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Hi team,

No rest for the weary here at Studio LGB HQ - it's been a full summer (in the best way!). Grateful to be busy with beautiful projects, and grateful to you for reading. Thank you for your continued support. xx

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1. At my mother's suggestion, I'm reading Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier's famed gothic novel, and it is EVERYTHING. Moody! Romantic! Deliciously haunting! No one has ever understood interiors as psychology quite like du Maurier - please read it so we can discuss all things Manderley…

   

2. I finally pulled the trigger on this side table - I’ve sourced it for clients, and the black is on sale. It’s the slick glossy note my otherwise neutral my living room needs.

   

3. I made this salad for my family’s 4th of July picnic when it was HOT AS HELL and it was a surprise hit! Trader Joe's sells prepackaged edamame, so it's one of those dishes that looks far more impressive than the effort involved and is absolutely delicious.

   

4. I discovered Soft Services this summer - it's been a minute since a product earned its shelf space. The bar exfoliates beautifully, but the real reason I'm scrubbing down nightly is sunscreen. Mixed feelings about slathering myself in chemicals all summer, so off it comes every night. Lesser of two evils, I know :)

5. My first car was a 1996 Land Cruiser nicknamed 'The Beast,' which I bombed around in as a teenager, sans airbags. We’ve come full circle.

6. A handful of yummy vintage housewares <$200 from Etsy, the key to a collected, interesting space:

   

   1. Circa 1970s Burgundy Swingline Stapler $50 | Function and form, my friends

   2. Vintage Zodiac Brass Bottle Opener $30 | Objet de bar

   3. Pair of patinated conical candle holders in manner of Christian De Beaumont $75 | This my dream pair of candlesticks

   4. Japanese Linen Tapestry with Hand-Painted Fireflies $89 | Sweet for a narrow spot that's begging for art

   5. Set of Ginori & Limoges Wall Plates $80 | I’m in a butterfly phase!

   6. Circa 1930s Silver Plated Champagne Bucket $175 | Would also be lovely holding an orchid

   7. Circa 1960s Vera Neumann Linen Placemats and Napkins $75 | Vera at her best, this set is amazing

   8. Vintage Natalini Italy Marquetry Inlay Photo Frame 4x6 $24 | I only use vintage frames - new ones all look cheap?

   9. Circa 1950s Pernod Ceramic Ashtray $70 | So french! Perfect to house matches

   10. Antique French Wood Bowl $100 | Timeless and soulful kitchen addition

7. For New Yorkers and/or visitors, I cannot wait to see the Tarot! Renaissance Symbols, Modern Visions exhibit at The Morgan. Arguably one of the more underrated museum in the city. And dying to make it to The Met within the next few weeks to see Giacometti in the Temple of Dendur.

   

8. Holy chic.

9. He’s been on my mind all summer 🐟…

   

10. When I'm working late on the sofa without the capacity to fully focus on a show, I love having Conspiracy Theories with Carter Roy on in the background (lol). Each hour-long episode goes down a different rabbit hole, and it's surprisingly well researched and produced.

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Few materials have earned their place in the outdoor canon quite like wicker. Durable, lightweight, charming - vintage pieces in particular have a warmth and irregularity that feels at home everywhere from a Capri terrace to a Brooklyn brownstone stoop. Look for it at flea markets and estate sales - the older the better - and don’t be afraid of a piece that needs a little love. Some favorites below:

1. Vintage Wicker Crescent Basket, $89 - it’s giving Bottega?

2. Vintage Wicker Paper Plates Set of 4, $38 - gorgeous chargers for a little added formality on a summer evening.

3. Pair of Vintage Wicker Iron Chairs, $580 - I dream of this pair for a tucked-away outdoor corner.

4. Vintage 1970s Pair of Wicker Rattan Hourglass Side Tables, $145 - lightweight, versatile, and would be easy to move around a space.

5. Pair of Vintage Wicker Candle Holders, $100 - this pair would add a nice texture to a beautiful, unfussy setting.

6. Vintage 1970s Handcrafted Wicker Plant Pot Holder, $125 - leggy and cool, she’d do a lot of work for a space.

7. Vintage Wicker Napkin Holder with Curved Design, $23 - this would elevate any picnic table.

8. French 1920’s Antique Small Wicker Basket, $125 - the little feet 😩 Why do the French do everything better?

9. Vintage Rattan Towel Holder Stand, $42 - for a layered eclectic tabletop setup.

Produced on the Venetian island of the same name since the 13th century, Murano glass is simply in a category of its own. The colors, the craftsmanship, the way it catches light - there is nothing else like it. Hunt for it on Etsy, at estate sales, or the next time you're in Italy with a flexible carry-on situation. Until then, a few treasures currently available:

1. Rare Set of 6 MCM Murano Millefiori Iridescent Designed Tumblers, $279 - shimmery and sculptural? Dream set.

2. Mid-Century Vintage Handblown Murano Glass Paperweights, $145 - show me a chicer solution to misbehaving napkins or tablecloths on a windy day.

3. 1960s Square Ashtray in Murano Glass by Flavio Poli for Seguso, $350 - I don't smoke, but this (almost) makes me want to - would look incredible on an iron coffee table.

4. Mid-Century Modern Murano Glass Vase, attributed to the legendary Dino Martens, $190 - Dino Martens essentially defined mid-century Murano glass, and this is a beautiful example of why.

5. Vintage Miniature Glass Hand Blown Murano Style Fish Ocean Sealife Set of 4, $36 - shoe me a chicer or more fun table mates for a summer lunch.

6. Vintage Murano Goldfish Glass Vase, $316 - elevated aquarium-core and I need it?

7. Vintage Murano Glass Cordial Set of 6, $65 - the most beautiful candy-colored vessels for a perfectly cold evening drink.

8. Set Of 4 Vintage Murano Drinking Glass Tumblers, $149 - someone please snag these, they are perfect.

9. Vintage Murano Hand-Blown Glass Fruits and Vegetables, $70 - glass figurines produce a disproportionate amount of joy, and nestled in a wooden bowl would make a perfect seasonal centerpiece.

The easiest upgrade you can make to any outdoor table, and somehow the most overlooked. Vintage linen - monogrammed, embroidered, slightly imperfect - brings an ease and intimacy to outdoor dining that anything new simply cannot. Etsy, flea markets, and estate sales are flush with it - a few of my favorites:

1. Set of 4 1960s Fallani & Cohn Belgian Linen Dinner Napkins, $30 - A splashy, retro foursome from the 1960s.

2. Vintage Irish Pure Linen Damask Tablecloth, Greek Key & Polka Dot, $145 - the Greek key and polka dot combination is unexpected in the best possible way.

3. Set of 6 French Vintage Linen-Cotton Napkins, $75 - the bold stripe adds a lot of punch. Simple, graphic, very French.

4. Vintage White Linen Tablecloth Hand Embroidered with Appliqué Flowers, $125 - effortless elegance doesn't get more literal than hand-embroidered appliqué on white linen.

5. Set of 4 Vintage French Damask White Linen Napkins with Blue Striped Border, $68 - classic and chic.

6. Vintage Set of 4 Off-White with Blue Edging Table Napkins and Table Runner, $30 - the blue piping, no notes.

7. 6 Vintage Madeira Hand Embroidered Linen Cocktail Napkins, $60 - these would elevate even the most unfussy cocktail hour.

8. Vintage 1930s Pina Cloth Tablecloth and Set of 6 Napkins with Embroidered Pagoda Motif, $80 - the embroidery on this set is special.

9. Set of 4 Vintage Yellow Linen Placemats and Matching Napkins, $23 - sunshine translated to the table.

Stone requires no explanation and no styling. It arrives, it anchors, it adds to its surroundings. Vintage pieces in particular carry a weight - literal and otherwise - that makes an outdoor space feel instantly considered. A few favorites below.

1. Pair of Vintage 1990s Tavola Grey & White Marble Candlesticks, $122 - funky marble candlesticks that work as hard indoors as out.

2. Vintage Marble Chapati Riser, $125 - technically a chapati riser but in practice, but chicest serving platform your table has ever seen.

3. Neo Marble Footed Serving Bowl, $128 - okay, this is the single non-vintage item on the list!!! But she's perfect and she earned her place here.

4. Vintage English Garden Pot with Small Bunny, $18 - the bunny detail.

5. Set of 3 Vintage Marble Pear Paperweights / Door Stoppers, $250 - marble pears! Sculptural, unexpected, and very cool in an outdoor space.

6. Small Antique White Alabaster Medici-Shaped Vase, $35 - an alabaster beauty.

7. Long Oval Italian Marble Table Top / Plant Stand, $65 - use it as a table top, a plant stand, a serving surface, etc.

8. Antique Garden Lion Sculpture, $450 - do you want your patio to feel like it means business?

9. Vintage Concrete Stone Garden Shell, $195 - Garden, terrace, entryway - she works everywhere.

ALL VINTAGE PICKS FOR OUTDOOR SPACES

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Wuthering Hanging Heights

I’m often asked how high artwork should be hung, and a simple rule of thumb I follow is to place the center of the piece 56 inches from the floor. This height is roughly eye level and is standard in galleries and museums, which typically ranges from 56 to 60 inches.

The 56” rule is a starting point - not law:

• Above furniture (sofa, bed, console):
  Hang art 6-10 inches above the furniture (unless within a panel), even if that’s lower than 56”

• Tall ceilings:
  You can go slightly higher, but don’t drift too far or it’ll feel disconnected

• Large pieces:
  Still center at eye level - the size doesn’t change the rule much

Textual

Two book recommendations - and although both are non-fiction, very different animals. What can I say? I contain multitudes. The first is The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny, and Murder by David Grann, which chronicles the 1740 shipwreck of a British naval expedition. It reads like a thriller, and the account of the abject misery these men endured was enough to make me never complain about an economy redeye again. And it was an amazing surprise to see the work of my late grandmother cited in it.

The second is Famesick, Lena Dunham’s new memoir, which I finished this week. Only she could capture the millennial woman’s experience - equal parts self-mythologizing and self-dismantling. I found myself moving between recognition and retreat - alternating between nodding along and wanting to hide.

Rewind

I recently developed an unmarked roll of film, and to both my horror and delight, it was shot in the late summer of 2020. The images feel oddly poetic, but isn’t that just the nature of nostalgia?

The discovery has inspired me to shoot more film this summer (I love my vintage Pentax K1000, which I bought on eBay a week before COVID hit and taught myself to use on YouTube) - a hobby I’ve loved experimenting with since I was a kid, running around with my dad’s old camcorder in one hand and a disposable camera in the other, finding beauty and interest all around and aching to capture it. The summer energy I want!

Color me

I’m drawn to neutral bases - white, creams, oatmeals, browns - but I like to layer in color. Lately, I’m intrigued by chartreuse. It’s unexpectedly chic - not loud, not precious - just quietly cheeky and a touch zesty. Even a hint can shift the mood of a space entirely. A vase, a pillow, a wash of it in art - it brings a freshness that feels modern without trying too hard.

1. Anthropologie, Manor Glass Side Table, $298

2. Vivaterra, 13” Recycled Round Glass Balloon Vase, $69

3. SFERRA, Ciarra Throw, $255

4. Overstock, Sankara Silk 18x18 Throw Pillow, $50

5. Soho Home, Lorenzo Chandelier, $2,295

6. Nordic Knots, Grand Rug, $1,895

7. Etsy, Handmade Ceramic Table Lamp, $430

8. Etsy, Vintage Danish Oil Painting, $260

9. Garnier Thiebaut, Citron Zeste French Kitchen Towel, $32

10. Terrain, Dyed Alabaster Square Coasters Set of 4, $35

11. Nickey Kehoe, Yellow Straight Medium Glass, $15

12. CB2, Clio Bubble Green Glass Vase, $129

13. 1stDibs, "Deux tomates", photography by Thierry Genay, 2016, $1,650

14. Graccioza, Prestige Bath Rug, $140

SHOP ALL HERE

It was a different time

Lately, I’ve been slipping into the Architectural Digest Archive (which is free to access with a subscription) - somewhere between Love Story fever, having grown up in the time, and my own insatiable appetite for the past (lest we forget, I was a History major), I can’t seem to ransack this treasure chest enough for late 90s / early aughts design inspiration. Here are a few favorite editorials:

You didn’t ask for it

But I’m here to give you it to you - my three favorite beauty suggestions for spring. I started my career in beauty, and have stayed closely connected to the industry since - I find it economically fascinating, culturally revealing, and, well, fun - so I remain the go-to for friends and family looking for product recommendations.

ciele. prime & PROTECT SPF 30+ Smoothing Primer

This SPF 30 primer is a unicorn: it’s fragrance-free, not tacky and so weightless that I sometimes forget I’m even wearing it - a tall order for its product type. I still love Charlotte Tilbury’s Lightweight Invisible UV Flawless Primer SPF 50 as well, but the last few times I ordered it the expiration date was very close. :(

Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Natural Glow Blurring Liquid Foundation with 24 Hour Wear

Armani Beauty recently reformulated what was considered one of the best foundations on the market, and beauty fanatics across the globe collectively held our breathes... they somehow managed to pull it off - the new version is somehow even BETTER. The shades are vast and beautiful, the coverage is perfectly medium, and the formula sits / blends beautifully. It’s not thick, which is a nice as we enter summertime. If you are in the market for a new foundation to try this is it!!

Yves Saint Laurent Make Me Blush 24H Buildable Powder Blush

This blush has made quite the splash in the beauty world - I’d read all the rave reviews and decided to see if it lived up to the hype (especially since I’ve been loving stick blushes the past few years). I chose shade 44 Nude Lavalliere because, well, Dua - and it’s beyond gorgeous!! No notes.

It may have been fashion’s biggest night, but watching from my sofa, I couldn’t resist translating the looks into something closer to home (pun intended) - bedroom schematics.

Last night’s theme, Costume Art - celebrating the opening of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s spring exhibition - came with the dress code “Fashion Is Art.” Below, a few of my favorite looks… reinterpreted.

LINKS: BED, SIDE TABLE, ARTWORK, LAMP, STOOL, RUG

LINKS: ARTWORK, BED, CHAIR, FIXTURE, CABINET, RUG

LINKS: BED, SIDE TABLE, CHAIR + OTTOMAN, FIXTURE, ARTWORK, RUG

LINKS: CURTAINS, ARTWORK, FIXTURE, BED, LINENS, BEDSIDE TABLE, RUG

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1. This article—what does your chosen bottle say about you? Pierre-Jouët… forever.

   

2. I haven’t taken this pendant off since I opened it on Christmas morning (thanks, Uncle Doug! Turns out in publishing a gift guide you get exactly what you want!). I am currently obsessed with Y2K Tiffany, and the TheRealReal is a trove - any one of these: chic, chicer, chicest and a Uniqlo sweater…. the new winter uniform. Also, on the topic of TheRealReal, this is one of my favorite Instagram accounts.

   

3. Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson, regarded as the master of narrative history. I first encountered Larson through The Devil in the White City, his account of one of America’s earliest serial killers moving through Chicago at the height of the World’s Fair; Dead Wake, set two decades later, reconstructs the Lusitania’s final voyage and examines how a single maritime disaster altered the course of the First World War. In it, Larson lingers over a film of the ship’s departure from New York, describing it almost frame by frame - a grainy, haunting glimpse of a world unaware of what was about to unfold.

4. This painting. The palette, the subject… it invokes an indescribable feeling and a sense of awe deep within me. How lucky we are to live in a world with art. AI could never!

   

5. Kenny Burns has done it again. I’m enjoying The American Revolution (PBS, I access through Prime Video) and I think non-History majors would as well. It unfolds with a grave, deliberate beauty, drawing on firsthand accounts to explore both the triumphs and failures of a nation at its dawn.

   

6. The trifecta working overtime this winter to keep my skin from catching fire:

   1. RETROUVÉ Intensive Facial Moisturizer - THE HOLY GRAIL. The silkiest, jelliest, most efficacious elixir there is. Yes, it’s (very) expensive, but I’m making my own coffee these days! Girl math!

   2. Aquaphor Repairing Hand Masks - I’ve written about these before and although I feel like a serial killer when I put them on (I sleep in them), there is no lotion that can match the work these do on chapped knuckles.

   3. Bioessence Vitamin C Rose Brightening and Firming Face Oil + Squalane - new to the rotation this season, I find this product calming, moisturizing and brightening. Praise be!

   

7. Images of the nebula coined Sh2-284, captured by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, which lives 15,000 light-years away at the end of a spiral arm of our Milky Way galaxy.

   

8. Balthazar. And not because Keith McNally’s memoir was my favorite book of the year. I go out considerably less often than I used to, so I dine where I know (1) the food will be good and (2) I will feel the like the New York girl I am. The SoHo staple never fails on either front, and the service is the best.

9. This round up of the 10 11 Key Design Trends Set to Define 2026. Happy to see ‘Lived-in interiors’ at the top of the list; are we emerging from the soulless pedestrian Pinterest hellscape of the past 5 years?

   

10. My friend Caitlin KNIT THIS FOR ME FOR CHRISTMAS. I am constantly asked on the street where it’s from. If you are interested, email me, she is taking custom orders. :)

1. Flamingo Estate, Roma Heirloom Tomato Candle, $64 - bury me with this candle! I have two lit at all times! It’s an addiction!

2. Pamela Hanson: The ‘90s, $50 - for anyone nostalgic about the 90s or fashion magazines of lore

3. rivedroite Paris, Tournelles Toiletry Bag, Small, $60 - very French ‘it girl’ coded

4. The Met, Logo Crew Neck Sweatshirt, $69 - size up for extra sophisticated cozy

5. Fara Homidi, Essential Lip Refillable Compact, $88 - very NYC ‘it girl’ coded

6. Minerva Dairy Butter-ly Delicious - 6 Butters, $65 - authentic Amish quality of the world’s best ingredient??

7. Polo Ralph Lauren, Leather Seasonal Bear Keyfob, $70 - this is for your coolest friend (hi Joy)

8. Heirloom Art Co., Isabel White Nightgown, $68 - simple and beautiful

9. Adam J. Kurtz, The Moment We Met Snow Globe, $85 - include a note with the memory

10. crocs, Classic Glitter Clog, $55 - when people see me walking into a sauna in these 😮‍💨

11. Loewe, Solid Soap in Tomato Leaves, $70 - nothing has looked better dangling in a shower

12. Quince, Mongolian Cashmere Tartan Scarf, $80 - for anyone living “up north”

13. Vuori, Long Sleeve Halo Essential Scoop, $68 - in the world of athleisure Vuori is WINNING

14. MG&Co., Sunburst Candle Holder in Nickel, $60 - “Oh, my cool friend with amazing taste gave it to me!” (you)

15. Algea Cooking Club Nara’s Roasted Garlic Oil (Limited Release), $50 - for those enmeshed in the cultural zeitgeist with a penchant for the savory

16. Sur La Table, Sapphire Elite Nonstick Quarter Sheet Pans, Set of 2, $70 - a little something blue (da ba dee) for your favorite cook

17. Mejuri, Lab Grown Sapphire Marquise Cut Studs, $78 - we love gems and an interesting shape

18. cou cou Intimates, The Boxer, $72 - what is it about cotton boxer briefs??

19. Gap, Cow Print Calf Hair Mini Slouchy Bag, $44 - grab n go and she doesn’t have to worry about ruining at a bar

20. Westman Atelier, Lit Up Glassy Gel Highlighter Stick, $48 - universal, luxe and sure to please

SHOP ALL HERE

Here to make your life easier this season xxxx

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P.S. Liking, sharing, and commenting keeps Lucy Curates growing! While your here, send me a ♥️ below xx

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Greetings from London where I’ve been meeting with favorite vendors (Jamb., Soane Britain, Rose Uniacke), eating baskets of golden chips and enjoying this sublime season amidst the turning palette of Regent’s Park.

Returning home, I am excited to get my apartment ready for cooler weather and thinking about lightweight ways I can elevate my space. I hope you’ll find inspiration, too. Thank you for being here! xx

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1. An investment table lamp and a candelabra

Does this guy not scream cozy? Besides the urge to cuddle him (it’s his chubby form?), I would never tire of this ovoid icon who would provide the perfect amount of ambient light on chilly nights.

And this vintage Laurids Lønborg wrought iron and rattan candelabra is impossibly chic. Buy it before I do!

I’m currently having a bit of a candelabra fixation lol, see more of my favorites below:

SEE ALL HERE

2. A few sticks

A handful of curly willow branches (here, and I know that Trader Joe’s currently stocks!) in a tall, elegant vase bring texture and height to a space without saturated color. And I love this new large vessel below from Crate&Barrel. It looks like Simon Pearce. And the two minutes it take you to arrange some branches? The output will last you through November, when you can easily swap with fresh holly branches.

3. Incense

Fall is a season of rituals and scent is an easy way to lean in. In addition to candles, I like burning incense, and my favorite is from Oribe, featuring the brand’s signature Côte d’Azur scent. As the day winds down, lighting a stick and experiencing a delicious soft curl of smoke envelope a room is both warming and transportive.

4. The perfect coffee table book to sit atop the stack

There is no image that elicits the feeling of fall more than the cover of Fallingwater: Living With and In Art by Justin Gunther & Scott W Perkins. The Rizzoli-published book highlights how Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece blurs the line between architecture, landscape, and life itself. It’s a study in harmony, where every material, texture, and shadow feels intentional.

5. Amber glass

I love any kind of colored glass, and these classic Duralex Picardie Colored Tumblers (named for a province in northern France) are as useful as they are easy to add a splash of festive ochre to seasonal tablescape. Also, they are suitable for both cold and hot beverages, so feel free to sip your bone broth.

And interesting design and otherwise news of note…

• Single level living is back, baby. I fell in love with this house featured in AD’s August issue.

• This list of the top places to travel to in 2026.

• There’s something about a heist… I can’t get enough?

• Important public service announcement 🛸

• I’ve loved his ongoing collaboration with CB2, and the new collection is no different. I’ve had this flatware set in my cart for awhile.

• Can the universal core memory of a Claire’s piercing heal America?

P.S. Liking, sharing, and commenting keeps Lucy Curates growing! While your here, send me a virtual ❤️ below xx

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Happy September. A month of fresh beginnings and new routine. I often say that I would be happy with an August-February calendar, so this is my prime time. If only the tan would stay. As always, thank you for being here. And if you aren’t already, please subscribe. It means a lot. xx

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Muse of the season

I’ve become increasingly fixated on the work of Elsa Peretti, the Italian model who reinvented herself as one of the most prolific jewelry and homeware designers of the 20th century. When she joined Tiffany & Co. in 1974- already a darling of New York’s art and fashion circles- her pared-down and sensual forms shocked a static jewelry world. More than 50 years later, her influence endures, shaping not only Tiffany’s identity but also the broader language of modern design, and has girls like me deep diving into archives for inspiration in the wee hours of the night.

What makes Peretti’s work remarkable is its refusal to age. Her swooping heart pendants were a fixture of Sweet Sixteen celebrations in the early 2000s- my own mother marked my high school graduation with a starfish design I still cherish. And today I scour Ebay and TheRealReal hoping to strike gold on a jug pendant, bone cuff or paperweight- objects that feel as fresh and covetable as the day she conceived them.

So this fall I’m channeling the sexy, sophisticated world of Elsa Peretti. I’m leaning into organic forms and textures at home, doubling down on artisan-made accessories, and wearing silver- the metal she transformed from pedestrian to luxurious- with monochrome tailoring and oversized knits. Most of all, I’m embracing her spirit of female empowerment and the unapologetic freedom of not giving a fuck.

PS, a dreamy Substack article about her incredible home and interiors.

Tabled

I find side tables to be an underrated piece of furniture. Functional, yes, and an opportunity to bring both form and material interest to a space. I have my eyes on this one (very Elsa!)- I love both its sculptural form and patina finish. Mike from Boston, a verified buyer, was even kind enough to share his weight as way of advertisement for it’s multifunctional use- it doubles as a stool. We thank him!

🤎 Shop my favorite side tables < $500

HERE

Contact Made

I enjoyed the recent New York Times piece by Anika Burgess on the analog beauty of contact sheets- the grease-pencil marked positive prints from film negatives that once guided photo editors’ choices. Unlike today’s polished digital ‘selects,’ they exposed every frame- “as private as conversations with a psychiatrist,” one photographer said. The Times’ interactive archive lets you step inside that creative process, showing experiments with light, angles, and timing, and reminding us of the intimacy and power of editorial choice- something I believe we could use more of today.

This is why we can’t have nice things

I regret the day my friend Liv introduced me to this moisturizer- because now I can’t live without it. Retrouvé, founded by Jami and Klaus Heidegger, heirs to the Kiehl’s legacy, has created a formula that feels less like a cream and more like a hybrid: part gel, part oil, part moisturizer. It dispenses through an air pump that makes the ritual inexplicably pleasing, and the results? It leaves me plump and shiny and people asking whether I’ve just had a facial or if I’ve turned 30 yet (and felt especially heavenly post-sun this summer). If you try it and aren’t wowed kindly sell it to me, no questions asked.

Curtain call

Are curtains the new doors? The designers from around the world the Financial Times asked seem to think so: the portière- a curtain used in place of a door- is making a quiet return. I look forward to incorporating in my designs- beyond saving space, it offers flexibility: open and connected when drawn back, private and enclosed when closed. And the fabrics set the tone: lightweight linens bring light and movement, while heavier velvets add warmth and insulation. Simple, practical, and decorative, the portière is once again proving its value in modern interiors. What goes around…

I love how designers Muriel Gregoir and Frédéric Vankeijmeulen mounted a simple french return above an open passageway with a plain ochre panel. The single stack feels so chic, somehow adding drama but softening the space at the same time.

I seem to be on a streak with memoirs by male denizens of 1980s New York. I enjoyed Graydon Carter’s, loved Keith McNally’s, and after reading an Airmail review of They All Came to Barneys: A Personal History of the World’s Greatest Store by Gene Pressman- out today- I preordered it without hesitation. An epic, first-hand account of the rise and fall of one of the city’s most iconic brands? I’m salivating.

But long after the wild parties and shuttering of the doors, what lasts is Gene Pressman’s unshakable optimism. “If you have taste and an eye, you can have it all. I did, and so did Barneys.”

I’m often asked what is the most important aspect of an interior and my answer is always a personal and meaningful collection of art.

So instead of sharing a flurry of the best Labor Day deals on bedding (although my ride or die is 25% off), I’ve rounded up a few of my favorites pieces currently available on Etsy.

My most cherished works are often plucked from obscurity—my parent’s basement, the street, a dusty corner of a thrift store or the internet (you can peek some here). We are lucky there is an almost limitless trove of quality pieces—spanning decades and medias—at our fingertips, and Etsy is one of my favorite platforms to scour. So take a look below, and let me know what you find. xx

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First up is a set of 6 original etchings by French artist Georges Dussau. Frame your favorite 3 and stack them on a white wall for an unexpected modern punch and gift the remaining to lucky friends.

Next is a rare original 1985 poster for the opening of Andy Warhol’s Reigning Queens exhibition at Castelli Uptown Gallery in Manhattan. I’d hang her in a simple frame at the end of the hall and wait for Her Majesty’s compliments.

There is something very chic about this original sumi ink on paper abstract landscape. Both the simplicity and contrast of uninhibited strokes and jet black saturation. I imagine it in a dressing room.

I am obsessed with this original oil painting by Italian artist Ferdinando Di Maso. The combination of a strange composition, rich texture and gritty quality is just my type. It would add effortless interest to a space.

I love the pop of blue on the neutral background of this signed lithograph by David Sullivan. It feels very 90s, in the best way. (Okay this one is more than $500!)

Antique French framed lithograph? Chubby cupid and his bow? Worn gold frame? I’d love to tuck this somewhere unexpected. You never know where you’re going to find love.

I find this lithograph titled "Retrato" by the Mexican Surrealist artist Fernando Vilchis (1932-2004) both quirky and compelling. (How I’d love to be described.)

If you love Paris, this signed vintage photograph by John Galbo capturing a storefront in the city of lights has a lot of soul and heft.

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Recently I’ve been drawn to the idea of creating a series called Step Inside—an ongoing project that invites people from across creative disciplines to share their homes and reflect on the meaning of personal space. What makes a home feel truly one’s own? And how does that space reflect the lives we’re building inside it?

As a proof of concept, I decided to begin with my own.

Bathed in a soft southern light and nestled within the dignified bones of a prewar building on Manhattan’s 21st Street, my beloved apartment has informed a lot of the way I approach both life and design.

Sunlight moves through the rooms throughout the day, marking the rhythm of work and rest. Worn hardwood floors and picture rail moulding hold secrets and stories from past lives. Aged art deco hardware continues to open and close doors 100 years on. It has soul and I’ve loved spending years making it my own, its textures and quirks lending themselves graciously to the physical manifestations of my life. I like to think it has become a tangible reflection of who I am.

So if a home can be a soulmate, this one is mine—it provides a rare, enduring sense of belonging for someone whom a sense of place is essential to my wellbeing. It reminds me that I am exactly where I’m meant to be, and that my work, rooted in story, defined by design, and steeped in place, is not just a job, but a calling.

Each installment of Step Inside will conclude with a brief questionnaire, inspired by Vanity Fair, that asks guests to consider what home means to them. I’ve shared my own responses to kickoff the series, but I’m most excited to see how others will answer.

Stay tuned. In the meantime, step inside.

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Photos by my talented friend, LUCIA LISS.

Summertime is in full swing and although—hot take—July is my least favorite month of the year, I am leaning into the hazy heat and trying to take things slower. I’m on a memoir kick (currently enjoying this very much) and trying to be outside as much as possible. Work is fun and busy, I would love for you to follow along. Thank you for reading, and I hope you have a great rest of the week. xx

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Small additions, major impact

A few items I have crushes on that would help a space feel more elevated and special—with little effort.

(1) Antique Patina Silverplate Fluted Vase - vintage is always better

(2) Cruet Glass Spoon Rest - why does this block of glass feel so luxe

(3) Double Light Switch Plate Cover - add natural dimension to an otherwise utilitarian moment! Live a little!

(4) Black Metal Display Stand - I bought one for my kitchen countertop as housing for my cookbook du jour

(5) Set of 4 Highball Handblown Glasses - this color is so chic

(6) 19th Century Portrait - I have this thing with old oil paintings of strangers

(7) 'Carpe Diem' Box - pretty on a nightstand or dresser all the while encouraging

(8) Tiger Pen Shell Globe Cabinet Knob - quick swap and your old chest of drawers has new life

(9) Nicky Kehow Butter Dish in Flax - when I run for president it will be on the platform that everyone should own a butter dish

(10) Vintage Senufo Hand Carved African Stool - an organic shape tucked into a corner that would be both sculptural and useful

Design-related…

• As Wimbledon fever takes hold once again, I’m eager to get my hands on this new, visually lush coffee-table tome celebrating the world’s most beautiful tennis courts—from Italy to Scotland. A court’s graphic lines lends itself to nature’s organic forms in the most magical way.

• I would like to visit move to Nova Scotia, preferably into this cliffside abode filled with antiques. Dreamyyy.

  

• No need for the membership. Vicky Charles, the designer behind Soho House, shares her philosophy of lived-in, evolving interiors. Her advice: invest in foundational elements (like lighting and floors), then layer in character with flea market finds. Finish about 70% of a space, then let life complete the rest.

• Feels like summer. The on-trend summertime classic even had a moment at Wimbledon (here we go again) and is inspiring everything from sofas to napkins in joyful ‘dopamine decor.’ I would like us to collectively stop coining such terms, but I do love to see reignited interest in this centuries-old pattern—now making a return both fashion and interiors.

  

• Guess who’s coming to dinner. Louis Vuitton stepped into the world of home décor at Milan’s Salone del Mobile, debuting its first full-scale Home Collections. The luxury maison is evolving from a fashion powerhouse into a lifestyle curator—blurring the lines between object, art, and living space. It’s like they read my newsletter?? 0:)

• Reason 1,098,302 I want to return to London: Do Ho Suh’s Genesis Exhibition: Walk the House at the Tate Modern. Including in the major survey of the artist’s work, is an invitation into all the spaces he’s lived in, re-created full-size in paper, polyester and fabric. If you go, please send pictures.

  

• Sky’s the limit. JW Anderson is rebranding as a lifestyle label, expanding beyond fashion into homeware, ceramics, food, and ‘collectibles’. Backed by LVMH (go figure), the brand is pausing traditional runway shows in favor of curated, immersive retail experiences, starting with a new Soho store.

Otherwise…

• I’ve shared it before, but I’m beginning to think I can’t live without this product, especially in the summertime—it’s SPF 50 that feels like skincare and makes my skin look even and hydrated.

  

• Taking notes. ✍🏼

• It’s a big week for some of us.

• I’ve been watching Dept Q on Netflix (thriller mystery and moody Edinburgh, two of my favorite things). I also enjoyed reading that the lead, Matthew Goode, bombed his James Bond audition because his dark pitch for the iconic character didn’t resonate lol.

• Finally, this is a contender for best swimsuit—it’s flattering, comfortable and holds up well. Expensive but I’ve taken good care of her since purchasing last summer and she’s proven well worth it.

  ---

  And leaving you with my favorite vanity plate to date:

  

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Design-related…

• “They illustrate the development of British culture and the evolution of advertising and design.” I loved this article about the pub aesthetic from both a historical and cultural point of view. Did you know? “Pubs are a British institution with origins that date back nearly 2,000 years to Roman Britain when establishments such as ‘mansiones’ and ‘cauponae’ served as roadside lodging for travellers.” Get me to London with a pint in hand.

• So you have the same Crate & Barrel sofa as the rest of us? Visually interesting throw pillows are an easy way to both elevate and spice up your living room and let that sparkling personality of yours shine. 20” x 20” size is a good place to start. Favorites for consideration:

  

1. St. Frank Storm Rock Kuba Cloth Pillow, $125

2. Hand Block Printed Pillow Cover, $80

3. St. Frank Honey Diamond Kuba Cloth Pillow, $99

4. Piper Indian Block Print, $83

5. Fortuny Maori Throw Pillow, $375

6. Indian Block Print Pillow, $93

• It only took me 13 years but alas, a visit to the Noguchi Museum was all I dreamt it would be. Come for the art, stay for the tranquil sculpture garden. You may be familiar with Noguchi’s iconic Akari light sculptures—those beautiful, glowing paper lanterns—which were inspired by traditional Japanese Gifu lanterns, but with a modern, sculptural twist. The name Akari means light in Japanese and Noguchi described them as "poetic, ephemeral, and collapsible sculptures"—he believed light should be soft and organic, not harsh and mechanical. Amen.

  

• One of my favorite mediums is modern photography, and this New Yorker feature of rush hour Manhattan from 1998? Heaven. I recognized the artist Matthew Salacuse from his Instagram handle @salacuse—he is essentially resident photographer for the New York comedy scene. I enjoyed reading more about his career and his discovery of this old collection of photographs—a visual time capsule feast featuring an ever-changing concrete jungle.

  

• The AD tour of Lenny Kravitz’ home in Paris is… jaw-dropping (to say the least). Aside from the obvious of beauty of the space’s architecture and the very personal collection of art and furniture it’s filled with, he talks about a sense of place and the importance his surroundings at home play to his being. What design—and any kind of creative endeavor—is about.

• Back again. A first look at the sets of Wes Anderson’s latest film, The Phoenician Scheme, and the director's signature aesthetic—meticulous symmetry and whimsical design—play its own pivotal role once again. Think real master works, fancy stone bathtubs and wild murals—the sets will seemingly pull us into a quirky, 1950s European world, where every little detail feels like a piece of art. It’s out May 30, I can’t wait to see it.

  

• Current infatuation: French furniture artist Gérard Rigot. I envision the mermaid chair in my imaginary impossibly bohemian-chic seaside cottage on the Scottish coast. You’re invited for dinner.

Otherwise…

• Rummaging through my wardrobe during the physically daunting task of ‘switching seasons’—I’d love to know the average number of calories burned retrieving clothes from under my bed—I realized all my tees looked tired and sad (note: I don’t like to have a lot of clothes, I wouldn’t go as far as to say I have a ‘capsule wardrobe’ but I keep my closet lean!). A basics haul from Uniqlo and we are back in business for spring/summer—these shorts, this halter tank, and this Skims-like t-shirt are soo good.

• I find The Cut unbearably and unnecessarily negative but I would have to agree. 🥴

• Transport me to anywhere in here, thank you.

• I discovered Yuka and Iife will never be the same. Download the independent app to scan any cosmetic or food item for a rating based on ingredients. I thought I’m more cognizant about what I put on my skin than most, but it turns out not to be the case—a few quick scans on my vanity and the Dove Fragrance-Free Sensitive deodorant I’ve been using daily for the past 15 years? A literal 0/100 rating (thanks to BHT, a synthetic antioxidant and likely carcinogenic endocrine disruptor). I cannot begin to fathom how toxic ingredients like this are unregulated in the United States but that is a rant for another time!!!!!! It becomes a little obsessive, but I’ve started by making swaps with products I use daily. Here’s a list of winners from my latest clean beauty bounty that boast an ‘Excellent’ rating from Yuka:

  

1. Ultra Violette Velvet Screen SPF 50 Mattifying Mineral Fragrance Free Facial Sunscreen | This is the only mineral sunscreen I’ve had a positive experience with—ever. It feels like a lovely serum—I actually look forward to putting it on in the morning.

2. goopbeauty Colorblur Glow Balm in Velveteen | This is very pretty and multi-use. Cheeks, lips, eye.

3. saie Sun Melt Natural Cream Bronzer in Light Bronze | For a creamy glow that’s easy to apply with a brush.

4. rms beauty Hydra Setting Powder | As good as the rest of them, without the nasty ingredients.

5. AKT The Deodorant Balm | Chic packaging, and you become accustomed to the application (your fingers—I’ll take it over swiping on chemicals any day). I prefer unscented, but the scents sound nice.