← Talk Shop with Ariel Okin: A Fenimore Lane Production
Talk Shop with Ariel Okin: A Fenimore Lane Production
The Joy of the Hunt with Alexander Widener
00:35:40
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- [00:00]
A
I love old stuff. I love shopping at antique stores and auctions and thrift stores and estate sales. I am a total sucker for ebay and Etsy. I don't find myself buying a ton of new things, but my ebay deporteau search is always pinned in my Google tab and you know, that's kind of my thing.
- [00:21]
B
Welcome to Talkshop. I'm Arielle Oken, a New York based interior designer, writer and editor looking to bring a little bit of magic into our homes every day. After years as a writer and editor in the interiors world, I founded my own editorial site, Fenimore Lane, in 2020 and the TalkShop interview series was born. Each week I delve into the personal experiences of the top interior designers and tastemakers around the globe. My guest this week has been a lover of design since he was a small child growing up in Pennsylvania, where his mom brought him along to rummage sales, flea markets, and antique stores. Alexander Widener learned about the love of the hunt at an early age, and his passion for design blossomed into a career in the textile world. First a stop at FIT in New York City for a fashion business management degree and then on to learn about brand building and marketing for iconic home brands like Mattuc, Sister Parish and Samuel and Sons. After finding success and building an engaged community on social media, Alexander decided to set out on his own. Earlier this year, he left his job in corporate America and moved with his husband into a property in coastal Maine which had been an antique store for the past 30 years. As he speaks about during our conversation, the guest cottage is now open to visitors and the Shop Widener collection is now up and running. From his posts on social media to his new company, he shares his passion for collecting and design. This chat with my friend was so fun and I love the points Alexander made about jumping into a career change. So please join me as we welcome him to the podcast. Alexander, welcome to the podcast. Thank you so much for coming on.
- [01:56]
A
Thank you Ariel. It's like honestly, truly such an honor and I'm so excited to chat with you.
- [02:01]
B
Oh my God, I have been so excited to record this episode. We have known each other for a while from when Alexander worked at Samuel and Sons, and I have always been such a fan of his and when I saw all of these incredible new developments that we're going to get into in the episode, I thought, well, we just have to have him come on. So to kick off the conversation, can you describe your style in three words or less?
- [02:27]
A
So I think my husband would describe it as like Mrs. Havisham, but I think I would say, like, traditional, joyful, and personal. I think those are my three words.
- [02:38]
B
I love that. And for those listening, can you give everyone a little bit of a background on yourself? Where are you at this point in your career and your life?
- [02:46]
A
Yeah. So I spent the last few years working in the design industry, doing mostly marketing for textile companies, and I worked for some really great heritage brands. I spent some time at Mattuc and Sister Parish and then of course at Samuel and Sons, where I met Ariel, because her team and her trim like no one else.
- [03:08]
B
Thank you.
- [03:08]
A
I mean, it's true, but I spent a few years doing that, and I've. Ever since I was a child, I've had this, like, entrepreneurial yearning. And I never quite found the right business idea or thing that I really wanted to pursue until recently when this new opportunity kind of opened up for me. And so I made a really big shift in my life. We sold our house in Rhode island, we left our apartment in New York, and we bought this really incredible property here in Wiscasset, Maine, which is kind of in the mid coast of Maine.
- [03:40]
B
So cool.
- [03:41]
A
And actually, at the time of recording tomorrow, I will open my first shop.
- [03:48]
B
That's amazing.
- [03:48]
A
I'm so excited. Yeah, it's like a dream come true.
- [03:51]
B
I'm so excited for you.
- [03:54]
A
Thank you, Ariel. Yeah. So if anyone is coming to visit Maine, our interior shop, Widener Co. Is here and hopefully open and full of beautiful things. And then we also opened a little guest cottage here so people can come and spend a couple nights during the summer here in Maine because it's. It's really the most beautiful place in the world.
- [04:13]
B
So it really is. And I love the concept of taking a shop and turning it into immersive, livable world, which is what you're doing with the inn. And there's sort of almost like a trend of that right now with the Six Bells opening. And it's such an interesting and cool a concept, and I'm just so excited to see what you do with it because it really brings retail into a whole other realm, and it's just very cool. So I'm so proud of you.
- [04:41]
A
Yeah, I think so. And thank you. When I started working on this project, it was a year ago in July. I had this idea of how could I package up the feeling that you get when you spend a weekend away in Maine, you know, in August or July? How can I kind of like, bottle up that essence and offer it to people? So I hope that I can do it. I'm really exc.
- [05:03]
B
I know you will. And I'm so excited to see what it looks like. Do you think that design's always been a part of your life? Like, have you always been a collector?
- [05:12]
A
Oh, yeah. You know, since I was a little kid, I had. And not to go dark, but I had, like, a pretty tumultuous childhood. And I think a lot of creative people, that's where their creativity is born. And so for me, you know, escaping into collecting and interiors and going to antique stores or, you know, having that moment of stepping back into time was really, like an escape for me.
- [05:36]
B
Oh, that's really beautiful.
- [05:38]
A
Yeah. And I grew up in, like, rural Pennsylvania. I didn't know what a decorator was. I had never been inside of a house that an interior designer had designed. I didn't even know this world existed until I moved to New York to go to college. And suddenly, you know, my eyes were open to this incredible world of beauty and joy. And, you know, since then, it's kind of been downhill.
- [06:02]
B
And that's such an amazing thing, too. I. I love hearing stories of people who kind of. You followed your gut intuition and knew that that was something, even though you didn't even know that it was really a career. Right. And found your way to it. And I think there's a lesson to be learned there for creatives who are finding themselves unsure of what they want to do in life. But following the yes kind of always brings you to the right place.
- [06:30]
A
Yeah, I think so. And as we get older, I mean, Arielle, we're in our 30s now, and so clearly we're very well seasoned. But, you know, as we get older, I feel like you start to understand that you have choices in your life, and you get to choose the path that you're on. And I just feel so lucky to be on this path.
- [06:50]
B
I love that. I know that you've always sort of been a collector of sorts. What was the first thing you started to collect?
- [06:57]
A
Oh, my God. Okay. So I think, you know, now my collections are a little bit more interesting, but I think I probably first started collecting Beanie Babies and, like, Navy, like, tearaway pants. Those were really my jam as a young child. But I think it goes to show that, like, you can collect anything, and if it makes you happy, then it's worth collecting.
- [07:19]
B
Yeah.
- [07:19]
A
Do still collect Old Navy pants and Beanie Babies? No, but if that's your jam, then go for it.
- [07:26]
B
What is your favorite thing to collect now?
- [07:29]
A
I have, like, a running joke with my husband that there's, like, a list of things I can't buy any more of. And so I'll run quickly through the list. Baskets, chairs, books, quilts and dishes and glassware. I think those are, like, the main things. But then also, like, topiaries and geraniums. I mean, I just. Once I fall in love with something, I just want to fill my world with it.
- [07:51]
B
I mean, I'm right there with you. Also, with plants, I feel like that you can never have too much. Like, you can never have too many geraniums.
- [07:59]
A
Yeah. Especially when you kill them at the rate that I do.
- [08:03]
B
Okay, walk me through your career in design, because you went to fit, you worked at Mattuc, you worked at Samuel and Sons, you worked at Sister Parish. How did that. If you went to fit, were you thinking you were going to be in the fashion space? And how did you sort of end up finding yourself in the interiors world?
- [08:17]
A
Yeah, I thought I was going to go into fashion. And so I went to FIT for college, and I got my degree in fashion business management. And during college, I was working full time to, you know, pay for college. And I worked at places like Saks and Bergdorf Goodman and, you know, like Tory Burch. And so I had this kind of, like, experience in the fashion world, and that really laid the foundation for me to understand how customers interact with brands, how product resonates with people in real time. And while I didn't end up going down a fashion route, that experience kind of laid the foundation for everything else that I was able to do. You know, working for other people. And certainly is extremely helpful as I go into this next chapter.
- [09:06]
B
Oh, absolutely. Also, I think there's so much crossover between luxury retail and luxury interiors. I mean, they're both service businesses. You're sort of creating a world for people to escape into or feel something from. And so going from that retail experience and then flipping it to the marketing side, I think it just gives you an invaluable layer of understanding of who the customer is, because there is a ton of crossover between that customer, too.
- [09:36]
A
Yeah, I think so. And honestly, you know, if you're someone who does marketing or wants to do marketing or really any job, like I recommend doing a year in retail, the things that I learned stick with me forever.
- [09:47]
B
My first job was when I was 13. I worked at a bookstore on Long beach island called the Bookworm in Surf City.
- [09:55]
A
Oh, and now you're an author.
- [09:57]
B
Yes, yes, that's true. But I worked there every summer from when I was 13 to 19, and I always say it taught me so so much at a young age that I still use today. Because as an interior designer, you do work in a service business, and you need to know how to, you know, mitigate issues with customers. And customer service is really important, no matter what job you're in.
- [10:18]
A
Yeah, exactly. And, you know, for me to, like, be at Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue, like, they are the kings of retail.
- [10:25]
B
Oh, yeah. No better training ground than that.
- [10:28]
A
No better training than that. So hopefully I can, you know, take some of the good parts of that and have it at my own shop.
- [10:34]
B
Well, let's talk about your shop, which is very exciting. It opens tomorrow. What kind of things are you. Are you selling there?
- [10:43]
A
So it's only things that I love. I haven't brought in anything that I wouldn't buy for myself or haven't bought for myself. And it's sort of a mix of old and new. So I'll have some antiques. Nothing too precious or important. These are just like, you know, beautiful, decorative things.
- [10:59]
B
Yeah.
- [11:00]
A
And then some new things from, you know, some small makers. And everything kind of is connected with a thread through handcraft. I think, like you, Ariel, like, part of why we're drawn to this industry and to objects and collecting is because of the humanness that are in these things. And I think about, like, when you hold a textile that's 200 years old, like, I have a few American quilts at the shop. You know, someone sat down and stitched all of those by hand. And suddenly you're connected through space and time to another person through an object that you can still use and love today. And for me, that. That really sparks it.
- [11:38]
B
No, it's so true. And I think that reverence for the maker is what makes a really good shopkeeper, too, because whether it's with new, you know, newly crafted items that you're establishing relationships with these makers or you're on the hunt for stuff and you really have a reverence for what you're selling. You can feel that as a shopper when you walk into a store. Right. So I think coming at it from that attitude, I already know what it's. I can picture in my head what it's going to feel like when you walk in there.
- [12:08]
A
Yeah. I hope that my joy for these items translates. And, you know, I've been having so much fun. I want to eventually develop more product, more private label stuff.
- [12:18]
B
Yep.
- [12:18]
A
But our first kind of foray into that is I found a local basket weaver in our village and we looked at some antique Shaker baskets. And we've developed a small little collection of. Of Shaker style baskets.
- [12:31]
B
Oh.
- [12:31]
A
So I'm really excited, you know, to be able to celebrate her craft and to be able to offer, you know, I have antique baskets in the sh. These are baskets that can be used every day. And then we're also like, iterating on some old shaker designs and then feel a little fresh and new. And so I'm really excited about that.
- [12:49]
B
Oh, my God, I can't wait to see. That's so exciting.
- [12:52]
A
Thank you.
- [12:53]
B
Well, let's talk about your viral posts on TikTok because they are hysterical and amazing. Oh, my God, they're so good.
- [13:01]
A
You've seen those?
- [13:03]
B
Of course I've seen them. And you have found such a space on social media for those who love antiquing and have amassed such a following so quickly, which I love and makes me so happy. Where did the idea come to to start those?
- [13:18]
A
Yeah, so it's been so crazy. First of all, if you haven't filmed yourself talking to your phone and posted it online for everyone to see, you have no idea how cringe it actually feels. So that was like the scary thing. But to be honest, I. And this is going to sound so like Gwyneth Paltrow. Woo. Woo. But my horoscope said today's the day to put yourself in the public eye. If there's something you want to share with the world, share it now.
- [13:43]
B
Oh, my God.
- [13:44]
A
I know. It was kind of crazy. And for years a few people in my life have been saying, like, oh, you should really make videos. Like, I think people would be interested in the way that you talk about things. I guess I was always just like, too self conscious.
- [13:56]
B
Yeah.
- [13:56]
A
And didn't have the confidence to do it. And was also scared of getting over that, like, initial cringe. And then, you know, I saw this horoscope and I was like, okay, I'm starting a business. People need to know about it. I'm going to have to market myself. So I'm going to make a video. So I sat down and made a video about Wedgwood because I am a collector and a fanatic.
- [14:17]
B
And it was so detailed and, like, told in such an interesting and engaging way. And I think that also is part of it. There isn't a lot of content out there that explains antiques and vintage in a way that's engaging and exciting. That's like the sweet spot that you nailed.
- [14:33]
A
Yeah. I feel like I've tapped into something and it's. It's sharing these Things that. That we love, and sharing them with people who might not have known about them before, but making it feel approachable. And, you know, I don't write a script. I just talk about things the way that I see them, and I talk about the parts of these stories of objects and brands that make me feel excited. And I think people are sharing in that excitement, and it's kind of cool. You know, my first video, like, I went to bed, and I posted it in the morning and then went to bed, and it had 100,000 views.
- [15:05]
B
That's crazy.
- [15:07]
A
So crazy. Yeah. It kind of has honestly snowballed into something. I'm delusional. I thought that people were going to be obsessed with me. I was like, 500 people are going to see this. It's going to be so good. And then, like, it totally blew me away, and it snowballed into something so much bigger than I could have imagined.
- [15:25]
B
I mean, when I saw you in Ali LaBelle's substack, I was like, yes, this is amazing. It made me so happy. And I think the Internet right now, it's like, everything feels siloed and, like, discover pages feel kind of wonky. And so, like, it made me so happy to see that you're showing up in, like, the places that I religiously read. Also, it's. You hit the note with the right crowd of people who are, like, interested in what you're talking about.
- [15:54]
A
Oh, thank you, Arielle.
- [15:55]
B
It's true. And it made me really happy.
- [15:58]
A
Yeah, well, I don't think there's anyone else making content like this. I hope more people do, but. So it's just been fun to kind of, like, carve this little niche on the Internet and the people that I've met and the community that has surrounded me, you know, it feels kind of cool.
- [16:13]
B
So let's chat a little bit about working in design. What is your favorite thing about working in the design world? I mean, you've done. You've worn a couple different hats at this point. I mean, you've done the marketing side. You've done curating as a shopkeeper. You're also going to be an innkeeper. I mean, there's, like, lots of different hats that you've been trying on. What's your favorite element about all of them?
- [16:35]
A
I think the thing that gets me excited is being able to give people beauty in their life. And I think that it's especially in the times that we are all living through and have been living through for the past years, to surround yourself with things that make you happy is so powerful. And to be a part of an industry that does that for people, it's really special.
- [17:01]
B
It is. It's transformative. I really. Sometimes at the office, we talk about the fact that we create the movie sets, basically, that people create their memories in, and. Yeah, it's such a special privilege to be able to get to do that. And it's such a personal thing to be able to do for people. And the design industry in general is just such a warm and collegiate and welcoming group of people that I think everybody feels the same way. Like, everyone kind of pinches themselves that they get to do what they do every day.
- [17:32]
A
Yeah, yeah. And at the end of the day, it's all about the people. And that's what's, you know, it's the people who are in the workrooms making, you know, pillows and sofas and draperies.
- [17:42]
B
Yeah.
- [17:42]
A
It's the people who are weaving the textiles throughout the world. And then it's like, designers, you know, and when I worked on the brand side when I was heading up marketing at Samuel and Sons, you know, we sent Ariel some tassels for a Kips Bay project, and I went out for the opening, and, you know, Ariel's a designer that I respect and who does such beautiful work.
- [18:00]
B
Thank you.
- [18:00]
A
And to meet her and to be enveloped in her presence and for her to be so warm and open, I think, you know, that's like, the experience that I had over and over again meeting people in our industry. And I think that's, you know, especially a lot of us have made this fashion transition into home, and that's one of the reasons why is there are real good, amazing people that we get to work with, and it's so cool.
- [18:25]
B
What design rule do you always follow, and which do you think is made to be broken?
- [18:30]
A
Honestly, I don't really believe in rules. I feel like there are people who are rule followers, and I am not one of those people. And so while I respect some of the guidelines around, like, scale and drapery and, you know, those rules about how tall your lampshade should be, I respect those. I think those are useful. But otherwise, I think just make something beautiful and go with your gut. Yeah. I don't think there are any rules to be followed.
- [18:56]
B
I agree with you. I think, you know, I ha. I've had a couple people on who have said, you have to know the rules to break the rules, which I agree with. And I think some of the most exciting and dynamic and interesting spaces happen when they're really unconsidered in that sense, like, they're sort of coming from the gut and they're really personal, and I think that's what makes them sing.
- [19:17]
A
Yeah, exactly. And I think, you know, if you're someone like me. I didn't go to, like, design school. I took an interior design class.
- [19:23]
B
Yeah, I didn't either, by the way. I never went to design, and I'm.
- [19:27]
A
Curious to hear if it's the same for you. The way that I've kind of honed my eye is just through looking at old books and magazines and looking up from old decorators that I really admire and the good stuff and leaving the other stuff behind and mixing it all together. And if you know your roots and you know the history and you know the context, then the rules that those people might have been following will kind of inherently be passed on to you. You know, I think it's all about instinct.
- [19:56]
B
I agree. It is. It's so much. I mean, creative fields in general, and creativity is so much from the gut and instinct. And I think that's exactly right about reading and educating yourself through these books. I mean, there's such a portal to really into the brains of some of the greatest designers in the world. And, like, what an amazing resource to be able to read these. I mean, I. Every weekend I pick a different book when my daughter. My younger daughter's napping, and I read it cover to. I just feel like it's. They're just invaluable resources and travel, too. But I really think those books are. Are super helpful.
- [20:31]
A
Yeah. And it boils down to curiosity.
- [20:34]
B
Yeah.
- [20:34]
A
And that's like the thing about myself. We all have things we love about ourselves. We all have things we don't love about ourselves. But the one thing that's most precious to me is the curiosity that I innately have. And I just, you know, I'm very protective of it because I know that it could. I could become jaded and it could go away so fast. And I hope that I never lose that curious spark, because being able to learn something new every day, you know, helps me grow and makes me, you know, a better person in my personal life, in my work and everything. Yeah. And I think you have that too, Ariel.
- [21:09]
B
Yes, it's true. I always. The minute you start thinking that, you know, everything is when you not only stop learning, but you also start making mistakes.
- [21:17]
A
Exactly.
- [21:18]
B
And I think constantly being on your toes and thinking about, you know, what can you dive into today and learn more about, or can you look at something a different way away or turn it on its head. I think that's what keeps work fresh. I think that's what makes you enjoy your job. And like you said, even in your personal life, it just. It's such a great way to. To. To live honestly. Okay, well, a little bit about you. What do you think your home says about you? I know you just moved, so you may not even be fully established at this point.
- [21:48]
A
Yeah, I have not started decorating at all. I think currently my house would say he doesn't clean. He might be a hoarder. Hopefully, eventually it will say that he's someone who celebrates objects and loves textiles and, you know, is. Has a comfortable, welcoming, warm home. But, yeah, right now, it's probably the former.
- [22:11]
B
I mean, moving is just complete and utter chaos.
- [22:15]
A
Yeah. But also, I think, you know, to decorate your own house, like, you should live there for a year so that you can figure out how.
- [22:22]
B
It takes time.
- [22:23]
A
It takes time. I need to know how I'm going to use the rooms and what lifestyle. I mean, this is such a big shift. Like, what does my lifestyle look like here? What do I need to get out of the house? Yeah. And also, you know, it's an. It's an 18th century house. It's from 1785. It was built by a sea captain. You know, I need to be really respectful, and, you know, I see myself kind of as like a steward of it.
- [22:43]
B
Yeah.
- [22:44]
A
You know, beyond the house, there was a really beautiful antique store here for many, many years. My shop is actually in my house. It's kind of a weird setup, but makes it feel really personal.
- [22:55]
B
Yeah.
- [22:55]
A
And, yeah. So if anyone's listening who's passed through Whiskey Cassatt, you'll know of Marston House Antiques, and they are really amazing antique dealers. It started off in Americana and kind of went more European when they. When the two owners, Paul and Sharon, moved to France. And so there's kind of like this legacy here. You know, I want to respect that and be a partner to that also.
- [23:17]
B
Like, this sounds like such a dreamy life. Like, I want to pick up and move to coastal Maine and own an antique shop.
- [23:22]
A
It's so Ariel. It was my dream until I did it, and now it's my nightmare. So watch out, be careful.
- [23:30]
B
I know once you get settled, I think moving in general, even if you move down the street, is just a nightmare for a few months, and then you get into your groove and it.
- [23:39]
A
Like, oh, yeah, it's crazy.
- [23:41]
B
Well, where are some of your favorite places to shop for home? Besides, obviously, your new Store.
- [23:46]
A
Yeah, well, obviously I have to say Widener company, but I just love. I love old stuff. I love shopping at antique stores and auctions and thrift stores and estate sales. Am a total sucker for ebay and Etsy. I don't find myself buying a ton of new things, but my ebay deporto search is always pinned in my Google tab. And, you know, that's kind of my thing.
- [24:11]
B
I mean, same. My husband's always like, if you get one more coffee table book or one more thing from Etsy, you are going to have to move.
- [24:21]
A
Yeah, I think our husbands have sort of a shared ethos on that one.
- [24:25]
B
I know. You know what? It's just part. I always say it's part of being in this industry. I think we're all a little bit of like, magpie slash hoarder.
- [24:34]
A
Yeah, you have to be.
- [24:35]
B
We all have, like a sentimentality attached to all of these things too. Like, we create stories for pieces, you know, and it's just a different mentality.
- [24:43]
A
Yeah. The delusion is real.
- [24:44]
B
Yes.
- [24:45]
A
I can definitely convince myself to buy anything.
- [24:48]
B
Where do you find inspiration for the store, for what you're doing, for what you used to do in terms of marketing? Like, where do you kind of get. Get lit up?
- [24:57]
A
I know as like a young person, I shouldn't say this, but I just am inspired by the past.
- [25:02]
B
I think that's a great answer.
- [25:04]
A
I love. I have a collection of old magazines from the 80s and 90s. I look through those for decoration, inspiration or ad campaign. The ads were so good back then.
- [25:15]
B
So good.
- [25:15]
A
And I love all my old design books. Instagram is amazing. But, you know, there's something about discovering a printed piece for the first time that impacts you in a way that this, like, sort of ephemeral world that we're in. And it's funny because, like, digital things are ephemeral now rather than paper, which is like, now permanent.
- [25:37]
B
Yeah, good point.
- [25:38]
A
But, yeah, I. I just, I love. I love going down a rabbit hole, and I think that's where I find the most inspiration, you know, also through traveling and going out and shopping and meeting people and going into other people's homes. But really, yeah, I love. I love my old books and magazines.
- [25:54]
B
I know, Me too. One of my friends, we became friends when she worked at home Polish with me. When she moved from Brooklyn to Austin, she gave me her entire full set collection of Domino from first issue to last. Yep.
- [26:07]
A
Oh, my God.
- [26:08]
B
And she was like, I don't know anyone else who would want this. And I was like, oh, my God, please can I have it? And I have it in my office, and it is, like, one of the things I'm, like, so proud of. It's. It's so cool. And I'm so grateful to Kim for saving them.
- [26:26]
A
That's literally incredible.
- [26:28]
B
Okay, this was so fun. Now we're going to get into our take 10, which are our rapid fire questions. What is your favorite food?
- [26:35]
A
Definitely pad Thai. No egg with tofu.
- [26:38]
B
Yum. Pad Thai is such a food. I always, when I have, like, a really long day, like a shoot day or something, that's, like, always what I want to come home to.
- [26:46]
A
I could eat it every day.
- [26:47]
B
Yeah. It's so good. Favorite drink?
- [26:50]
A
Iced tea with two limes.
- [26:51]
B
Lime. Interesting.
- [26:54]
A
Yeah. I'm a lime fanatic.
- [26:56]
B
Interesting. I'm always, like, extra lemon, extra ice. It has to be ice cold. If it's, like, watered down, I can't drink it.
- [27:03]
A
I love that. For us. Could you imagine us ordering iced teas together? They would be like, who are these divas? Yeah.
- [27:09]
B
Favorite film, obviously.
- [27:11]
A
You've got mail. I mean, I don't think there's another choice.
- [27:14]
B
No, there's. There's really not. Honestly, it's so good. Favorite hotel?
- [27:20]
A
I love a Ferndale hotel. I think what Kit and her team have done.
- [27:25]
B
Yeah, they.
- [27:26]
A
It feels like you're in someone's, like, fancy home, and I love that there are fresh flowers, and I love that the walls are upholstered in fabric and that there's real art everywhere. They're inspiring.
- [27:39]
B
Yeah. Kit is so incredible. I mean, she has created, like, a whole world, you know, it's her.
- [27:46]
A
Yeah. Yeah. It's incredible. Favorite city, I have to say Wiscasset, Maine.
- [27:51]
B
Yeah.
- [27:52]
A
You know, the metropolitan hub. No, I think I love London. I think the shopping is so good. The architecture is great. The style. Yeah, I love London.
- [28:02]
B
I think for collectors and people who love traditional interiors and classicism, I think London is unbeatable.
- [28:08]
A
Yeah.
- [28:09]
B
Favorite bedding. I know what you're gonna say already.
- [28:11]
A
Yeah. It's deep. Or to. I mean, it doesn't get any better. I just think, you know, not only are, like, the sheets, like, soft and beautiful, but they are, like, infused with handcraft and joy, and they just make me happy. I love them. Now. I wish that they weren't so expensive, to be fair.
- [28:30]
B
I know they really are collector's pieces, though. Like, you can build that collection over time. I remember during COVID I watched Rita Koenig's Creed Academy, which I love.
- [28:40]
A
Oh, yeah. I watched that too.
- [28:41]
B
So good. And I remember her saying, like, you can build this collection. She was talking about Porto. But just, you know, bedding in general, you can build the collection over time. It doesn't have to be all at once. You kind of add to it. She's very realistic about things.
- [28:54]
A
And yeah, I just pick up pieces here and there. And I worked, I worked for a bedding company and you know, I would like, you know, help style the beds for shoots and things. And. And so I got a familiarity on how to like put a bed together. And I think everyone thinks that all your bedding has to match. But I love doing like printed and solid mix or a mix of and an old quilt. I think, you know, your bed should be happy and a reflection of you. And so I think that's why I love it so much.
- [29:24]
B
Yeah, I love. I mean, one of the things that I've learned over time as we've shot so many of our projects and we've been able to work with some amazing stylists, putting our bedding programs together has just evolved over the last decade plus. And to me, when you have different textures and patterns and colors, it just looks so much more inviting than when you're just kind of like one note. Although there is something to be said about it. White, very fluffy hotel bed. I do love that.
- [29:51]
A
Yeah, certainly it has its place.
- [29:53]
B
Yes. Tea or coffee? And how do you take it? Besides your iced tea with lime?
- [29:58]
A
I like an iced dirty chai with oat milk. That is. I could drink that every day.
- [30:02]
B
Yeah, it's delicious. I love chai.
- [30:04]
A
Of course it costs like 11 now, but it's totally worth it.
- [30:08]
B
I don't understand. I mean, it doesn't.
- [30:10]
A
How did we get here?
- [30:11]
B
I know. How did we get here?
- [30:12]
A
And then you have to tip $2 on it. It's wild.
- [30:17]
B
Favorite playlist or music to listen to?
- [30:19]
A
You know, like I said before, I'm delusional. I'm like, I have such good taste, but I have awful taste in music. So. Yeah, not a great question. I love show tunes. And then lately I've been listening to this Spotify playlist, Aina Cooking for Jeffrey. And it's like a good like dinner time music.
- [30:35]
B
So I like that. Oh my God. I have not heard of this one. I'm literally looking it up immediately. We need to link that that in the show notes. I know. Cooking for Jeffrey is a vibe.
- [30:45]
A
Tell your husband sorry in advance from me.
- [30:48]
B
I'm so excited. That's going to be our new office playlist.
- [30:51]
A
Yeah. It's. It's good.
- [30:52]
B
Favorite weekend activity.
- [30:54]
A
Gotta be house museums. I could go to a house museum every day. It's my favorite thing. I find them so inspiring.
- [31:00]
B
I mean, talk about a place to find inspiration. Besides books and travel, house museums really are a treasure trove of information that you cannot get elsewhere.
- [31:09]
A
Yeah. I remember the first time I went to Henry Davis Sleeper's house, Beauport, which is in Gloucester, Massachusetts. I went maybe 10 years ago. It changed my life. It changed my outlook on the world. I suddenly felt like my own reflection being reflected back to me in this really moving and powerful way. And the fact that it's all preserved and held for generations more is really, really beautiful.
- [31:34]
B
Yeah, there's a really great article, I think it was in Frederick a couple years ago about that. That specific house museum. If you haven't been. You should go. And also, you should read this article before you go. It's a great sort of like, primer on the history of that particular house museum.
- [31:49]
A
And when I was there last, they had copies of that Frederick in the gift shop, so you can pick it up there.
- [31:53]
B
Oh, really? I love that. Okay, our last question is always our hardest question. What is your favorite design book?
- [32:01]
A
Okay. This is actually so easy for me. I love Diana Phipps Affordable Splendor.
- [32:07]
B
Ooh, it is.
- [32:08]
A
If you haven't read it, I haven't. Well, first of all, Diana's like this wild character, so definitely look into her. She was like, literally like royalty. And she had these, like, amazing houses, and she upholstered the walls herself and made all her own slipcovers. And so in the 80s, she put together this book teaching people how to decorate themselves. Really great. I have a few copies for sale at my shop, so if anyone's in Maine and wants to come pick up a copy, I'll continue to be buying them wherever I find them because it's really just. It's gold. It's gold. It's so good.
- [32:40]
B
Oh, my God, that's so good. Are you going to sell online, by the way?
- [32:44]
A
Yes. So I am trying to get the in store shop open first.
- [32:48]
B
Yeah.
- [32:48]
A
But simultaneously, I'm building out the online shop. And so hopefully that will come in a, you know, in a month or two.
- [32:54]
B
Yeah. Okay. That's amazing. Well, finally, the last question that we ask everyone who comes on. What advice do you have for someone looking to define their own interior style?
- [33:04]
A
Yeah, I would say, and I'm parroting this advice from probably other people who have been on the show, Ariel. And it's buy only. What you love. Truly, if you fill your house with stuff that you love.
- [33:16]
B
Yes. And that's like the old Billy Baldwin quote, buy what you love because it never goes out of style.
- [33:20]
A
It'll be perfect. And I also think, like, go slow. You don't have to decorate a room all at once. And I also think, like, if you're new to design, go out into the market, go to antique stores, go to auctions, go to museums, touch, feel not at museums, but at other places, and start to understand what you appreciate about objects. And then I think you'll develop your style naturally. It'll be so easy.
- [33:45]
B
Yeah. I love that. It's all completely accurate advice, and I think something that even people that are sort of almost uninitiated into the interiors world can. Can take and. And take action on.
- [33:57]
A
Yeah.
- [33:58]
B
Well, this was beyond fun. Where can listeners find more about you and the store and the inn?
- [34:07]
A
Yeah. So you can come and stay the night here with us in Maine and. Or you could follow us on instagram @widener company and then I'm Alexander Widener on TikTok and Instagram, if you want to come watch my videos where I talk about design history and stuff. I love.
- [34:24]
B
Yay. Oh, I'm so excited for you. I hope that you have a very easy transition into summer and getting everything set up. And good luck tomorrow opening the store. And I can't wait to see what it looks like. It's so exciting.
- [34:40]
A
Thank you, Arielle. Yeah. I'm so excited about this new chapter. I feel like I put myself out there in a way that made me so deeply uncomfortable. And suddenly the whole world is opening up for me, and I suddenly feel like I'm coming into myself in this way that I didn't know was possible. And so my advice, you know, if anyone. If anyone is like, should I do this? Like, bet on yourself. I don't know if it will actually work out in the end, but at least in the moment, it's really fun.
- [35:08]
B
Yes. Oh, that gave me goosebumps. I loved that. That is such awesome advice, and I just am so thrilled and excited for you. So thank you for coming on and sharing your story with us.
- [35:19]
A
Thank you, Arielle.
- [35:21]
B
That's a wrap for this week's episode of Talkshop. Thanks for listening. We'll be back next week with more thoughtful discussions and amazing guests. Follow us on Apple podcasts, Spotify and YouTube, so you never miss an episode. And, of course, follow me at Ariel Oken. See you next week.