Pictures by Kate S. Jordan
We will’t get sufficient of Somsack Sikhounmuong, the inventive director of Alex Mill and perhaps the nicest individual working in trend as we speak. (Enjoyable reality: this CoJ put up about Somsack was the inspiration for Large Salad!) Immediately, we’re excited to share a tour of his Queens condo, the place the rugs are layered, the artwork is leaning, and the windowsills are full. “I’ve numerous stuff,” he warned us, “however every bit jogs my memory of a visit I took or the place I used to be in my profession when I discovered it.” Right here goes…
LIVING ROOM
Paint: “Manchester Tan” by Benjamin Moore. Desk: Paul McCobb through Modlivsup. Couch: ABC Carpet + Dwelling. Standing lamp: Radilum in shiny orange. Pillows: “from John Derian and travels to Hawaii, France, and Italy.” Textiles: “Classic finds from Portland, Tokyo, and Paris.” {Photograph} above couch: Jamie Hawkesworth.
On mixing types: I like mixing industrial items with romantic issues which have texture. If a room was all one or the opposite, it could be so much much less attention-grabbing to me. That stress is sweet.
On beloved artwork: I’m an out-and-about kinda individual. However after I’m dwelling, I’m hanging on my own, and 95% of the time I’m on the sofa. The photograph above is by Jamie Hawkesworth. I purchased it as a present for myself after I acquired a giant promotion at J.Crew.
Checkered rug: Kat + Mouche. Tripod standing lamp: Marc Hundley. Textile on desk: Hawaiian quilt from Honolulu. White ceramic dish: “my very own.” Yellow vase: Gayle Spannaus.
On a journey technique: Earlier than a visit, I’ll analysis one must-visit retailer that’s off the crushed path. Then, as soon as I get there, I’ll ask the shop individual for a couple of of their native suggestions. This usually unlocks a bunch of unbelievable locations I by no means would have recognized about, and it doesn’t require an excessive amount of prep beforehand.
Chair and console: Rett of Joyful Medium. Pillow: John Derian. Pedestal: Mattias Vriens.
On a not-so-green thumb: I’ve had numerous crops, however the ones which might be nonetheless listed here are those that don’t require a lot water. The one on the pedestal was once far more lush — I all the time joke that it’s my model of the Charlie Brown Christmas tree. My ritual with the crops is that if I have a look at them and really feel dangerous for them, then I water them.
Left: Ceramics: “most are mine.” Marble fruit: John Derian. Proper: Desk: Marc Hundley, “I consider this lovely little purple desk as my desk of recollections.” Objects: “Discovered and given, together with a seal from Alaska.”
On a brand new passion: I began making my very own ceramics post-Covid. I took some courses on the wheel, however I used to be horrible. I left pondering, I don’t know what’s flawed with me. Then I attempted hand constructing and by no means seemed again.
{Photograph} on left: Jamie Hawkesworth. Portray on flooring: Jeanne Thomsen. Wax seals in body: eBay. Bull-fighter jacket: eBay. Crimson metallic shelving unit: related.
On accumulating: “I acquired this classic bull-fighter jacket on eBay; I like the beading and embroidery. I’ve collected classic clothes for many years, in addition to outdated magazines and books. Pinterest is nice, however you usually see the identical batch of pictures again and again. If you open an outdated ebook, none of these pictures are even on the Web.”
DINING CORNER
Stools: BDDW. Tablecloth: Xenomania. Checkered rug: Kat + Mouche.
On rugs on rugs on rugs: Over time, I’ve introduced dwelling numerous smaller rugs as a substitute of 1 large one. I just like the layered look higher, and, actually, beneath among the rugs are extra rugs that I simply don’t have room to retailer wherever else.
On a rescue mission: In fourth grade, our trainer had magazines for folks to chop up and paste with. My sister and I might rescue them and take them dwelling as a result of we thought they have been too nice to chop. I don’t know why children that age would ever be pondering that, however we have been. I now have each situation of Vogue since 1995.
KITCHEN
Print: Hugo Guinness. Bowl: Atelier Saint André Perrin.
On searching for one: Somebody must provide you with a retailer that sells groceries for a single individual as a result of I’ve by no means, ever used all of the parsley. If a recipe has greater than 5 elements, I’ll most likely skip it.
On the necessary issues: What would I save in a hearth? Most likely my passport and the little playing cards and pictures on my fridge.
BEDROOM
Paint: “Metal wool” by Benjamin Moore. Quilt: “Hawaiian quilt from Honolulu.” Striped blanket: reward, related. Gingham pillowcase: Muji, related.
On sleeping nicely: I sleep higher in darkish bedrooms, however I felt nervous about portray my total room in a darkish shade. So, I painted one wall. It’s simply sufficient.
Lamp: set from Cafiero Choose. Matchbox print: Hugo Guinness. Bat print: Deyrolle. Nightstand: customized from Sean Biloski of Iron Oaks.
On flooring artwork: Not all my artwork is hung up. A few of that’s laziness, however a few of that’s intentional. If you put one thing on the ground or stack it behind one thing else, you’re taking the white gloves off. It’s not unkept, it’s simply extra informal. There are numerous methods to make a house really feel inviting, and that’s one among them.
On dressing waaaay up: Final 12 months, a bunch of coworkers and I dressed up as Marie Antoinette’s truffles for Halloween. We made our costumes within the workplace. One other 12 months, I went to a celebration with a good friend who’s equally into costumes. After we acquired there, we seemed round, and it was identical to somebody with cat ears on and Bob over there with a faux nostril. In the meantime, we had gone all out.”
Thanks a lot for the tour, Somsack! You’re the most effective. You will discover his designs on Alex Mill and observe his publication, Somstack.
P.S. Extra dwelling excursions, together with a cluttered-in-the-best-way Minnesota dwelling and our most colourful home tour ever.
(Pictures by Kate S. Jordan for Cup of Jo.)
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