Speaking in the City + NYC Restaurant Favorites

A city that can make me feel small while some of my largest dreams continue to occur is a city that has a direct line to my soul. This is New York City for me. My heart dances a little louder here. This is not a gentle place, it is direct, owes you nothing but when you continue to show up for it - it can give you everything you need and more. I’ve loved in this city, inked my first book deal in this city, have been rejected in this city but one of my favorite things to do here - is to be open to all its inspiration. There are those of us who come here to shop and then there are those of us who hunt down the staple James Beard Award winning neighborhood spots avoiding the tourist trap at all costs. If you know me well, I am skipping the dressing room and I am bellied up to a corner table in a casual culinary gem. My work schedule hardly sleeps here so this narrowed down list is a good one for those pressed on time that won’t overwhelm you.

It was such an honor to be invited back to speak at three different events. Below, are behind the scenes and I hope you take the time feel the palpable humanity that comes across from each gallery. This is about community and I am forever grateful to have your support.

First, I want to thank everyone who took time out of their day to gather in community and celebrate The New Southern Style book. I am passionate about being a resource for you. How do I do this? I structure the evening with a thirty minute talk covering The Power of Photography: How to Leverage Your Lens ®, purpose driven branding tips and then I open up the floor to a significant Q+A session (with a book signing to follow). I have traveled all over the country giving this talk and the Q+A sessions are always my favorite. This is time spent getting to know you, listening to your fears, championing your wins, answering any question you have and ultimately creating a space to grow together.

It was such an honor to partner with Schwartz Design Showroom and Tracey of Found PR. We kicked off the first event at Schwartz Design Showroom’s newest location at The Fulton Street Design Center. Alexis Varbero is the fearless leader behind her family business and to be in the company of brave women who continue to take risks is truly a gift that keeps on giving. I value the spirit of women like Tracey and Alexis, because at the end of the day they want to see those around them thrive and succeed. The energy was palpable this particular week and I appreciate you for continuing to give my book wings to fly.

SCHWARTZ DESIGN SHOWROOM | FULTON STREET DESIGN CENTER IN EDISON, NJ

SCHWARTZ DESIGN SHOWROOM | STAMFORD, CT

THE NEW SOUTHERN BOOK SIGNING MODERATED BY JENNY MOLLEN | H|G WEST VILLAGE, NYC

The rain was pouring and so was love on this particular morning in the West Village. Jenny was in the midst of her own book tour with Dictator Lunches so for her to offer to moderate my intimate gathering was beyond selfless and very generous. I appreciate the author community. I feel like we have compassion for one another because writing books is hard and it’s not supposed to be easy. It takes grit, being stubborn (hi, we’ve met), constantly advocating for our own dreams along each others. A special thank you to Nicole from Blitzer & Co and Hudson Grace. This was a signing that had been moved from San Francisco, Marin County, the Hamptons to the perfect West Village spot.

Here’s the dish:

1. L’artusi is the big sister to B’artusi - the pastas are excellent and the Lasagna Bolognese Bianco at B’artusi are what literal dreams are made of.

2. Barbuto - Chef Jonathan Waxman came highly recommend by Jenny Mollen and his restaurant didn’t dissapoint. Ben and I walked in and were seated right away. We warmed up with the largest piece of fresh focaccia and an absolute must is the Insalata di Cavolo (Kale Salad). I had beautiful mussels and fresh pasta - I could eat this every day.

3. Via Carota - One of my absolute favorite west village spots and the toughest reservations to secure. My tip is to go during an off hour and try your luck as a walk in. Ben and I were inbetween meetings and this happened to be a very late lunch for us around 3pm est. Must try: Insalata Verde, Fritti, Meatballs (SO GOOD), Cacio Pepe - honestly everything on this menu.

4. Brindle Room - An East village gem that my cousin Jeremy Spector owns. This establishment has been on every top ten burger list imaginable and although the burger certainly lives up to the hype, his menu has so much more. He’s creative, fuses new flavors and is perfect for a candle lit date night spot. Also, a big congratulations for his recent win on Guy’s Grocery Games.

5. Sadelle’s - Housemade bagels and the perfect spot for brunch.

6. Maman - I like to start my morning’s here with a black coffee, fresh croissant with a little rustic warmth.

The New Southern | Designer Spotlight: Sara Ruffin Costello

Trading in New York for New Orleans — Sara Ruffin Costello, designer, writer and Domino’s former creative director, has allowed the South to teach her just when to work and when to play. She always finds time to stop and smell the jasmine alongside her photographer husband, three children, nine chickens and cat. She has designed a capsule collection of dresses, jewelry and homewares while also styling bohemian spaces in her current city, her old one and Los Angeles, too. Inspired by New Orleans, its heat and good comfort. Her career is built on the foundation of putting things together with the sole purpose to please.

A serious lover of books and following her own advice, Sara willingly and confidently looks past the rules. A little bit traditional and a little bit eclectic. Her curious design is dictated by harmony, pleasure and interest. She gives rooms a soul by highlighting more than just a mix of old and new. Weaving an appealing modern tone no matter how historic or classic the space — she gets provocative with it without losing sight of what is revered in old, Southern taste. Light and dark, curvy and straight, progressive and traditional. If she wouldn’t be comfortable living there, it doesn’t work. Helping to shift Southern design from unapproachable to take your shoes off at the door and come as you are — Sara embodies The New Southern through and through.

Photo: ©Paul Costello

With a distinct design style which reflects her interesting story — I felt compelled to ask more about Sara’s authentic approach.

Alyssa Rosenheck: Tell us about yourself….

Sara Ruffin Costello: I’m a designer and a writer which seems to keeps both sides of my brain occupied! I was the Creative Director at a magazine called Domino awhile back. After the magazine closed my husband photographer, Paul Costello, and I saw an opportunity to switch to Plan B. So we, and our three children, headed South from New York to New Orleans. That transition has very much defined how I now see the world. We’ve been here for about seven years. We are still as busy as we were, but definitely stop to smell the jasmine.

Photo: ©Paul Costello

Photo: ©Paul Costello

Photo: ©Paul Costello

AR: How are you modernizing / updating southern style when you design? 

SRC: Southern style can be vastly different depending on the region, but in a broad sense southern style means knowing how to live — how to kick back in your living room or lie down for a snooze on the porch sofa. Where to keep the booze, the bitters and the wine glasses. No matter the budget, you find these commonalities in every neighborhood around here. Southerners just seem to know when to work and when to play and its reflected in their homes.

AR: What innovative trends are you seeing with Southern design across the country? 

SRC: Technology is affecting how we live in a big way, so integrated systems are in demand. At the other end of that spectrum, people want to maximize time spent outdoors, that means interesting pergolas, covered porches, covered dining areas, fire pits.

AR: What are your favorite hometown design boutiques?

SRC: Sunday Shop, Karla Katz, Ann Koerner, Freda, Pilot and Powell, Saint Claude Social Club

SRC Home + Fashion line. Photo: ©Paul Costello

SRC Home + Fashion line. Photo: ©Paul Costello

SRC Home + Fashion line. Photo: ©Paul Costello

AR: Favorite shade of white and black paint color? 

SRC: For exterior: Benjamin Moore Crisp Linen. For interior: white - Donal Kauffman, DKC-100; black - Benjamin Moore Black Jack, 2133-20

AR: What’s your life motto?

SRC: I should get one one of those!  I am a curious person so that takes me on an adventurous path. Everyday I read a bit from the Stoics — That reminds me how to be. And finally — Levity,  I try to remember to lighten up when we run into problems at the studio...This ain’t life threatening stuff!

Photo: ©Paul Costello

Photo: ©Paul Costello

Photo: ©Paul Costello

AR: The one shade that changes everything? Tell us what mood it evokes and when/how you’ve used it.

SRC: I really like this dark olive color — Benjamin Moore CW-85 Randolph Gray. I’ve used it in my bedroom, in a clients stairwell, and in an entire church renovation. It makes small spaces richer, and giant spaces more comforting. It reminds me of martini olives, flak jackets and wool pea coats

AR: The place you go to get inspired?

SRC: The movies! My son is a budding filmmaker, we are constantly at the theater. I basically watch for the sets!  Travel is critical too. We just went to London and hit spots including the John Soane museum which directly influenced my work when I came back home.

Photo: ©Paul Costello

Photo: ©Paul Costello

Photo: ©Paul Costello

AR: The key to making a house a home? What does a home need more of and less of? 

SRC: Books! But spotting them in homes is getting to be as rare as seeing an old school telephone. Truthfully, making a house a home is more about attitude than anything else. I have friends with disastrous decor situations but their houses are amongst my favorite to hang out in! So who knows?! I will say, we had potential clients with disastrous home decor situations asking if we could send them ideas and they could do the job themselves….in response, we created a “DIY decorating business” where we do a site visit and send you shopping/paint, furniture plan ideas. It’s been really fun and people who couldn’t afford the whole soup to nuts hiring a decorator experience are getting my skills for a fraction of the price!! Go to sararuffincostello.com for more info.

AR: Life advice you’ve gotten that made all the difference? 

SRC: Do your hardest work two hours after you wake up. 

Photo: ©Paul Costello

AR: Design advice you’ve gotten that made all the difference? 

SRC: When it comes to decorating, I follow my own advice: Would I want this? Does it interest me? Could I live here? Is it comfortable? If the answer is no, then I haven’t done a good enough job. When it comes to styling a room, place objects as if you are composing elements for a painting. Is it pleasing? Is there harmony? Is there interest?

Photo: ©Nicole LaMotte for One Kings Lane

AR: What’s your favorite housewarming gift?

SRC: Tequila and fresh lemons.

AR: Tell us something we probably don’t know.

SRC: I love babies!

AR: Design book you’ll always have on your shelf? 

SRC: Oberto Gili’s books, Diana Vreeland and Vogue books.

AR: What’s your dream project/client?

SRC: My dream client is happening now! We just wrapped. Her house is totally her. It was a beautiful collaboration. She makes quick decisions, trusts me, but is also vocal.

AR: What’s currently on your nightstand?

SRC: Stacks and stacks of books.

Photo: ©Paul Costello

Photo: ©Paul Costello

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The New Southern | Designer Spotlight: Duffy Stone

Go big or go home is the Texas motto and Duffy Stone does the former, very well, with major color. Her minimalistically mod flavor which she has brought all around the country deeply resonates with The New Southern. Inherently refreshing and visually compelling, her creative energy is woven in and out of each one of her boutique retail and residential spaces. From the bright color palettes and modern curves of Olive NYC, the deconstructed vibe of Esby, to the sunny and sophisticated aesthetic of Beehive in Austin...each space that she designs has a flair of its own. In her world there are no boundaries, rules don’t exist, and imagination runs wild.

A little more fearless and a little less comfortable, Duffy is a woman after my own heart. She is the epitome of The New Southern’s playful self, catching national attention as an Austin trendsetter for her often bold, colorful interiors. Incorporating massive macro prints as wallpaper together with fringe, fresh new shapes, tastes, and eclectic pieces. She’s a modern day 70’s glam queen with an artfully curated eye. She allows those that step into her spaces to dream through thoughtfully and well-selected shape, texture, and scale. Charismatic and rebellious — from the choice of color to the nooks and crannies. Her interiors gracefully dance the line between whimsically modern and mid-century glam. Effortlessly chic and pulled together with an incredible ability to transport into a soulful escape. Her cheeky, spirited approach to design stems from a quirky boldness that I absolutely love to highlight.

Photo: Julie Holder

We sat down with Duffy to chat about her take on modern Southern design (and hospitality) and how she’s creating live-in, layered spaces that are oozing with personality.

Alyssa Rosenheck: Tell me about yourself.

Duffy Stone: I’m a designer based in Austin, Texas specializing in retail design. I am rooted in Austin, but work all over including NY and LA designing retail spaces. I recently (6 weeks ago!) had a baby boy named Sonny. Work never slowed down during the pregnancy — and I’m still going strong even with a baby here. It’s fun to have a new partner in crime in the playful world of Interiors.

AR: How are you modernizing / updating Southern style when you design?

DS: Southern style is far from minimal. To me it is colorful, layered, warm and most importantly, inviting. I always include rich colors in my designs, and I love to push that on clients. I make sure to keep my projects clean but lived-in. It’s really important in my line of work that the spaces are welcoming to all sorts of folks. Making sure that people feel comfortable to come in is always the first priority in retail design. The experience is everything. It’s always a fun challenge for me, especially when designing spaces that are far from traditionally Southern, to have Southern hospitality with a modern twist on it — using specific materials, color combinations, and shapes. 

Photo: Lauren Logan

Photo: Julie Holder

Photo: Julie Holder

AR: What are your favorite hometown design boutiques?

DS: My favorite Austin design boutiques are Wildflower Organics, Uptown Modern, Room Service Vintage, and Austin Antique Mall. They have the friendliest faces working there, so I always make sure to have time to shop and hang out. To my clients, don’t worry — I don’t bill for the hang out time.

AR: Favorite shade of white and black paint color?

DS: “Ultra Pure White” by Behr and “Tricorn Black” by Sherwin-Williams.

AR: What’s your life motto?

DS: Feeling nervous is a good sign you’re making something original. If you get too comfortable, you’re probably on repeat. 

Photo: Lauren Logan

Photo: Julie Holder

AR: The one shade that changes everything? Tell us what mood it evokes and when / how you’ve used it.

DS: Red! It’s so bold and moody. It instantly adds so much character to a space. I love to paint open doorway arches red for an unexpected color moment. In my own home, I did that heading into the nursery and I have a feeling that the baby really likes the color choice.

AR: The place you go to get inspired?

DS: I love walking around Mayfield Park or the Blanton Museum in Austin for inspiration. I think we are really lucky to have those two places in our city.    

AR: Design advice you’ve gotten that made all the difference?

DS: I follow NOLA-based artist Ashley Longshore on Instagram and she’s a daily motivation to hustle. I find advice relayed via her social media. She has a really great attitude towards working for yourself, how to keep your chin up, and career moving up.

Photo: Juliana Ramirez

AR: What’s your advice for mixing old with new?

DS: Just do it! This only never works if you overthink it. It’s a really simple way to make a great design with lots of depth. People are always so hesitant to mix and find a million reasons why things don’t work or shouldn’t go together. I never get that — just let it roll.

AR: What’s your dream project / client?

DS: Retail design has always been my baby, but since a new little sheriff named Sonny has rolled into town, I have been naturally drawn to kids' spaces. I think the dream project now would be to design a really magical set for a children’s film. Something really over the top that I wouldn’t get a chance to do on a normal day-to-day basis. Something that my baby would think is really cool.

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The New Southern | Artist Spotlight: Renée Bouchon

There is something about females who toss out all of the rules and choose to pursue something which gives their lives more substance that stirs my soul. Renée Bouchon is one of these women — having found her passion through art and learning to thrive off of it. An artist with a beautiful eye for the imperfect, impressive abstract portfolio, and a true understanding of what it takes to make that pivot from what is expected to what speaks to your soul. Continuing to live out her truth, Renée is a living testament to The New Southern’s idea that we should cultivate our own paths to make each day better than the last. As someone who has gone from corporate to creative myself, I am thrilled to champion her as a part of this movement.   

With every brushstroke Renee is tending to a dream which sparked a fire within her at an early age in New Orleans. Her work is authentic and full of life, as she powerfully mixes bold hues, soft pastels and neutral tones, alongside her signature charcoal lines. Evoking a sense of freedom, exploration, and adventure. Known for a movement of color and depth of personality in every piece. She speaks a powerful message to other creative entrepreneurs that are looking for the inspiration to one day get there: “The time is now!”.

Photo: © CatMax Photography

We loved sitting down with this creative Atlantan whose art has quickly gained national exposure among a network of acclaimed interior designers and respected galleries. Knowing not just her style but her story, too, she’s an artistic tastemaker that we are honored to raise our glass to in this new year.

Alyssa Rosenheck: Tell me about yourself.

Renée Bouchon: Oh boy, where do I begin! I was born and raised in New Orleans before moving to Charlotte for high school. I then found myself at the University of Georgia majoring in advertising through their journalism school and finally landed in Atlanta post-graduation (where I have been ever since). Throughout it all, I painted. Always. It was my stress-reliever during my years in the fast-paced ad world, and the thing I looked forward to come home to. I would set up shop in my big bathroom—yes, bathroom—because I had a roommate and I didn't want to take over any of the common space. It wasn’t until about 6 years ago that a college acquaintance commissioned me to do a painting for her, and her hubby’s GORGEOUS new Savannah home. I’d say it was right about then, that things took off...and they have only skyrocketed. After 10 years in some of the top advertising firms in Atlanta, I arrived at a crossroad...keep straddling the line between ad exec and artist, or take the leap. Risk it all and walk away from a great paying job and stability to follow what my heart was screaming at me to do. Well, I followed my heart and I have not looked back. Not once. I loved my years in advertising, but I truly believe they were setting me up to follow my dream, market myself in the right way, and catapult me to a full-time artist. It’s been an unbelievable ride, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds. So many exciting things are on the horizon!

AR: How are you modernizing / updating Southern style with your art?

RB: I break the rules...all the time. I mix mediums that are traditionally not paired together to create mixed media compositions that tell a story. I don’t like art that’s perfect. I want it to have flaws and beautiful imperfections. It’s hard to find a piece of mine that does not have charcoal line work. It’s raw and usually the favorite part of any piece. 

AR: What innovative trends are you seeing with Southern style across the country?

RB: Moody, sultry interiors.

AR: What are your favorite hometown design boutiques?

RB: Scott’s Antique Market takes the cake!

AR: Favorite shade of white and black paint color?

RB: “Pitch Black” by Farrow & Ball and “Great White” by Farrow & Ball.

AR: What’s your life motto?

RB: GO. FOR. IT! I’ve always said, you get one shot at this thing called life. ONE! Just do it. Don’t look like back 5,10, 50 years and say, “I wish I would have followed my heart, taken that trip, left the job, etc.” The time is now. For real, folks!

AR: The one shade that changes everything? Tell us what mood it evokes and when/how you’ve used it. 

RB: Black! There is something about including black in artwork that brings all of the other colors out more. It’s the perfect juxtaposition to a colorful piece and adds interest and sophistication.

AR: The place you go to get inspired?

RB: New York City. Oh boy, does this city get me going. I typically make a trip there every other month. I can’t not visit when I get the itch. The people, the culture, the art, the food, the grit, the music...you name it. This city evokes so many ideas and has me racing back to my studio to put my brush to the canvas. Last time I visited, I spent hours at the Museum of Modern Art. I can honestly say, it’s my ultimate happy place.

AR: The key to making a house a home?

RB: Make it a reflection of what makes you come alive! That painting that you bought from the 80-year-old man selling original art on a bridge in Paris, the pillow you made from vintage fabric you found at an NYC flea market. Less fluff and more meaning! Make it eclectic and interesting.

AR: Life advice you’ve gotten that made all the difference both personally and professionally?  

RB: Don’t get hung up on the small stuff. It’s so easy to forget the big picture.  

AR: Who are some of your favorite artists/makers? What do you love about their work?  

RB: Wayne Pate. I love his simple yet detailed works and his color selection. Ashley Longshore is another favorite—I adore her carefree approach to life...her art is pretty killer too.

Artist: Renee Bouchon, Photo: © CatMax Photography

Design: Erin Gates Elements of Style

AR: What’s your favorite housewarming gift?

RB: A Jo Malone candle.

AR: What’s your dream project/client? 

RB: Collaborating with Kelly Wearstler or Suzanne Kasler.

AR: What’s currently on your nightstand?  

RB: Six issues of Architectural Digest.

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