Images by Kate S. Jordan
We will’t get sufficient of Somsack Sikhounmuong, the artistic director of Alex Mill and possibly the nicest particular person working in style in the present day. (Enjoyable reality: this CoJ post about Somsack was the inspiration for Big Salad!) Immediately, we’re excited to share a tour of his Queens residence, the place the rugs are layered, the artwork is leaning, and the windowsills are full. “I’ve plenty of stuff,” he warned us, “however each 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 + Home. 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 kinds: I like mixing industrial items with romantic issues which have texture. If a room was all one or the opposite, it might be lots much less fascinating to me. That stress is nice.
On beloved artwork: I’m an out-and-about kinda particular person. However after I’m house, I’m hanging on my own, and 95% of the time I’m on the sofa. The picture above is by Jamie Hawkesworth. I purchased it as a present for myself after I obtained 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 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 particular person 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 Happy Medium. Pillow: John Derian. Pedestal: Mattias Vriens.
On a not-so-green thumb: I’ve had plenty of vegetation, however the ones which are nonetheless listed below are those that don’t require a lot water. The one on the pedestal was far more lush — I at all times joke that it’s my model of the Charlie Brown Christmas tree. My ritual with the vegetation is that if I take 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 reminiscences.” Objects: “Discovered and given, together with a seal from Alaska.”
On a brand new pastime: 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 appeared again.
{Photograph} on left: Jamie Hawkesworth. Portray on flooring: Jeanne Thomsen. Wax seals in body: eBay. Bull-fighter jacket: eBay. Pink steel shelving unit: similar.
On accumulating: “I obtained this classic bull-fighter jacket on eBay; I like the beading and embroidery. I’ve collected vintage clothing for many years, in addition to previous magazines and books. Pinterest is nice, however you usually see the identical batch of pictures again and again. While you open an previous guide, 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: Through the years, I’ve introduced house plenty of smaller rugs as a substitute of 1 large one. I just like the layered look higher, and, actually, beneath a number of the rugs are extra rugs that I simply don’t have room to retailer anyplace else.
On a rescue mission: In fourth grade, our trainer had magazines for individuals to chop up and paste with. My sister and I might rescue them and take them house as a result of we thought they had been too nice to chop. I don’t know why youngsters that age would ever be pondering that, however we had been. I now have each subject of Vogue since 1995.
KITCHEN
Print: Hugo Guinness. Bowl: Atelier Saint André Perrin.
On purchasing for one: Somebody must give you a retailer that sells groceries for a single particular person as a result of I’ve by no means, ever used all of the parsley. If a recipe has greater than 5 components, I’ll most likely skip it.
On the vital issues: What would I save in a fireplace? Most likely my passport and the little playing cards and photographs on my fridge.
BEDROOM
Paint: “Steel wool” by Benjamin Moore. Quilt: “Hawaiian quilt from Honolulu.” Striped blanket: reward, similar. Gingham pillowcase: Muji, similar.
On sleeping properly: I sleep higher in darkish bedrooms, however I felt nervous about portray my whole room in a darkish coloration. So, I painted one wall. It’s simply sufficient.
Lamp: set from Cafiero Select. 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. While 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 plenty of methods to make a house really feel inviting, and that’s one among them.
On dressing waaaay up: Final yr, a bunch of coworkers and I dressed up as Marie Antoinette’s cakes for Halloween. We made our costumes within the workplace. One other yr, I went to a celebration with a pal who’s equally into costumes. After we obtained there, we appeared 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’ll find his designs on Alex Mill and observe his e-newsletter, Somstack.
P.S. More home tours, together with a cluttered-in-the-best-way Minnesota home and our most colorful house tour ever.
(Images by Kate S. Jordan for Cup of Jo.)
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