Dream World

Mandana Dayani, Chief Brand Officer of EBTH, the premiere estate sale marketplace, shows us around her daughters’ whimsical spaces filled with the perfect playful touches

photography by EMMA FEIL

MINI | How would you describe your home— the design, the feel?

MANDANA DAYANI | Our home is a true marriage of modern and vintage. There are a lot of very unique pieces we have collected over time that are balanced by functional, comfortable, and minimal pieces. We also tried to incorporate our interests throughout the home, so you will see lots of fashion and rock ‘n’ roll inspiration in most rooms. Right now, we are working with my favorite designer, Jake Arnold, on our home and I can’t wait to update everything!

MINI | Do you have a favorite room in your home?

MANDANA DAYANI | My daughters’ rooms are my favorite. They just feel so fun, light, and inviting. They both have lots of bohemian and whimsical elements with messages of hope and imagination. I often find myself laying under my daughter’s teepee when I am very overwhelmed with work.

MINI | What are some of your favorite elements in their rooms?

MANDANA DAYANI | The decor in the girls’ rooms are all from my favorite designers: Numero 74, Mrs. Mighetto, Tamar Mogendorff, Nobodinoz, and Pottery Barn Kids. I love how playful, fun, and bright the rooms are. I spent an unbelievable amount of time sourcing decor and art for their rooms that felt unique and inspiring. I really wanted to include details that are whimsical, bohemian, feminine, and unique.

MINI | Since you’ve just welcomed a new little girl, let’s talk about pregnancy! How was this pregnancy similar or different than your first?

MANDANA DAYANI | Completely different! With my first daughter, I still had a lot of time to rest on the weekends and when I returned home from work. But with my second, there was just never any time to rest. I still had to chase a toddler around and the exhaustion was completely overwhelming.

MINI | What were your first thoughts when you found out you were pregnant?

MANDANA DAYANI | I honestly can’t remember a moment when I was more excited. It was quite challenging to get pregnant with both of my daughters, so I never took a minute of either pregnancy for granted. It truly is the greatest gift in your life.

MINI | How about your birth experience— Did your daughter’s birth unfold the way you thought it would?

MANDANA DAYANI | I think the biggest surprise was how different it was! With Miller, I had four false alarms. We kept getting sent home from the hospital. I mean, I totally thought I had this down but clearly, Miller was determined to do things her way.

MINI | What is most important to you in raising both of your girls?

MANDANA DAYANI | I hope to raise daughters that are kind, open-minded, brave, curious and passionate.

MINI | How did you decide on your daughters’ (Anderson and Miller) names?

MANDANA DAYANI | My husband and I love strong, unisex names. We thought a lot about what what nicknames we could anticipate and even how their full names would sound in a business setting.

MINI | How did you prepare Anderson for the new baby’s arrival? What was her reaction to the new baby?

MANDANA DAYANI | We read a lot of books about being a big sister and spoke often of the many exciting things to come. We are so blessed with amazing friends and family who helped make the transition as smooth as possible for her. Everyone congratulated her, brought her “big sister” gifts, and made sure to spend lots of one-on-one time with her. Anderson adores her little sister and is currently really enjoying playing peek-a-boo with her.

MINI | What do you love most about raising your kids in LA?

MANDANA DAYANI | That we get to live walking distance from most of my family. We see my parents, cousins, and brother’s family almost every day and all of our children are growing up together. It’s so beautiful and I feel incredibly lucky.

MINI | How do you manage to keep all of the plates spinning?

MANDANA DAYANI | Lots of schedules. And lots of help! I would never survive without the help of my incredible nanny, husband and family. We all chip in.

MINI | Tell us about your work at EBTH. What is your role and what do you love about your job?

MANDANA DAYANI | I am the Chief Brand Officer of EBTH, the premiere estate sale marketplace. I joined the company to lead its rebranding and build teams dedicated to developing and optimizing its user experience, building one cohesive cross-channel brand and generating global awareness. I oversee the company’s brand strategy, marketing and partnerships, merchandising, new launches, global communications, and various consumer facing functions.

MINI | What do you think is the greatest challenge of being a working mom?

MANDANA DAYANI | It’s very hard to feel like you’re always falling a bit short. There will just never be enough time to do everything you want to do as a mom, a wife, a friend, and entrepreneur. And not being 100% is very, very challenging for me.

MINI | Where have you seen the biggest changes in your life since becoming a mom of two?

MANDANA DAYANI | It takes forever to get out of the house!

MINI | What is your greatest joy of motherhood?

MANDANA DAYANI | Every single moment of it. Every happy, exhausting, hilarious, and messy moment of it.

MINI | On the flip side, what is your greatest parenting worry?

MANDANA DAYANI | Time. There will never be enough of it.

MINI | What do you think is the one thing no one really warns you about?

MANDANA DAYANI | How hard the last few weeks of pregnancy with your second are. I felt so much guilt about the anticipated changes in my relationship with my older daughter. I was completely terrified that we would spend less time together or that she would ever feel less loved or less important. I wish I knew how normal it was to feel that way and that it would all work out very soon.

MINI | Has your style changed at all since becoming a mom?

MANDANA DAYANI | I love to take fashion risks for events but try to look more polished for my day-today. Since becoming a mom, I wear flats much more often.

MINI | Where do you like to shop?

MANDANA DAYANI | If I could have my daughters dressed in Tocoto Vintage every day for the rest of their childhood, I would be so happy! I order most of their collection every season.

MINI | What does your skincare routine look like?

MANDANA DAYANI | I learn everything I know about skincare from Shani Darden and Violet Grey. IS Clinical, Vintner’s Daughter, Shani Darden, The Ojai, Biba and Erno Laszlo are staples.

BEFORE KIDS, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD Enjoy wearing a tiara.

TYPICAL COFFEE ORDER Grande one -pump vanilla latte.

GUILTY PLEASURE Peanut M&Ms I keep in the fridge.

FAVORITE KIDS BOOK The Pigeon Needs a Bath.

CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO Frank Sinatra.

SIGNATURE SCENT Byredo Rose of No Man’s Land.

ALWAYS IN MY FRIDGE Every brand of hot sauce.

FAVORITE KIDS MOVIE The Little Mermaid.

FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT Madeo.

FAVORITE LOCAL SHOP Garde.