secret strategist
By Katy Schneider and Simone Kitchens
Photo: Courtesy of the vendor
This roundup of things we liked this week originally appeared in the August 3, 2023, edition of the Secret Strategist newsletter, a weekly email where we share the stuff our staff — plus a rotating cast of writers, design-world people, and various others with very good taste — would otherwise keep to themselves. If you want to get our picks straight to your inbox each week, sign up here.
Some of us have recently moved, and some of us are doing work on our houses —so there’s a lot of home-stuff shopping going on over here. If you’re not doing a ton of summer travel, we think it’s a really nice time to settle in (ideally with aMidea air conditionerblasting —everyone is right, there now is no other worthy window unit).
This Week’s List
* Illustrator Geoff McFetridge said, in hisWhat I Can’t Live Without, that he lovesHerve Chapeliertwo-toned nylon tote bags —a ’90s staple. Three editors were inspired to buy their own (and one of those editors’ sister said she recently pulled hers out —“They certainly hold up well,” she said)! They come in atiny, pocket-bag-sizeversion that is veryCOA(the best bags, but very expensive), and a giant, weekender-ish-size version that is a good alternative for a Boat and Tote. And lots in between.
* Some pants:Olga Basha jeans(really, actually, extremely good —they wear in well, are surprisingly comfortable despite the raw denim of it all, and just lookcool.)Silphium. (Same sorta thing, but wider by a hair.) Little frillycotton-and-silk pantsone of our editors found in the back of a shop in Hudson (so special,sold nowhere else, run a bit small). Rather “thick, vintage-feeling”$18Banana Republic jeans, per an editor who found them at an outlet.
* Our pal Garrett Colton, who runs art SubstackArt Stuff, just bought a paper-flower sculpture from artistMegumi Shinozaki. “I got one from her last show with Nonaka-Hill Gallery and loved it so much I’m buying another,” he told us. “Incredible detail, don’t have to water it, and approachable in price.” He got his for $250 directly through the gallery. This $35paper buttercupfrom Emmeli Kimhi is also pretty great.
* This probably goes without saying, but so many engagement rings are so … traditional, and glitzy! And then some others are too “hip” and feel like maybe they won’t age well? These two jewelers, Seb Brown and Kathryn Bentley, make rings that feel nicely in between. Like thisoneand thisone.
* Recently, tasteful person Sara Brown-Rubinstein posted a picture of a paint-swatch color card on Instagram called “Historic Colors of America.” (She was seemingly using it to find inspiration for a color for her front door.) One of our editors, also doing some exterior paint work on her old house, ordered one too.The colors are amazing!Shaker Red, Concord Grape, Britches, Amish Green. To get your hands on the paint, you just need a swatch — take it to Home Depot and they’ll scan the color and copy it for you.
* Also, speaking of swatches … ha ha. That same editor has been really loving (again) her circa-2010, simple,black slim unisex Swatchwatch. It’s very sleek and stylish, but it also kind of justdisappears on the wrist. Or this not-a-Cartier (but not-not!)Agnes B. watch! Great and cheap.
Photo: Screenshot/Instagram
* Michael Bargo has a TV on wheels, and it looks really chic in his apartment somehow. (See below.) His is a no-longer-availableBang & Olufsen, but it inspired one of our editors, who got acheaper wheel-y stand on Amazonto attach her TV to. It looksokayin her space, if not slightly more geriatric than his setup —but it’s made her life100 times better.
* We saw a 1950sBarwa lounge chairin a beautiful banana yellow for sale on Instagram. It’s the same styleGeorgia O’Keeffekept in her Ghost Ranch and Abiquiu homes. Hers were salmon-colored. You can find the style on sites like1stdibs, but none are looking as nice. (TheseNii chairsare good, too —though we’ve heard they’re “a bit low.”)
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
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