Happy Tax Day to all! Special shoutout to my accountant Neil who is a subscriber<3 This time of year always feels a bit twilight zone-y, but things are blooming, I’ve booked some summer travel, and I’m in the midst of good design. More soon, see you next time. xx

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Design related…

• If you haven’t made your AI Barbie are you even actively trying to avoid reality? And, yes, I requested the skinny jeans, thank you very much.

  

• Blank canvas. I eat way too much red sauce to ever step foot in this Parisian apartment, yet alone inhabit it, but I love the mirrored detail of its kitchen upper cabinets.

  

• Retro. For the first time in nearly 50 years, the The Metropolitan Transportation Authority revealed a new map of the New York City system and design nerds are cheering. It’s reminiscent of a version from the 1970s that, once reviled by traditionalists, is now celebrated for its graphic brilliance.

• AI 🤝 ceramic design. Not Quite Past, a company based in London, uses AI to generate custom designs that can be produced into Delft tile. Enter a descriptive prompt and, voila. Fun! I dream of a cheeky street food moment in my bath… doubtful my landlord agrees. Try it yourself.

• Sidepiece. I have this thing with stainless steel - this accent table from Zara Home is in my cart. I’ve seen similar in galleries with much higher sticker prices than $199 0:).

Additionally…

• Piper Prada nooo. It’s semi-old news, but the future of Lure Fishbar is in jeopardy after the luxury retailer is scheduled to take over the restaurant’s lease in 2026. After a fun lunch with girlfriends there this weekend, I reflected on what makes the beloved institution so special? Leave it to… documentarian Ken Burns to share my sentiments, and to explain so: “This place is so sui generous,” he said, further explaining the Latin phrase meaning ‘of its own kind.’ “There’s no other thing… You can’t replace it. It’s not duplicatable. It’s not moveable. It’s not transferrable.” The powers of good design, a point of view and devoted clientele has kept Lure cool for over 20 years (has to be at least 300 in restaurants years). Save Lure!

• An American in Paris back in America. In its first blockbuster exhibit in what seems like forever, Sargent & Paris will open at The Met later this month on April 27th.

  

  

• Black and white. I received an education in film noir during lockdown from my classic-movie-loving father, and I often return to Otto Preminger’s 1944 masterpiece Laura for inspiration. The silky whodunit’s every frame is high art - the result of its score, cinematography and acting. And Gene Tierney is so unbelievably gorgeous, its treat enough to watch her perfectly lit sweeping across the screen (which, not to give anything away, but obsession is the theme). Read more here, check its 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating, and find it on Amazon Prime Video.

• A tradition unlike any other. Congrats to Rory, but I do plan on once again making Martha’s carrot cake this weekend, but this time the sheet pan version. Also, a friend recently told me about Lloyd’s Carrot Cake - I’ve never heard of it, has anyone? I’m headed uptown to try sometime soon.