Hot and Unbothered
Talking about creative MP, taking more photos, the best objects and spaces I've seen lately, and a very special mixtape for the freaky lovers
Hello and happy Monday! While the world continues to become more and more interesting by the day I’ve been thinking about what is most important to me and how I can focus my energy and time toward those things. Currently I’m working on three exciting design projects (that I can hopefully share in the next few months) with a fourth and fifth project in the pipeline. This is an exciting shift from the second half of last year where I had zero projects and dozens of rejected job applications 😓 It feels great to once again be working on projects that I’m really loving, all of which are completely different from one another, and really pouring everything I have into them.
Do you ever get the feeling though that you have a finite amount of creative energy? Like it’s a precious resource that can be depleted and needs to be recharged? In my head I laughingly think about it like I’m a character in an RPG, a mage perhaps, who needs to drink one of those red potions from a glass bottle to restore my MP (magic points, for the non-dorks in the crowd). I wish I had more time and energy for taking photos, to share what I’m doing on my Instagram, though most of my time has been sitting at this computer and dreaming up brand campaigns and poster concepts.
I met a lovely woman named Olga at a dinner party, she’s a photographer, and she’s inspired me to start bringing a camera with me whenever I leave the house. I keep having this feeling like I need to be documenting the times I’m having. Really, it’s the people I want to document, candidly capturing the joy and laughter and meals we’re sharing. For a while, I was carrying around my grandma’s old 35mm Canon Sure Shot, which is reliable, and basically invincible. This is a reminder to myself to bring it with me wherever I go, and that when I have people over, be sure to take some polaroids to have a record of who’s visited.
I hope you’re able to find some community and culture right now. Now more than ever I think it’s those two things are going to help us weather the storms ahead. Have a great rest of your week, and hopefully some of the items below bring you some joy and inspiration 💙
Objects —
Gemini Express Espresso Maker →
Making coffee every morning is a daily ritual, and if I didn’t have my existing routine, I would absolutely go for this Gemini Express. It’s basically a modified Bialetti Moka Express that can brew you a couple of shots of espresso. It’s adorable, comes in green, blue, and red, and is the perfect size for those of us with limited kitchen space.
Mesura Console 001 →
Barcelone-based creative studio mesura has released a new piece of furniture simply titled Console 001, described as a modular system console in tempered glass, aluminum and rubber. They say that they focused on creating a solid yet light piece, which I think they achieved, giving focus to the objects in your collection, rather than the piece itself. I’d be curious to see what it looks like it various living spaces, and how sunlight interacts with it.
Kurume Kasuri Snap Pads by Postalco →
If you’re in need of a new notepad for 2025 Postalco is releasing a new series of A5 and A6 Snap Pads that come adorned with various traditional Japanese fabrics called Kurume Kasuri. From the Chikugo region, patterns are envisioned and the cotton is dyed before it is woven, so the slight variations resulting from this process yield the trademark rough-around-the-edges patterns. There are some really beautiful variations in there, grab one while you can.
Leroy Johnson at Margot Samel →
I’m bummed I didn’t get to share this sooner, but gallery Margot Samel had an exciting exhibit featuring the work of Leroy Johnson, an artist who created sculptures and assemblages, depicting the richness of Black life, and a love letter to the urban landscape.
Noches Áridas, a collection of light designs by Kauni →
Kauani, a creative duo made up of Inés Llasera and Inés Quezada, have a new installation of lighting designs up at Ago Projects called Noches Áridas, “born from an in-depth observation of xerophytic plants, this series of textile lighting pieces translates the resilience and adaptability of cacti into form, texture, and light.” I’m so in love with the colors and texture, and how they each one feels so unique, and how there’s such a harmony to see them all together, like a glowing garden.
Daniel Dewar & Grégory Gicquel →
I fortuitously stumbled across the work of British-French artist duo Daniel Dewar & Grégory Gicquel and I may have found my new favorite artists. They seem to have an obsession with snails, rabbits, muscles, boots, and intestines, all of which are rendered and depicted in intricately hand-carved furniture and woven tapestries. Gallery Jan Kaps has a great collection of images of their work and I’m so intrigued by it all. It’s so classical and traditional in it’s approach but the subjects are so bizarre and slightly off-putting, it’s a fantastic combination.
Vince Skelly interview on FRAMA →
Copenhagen furniture and lifestyle brand FRAMA has an interview series called Personal Canvas and I really enjoyed their conversation with artist Vince Skelly. His work is comprised of these rough, brutalist wood pieces that tread the line between sculpture and functional objects. The photos and videos do a great job of capturing the essence of his work and his space and how crafts such beautiful objects.
Spaces —
Namō Ryokan in Normandy →
Anyone interested in chipping in for a getaway in the north of France? Meet the Namō Ryokan, billed as a tranquil retreat where you spend your days here doing yoga sessions, nature walks, and moments of contemplation or relaxation in the sauna, nestled in the serene Japanese garden. It’s such a gorgeous space, it’s the perfect placid vacation space for you and your 8 closest friends.
The office of Alfredo Paredes Studio →
There are business offices and then there are business offices, places that are actually pleasure to work in, that don’t feel like they’re trying to trap you in a cubicle. Interior designer Alfredo Paredes has set-up his studios new office in the historic Baudouine Building, which from the outside looks like a Roman temple. On the inside, you’re greeted with a melange of pieces both old and new, giving it a timeless feeling, and making it a space that you never want to leave.
Blue Bottle Toyosu Park by Schemata Architects →
Location is key to any good business, and well, I’m not sure many can beat this one! Schemata Architects have built out the most incredible Blue Bottle coffee location on earth, in Toyosu Park overlooking Tokyo Bay. It’s so incredibly idyllic looking, with green grasses and trees everywhere, and of course, the bay view. The building was built as a cluster of human-scale huts nesting together, and then combined with expansive eaves and semi-outdoor spaces as intermediate areas that connect these areas to the cafe.
Estancia San José by Atelier du Pont and Aru Arquitectura →
I really enjoyed spending time in Menorca last year, and of course it has me wondering, what would it be like to live there? Well, if I lived in a home like Estancia San José, I would probably never leave! A collaboration between Paris-based Atelier du Pont has teamed up with Menorca-based Aru Arquitectura, they have preserved much of the historical charm, but have also created a stunning kitchen lined with acid-yellow tiles that bring in a brilliant contemporary twist. This one is a must click!
Music —
Listen on Soundcloud →
Download the mixtape here →
With Valentine’s or Galentine’s or whatever you may or may not celebrate on the 14 February I’ve put together a super horny mixtape comprised of my favorite 90’s R&B tracks. This was the music I listened to growing up, like 12 years old, having no clue what any of it meant, only knowing I loved the music. I had so much fun making this mix. I knew all the words to all these songs still, it was such a fun throwback to enjoy. Whether you’re getting freaky with a lover or with your friends these old school jams are all classics that you can groove to. There’s a bit of a twist at the end, when the love goes sour (thank you Miss Badu) just so you’re aware. I hope you enjoy it, be sure to send this to your friends!
Soul For Real - Every Little Thing I Do
Maxwell - Ascension
SWV - I’m So Into You
Adina Howard - Freak Like Me
SILK - Freak Me
Mark Morrison - Return of the Mack
Zhané - Hey Mr. DJ
Next - Too Close
Erykah Badu - Tyrone
Janet Jackson - Any Time, Any Place
D’Angelo - Untitled (How Does It Feel)
