’ve collected or carried with you?

We have a framed case of beautiful mounted butterflies from our wedding. They were the boutonnieres that Phil and his groomsmen wore instead of flowers.

What are the small rituals that keep you grounded when life feels busy?

Our 3 year old created something she calls “dark time” where we put on headlamps and walk around our forest yard looking for mushrooms and slugs and owls every night before bedtime. It is such a cute way to end our days, to see how her curiosity pushes her even when she is a bit scared. Makes you forget all of your to-do lists for those moments. My other grounding ritual? Our sauna in the woods behind our house, I get all of my creative thinking done in there and it is such an amazing physical reset.

What do you hope your daughters remember about their childhood in the forest and travels abroad?

I hope they remember that there is always some wonder to find, whether it be a unique hummingbird, butterfly, or regional dish across the globe or a bird nest right in our own back yard. We try to show them that a curiosity driven life is a fulfilling one that can bring you the most unexpected life, career, and community.