Images by Kate S. Jordan
We are able to’t get sufficient of Somsack Sikhounmuong, the artistic director of Alex Mill and possibly the nicest individual working in style right now. (Enjoyable reality: this CoJ publish about Somsack was the inspiration for Massive Salad!) At this time, we’re excited to share a tour of his Queens condominium, 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 + Residence. 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 will be so much much less fascinating to me. That pressure is nice.
On beloved artwork: I’m an out-and-about kinda individual. However once I’m residence, 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 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 number of of their native suggestions. This typically unlocks a bunch of unimaginable locations I by no means would have identified about, and it doesn’t require an excessive amount of prep beforehand.
Chair and console: Rett of Completely happy Medium. Pillow: John Derian. Pedestal: Mattias Vriens.
On a not-so-green thumb: I’ve had plenty of crops, however the ones which are nonetheless listed below are those that don’t require a lot water. The one on the pedestal was once far more lush — I at all times joke that it’s my model of the Charlie Brown Christmas tree. My ritual with the crops is that if I take a look at them and really feel unhealthy for them, then I water them.
Left: Ceramics: “most are mine.” Marble fruit: John Derian. Proper: Desk: Marc Hundley, “I consider this stunning little pink desk as my desk of recollections.” Objects: “Discovered and given, together with a seal from Alaska.”
On a brand new interest: 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 fallacious with me. Then I attempted hand constructing and by no means appeared again.
{Photograph} on left: Jamie Hawkesworth. Portray on ground: Jeanne Thomsen. Wax seals in body: eBay. Bull-fighter jacket: eBay. Purple steel shelving unit: related.
On amassing: “I obtained 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 typically see the identical batch of photos time and again. Once you open an outdated guide, none of these photos 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 residence 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 residence 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 problem of Vogue since 1995.
KITCHEN
Print: Hugo Guinness. Bowl: Atelier Saint André Perrin.
On looking for one: Somebody must give you 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 substances, I’ll in all probability skip it.
On the necessary issues: What would I save in a hearth? In all probability my passport and the little playing cards and images on my fridge.
BEDROOM
Paint: “Metal wool” by Benjamin Moore. Quilt: “Hawaiian quilt from Honolulu.” Striped blanket: present, related. Gingham pillowcase: Muji, related.
On sleeping effectively: I sleep higher in darkish bedrooms, however I felt nervous about portray my complete room in a darkish coloration. 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 ground artwork: Not all my artwork is hung up. A few of that’s laziness, however a few of that’s intentional. Once 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 in every of them.
On dressing waaaay up: Final yr, a bunch of coworkers and I dressed up as Marie Antoinette’s desserts 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. Once we obtained there, we appeared round, and it was similar 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 one of the best. You will discover his designs on Alex Mill and observe his e-newsletter, Somstack.
P.S. Extra residence excursions, together with a cluttered-in-the-best-way Minnesota residence and our most colourful home tour ever.
(Images by Kate S. Jordan for Cup of Jo.)
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