Somsack Sikhounmuong’s Apartment Is Peppered With Hand-Picked Treasures
Photos by Kate S. Jordan
We can’t get enough of Somsack Sikhounmuong, the creative director of Alex Mill and maybe the nicest person working in fashion today. (Fun fact: this CoJ post about Somsack was the inspiration for Big Salad!) Today, we’re excited to share a tour of his Queens apartment, where the rugs are layered, the art is leaning, and the windowsills are full. “I have a lot of stuff,” he warned us, “but each piece reminds me of a trip I took or where I was in my career when I found it.” Here goes…
LIVING ROOM
Paint: “Manchester Tan” by Benjamin Moore. Table: Paul McCobb via Modlivsup. Sofa: ABC Carpet + Home. Standing lamp: Radilum in glossy orange. Pillows: “from John Derian and travels to Hawaii, France, and Italy.” Textiles: “Vintage finds from Portland, Tokyo, and Paris.” Photograph above sofa: Jamie Hawkesworth.
On blending styles: I love mixing industrial pieces with romantic things that have texture. If a room was all one or the other, it would be a lot less interesting to me. That tension is good.
On beloved art: I’m an out-and-about kinda person. But when I’m home, I’m hanging by myself, and 95% of the time I’m on the couch. The photo above is by Jamie Hawkesworth. I bought it as a gift for myself after I got a big promotion at J.Crew.
Checkered rug: Kat + Mouche. Tripod standing lamp: Marc Hundley. Textile on table: Hawaiian quilt from Honolulu. White ceramic dish: “my own.” Yellow vase: Gayle Spannaus.
On a travel strategy: Before a trip, I’ll research one must-visit store that’s off the beaten path. Then, once I get there, I’ll ask the store person for a few of their local recommendations. This often unlocks a bunch of incredible places I never would have known about, and it doesn’t require too much prep beforehand.
Chair and console: Rett of Happy Medium. Pillow: John Derian. Pedestal: Mattias Vriens.
On a not-so-green thumb: I’ve had a lot of plants, but the ones that are still here are the ones that don’t require much water. The one on the pedestal used to be way more lush — I always joke that it’s my version of the Charlie Brown Christmas tree. My ritual with the plants is if I look at them and feel bad for them, then I water them.
Left: Ceramics: “most are mine.” Marble fruit: John Derian. Right: Table: Marc Hundley, “I think of this beautiful little red table as my table of memories.” Objects: “Found and given, including a seal from Alaska.”
On a new hobby: I started making my own ceramics post-Covid. I took some classes on the wheel, but I was horrible. I left thinking, I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Then I tried hand building and never looked back.
Photograph on left: Jamie Hawkesworth. Painting on floor: Jeanne Thomsen. Wax seals in frame: eBay. Bull-fighter jacket: eBay. Red metal shelving unit: similar.
On collecting: I got this vintage bull-fighter jacket on eBay; I love the beading and embroidery. I’ve collected vintage clothing for decades, as well as old magazines and books. Pinterest is great, but you often see the same batch of images over and over. When you open an old book, none of those images are even on the Internet.
DINING CORNER
Stools: BDDW. Tablecloth: Xenomania. Checkered rug: Kat + Mouche.
On rugs on rugs on rugs: Over the years, I’ve brought home a lot of smaller rugs instead of one big one. I like the layered look better, and, honestly, underneath some of the rugs are more rugs that I just don’t have room to store anywhere else.
On a rescue mission: In fourth grade, our teacher had magazines for people to cut up and paste with. My sister and I would rescue them and take them home because we thought they were too great to cut. I don’t know why kids that age would ever be thinking that, but we were. I now have every issue of Vogue since 1995.
KITCHEN
Print: Hugo Guinness. Bowl: Atelier Saint André Perrin.
On shopping for one: Someone needs to come up with a store that sells groceries for a single person because I’ve never, ever used all the parsley. If a recipe has more than five ingredients, I’ll probably skip it.
On the important things: What would I save in a fire? Probably my passport and the little cards and photos on my fridge.
BEDROOM
Paint: “Steel wool” by Benjamin Moore. Quilt: “Hawaiian quilt from Honolulu.” Striped blanket: gift, similar. Gingham pillowcase: Muji, similar.
On sleeping well: I sleep better in dark bedrooms, but I felt nervous about painting my entire room in a dark color. So, I painted one wall. It’s just enough.
Lamp: set from Cafiero Select. Matchbox print: Hugo Guinness. Bat print: Deyrolle. Nightstand: custom from Sean Biloski of Iron Oaks.
On floor art: Not all my art is hung up. Some of that is laziness, but some of that is intentional. When you put something on the floor or stack it behind something else, you’re taking the white gloves off. It’s not unkept, it’s just more casual. There are a lot of ways to make a home feel inviting, and that’s one of them.
On dressing waaaay up: Last year, a bunch of coworkers and I dressed up as Marie Antoinette’s cakes for Halloween. We made our costumes in the office. Another year, I went to a party with a friend who is similarly into costumes. When we got there, we looked around, and it was just like someone with cat ears on and Bob over there with a fake nose. Meanwhile, we had gone all out.
Thank you so much for the tour, Somsack! You’re the best. You can find his designs on Alex Mill and follow his newsletter, Somstack.
P.S. More home tours, including a cluttered-in-the-best-way Minnesota home and our most colorful house tour ever.
(Photos by Kate S. Jordan for Cup of Jo.)
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Tags: home tour
Comments
116 commentsLove this! And not only because Somsack grew up in Canada. Curious if he can share any up and coming CDN designers he has his eye on.
Somsack nurtures all that he touches , the people he works with , the clothes that he creates and the spaces he lives in… beautiful soul and heart ❤️
right back at u! ❤️❤️
I keep coming back to this. It make me feel happy :)
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I love this tour! It feels so much closer to the way my apartment looks and the apartments of my friends, I feel seen!
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I love your flat Somsack, reminds me of my house (all those layers and mine witn with child clutter on top) and Ninth Street Women is an amazing door stopper of a moment in art and NYC.
thank you!!❤️❤️
I love cozy layered apartments like this! I’ve always wondered a practical aspect, however – how does one clean the floor and shelves? Pick up each item to dust off or vacuum underneath? Genuinely would be grateful for tips!
a combination of picking up piece by piece , a vacuum and an air purifier!
Somsack, my son is a textile engineer in MA and he was wowed by this article highlighting your personal styling/design. And, your work at Alex Mill.
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“When you open an old book, none of those images are even on the Internet.“ made my jaw drop! I’ll be thinking about that a lot. …brb! Off to buy more old books!
Agree! This really resonated with me too
I love this tour so much. His home is like a giant beating heart. My husband is an artist and we both have a lot of hobbies so our home definitely looks more like this than any of the clean, minimalist homes that are often featured on social media. More tours like this please!
I loved this tour! So much personality here. But I would love even more how Somsack researches unique shops off the beaten path. I travel a bunch for work and unfortunately most of the places around where I stay are always the same. Everything seems so commercialized anf repetitive these days, especially in the US. What is the point of visiting somewhere new if it is always just surrounded by a Lululemon, Sephora, and Crate and Barrel? I would love some tips to find places off the beaten path!
Every single town has a quirky shop. I found a bunch recently in St. Louis by Googling “quirky shops”, looking at the pictures, and seeing which one look best to me. Then, you could always ask the staff there for similar shops or cute little nearby areas that have more unique shops. I am never looking for clothes, more decor and art, but I promise, every town, even small town, has at least one or two.
As I scrolled through these pictures I thought, wow this man is an artist! This is an apartment that makes me want to create something. I want to pull an old Vogue off the shelf and style an outfit! I want to pull out a bit of clay and create a bowl! Fun and full of life.
I love him And his home so much! It also made me appreciate my home with lots of things and art and books in the floor
Yes. Yes. A thousand times yes. Love the joy in collecting and having things you have made yourself in your home, and the layered rugs, and the most precious items being those we put on our fridge. That is what I would save too. Thank you for letting us in!
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Rescuing Vogues in grade school and wanting the ability to buy just a few stalks of herbs because- yes- cooking for one ?! You’re my long lost twin! Amazingly curated and cozy and lived in. Adore 😍
Love this home so much! So interesting, personal, eclectic, colorful, & inspiring!
Oh my gosh, this looks SO much like my late artist grandparents’ apartment that it instantly brought tears to my eyes!! They always had stacks of art on every surface and in every corner and wouldn’t let you leave without taking something home with you.
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Loved the rescued vogue mags!
The two textiles that really caught my eye were both described as “Hawaiian quilt from Honolulu”… down the online quilting rabbit hole I go. : ) What a lovely, rich, friendly home.
I love Hawaii so much and these quilts are a beautiful reminder of such a beautiful place!
Yes, I want to know which store in Honolulu! I am here in Honolulu and want to go look at the store!
its been a while . Maybe try Moana Quilts
The quilt made me think of the children’s book, Luka’s Quilt!
They made my Hawaiian heart very happy!!!! Looks like the ones my Tutu had.
Finally an apartment that looks like someone lives and loves there! This is so warm, thoughtfully curated, full of stories and memories. Would love to know more about the yellow and green appliqué bird hanging on the wall facing the foot of the bed.
thank you! the green and yellow bird is a vintage framed Asafo Flag from Ghana!I own 2 and am huge fan of them!
This reminds of Nate Burkus once saying something about the stuff in your house being a collection that shows a life well lived. I try to do the same thing! My house would make a minimalists skin crawl! But I love everything that I have. I LOVE this apartment, so lovely and relatable.
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What a lovely, warm, eclectic home!
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I deeply relate to all the piles, AND I really want to see that bat picture on a wall.
Love this cozy house, especially the little quilt on the coffee table. I might have to steal that design idea!
This house tour made me take a second look- very unlike what I’d like my own house to look like, but strikes the perfect balance between precious and accessible. I’d feel immediately at home here!
I love how sentimental this man is! Yes to saving all the notes on the fridge in a fire.
Yes to messy, memorable fridges!
sentimental could be my middle name !
Two things: 1. I want to see a pic of those Halloween costumes and 2. I want to know who the giant baby is!
these were my exact questions!
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The perfectly styled real life apartment. I could live here forever and feel comfortable but still put together. This is perfection.
thank you Lou!
I love that he layers his rugs!! What a super cool idea!
why choose one big one to love when u can choose many smaller ones!
Ahhh I love this – such a radical departure from minimalism, so full of life!
thank you Amy!
So much wisdom here! 1. Amen on recipes with too many ingredients. I did cry once trying to recreate a salad with 17ish ingredients. 2. TREMENDOUS travel tip!! I like just having to plan the next step and not ferret out everything you want to do beforehand. The serendipity of going one place and asking for recs is smart. 3. I, too, love to lean art. I bought some picture shelves on clearance from DWR and just lean most of the art in our apartment. It makes it very easy to move things and swap in stuff.
some of my fav stores and restaurants have been found thru tip #2- I remember finding my fave restaurant Rijsel in Amsterdam that way – we asked a store clerk where her fave restaurant in town was and this is what she recommended- I remember walking in and having the host ask how we found them -he said “ ah that makes sense cause only locals know of it”
I delight in seeing apartment dwelling that is so personal, layered. My apartments always felt like temp spaces. I decorated bare bones. Not until buying homes did I dive into any sort of personal styling. So to get a glimpse into a whole ‘nother approach to apartment living is so fascinating to me.
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Such a fun, creative space! I have also thought a grocery store for single people would be amazing. Sometimes I feel like Steve Martin in Father of the Bride…”I want to buy eight hot dogs and eight hot dog buns to go with them…” Ha
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
exactly! Kristin- Should we open one together? ??
Something about this apartment reminds me of the condo my grandmother lived in when I was little. She was an oil painter and her small space was cozy and layered and a little messy and I thought everything was so interesting to look at.
I love that. my grandmother’s house had so many things to look at and discover — once I opened a little silver box in her piano room and found a bunch of old TEETH!
LOVE this apartment. It’s one of the most genuine, lived-in tours we’ve seen. Love everything from the collections, layered rugs, parsley comment.
Never seen a man more in need of a wall shelving unit in every room, but I know the comfort of clutter so…more power to him. Living surrounded by our stories can be very cozy.
Didn’t see this as clutter at all. To each their own!
lol once all the floors are stucked up its onto the wall shelves!
Love this apartment! It would be such a fun place to visit- so many interesting things to see in this apartment! You would never run out of things to chat about with the host. Lol. So cool. I always wind up with a stack of books by my bed, with a few on my night table, too. It gives me such delight and such a cozy feeling to be surrounded by books. Though I am not single, I mostly only cook meals with approx 5 ingredients. Fortunately, my spouse loves to cook and that broadens my culinary scope immeasurably. Thanks for sharing!
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I love homes full of things (and makes me feel better about my own house full of things – haha!). I often feel very out of place because our home is smaller and full of things because I like it and then I go to drop off my kids at friends’ houses and they have large homes with hardly anything and I feel so uncomfortable. I love walking into a home where you can immediately see and feel what kind of people live there.
I can relate! This tour helped me appreciate my cozy, cluttered home.
Thing lovers unite!! ❤️
Same! All my truly gifted artist friends have homes full of things which makes me feel better. There are so many beautiful things in the world…why limit ourselves? :)
I love everything about his home! It looks so authentic and unfussy and lived in. Normally when I see a home tour I go into it with a bit of an eye roll, like the images you see don’t reflect real life, no one lives in a home without stuff, clutter, life. But this apartment, it gives you a sense of who he is and it feels so very loved and lived in. But all that aside, I gotta ask, who’s doing the dusting?!
I came here to ask this very same question!! I feel like dust is the main reason I’m a minimalist. It was my least favorite childhood chore!
You beat me to it. I’d go nuts with all that stuff stacking up. Ah, well.
I read this question every time I’m looking at a space that is not minimalistic. I love seeing a person’s personality reflected in their space though, otherwise it could be a hotel room. I am not a maximalist or a minimalist, just somewhere in between, and I want to ask everyone: HOW do you keep up with DUSTING!? It seems impossible! My house is average- size and I clean fairly regularly. I have 2 cats, a big yard, & I open windows often (we have screens), but there is always dust everywhere! Sometimes I give up & just ignore it. I recently bought 2 air purifiers & I’m wondering if this will help. Anyone else have this struggle and/or have tips?!? Thanks a bunch :)
Haha!! next time when im asked if I have roomates ill say Yes! – DUST!
I too love this home and the personality that shows through. And…… good for him but not for me. I have allergies, really really bad allergies, dust is not my friend. When I see a home like this I always think, lucky them, they probably don’t have dust allergies. I need empty calm spaces to feel calm too, but I recognize not everyone does. Some thrive with busyness and pattern and just ABUNDANCE. I thrive with air and clearness. Neither is correct. Both are awesome.
such a fun space–can he say more about the fabrics on his couches? my delightful and terrible cat ruined the arms of my new couch and I need to cover them w/ something–wondering if i can achieve casual elegant effect w/ pretty throws or whatever he’s using? thx
the fabrics are a mix of blankets ive collected from my travels- Indian quilts and block prints, French stripes, Japanese indigo – I really like how fabrics can warm up a room in both a decorative and functional way. Fabrics in a room are as interesting as a painting on a wall to me . ❤️
I love his vibe and how much his home reflects his personality. It would give me anxiety to have that much stuff, but somehow he makes it work!
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Loved everything about this post. He seems like such a genuine and kind person.
awww thank you
Rad guy.
It just feels like a HOME! Gorgeous! Love the stuff………..ALL OF IT! <3
What a treat, I adore Somsack, he is so cool and inspiring!
awww thank you evelyn!
like all the treasures in this home! my houseplant watering trick is if i look my houseplants and feel thirsty in solidarity, then i give them a drink! it’s something about the leaf angle and overall pep…
Lovely apartment! He has amazing style
Yes to book stacking! Yes to rug stacking! Really enjoying this post- thank you.
Gosh, they are so cool. Their Substack post on collecting vintage is epic, and I am shocked at the restraint and dedication involved collecting every issue of Vogue since 1995!!!
The Vogues…omg. Love ❤️
I love my gingham Muji pillow cases so much. And I want all the textiles in this apartment! His place feels cozy and personal.
Love how’d he’d save the cards and pictures from his fridge. I’ve had some of the same pictures on my fridge for 20 plus years- some of my favourite memories r displayed on my fridge
Love how homey, stylish, and real this place feels!
What a cool place! Everything looks like it has meaning and style. That marbled bowl in the kitchen is gorgeous.
The steel color bedroom with the bat print looks like the most amazing sleep cave ever.
Never have I felt more validated than meeting another person who takes care of houseplants the way I do.
So effortlessly homey and also clearly curated by someone with a keen eye.
Nothing about this house tour is my style and yet I found myself zooming in on every photo to see the details. Loved Somsack’s home.
I love how imperfect his spaces are ; he didn’t hide all of the quirks for the photographs, and there is just so much personality!
Somsack, sooo incredibly jealous of your two quilts from Hawaii! That appliqué work is no joke! The one on your bed makes me want to start on one of my own. I’ve always been afraid of such a large undertaking, but honestly, there’s no time like the present! Thanks for the beautiful inspiration.
I love this home! And I relate to that office-Halloween anecdote. My husband and I used to work at the same company, so we brought another couple as our +1s to the holiday party. We had previously worked somewhere that the culture was all-in, so we embraced the Studio 54 theme and came in full disco attire, including me and my gal pal in two black and gold sparkly jumpsuits. Turns out, this new company? Not an all-in kinda place, haha! But we didn’t care, because we are. We tell our kids we can’t half-ass anything because that’s not who we are. We are whole-ass! Here’s to Somsack, a whole-ass legend!
He’s a cool guy, and I like Alex Mill, but I’d like them even more if they extended their sizes and made clothes for every body to wear.
I love all the beautiful fabric in his apartment. So many patterns and colors but somehow they play well together.
Every. Issue. Of. Vogue. Since. 1995. When I was younger, my mother worked the night shift for an airline concierge service. She would stock the large pallet trays destined for planes with snacks, perfumes and toiletries for sale, and magazines for passengers to browse. She brought home past issues, the ones that were “expired” with so much life yet to live. I devoured them, these little treasures that exposed me to a world I was not privy to. I wish I had kept them. Especially the Vogues. Capsules of time long gone. Invite me over to peruse, and remember those days I lived in the 90’s, when I was 9-14, furiously rubbing perfume samples stolen from glossy pages on my neck before school.
My dining room is a dark, forest-y green…but now I have my eye on that “steel wool” wall color. I love all your home tours, because I am nosy and enjoy seeing different kinds of living spaces, but I really love the ones that are full of people’s treasures
A grocery store selling ingredients for single people is truly genius. Also: yay Queens!
This is really great. His space feels like a real person lives in it! Love the books books books and the art used so casually. Accessible.
amazing style!! perhaps the coolest dude ever? also, in case you’re reading this, Somsack, I also sucked on the wheel and wondered what was wrong with me lol
haha!! hand builders unite!!❤️❤️
I enjoyed this peek into his home and seeing all the interesting things that have stories behind them. I also enjoyed the books and magazines. I have plenty of those too!
This home is so specific and beautiful and therefore so delightful and inspiring
I love homes with stuff out