Studio Notes 10-4-25

This past month has been full, and October will be too. It’s a different pace than I gravitate towards these days, but I’m reminding myself that it’s a season and one that brings it’s own kind of inspiration. A few weeks ago, I was in NYC to celebrate the launch of my new book, and I took in so much. I loved walking around the city, taking the subway, eating good food, and just looking. This edition of Studio Notes is mostly about what I saw.

I’m writing this from Rhode Island, where I’m visiting for a friend’s wedding. I’m enjoying this bit of New England fall—and, most of all, being with friends and celebrating this moment.

A quick note, this post is a long one so if you’re reading via email pop over to the Substack website or app for the full post.

From my sketchbook:

This week, I don’t have a new sketch to share but the light in my studio was particularly beautiful the other evening when I came in late to prep a few things for my trip. You can see a bit of the paintings (in progress) I’m working on.

On my mind:

• Gratitude. It was wonderful to be back in NYC, where I lived for 12 years, and reconnect with so many friends, family, and members of the design community.

• How place impacts our energy and our sense of identity.

• Visual storytelling and how much I’ve learned from the photographers I’ve worked with over the years.

Reading, Listening, Watching, Looking:

• Sara Imari Walker on the Time Sensitive Podcast and found this episode both thought-provoking and even a bit confusing— but in the kind of way that makes me want to learn more. It made me think about lifelong learning and how stagnant we can become as adults when we assume we know how something works or stop asking big questions. My seven-year-old daughter asks questions all the time that make me pause, and I admire her inquisitiveness.

On Decorating and Home:

• It was an honor to have our dining room featured in The New York Times. A big thank you to Sydney Gore for the story and Donaven Doughty for the beautiful images. I also just found out it’s in print today!

• I also had the opportunity to guest-edit Domino’s Substack, Home Front, this week. Check it out here.

• While in New York, I stopped by a pretty epic party Urban Electric hosted with Nickey Kehoe, Plain English, and Maison Gerard with window displays by Robert Rufino. I’m still thinking about the giant spinning globe light covered in different fabrics.

• I popped into a few spots, including the Orior showroom. Their furniture is beautiful and I love their use of color. More of this please! I didn’t get a good photo while visiting but I’m particularly drawn to their colorful wrapped leather and marble pieces like the Mara Credenza.

• Not pictured, but I also popped into Pinch’s mini showroom as well. Their furniture is also beautifully made and I’ve been eyeing the Moreau Sofa for many years. The armchair is also beautiful. The lines! Modern but classic. I’d upholster it in Bramble in Amaranth or Mini Diamonds in Brown/Sage.

• Of course, I also wanted to stop in BDDW. This ceramic fireplace is incredible. I have dreams about painting my own tiles for a home project someday.

• I hadn’t been to Printemps yet, so we popped in for the decor.

To Inspire:

• Lily Stockman’s latest show Book of Hours at Charles Moffett. I was lucky enough to see this while I was in NYC. If you’re in the city, hurry over before it closes on October 11th. My favorite painting of the show is Viola.

• The Hilma af Klint exhibit at MoMa, What Stands Behind the Flowers, was actually my first stop in NYC. It was a powerful show in a different way than the one at the Guggenheim back in 2019. This show focused on her observational drawings of plants and then the diagrams and words expressing “a human condition, state, of consciousness, or aspect of character she gleaned from close observation of her plant subjects.” There was so much to take in and the work brought tears to my eyes. While the show is now closed, I’d highly recommend picking up the catalog.