In Bed With Zenn – Tess Shanahan

The transition to motherhood is different for everyone. What's been your hardest and easiest change to make?
Easiest… loving my baby! It’s crazy how your priorities change overnight. She’s my number 1 now over everything and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Hardest has been letting go of certain freedoms I once took for granted. Going for a run whenever I wanted, taking time out to meditate or read, having time for those me moments. But it’s an adjustment & it’s worth it. It’s the “Season of Romee” now so I know those things will come back in time. There’s no rush.

Looking at all you’ve achieved professionally – what's been a career highlight?
Launching my podcast Tess Talks in 2024. Although I have worked with some incredible brands over the last decade, walked (modeled) for some incredible fashion shows and hosted some epic events, my podcast is true to my heart and makes me so excited every time I sit down to interview someone new and exciting.

You’ve built an incredible home with McKimm (which we’ve been very lucky to be a part of!) What's your favourite part of the house and why?
Very hard to choose! I love our gym, it’s really a full at-home wellness centre with a commercial sized gym, sauna, infrared light panel, steam shower and cold plunge, plus the most inspiring custom cream coloured weights and equipment area. My partner and I are very passionate about health & wellness so it was a feature of the house we really prioritised. 

Also our walk-in wardrobe which is a statement in itself being the size of another large bedroom. A girls dreams can come true ;)

What's your favourite thing to do with Romee? What are you loving about this age?
She is 7 months old and it’s just a special age. Now that she’s old enough to respond and understands give and receive cues. It’s so special. Making her laugh is the highlight of my days. (cliche? But oh so true!)

Is there one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?
My favourite music genre is Psy-Trance which no one ever expects. I also taught myself to DJ.

How do you take a mummy break?
I love reading at night. Recently I’ve been enjoying getting up at about 5:30/6am and enjoying some time grounding myself, doing an infrared light and journaling before the day starts and Romee wakes.

Do you have an evening wind down ritual or have a process to help you achieve a sense of zenn?
It’s a continual improvement. At the minute I’m finding my evenings really productive for catching up on work or emails that I wasn’t able to in the day due to having a little one. However, I do my best to try to wind down an hour before bed with reading or hanging out with Shaun. We are always trying to improve our night routine and avoid screens…! It’s a process… but when we collapse into our Zenn bed it’s an automatic sense of calm :)

What are you coveting right now?
The wooden beaded Saint Laurent Supple Hobo Bag. Dreaming of wearing this in Europe…!

What's next for Tess Shanahan? Anything exciting you can share?
New year, new agency. We are workshopping some exciting plans for the year that I can’t reveal yet. I’m also getting married later this year in my absolute dream location. I wonder if anyone can guess where?

Proudest mum moment?
Hard to choose one! Maybe her first photoshoot for a maternity brand? That was pretty cool. Following in mum's footsteps!  But really just seeing her thrive every day is everything.

Shop the Look
Bed: Custom bed and base in Plush, Bone
Ottoman: Loft Ottoman in Pierre Frey, Teddy Mohair, Sable
Cushions: Lumbar and bolster in Pierre Frey, Teddy Mohair, Sable
Linen: Abode, Raffia Linen Cover and Pillowcases 

Credits:
Styled by Zenn Design
Architect & design by McKimm
Photographed by Elisa Watson