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The last layer: a historic townhouse in Brooklyn

The last layer: a historic townhouse in Brooklyn

This 1870s Park Slope brownstone, rebuilt to passive house standard with Frances Mildred and recently featured in The New York Times, is a clear example of the kind of work Lauren does most often: not designing a house, but figuring...
In Ordinary Use: Napkins

In Ordinary Use: Napkins

A napkin lives one small life over and over: unfolded across a lap, pressed to a mouth, refolded, laundered, and returned to the drawer to wait for its next performance.
Current Finds No.53

Current Finds No.53

Rare books, sage advice, and paper goods from Paris. 
Summer Reading

Summer Reading

How Directors Dress, published by A24, gathers over 200 archival photographs of filmmakers at work. Joanna Hogg writes the foreword, Yohji Yamamoto the afterword, a lineage of people who understand clothes as an evocative vernacular.
August Escapism

August Escapism

A few finds from Lauren's desk this month, a magazine that travels somewhere far, a scent with no flame, glass in an unexpected color.
On Blue: Geneviève Asse

On Blue: Geneviève Asse

Geneviève Asse spent fifty years painting blue. Not decorating with it but living inside it.
Current Finds No. 52

Current Finds No. 52

White porcelain bowls drifting in large pools of water, and more.
In Ordinary Use: Breakfast Trays

In Ordinary Use: Breakfast Trays

The late nineteenth-century estate did not invent breakfast in bed to be romantic. 
Current Finds No.51

Current Finds No.51

A biopic on the life of Mary Wollstonecraft, slushies, and those delicious-smelling summer trees that seem to line every block. 
Summer Reading

Summer Reading

Sonia Delaunay applied her color theory — Simultanism, the idea that contrasting hues in proximity produce optical vibration — first in painting, then to a quilt, a coat for Gloria Swanson, a collection of silks for a Lyon manufacturer, and...
Current Finds No. 49, 04.26

Current Finds No. 49, 04.26

Small Business:  I am excited for this consignment store for children to open in Bed Stuy this summer.Another Small Business: Also this new cookbook shop in the East Village looks so sweet. Song: This is the song I am listening to...
Current Finds No. 48, 02.26

Current Finds No. 48, 02.26

Flora: Sweet Peas and Spring on the brain. Exhibitions: Just a few days left to see William Eggleston at David Zwirner, and Im excited about the upcoming Carol Bove exhibition at The Guggenheim.Interior: I love the loose styling of the collection...
How To, A Winter Return to Making

How To, A Winter Return to Making

With the days growing longer and the light shifting unpredictably between warm afternoons and cooler evenings, we turned to Arielle Toelke of Four Rabbit to guide us back to one of the quieter pleasures of the season: working with textiles....
JOIN OUR TEAM

JOIN OUR TEAM

We are currently looking for a Part Time Sales Associates to join our team. Weekend Availability is a must.  Please email resumes, a little bit about yourself and why you want to join us at TPE to info@theprimaryessentials.live. We look...
Current Fines No. 47, 01.26

Current Fines No. 47, 01.26

Object: Hands down the coolest paper stack I have seen in a while, made from dead stock paper and available to order via email.Store: I have not been able to visit Rubirosa in Paris yet, but I can tell that...
Current Finds No. 46, 12.25

Current Finds No. 46, 12.25

Book: Per the recommendation of a friend I read Heart The Lover recently, and could not put it down.More Books: If you need more book recommendations for the New Year, here is a list from the NYPL of their favorite books...
Current Finds No. 44, 10.25

Current Finds No. 44, 10.25

Design Object: I am obsessed with the bikini rug in the bathroom of India Mahdavi’s home in the South of France.Another Design Object: I cannot get over the color & pattern on this glass bottle.Dessert: Why not indulge with one of...
Current Finds No. 45, 11.25

Current Finds No. 45, 11.25

Design Object: I am always drawn to embroidery and find these ottomans which can be done bespoke to be so special, they would easily add some personality to a room. Travel: I have visited The Apartment as a shop, and can...
Current No. 43, 09.25

Current No. 43, 09.25
Current Finds No. 42, 08.25

Current Finds No. 42, 08.25

Movement: This was my first time this past week going to the adult lap swim at one of the NYC pools (a few of them have it on offer), a really energizing way to start the day.Phrases: How many of...
Current Finds 41, 07.25

Current Finds 41, 07.25

Design Object: This German egg cracker is getting a lot of use in my kitchen recently.  Florals: Currently on display at Demisch Danant, Naturalia by Field Studies Flora, with arrangements in the most incredible vessels made out of grasses and...
Current Finds No. 40, 06.25

Current Finds No. 40, 06.25

Video: A newly released video from Talking Heads for the 50th Anniversary of Psycho Killer, featuring Saoirse Ronan directed by Mike Mills. Flower: I saw a big bunch of Queen Anne’s Lace while biking the other day, and now am dreaming...
Current Finds No. 39, 05.25

Current Finds No. 39, 05.25

Music: The song of the summer according to Jon Caramanica. Article: I enjoyed this article with four female photographers on the visual legacy of The Virgin Suicides.Cake: We have a lot of birthdays in my family in May, so I purchased the...
Current Finds No. 38, 04.25

Current Finds No. 38, 04.25

Food: I wish I could say I have tried this but I have not, but my curiosity about it is so strong.Newsletter: I love this newsletter from the editors of The Strategist, with fun ramblings on what to buy and where...
Current Finds 37, 03.25

Current Finds 37, 03.25

Talk: I have been using Audio Messages with two of my oldest friends recently. It is proving to be a great way to communicate between time zones and busy schedules. Exhibition: I want to see this exhibition coming up at 52...
Current Finds 36, 02.25

Current Finds 36, 02.25

Article: I love Cathy Horyn and will gladly read what she thinks anytime, especially when speaking on the last 10 years in fashion. Recipe: I have said this here before that I am really not a great cook, so believe me...
Current Finds No. 35, 01.25

Current Finds No. 35, 01.25

Alternative Flowers: With Valentine’s Day approaching I like these two ideas for an alternative to a typical  bouquet, a paper flower arrangement from Livia of The Green Vase, or Natoora’s case for giving radicchio instead of roses.Workshop: We are hosting...
Current Finds 34, 12.24

Current Finds 34, 12.24

Community: I have run by Anthony Johnson in Prospect Park countless times and it always makes me so happy.  Nice to know a little more of his story now. Kitchen: A very small, very well appointed kitchen.Book: This new book brings...
Please Join us for a book signing with JJ Manford

Please Join us for a book signing with JJ Manford

The Brooklyn based painter will be signing his new monograph, published by Derek Eller Gallery / Harper's Sunday December 8th, 4-6pmThe Primary Essentials372 Atlantic AvenueBrooklyn NY 11217 
Discover Our December Residency with Artbook | D.A.P.

Discover Our December Residency with Artbook | D.A.P.

The Primary Essentials is pleased to announce a month-long residency with Artbook | D.A.P. beginning today, December 4th to the 31st.    As a leading bookseller for readers passionate about design, visual arts, fashion, and more, Artbook | D.A.P. brings...
Current Finds No. 33, 11.24

Current Finds No. 33, 11.24

Organizational Tool: These complimentary digital planers from Appointed are great, I just printed out a few for holiday gift planning.Gifting: A few ideas of small gifts that I like here, here and here. Book: This book about watching movies with kids.Small...
Current Finds No. 32, 09.24

Current Finds No. 32, 09.24

Pottery Classes: I recently noticed this new pottery studio in Ft. Greene, for anyone in the area who is interested in taking classes. Article of Clothing: I am very deep in my training for the NYC Marathon this year, and have...
Current Finds No. 31, 08.24

Current Finds No. 31, 08.24

Movies: A nice way to end summer, watching one of these movies suggested by Another Magazine.Interior: This townhouse designed by the gallery Demisch Danant is such a nice palette cleanser.Book: There is a new book out on Donald Judd’s furniture, with a conversation taking place on the...
Current Finds No. 30, 07.24

Current Finds No. 30, 07.24

Podcast: It was fun listening to the wildly creative mind of Ramdane Touhami on Time Sensitive.Changemaking: The Europe based independent running store Distance Athletics outpost in Kenya - a community project that is not profit driven, working to get second...
Current Finds No. 29, 06.24

Current Finds No. 29, 06.24

Interview: An interview with Leonard Koren on Sight Unseen. If you have been a long time TPE regular, you may remember we had his book Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers for many years.Movie: I would like to see...
Boreum Hill Design Night

Boreum Hill Design Night

In celebration of NYCxDesign, we are thrilled to open our doors during Boerum Hill Design Night on Saturday May 18. Join us as we welcome visitors alongside our neighbors Assembly Line, Ace Hotel Brooklyn, Outline, Picture Room, and Porta. We will...
Gifts for Mother's

Gifts for Mother's

As Mother’s Day approaches, it is an apt time to take a moment and honor the many incredible mothers in our lives with thoughtful gifts expressing love and appreciation. From charming finds within our store to unique gems sourced from...
Current Finds No. 27, 04.24

Current Finds No. 27, 04.24

Article: My friend and old co-worker Julia Gall wrote this article about how she stopped shopping for clothes.Movie: A movie I am extremely excited to see, even though I cannot tell exactly what it is about. Take a look at...
Current Finds No. 26, 03.24

Current Finds No. 26, 03.24

Exhibition: A trip to the Judd Foundation is always a treat on its own, so I am especially looking forward to seeing the upcoming Robert Irwin exhibition there.Another Exhibition: Christopher Wool’s show in an empty office space downtown.Garden: Since announcing...
Spring Cleaning

Spring Cleaning

With the first feel of warmer weather my mind instantly turns to Spring Cleaning and readying my home life for a new season. I like to incrementally clean and organize throughout the year, but there is something about prioritizing it...
Pop-Up with Darling

Pop-Up with Darling

Please join us to celebrateDarlingat The Primary Essentialswith small bites and coffee on Thursday March 14th from 9:30-11:30am & a pop-up running from March 14th - 24thDarling is a collection for children of thoughtfully designed clothes made from vintage textiles...
Current Finds No. 24, 01.24

Current Finds No. 24, 01.24

Performance: This upcoming ballet has piqued my interest, I think tickets to this would be a perfect Valentine’s Day Gift.Recipe: After having this delicious cake at a friend's house, I went home and made the exact same one the next...
Current Finds No. 23, 12.23

Current Finds No. 23, 12.23

Books: I was given this, this and this book over the holiday, and am looking forward to my New Year reading.Interior Design: I enjoyed interior designer Nina Campbell’s decorating “tips”. You could feel her many years of experience here.Getting Organized:...
Current Finds No. 22, 11.23

Current Finds No. 22, 11.23

Article of Clothing: I use to wear this sweater from J. Crew during high school, and twenty years later I am tempted to get it again. Interior: I love the pairing of the chairs in the library in this apartment in...
Current Finds No. 21, 10.23

Current Finds No. 21, 10.23

Design Object : I loved Cody Hoyt’s foray into wallpaper with his new collaboration with Calico Wallpaper, so beautiful.Health Trick: Such a great reminder from The Gentlewoman about using a neti pot for the upcoming season. It does work !...
10 YEARS 10 FRIENDS CELEBRATING A DECADE IN BOREUM HILL

10 YEARS 10 FRIENDS CELEBRATING A DECADE IN BOREUM HILL

On the occasion of celebrating a decade in Boerum Hill, we invite you to a festivity, hosted with several longtime friends and local businesses.10 YEARS, 10 FRIENDSA Celebration forThe Primary Essentials10 Year Anniversary372 Atlantic AveBrooklyn, NY 11217Saturday, November 04 at...
How To, Cooking Outdoors

How To, Cooking Outdoors
Current Finds No. 19, 08.23

Current Finds No. 19, 08.23

Cafe: Everything at this new cafe / shop in Carroll Gardens looks so exquisite.Exhibition: A recent trip to the Met with my two young daughters reminded me of how lucky we are to live so close to such an amazing museum.  Their new...
Current Finds No. 17, 07.23

Current Finds No. 17, 07.23

Article: A fun quick read for some summer nostalgia about Andy Warhol and his estate out in Montauk back in the 70s - and all of the famous people who came and went and their trials and tribulations.Movie: Since it...
Current Finds No. 17, 06.23

Current Finds No. 17, 06.23

Weather: My husband turned me onto this instagram account about the weather in our area and it has become my go to.  Everyday the account gives a rating out of 10 for what the weather is going to be like...
Current Finds No. 16, 05.23

Current Finds No. 16, 05.23

Exhibition: Portraiture was one of the first art forms I was really attracted to when I was younger and Avedon in particular, putting this exhibition at Gagosian’s downtown location on my list.Another Exhibition: No one at TPE ever tires of...
Current Finds No. 15, 4.23

Current Finds No. 15, 4.23

Exhibition: The inaugural exhibition from International Objects - a new platform working towards diminishing the idea of keeping art and design separate is Local Objects, a group show with work created by artists and designers working in the greater New York...
How To, Mend Textiles

How To, Mend Textiles

Portrait by Georgia Hilmer How to Mend Textiles with Kellen Tucker and Lorenza Lattanzi of Sharktooth We value the art of taking care of things for the long term: a non-disposable life. The textiles in our lives—from blankets and bedding...
Current Finds No. 14, 3.23

Current Finds No. 14, 3.23

Exhibition: Thadeus Mosely’s Recent Sculpture, currently on view at Karma.Another Exhibition: Head Hi, the coffee shop and bookstore across from the Navy Yard is having their annual lamp show (image above), where a selection of lamps are chosen from an...
Current Finds No. 13, 02.23

Current Finds No. 13, 02.23

Exhibition: The great, highly influential potter Lucie Rie whose work has been an inspiration to many of the artists sold at TPE will have an exhibition showing over 100 pieces of her work at Kettle’s Yard. Since I cannot attend...
Q + A with Lars Soendergaard

Q + A with Lars Soendergaard

A deep rich blue has always been a color of choice at TPE, and the blue porcelain produced by Lars Soendergaard at his pottery studio in Suffolk UK is one of the most beautiful we have ever come by. We...
Current Finds No. 12, 01.23

Current Finds No. 12, 01.23

Bakeries: A very old bakery and a very new one just a little over a block away from each other in the East Village.  Maybe a little glutenous to visit both in one day but they look delicious, perhaps a...
Current Finds No. 11, 12.22

Current Finds No. 11, 12.22

Idea: Why not take the Polar Bear Plunge tomorrow for the New Year ?Article: About a group of Brooklyn Teens who have forgone their smartphones for flip phones, citing the effects of social media.  A nice reminder for a cleanse...
Current Finds No. 10, 11.22

Current Finds No. 10, 11.22

A Small Business: I was recently introduced to this children's book store in Lancaster PA by my sister in law, and will be shopping for books for the children in my life here for the holidays. Article: Since there are...
Gifting with Intention, A List of Charities

Gifting with Intention, A List of Charities

As we enter into the holiday season, we wanted to take note of various charities, many of which are in New York City, as an easy entry point for those interested and able to give as the year comes to...
Current Finds No. 9, 10.22

Current Finds No. 9, 10.22

Interior: The home of the deeply influential and very private former fashion designer Helmut Lang in East Hampton ( as published in Upstate Diary ) was really exceptional to me.Recipe: I made this soup last night and it was really...
How To, Reduce Single Use Plastic

How To, Reduce Single Use Plastic

Jenny Cooper is the owner of IXV Coffee, a small-scale coffee shop located in a redefined garage space on Pacific Street in Boerum Hill. Jenny takes a thoughtful approach to her own waste footprint, opening IXV in order to promote...
Paintings by Julia Felsenthal

Paintings by Julia Felsenthal

Julia Felsenthal is a Brooklyn and Cape Cod-based writer and painter. Working mostly in watercolor and gouache, she makes intimately-scaled paintings of flowers, people, and the sea. For TPE she created a series of flower paintings based off of the...
Current Finds No. 8, 09.22

Current Finds No. 8, 09.22

Interest: Yoko, who works alongside me at TPE has been pondering taking a class online here. When she showed me their offerings I thought they all sounded really fun, and am now considering signing up for one as well.Small Business:...
TPE at the Brooklyn Heights Designer Showhouse

TPE at the Brooklyn Heights Designer Showhouse

TPE is pleased to have partnered with our friends and neighbors at Assembly Line (373 Atlantic Avenue) for a collaboration at the Brooklyn Heights Designer Showhouse.The biennial event offers a rare opportunity to visit a historic home in Brooklyn Heights...
How to Take Care of Your Books (and Archive Well)

How to Take Care of Your Books (and Archive Well)

At The Primary Essentials, we offer a selection of rare vintage art and design books and have many in our own libraries, but when it comes to taking good care of such things, we’re not as knowledgable. We turned to...
Join us for a trunk show with Baina

Join us for a trunk show with Baina

Join us for an afternoon trunk show with Baina. Sunday September 11, 2022 2-4PM    The Primary Essentials  372 Atlantic Ave.  Brooklyn NY 11217    Small bites and drinks provided by GHIA We hope to see you there
Current Finds No. 7, 08.22

Current Finds No. 7, 08.22

Movie Trailers: I love watching movie trailers so much and coming across this list of movies coming out in the Fall gave me back to school esque excitement. If you watch only one of them, watch this one.Snack: I am...
Q + A with Abigail Castaneda

Q + A with Abigail Castaneda

The material an artist works with is always of great importance, and in the case of Abigail Castaneda this sentiment could not be more true. Based in Kerhonkson, NY, a small hamlet between the Shawangunk and Catskill Mountains, Abigail lives close...
Current Finds No. 6, 07.22

Current Finds No. 6, 07.22

Podcast: Deborah Needleman on the podcast Time Sensitive talking about slowing down, switching gears, and craft.Object: The work of sculptor and designer Ferreol Babin, and in particular this piece.Changemaker: The Laundromat Project was formed in 2005 to make art accessible...
How To, Take Care of Your Fabrics

How To, Take Care of Your Fabrics

Lately, we’ve been seeking to care for our fabrics better, our home fabrics and upholstery, but specifically our clothing. Taking care of quality clothing requires products without harsh chemicals (often used in dry cleaning or conventional detergents) to keep garments...
Current Finds No. 5, 06.22

Current Finds No. 5, 06.22

Donate: The National Network of Abortion Funds and The Brigid Alliance are where we are currently donating. Read: I just finished Smile, The Story of a Face by Sarah Ruhl, which is a memoir about a woman who discovers she...
Of The Cloth at TPE

Of The Cloth at TPE

We are pleased to announce that TPE will be hosting a Summer Pop- Up with Of The Cloth.Of The Cloth is a spatial design boutique housing a collection of personal objects, furniture and antiques that have been curated by Tione...
How to Travel Well, with Yolanda Edwards

How to Travel Well, with Yolanda Edwards

Recently, we have been thinking about travel (again) after months of not considering it at all, and one point we’re stuck on is the concept of an itinerary and what goes into it: researching, sharing, and knowing when to let...
Current Finds No. 4, 05.22

Current Finds No. 4, 05.22

Donate: Moms Demand Action.Life Hack: Precycle is a shop in Bushwick that sells package free bulk food, produce and home goods.  They have now begun a delivery option where everything comes in their reusable jars and tote, in a reusable...
Q + A with Twenty One Tonnes

Q + A with Twenty One Tonnes

Helmed by childhood friends Chessa Osburn and Mary Jane Bolton, Twenty One Tonnes celebrates traditional craft.  Supporting tradition and sustainability by working directly with artist the duo creates one of a kind, hand crafted forms, that are both surprising and...
Current Finds No. 3, 04.22

Current Finds No. 3, 04.22

Small Business: Close to where I live in Bed Stuy is Halsey / Lewis.  They have a great mix of books, records, apothecary items, vintage finds, and more.  It is the epitome of a great small retail store, always evoking...
Q + A with the mother / daughter duo behind KLAY

Q + A with the mother / daughter duo behind KLAY

KLAY is a homeware and clothing label based in Auckland, New Zealand run by mother-daughter team Kirsty & Hannah. Their cushions are meticulously hand made using high quality materials and traditional craft techniques, and have been a favorite at TPE...
How To, A New Approach to House Cleaning

How To, A New Approach to House Cleaning

Laura Cattano is an organizational expert who takes a thoughtful approach to cleanliness and order in the form of our relationships to our things, our homes, and ultimately ourselves. “A clean home is one that is consistently cleaned. Cleaning as...
Lottie Hampson

Lottie Hampson

We are excited to now have drawings by Lottie Hampson (b. 1993, London, England) at TPE. Hampson's artistic practice spans photography, drawing, food and ceramics, but often starts with analogue film photography. Using film helps her to slow down, and the images...
Current Finds No. 2, 03.22

Current Finds No. 2, 03.22

Plant: Every spring when I see the Hellebore in my backyard flowering I am so excited that the warmer weather is coming.  What a plant, it has been trampled numerous times by a crazy terrier and a toddler and yet...
The Context: Holiday Florals

The Context: Holiday Florals

Enticing arrangements for the holiday season in a variety of statement vases.  Photogprahs by Joanthan Hokklo, Flowers by Mizutama Studio.  Items from the story here 
Designer Spotlight: Simone Bodmer Turner

Designer Spotlight: Simone Bodmer Turner

California born, Brooklyn based Simone Bodmer-Turner’s ethereal hand built clay work feels like it comes from another place and time. Inspired by the longstanding clay techniques that many communities throughout the world used long before her, she pays homage to...
Current Finds No. 1, 02.22

Current Finds No. 1, 02.22

Introducing our new monthly newsletter Current Finds: a collection of ideas and recommendations directly from me, Lauren Snyder, owner and founder of The Primary Essentials, as well as from friends and others in the TPE orbit. Meant to be a concise...
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