Christiane Lemieux’s SoHo Loft
Hello everyone! I’ve been traveling for the last couple of weeks for both work and Spring Break with my family, and I’m happy to be home and back to regular life. I enjoy travel, but I’m definitely a homebody. There’s a lot happening with The Inspired Room and with my family right now, and it feels good to settle back in. I also have some exciting news I’ll share soon — a few surprises I’ve been keeping under wraps that I think you’ll enjoy. I’ll tell you more when the time is right.
I’m getting ready to dive into some decorating projects at home and finally invest in a few much-needed furniture pieces. I’ve been thinking about new furniture for a long time and recently had the opportunity to travel to New York City for the launch of a new furniture line, which ended up being a major inspiration. I’m the kind of person who hesitates to buy big-ticket items, but this trip nudged me to take the plunge.
Earlier this year I received an invitation to attend a launch event for a new furniture collection hosted by Wayfair and Birch Lane. As a decor blogger, I occasionally get invited to events, and this one sounded promising, so I said yes. I’m really glad I did — the experience exceeded my expectations.
I arrived in New York a day early to avoid an exhausting early-morning flight from Seattle. I stayed at the Smyth Tribeca Hotel and appreciated the restful evening after a long trip. The bathroom and shower were particularly lovely, with marble subway tile and elegant flooring. The next day my friend Rhoda from the Southern Hospitality blog flew in, and we caught up over lunch despite the freezing temperatures. If you follow Instagram, you may have seen a few snapshots from our trip.
Rhoda and I were invited to a private dinner at the SoHo loft of designer Christiane Lemieux, founder of DwellStudio and now Creative Director for Wayfair. Meeting Christiane in her own space was a memorable experience. I had read about her work beforehand and was excited to meet her in person.
We arrived at her building feeling a bit lost in the dark stairwell until Christiane came down to find us and welcome us inside. Once we stepped into her home, the atmosphere was warm and inviting. She greeted us, took our coats, and led us into an intimate dinner party for a small group. It felt like a once-in-a-lifetime moment — a genuine “pinch me” experience.
I couldn’t stop admiring the kitchen: a dramatic slab of marble, a striking zig-zag planked island, dark cabinets paired with white counters, and a thoughtful mix of modern and antique elements. The floors were reclaimed hardwood from Europe, which added character and texture throughout the space.
Every detail of the evening was intentional — from the floral arrangements and candelabras to the menus and table settings. Christiane’s careful attention to styling made the dinner feel special and personal.
I’ve always appreciated bookcases in a dining area. They add warmth and function. In Christiane’s loft the bookcases, painted black, felt elegant and sophisticated, complementing the overall design.
I regretted not bringing my larger camera — my phone photos didn’t capture the loft’s evening light justice. The room felt both intimate and remarkable: we were only ten guests, gathered for a sit-down dinner to celebrate the pre-launch of Birch Lane’s new collection. Fellow blogger Gabrielle from Design Mom joined us as well.
One standout was Christiane’s chandelier, a restored piece that originally came from a movie theater. It’s substantial — she mentioned it weighed several hundred pounds and hangs from a solid wood beam over the dining table. She told a funny story about her son accidentally breaking a few crystals with a nerf gun shot after it was installed; she embraced the imperfection, which made me like her even more.
Before dinner we mingled and admired an art piece that has appeared in numerous catalogs and magazines. The group was warm and friendly, and the conversation flowed easily. It felt like spending an evening with old friends.
I sat to Christiane’s immediate left and tried to remain composed, though it was thrilling to be right beside her at the table. We talked about parenting, travel, and design. Christiane’s enthusiasm for her work is infectious; she shared the inspiration behind the Birch Lane collection, describing it as a “twisted traditional” approach to classic furnishings.
Christiane and her team were welcoming and encouraging toward us as bloggers, which was both generous and inspiring. The dinner was delicious and the conversation meaningful — I left feeling honored to have been included.
The following evening I attended the official launch party for the new furniture line. I’ll share more about the pieces and my own plans for furniture purchases in a future post. In the meantime, I’m still inspired by the thoughtful design details and hospitality I experienced at Christiane’s loft.
Thanks to Christiane, Wayfair, and Birch Lane for a memorable evening and wonderful hospitality.