Flynn McGarry’s Lamps
This roundup of things we liked this week originally appeared in the April 17, 2025, edition of the Secret Strategist newsletter, a weekly email where we share the stuff our staff — plus a rotating cast of writers, design-world people, and various others with very good taste — would otherwise keep to themselves. If you want to get our picks straight to your inbox each week, sign up here.
Until this week, Secret Strategist did not have a tip line — something that friend of the mag Rachel Tashjian learned when she emailed a question about the bedding in Dying for Sex that bounced back. She texted Erin instead, and now we have a tip line (email us at secretstrategist@nymag.com) — and an answer. —Simone Kitchens, Lauren Ro, and Erin Schwartz
This Week’s List
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* “Cannot believe you did not tell me where to get all the bedding from Dying for Sex,”Rachel wrote. We ID’d a woven bedspread from OddBird, and production designer Michael Bricker revealed a few more items: The pillowcase that travels with Molly to the hospital is from Kerry Cassill (also this one), and a sandy-yellow quilt is from Slow Roads. A bright, soft mohair throw and a patchwork strip quilt both came from Stella Dallas vintage in Williamsburg. There’s also Molly’s sheet set, which is from the Company Store’s collab with Rifle Paper Co.
* Sophie Sevigny (sister-in-law to Chloë) makes these colorful hand-knotted rugs from recycled marine rope.
* Wendy Goodman’s pink notepaper: “I picked up a stack, also in orange, at my local stationery store, Stevdan, on Sixth between 10th and 11th. I keep a stack by my bed as it’s so cheery!!! Better than Post-its for those nagging thoughts that need addressing in the morning.” No e-commerce currently, but we found Stevdan in the Locavore Guide.
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* Erin spotted these polished aluminum lamps by Certain Rain at the very good vintage showroom Benthos.
* Speaking of, the best vintage stores in Chinatown are up a flight of stairs (or an elevator ride away): Women’s History Museum and Charlot Abhors a Void, across the hall from each other at 244 Canal; Benthos at 99 Canal; and the esteemed James Veloria and a ton of others in the 2 Bridge Mall on East Broadway. Also, Grotesque Archive on Fulton Street, but that’s technically Fidi.
Over at Ending Soon, whose red hangers we’ve noted before, we noticed a striking brown rug. It’s the walnut Grand from Nordic Knots. “It has an uncanny ability to really elevate everything around it,” co-owner Houman Farahmand told us. “Also, we have a lot of black clothing; it’s a great complement.” See it in person when the L.A. location (544 N. Western Ave., Unit F) officially opens on April 25. Appointment only until then.
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Flynn McGarry did an apartment tour with The World of Interiors back in January, and we couldn’t stop zooming in on all the good lighting. So we asked him to ID everything for us, and he emailed back his favorite porcelain pendants and wicker lamps (and some backup suggestions for the vintage ones):
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* “The Louis Poulsen PH 5 I wish I could gatekeep. I used it in Gem Home and my home and will be using it again! The weathered aluminum is perfect, and the way the bulb is diffused creates great ambient lighting.”
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* “My friend Jess Hannah makes great jewelry and these great small lamps. This is in the second bathroom because, even in a bathroom, I’m against harsh overhead lighting.”
* “These are lights I made with Stiliani Moulinos for the original Gem. As we closed, I got to keep them in my hallway, which I painted a matching yellow. You will be able to buy them at Gem Home soon!”
* “I found two of these pendants at an antique store eight years ago and had no use for them, so they sat in storage for years. They’re the boldest lights I’ve ever purchased but anchored the more maximalist design in this room. (Similar here and here.)”
* “I can’t not buy a wicker lamp. This one I found at Brimfield. (Similar here, here, and here.)”
* “These were a recent find by my girlfriend, Amanda, at an antique store in Connecticut. They’re French paper cutouts. (Similar here.)”
* “This is a small ceramic lamp base I found in Copenhagen that always has a changing shade. Right now, it’s the perfect size for a side table. (Similar here and here.)”
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The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
