Summer Scouting
As summer begins to wind down, I’ve been thinking about some of the home décor discoveries that caught my eye over the past few months.
Living on the eastern end of Long Island, I find myself naturally slipping into the role of a bit of a trend scout. Wandering between the North and South Forks, I’m always on the lookout for shops, makers, and objects that feel unexpected, original, and, most importantly, meaningful. I’m drawn to pieces that have a story behind them, whether they are newly made, vintage, or somewhere beautifully in between.
This summer, a few shops in particular stopped me in my tracks.
A Treasure Trove in Southold
In my recent Home Accents Today article, I highlighted a boutique I discovered in Southold, New York, called The Bellwether. Located at 53800 Main Street, The Bellwether was founded by Stephanie Pinerio in 2024 and was revamped this past June into what I would describe as a true treasure trove of old and new home décor.
What immediately caught my eye was a collection of hand-painted dinnerware by artist Leah Tinari. The pieces feel like visual love letters to treasured heirlooms of the past, incorporating references to cameo necklaces, vintage linens, and the quiet beauty of timeworn textiles.
There is something wonderfully nostalgic about the collection. Delicate patterns, imperfect details, and motifs that feel as though they have been passed from one generation to the next give each piece the feeling of a discovered keepsake rather than something fresh off a production line. They evoke the romance of objects that have lived a life before finding their way into your home.
You can read my full Home Accents Today article HERE.
Beyond the Bellwether, other shops in the area were filled with plenty of other discoveries. I found myself drawn to colorful, slightly kitschy dinnerware layered with pattern, unique glassware, and beautiful brass candlesticks. There were even candles held in sculptural glass faces, along with stoneware and earthy textiles that added another layer of warmth and texture.
A New NYC Favorite: Nickey Kehoe
I’ve also been bopping back into the city throughout the summer, and I may have found my new favorite home store in New York: Nickey Kehoe on 10th Street.
I immediately fell for the curation. There is something special about a home store that approaches every room with the same level of sophistication, creativity, and attention to detail. Nickey Kehoe manages to feel both highly designed and incredibly livable.
Founded in 2008, Nickey Kehoe was created around the idea of inspiring curiosity while cultivating a sense of belonging. Their philosophy is beautifully summed up by the idea that something should feel as though it was acquired, not purchased. In other words, the best objects are the ones that come with a story.
The Los Angeles-based brand has a distinctly warm and unfussy aesthetic, but I particularly love the way it translates in the New York store. There is a more traditional sensibility in the pattern mixing, with furniture, textiles, lighting, accessories, vintage pieces, and artful details all coming together without feeling overly precious.
Many of the pieces are made in Los Angeles with an emphasis on heirloom quality, tactile materials, and longevity. The result is a collection that feels collected over time rather than styled all at once.
I was especially drawn to the wallpaper collection, which was inspired by a beautiful turn-of-the-century book of hand-blocked textile samples that Todd and Amy Kehoe discovered during a visit to the South of France. That origin story feels very much in keeping with the brand’s overall philosophy: inspiration comes from objects with history, craft, and a sense of discovery.
The Joy of the Find
What I love about both The Bellwether and Nickey Kehoe is that neither feels like a place where you simply go to “shop for a look.” Instead, they encourage you to find something.
A piece of dinnerware that reminds you of your grandmother’s china. A brass candlestick that looks as though it has been sitting on a mantel for decades. A textile with an imperfect hand. A wallpaper pattern that makes you imagine an entirely different room. These are the kinds of discoveries that make decorating feel personal.
As summer comes to a close, I’m taking those discoveries with me into the next season. After all, the most interesting homes aren’t necessarily the ones filled with the newest things. They’re the ones filled with objects that make you pause, remember, wonder, and tell a story.
