Though I love spending solo time in my refreshed apartment, the real test has been hosting friends—and strangers. This past weekend, I threw a 30th birthday party for my pal Chase, so the guest list was his choice.

Of the sixteen invitees, I only knew two. While a guest list of strangers might put others on edge, for me, it’s the perfect opportunity. It offers all the joys of a social night out—making friends and introducing you to new ideas and topics of conversation—from the comfort of home. It also relieves the pressure of needing to spend QT with everyone at the party, which is often the case when hosting a crowded room of people I know.

With those thoughts in mind, I opened the doors and created a revelatory environment that was inviting to both old friends and fresh faces. My friend Chase did the rest. The apartment was a beautiful backdrop for Chase’s black tie, Venetian mask affair, with sharp tuxedos and silky gowns popping against my neutral decor. The new kitchen (more details below!) allowed us to cook a stunning fall feast. With Chase at the helm, I served as his sous chef, prepping ingredients for him to whip together a menu of butternut squash bisque, and braised brisket served with roasted potatoes and delicata squash. Not missing an opportunity to mix cocktails at my bar, I batched house Martinis and Manhattans as welcome cocktails for guests.

This festive evening proved that my apartment is just as great a party venue as I imagined. You can expect it (and me) to host many more celebrations to come.

Favorite links this week

EVERYONE DROPS YE

Weeks after Kanye West started doubling down on and publicizing his antisemitism with dangerous, inflammatory statements on social media and in interviews, agents, sponsors, and…well, culture in general, have dropped the rapper. I’m curious to see if this will finally be his demise.

A RESTORATION HARDWARE REBRAND

RH, the furniture and home goods company formerly known as Restoration Hardware, has been expanding into an unexpected space: restaurants. With luxe, opulent interiors and—arguably—minimal focus on the food, the eateries have one NYT reporter questioning the strategy.

WELCOME TO THE FAIR

According to Food & Wine, European natural wine fairs are making their debuts in the United States. Such events give small, low-intervention winemakers the opportunity to find importers and customers in new markets. Expect to see more funky orange bottles in the future.

A Closer Look at My Kitchen

As much as I love to eat at restaurants around the world, cooking and entertaining in my own home is a big part of my life. So my kitchen renovation had to be perfect.

When I first toured the apartment, the small kitchen footprint was a slight deterrent, but I knew that the right updates would make this compact cookspace totally functional for my needs. I gutted the area, installed wood flooring where grimy tile once was, and decided against replacing the kitchen island. I put a contemporary Crate & Barrel bistro table in its place, which can be used for prep or as a styled surface for fruit bowls, books, and florals.

My favorite upgrade was the installation of JennAir appliances, which I found while perusing the Ferguson Brooklyn Bridge Showroom. I am specifically enamored of my sleek, all-black 30-inch wall-in Noir oven. No apartment I’ve ever lived in has had an oven nearly that big, so I’m constantly amazed by how many sheet pans and cast iron pots I can cram in. I’m also a big fan of the induction cooktop, an eco-friendly option that serves as extra counter space when it’s not in use. I saved space with my panel-ready fridge, a slim 24-inch column that manages to pack in enough bottles of wine and farmer’s market produce for a week of dinner parties.

For my cabinetry, I worked with Reform, a Copenhagen-based brand that embodies Scandinavian minimalism. Not only are the dark-stained oak BASIS cupboard fronts clean and streamlined, but the clever interior storage configurations help me stay organized. My appliance garage is hidden away, keeping clutter off the counters, while the oak panels are also affixed to the dishwasher and refrigerator, creating a continuous, sleek look to my open kitchen. Meanwhile, a brass hanging rail from the English brand deVOL provides a spot for my pans.

As I mentioned in my last newsletter, my graphic marble backsplash is from BAS Stone. International Stone Collection fabricated the slab to include a handy shelf, where I keep my go-to spices and condiments on-hand. The stone goes well with my BLANCO polished nickel faucet and SILGRANIT sink, which is made of a granite composite that is durable and easy to clean. All together, these components have made my new kitchen a home run.

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