New Sonoma Valley home décor business is a family affair

The smoke in the air above their recently rebuilt Coffey Park home last week made Sonoma Valley High graduate Pauline Toimil Block (class of 2006) nervous. She checked in frequently with her siblings and parents who still live in Sonoma, both about everyone’s safety and the fledgling business that her family launched earlier this year.

In fact, the story behind that business starts with the 2017 Tubbs wildfire. Pauline and her husband Zachery lost their house and were left with nothing but an angel statue on what used to be their front porch. In the process of rebuilding, and redecorating their house, Pauline was having trouble finding home products that she loved.

“When we found things we did like, my parents would say, ‘We can make that,’ and when we did, we found that our friends loved what we were doing and wanted to buy pieces for themselves,” said Pauline.

Pauline’s mother, Maria Toimil (SVHS class of 1985), is an experienced seamstress, and Andrew, Pauline's father, has been a woodworker most of his life -- and Zachary was eager to learn. They began making items for the Block’s new home, and the idea for a new home décor business was born.

Now dubbed Peyton Kane Home, the family now sells online and has a vibrant social media presence.

Pauline describes her mother, who once owned the T&M Silks craft store in Sonoma Market, as “the mastermind” behind the business. Maria is also known to many in town as the longtime organizer of Sonoma’s Vintage Festival.

Most of the family still holds down other full-time jobs. Pauline and Zachary are also raising two young children – and their middle names inspired the business name.

Not (yet) part of the business is Pauline’s sister Eva Toimil, who graduated from SVHS in 2009 and now works as a paramedic. “She’s too busy,” laughed Pauline.

The Peyton Kane product line includes pillows, throws, candlesticks, face masks, wall art, wood bowls, home accessories and more. Coming soon are cheese boards, hanging knife blocks, and seasonal patterns for textiles and throw pillow.

Every item is made at a workshop in the Springs in Sonoma. The company’s office and shipping is run out of Santa Rosa.

The family obtained their business license and launched a website peytonkanehome.com immediately pre-pandemic. Down the road, they would love to have a store in Sonoma.

Pauline said that they have been approached to be in a few stores but have been focusing on meeting demand, fulfilling custom orders and talking to their first customers about what they want and like.

“We’re realizing that there is a niche for really nice handmade products that people can afford,” said Pauline.

Contact Lorna at lorna.sheridan@sonomanews.com.