8 Things I Want for My New Apartment

Is everyone else as fixated on momentum as me?

I talk about this a lot with my career coach who writes a really great Substack called Half Moon Hustle (a must-read for working mothers). Before working with her, I couldn’t really describe what I was searching for. All I could articulate was this immense desire to achieve more for myself outside of motherhood — not because I felt unfulfilled, more like I was getting a taste for what a full life felt like through motherhood and it made me want to squeeze every last drop.

But as with everything, momentum rises and then it stalls. I’ve been feeling pretty stagnant lately, wondering if all the things I’m doing — motherhood, work, personal projects, my social life, my family life — are actually keeping me from excelling at any one thing. Each bucket giving and taking from the others in an endless loop we so casually write off as normal, or worse — as “not being able to keep up.” So it’s no surprise that I absolutely devoured Haley Nahman’s most recent feature, The Tragedy of Trying to Live Well — which so perfectly articulates a truth that I’ve personally been marketed into believing otherwise: you cannot prioritize everything. And when you say that out loud, instead of “lean in” (until you fall flat on your face) or “you have as many hours in your day as Beyonce” (until you literally check into the hospital for exhaustion), it actually *frees* you from the impossible expectations you set for yourself.

We’re moving next month into our first real home. And I, the girl who writes about design, have done…absolutely! nothing! to plan the space. I keep blaming it on no free time, but really I think it’s this “paralyzed by all the responsibilities” feeling that has kept me from making time for the things I actually love.

But something shifted this past week. I don’t know if it’s the weather, or my parents babysitting, or me coming out of a fog, or it’s the Knicks winning and the collective joy you can feel like a pulse moving through the city — but the energy (my energy) is ticking back up. And with that the dreaming, the thinking, the planning shifts back into gear. Sharing some of the wish-listing that I *finally* managed below: 8 things I have in mind for two rooms in our new space. Because, baby steps.

Our new space has a great little dining nook to the right of the kitchen with amazing natural light, framed by windows overlooking a tree-lined street. I was sold on the apartment the moment I saw it — having a space big enough to host the number of people I want to host has been a dream for a while. The nook has a built-in banquette long enough for a serious dining table, so I’ve been saving every banquette image I come across on Instagram and Pinterest, training my algorithm to serve me all of the inspiration. And of course, I was led straight to Kendall Jenner’s dining nook in her mountain home, designed by Heidi Caillier.

1. The Perfect Long Oval Dining Table — My dream table from Peterson Antiques, an LA-based dealer known for gorgeous custom pieces, with a collection of really stunning oval tables that I keep gravitating toward. Unfortunately they’re way out of my price range, so I’ll be hunting for similar styles at antique stores and Facebook Marketplace until I find the right one. This one is a pretty good dupe.

2. Vintage Mid-Century Dining Chairs — I want something wide enough to actually feel comfortable sitting in, what a concept! I love these original Compass Chairs by Allan Gould and will be using them as inspo to search for cheaper styles at Horseman Antiques in Brooklyn.

3. Banquette Upholstery — What I will be spending my money on is custom upholstery for the banquette cushion and dining chairs. I want a fun pop of color that still feels timeless — something I won’t fall out of love with in two years. Howe’s Knurl Linen in Rust is a current favorite, but will need to figure out if it’s performance grade to withstand the wear and tear by a toddler.

4. Overhead Pendant Lights — I love the way a pendant light looks over a dining nook or breakfast banquette. City Foundry in Industry City is my go-to for vintage lighting, but I also love this contemporary brass pendant from Matilda Goad.

Another space I’ve fantasized about. A styled entryway with an oversized statement mirror, good lighting, and a console table or bench to rest your stuff (or yourself) on the way in or out. Beata Heuman is the designer I always come back to for entryway inspiration. I love the one in her own London home, with a custom, perfectly whimsical radiator cover that doubles as a console table.

1. An Extra Large Statement Mirror — I've been really into Italian Murano glass mirrors lately and would love to find something in a similar style but within my price range and maybe in a softer color palette. This is ridiculous to write, but my daughter only smiles for the camera in selfies, even better if it’s a mirror, so this piece will be a very important part of my camera roll soon and will need to look the part.

2. Some Pretty Decorative Lighting — Sconces are made for hallways and actually a very easy thing to come across in antique and vintage shops. I’ve loved the Scallop Sconce by Nickey Kehoe every since the brand launched it (they used to have it in pastel pink and yellow and I’m so sad they discontinued). I love the Polished Nickel color way and think it would look really nice against a more muted backdrop.

3. Interesting (But Not Too Much) Wallpaper — What a privilege to arrive at a time in my life when I actually get to play with wallpaper. I love a statement print in an entryway that sets the tone the moment you walk in. Beata Heuman's Nettle Wallpaper is at the top of my list: intricate enough to be interesting, but it works as a backdrop rather than taking over the room.

4. Antique Bench or Console Table — Something that looks nice and frames an entry space but can also be a catchall for all the things. I love the details on this oak bench, and love even more that it has storage — specifically for toddler shoes and baby gear.

A quick rundown of things I <3 right now.

1. Everything in Nickey Kehoe’s Latest Vintage Drop — But specifically these terracotta glazed planters.

2. Greenskeeper Body Wash — A plug for my day job, but truly this is an amazing scent and a perfect last-minute Father’s Day gift for the dad in your life who loves to play a round.

3. Dyson Airwrap — Late to the game on this one. My mom was in town last weekend and let me use hers before a wedding and I cannot believe I’ve been missing out all this time.

4. Renewing Bakuchi Creme — I’ve been testing a retinol alternative for summer when my skin gets more sensitive. So far so good.

5. Therabody Depuffing Wand — A must for dark circles and puffiness. It has a hot and a cold setting and works wonders!