Christiane Lemieux’s SoHo Loft
HHello everyone! I’ve been traveling the past couple of weeks for work and Spring Break with my family, and I’m happy to be back. I love to travel but I’m definitely a homebody, and it feels good to settle in. There’s a lot happening with The Inspired Room and at home, and I’ll be sharing some exciting news soon. I know how annoying it is when people tease a secret — I hate keeping surprises, too — but these are worth the wait. Stay tuned.
Right now I’m getting into full decorating mode at my house. I’ve been dreaming about new furniture pieces for a while, and a recent trip to New York gave me the push I needed. I was invited to the launch of a new furniture line, and the experience was inspiring enough that I’m ready to invest in some bigger pieces for my home.
I’ll share my decorating plans in another post, but I wanted to describe this NYC trip. Earlier this year I accepted an invitation to fly to New York for a Wayfair furniture line launch. As a decor blogger I sometimes attend events, and I was curious to see what this one would be like. I’m so glad I went — it was memorable, surprising, and a lot of fun.
I arrived a day early to avoid an early-morning flight and checked into the Smyth Tribeca Hotel. The room and bathroom were lovely — I especially admired the marble subway tile in the shower and the elegant tile floors. The extra rest was welcome, and the next day my friend Rhoda from Southern Hospitality flew in so we could have lunch and catch up. It was freezing in the city, but we had a great time exploring and sharing moments on Instagram.
That evening we attended a private dinner at designer Christiane Lemieux’s SoHo loft. You may know her as the founder of DwellStudio and now the Creative Director for Wayfair. I had read about her ahead of the trip and was excited to meet her in person.
Rhoda and I were unsure what to expect. We even got slightly lost in the building and Christiane kindly came out to find us in the stairwell. Once inside her home, though, we immediately relaxed — it was a pinch-me moment. Christiane greeted us warmly, took our coats, and led us into a beautiful, intimate dinner setting.
I couldn’t stop admiring the kitchen. A dramatic slab of marble and striking zig-zag detailing on the island caught my eye right away. The mix of dark cabinets and white counters, the blend of modern and antique pieces, and the layered textures throughout made the space feel both sophisticated and welcoming. The floors were reclaimed hardwood brought in from Europe, which added character and history.
Christiane’s attention to detail elevated the evening — from the flower arrangements and candelabras to the menus and table settings. Everything felt thoughtfully composed.
I’ve always loved bookcases in a dining room; they make the space feel warm and functional. I learned the bookcases had once been white, but the darker finish felt more refined and suited the loft’s overall aesthetic.
I wish I had brought my big camera — my phone photos didn’t capture how beautiful the space was in that evening light. It felt surreal to be there, chatting with Christiane and a small group of guests about design and family. Only ten of us shared that sit-down dinner, and fellow blogger Gabrielle from Design Mom joined us as well.
One highlight was Christiane’s chandelier, which came from an old movie theatre and reportedly weighs around 400 pounds. She had it restored and suspended over the table on a solid wood beam. When she told us her son once shot a nerf gun and broke a few crystals, she said she left the imperfections — I admired that attitude.
The artwork on the wall has appeared in catalogs and magazines, and it felt fitting in such a thoughtfully curated space. Before dinner we stood around talking, and everyone was warm and personable — the evening felt like a gathering of friends.
I was seated right next to Christiane, and she was genuinely kind and easy to talk to. We discussed kids, travel, and home design, and she shared the inspiration behind the new line, Birch Lane, which she described as “twisted traditional.” Her enthusiasm was contagious, and her team was encouraging about blogging and our roles in the design community. The dinner was delicious and the conversation inspiring — I felt honored to be invited.
The following night we attended the launch party for the furniture line, and I’ll share more about the collection and my own furniture plans in an upcoming post. In the meantime, I appreciated the hospitality from Christiane, Wayfair, and Birch Lane and enjoyed a truly memorable New York experience.
Thanks to Christiane, Wayfair and Birch Lane for the hospitality!