NIGHT VISIONS

Make the most of after dark

Dec 11, 2024

Wearstlerworld,

I’m coming out of an ‘optimal’ sleep—my Oura ring score was 94—and so I’m having night visions. Meaning: what does it mean to make the most of “night”?

If the ‘Day’ is full of expectations of us—to be productive, to achieve, to be “on”—the ‘Night’ has so much freedom. Whether you’re going out or staying in, the night feels like time that is just yours, to spend as you want—whether you’re after excitement or rest.

Most nights—after dinner with my family, and after bath and bedtime with Crosby—I work. But, it’s when “work” is at its most rewarding. The studio is pretty much offline (though texts always flow), and I am in my home studio and able to find some real headspace for creative thinking. I can get really “blue sky” about projects, playing around with images and materials I always have laid out on the floor without an interruption, letting good ideas bubble up without forcing them.

And of course evenings contain a lot more extravagance, and more fun. “Endless days” doesn’t have the same allure as “endless nights”—and that says it all.

So today: some ideas about evening.

LET THERE BE LIGHT

First, I never have the light in any room turned up full blast. So, “let there be light”, but that light needs to be sexy. The only lighting, to me, is mood lighting. That’s a commandment, if I were to ever offer any. (And, maybe some would say there’s “not enough” light, but I prefer it that way.)

Absolutely nothing is worse than visiting someone and dodging brutal down lights. Or, sitting down next to some incredibly unflattering side lighting—in which case I move.

(If I’m reading? Glad you asked. I don’t make any exceptions. I use one of those little clip-on lamps made for books.)

Daylight (and playing around with it) is one thing. But, it’s at night that “light” comes more under our control, and where we can really manipulate it to create a mood. Night is when light is really ours. You’re the boss, and it’s an opportunity you should take advantage of.

If it’s the primary function of lighting to illuminate, it’s a close second for lighting to make us look good. At home, I use a few different approaches—and they share one thing in common: these lamps master ‘glow’.

One lamp that suits this purpose is by the incredible Dutch designer, Dirk van der Kooij, who uses 3D printing techniques and reclaimed plastic:

His Satellite Lamp really offers some of the best ‘glow’ out there, with adjustable lighting that can transition from cool to warm tones using dials at the sides. (But, I am also so in love with how these lamps look in daylight, they shimmer. It’s rare for a lamp to maintain its personality around the clock, and these do.)

Another approach is in my son Oliver’s bedroom—‘Tree’ lamps by Ron Arad, from the 1980s. A little more directional—and, I love repetition (it does a lot to create a sense of rhythm in a space). Not only are there two of these, but they each have two arms. So, they were kind of irresistible to me.

They are so easy (and also fun) to reposition, which can really shift the way a room feels at night—whether cast up or down, or at an artwork, or as task lighting. But, wherever they are pointing, they always create a really warm and specific light, which I love.

And then this lamp, in my living room, designed by Pierre Balmain in the 1970s, with its travertine base.

I bought this in Turin, when I was there for one of my son Elliott’s hockey tournament. (We took the train up from Milan; just an hour.)

It’s monumental and monolithic, but really softened by the natural linen shade.

But, a lamp doesn’t always need to look like “a lamp”. This one, the Baolum by Livio Castiglioni and Gianfranco Frattini from 1970, is something that you can endlessly manipulate—by twisting it or by attaching additional lengths.

Vintage ones crop up from time to time if you’re paying attention to the right people—recently FORMAS in Los Angeles sold one, and I think another is up for grabs at the Jacqueline Sullivan Gallery in New York. Maybe the style is not for everyone (not everyone can handle it), but if you can’t already tell, I admire some level of play when it comes to light. And, the Boalum has that.

Artemide is now producing them with LED. And, LED has done so much for lighting, enabling a whole new category of lamp: the portable.

A few favorites: Davide Groppi’s super slender TeTaTeT, Santa & Cole’s candle-glow Sylvestrina, and one that I love from our own collection: the Tourne, out of alabaster, a stone that offers earthy-warm ambient glow like no other.

TO PLATE TOO LATE

Every once in a while, I’m a fan of some objects that really speak—just a few words, here and there. And this little ceramic tray by L&Clay makes the cut. Night can’t be too serious, and this makes for a great catch-all for house keys for the consummate night owl.

Personally, I use it when I snack on some pistachios.

And for those that really do find their way into nightlife regularly, maybe it’s not always alcohol fueled. There’s a lot of good 0% on the market—but Ghia is my go-to. A great, robust aperitif bitterness.

And, I don’t really drink too much ‘soda’, but I always trust Erewhon (where I got this Ghia) to have stuff that’s really good quality and without any super egregious ingredients. Shopping there is a pretty good filter for “goodness”.

ALL-OUT

At night, go out. (But also: get me to bed by 9:30.)

If only for the shift in wardrobe—you don’t need to be as practical.

The night forgives as much as it also allows, and so you can push your own boundaries. And, it’s the realm of the evening gown, a quintessentially glamorous piece of clothing—whether it’s edgy or elegant or, in this case, both:

By the incredibly talented Iraqi-Lebanese designer Harith Hashim, and his brand Harithand, a dress with lace and ruffles that is beautiful to wear and strikes a perfect balance—you could style this to be very modest, or to be very revealing. It’s at once very minimal and simple, and also a little extravagant. I recently wore it to a dinner party here at the house.

A few years back, Harith was an evening wear finalist for the Fashion Trust Arabia awards, which were just held in Marrakech—I was lucky enough to be there, wearing a piece by another super talent from the region, Yasmin Mansour. Definitely worth paying attention to the names the FTA honors—a really special, mind-blowingly creative group of people.

There is a lot of innovation in evening wear. Someone else I am following is Ronald van der Kemp, who is based in Amsterdam. (The Dutch are very curious and clever designers.)

He only works with recycled fabrics—and sometimes that is invisible, and other times its apparent and celebrated, like when two dresses seem to be spliced together. Whichever way, it’s always super characterful. Above is one definitely in the middle of a great night out, on the pages of Vogue China.

I really wanted to visit his atelier when I was in Amsterdam last month, but didn’t manage—so, on the agenda for my next visit. Always leave a reason to return.

And, to accessorize:

When you get the right Judith Lieber, they really are pretty fun. I’d take this bow.

THE OLFACTORY GLOW

Glow applies to you too. And, nothing adds to one’s aura more than fragrance. And, I’m newly a fan of Bottega Veneta’s “Come with me”—it has a powdery warmth, and even though its got a crispness to it, its edges seem rounded and smooth.

Very elegant. Thank you Matthieu for sending it along—you really crushed it.

And, high five on the bottle itself: a highlight of my vanity. It is so beautifully designed, a perfect match to the amazing quality of the scent.

And, if you’re not in the mood to spritz yourself, I also love the candles by my dear friend Richard at Flamingo Estate. And, for night, what could be better than Night Blooming Jasmine & Damask Rose.

Flamingo Estate can personalize candles with names—that can make a superb gift. And, we always burn some around the house with our names on them. I’ll light one in each of the boys' rooms when they’re out, too, so they’re welcomed back to these great scents.

ALL-IN

The other side of “night” is about rest and restoration—and, a huge part of that, for me, goes back to light.

Red light.

Part of my routine that is super meditative is the 10 minutes I spend in front of a red light therapy lamp... something that has been a part of the regimen for a couple of years now. It’s all about cellular reproduction—amazing for rejuvenation.

I sleep even more deeply when I do this right before bed, which is maybe 50% of the time. Or I’ll do it first thing in the morning, hanging out with the dogs. In any case, I always have a podcast on during. One I’m really enjoying is All-In.

There are a lot of masks on the market, but I prefer a table-top lamp; I use the Joovv LED Face Lamp. Not as unsettling for whomever walks in on you, and it gets your neck and chest. And, I have a smaller travel version that I take with me on the road—because like most good things, consistency is key.

And, okay, a full body version for the gym.

And, also a ‘helmet’ version, which is great for hair health. You have to exercise every part of your body: brain, eyes (which racket sports are great for), and even hair follicles.

(And, I’ve just seen on Instagram there’s a version just for your hands.)

I’ve tried to use red light while reading to Crosby at night, but that has backfired. Whenever he looks at me with this stuff on he tells me “Off” (as in “Take it off!”)—he’s not a convert yet.

CALLING IT A NIGHT

Inevitably, of course, it’s time for bed. And, everything about getting ready for sleep and sleep itself is very precious to me, and I take very seriously.

If you want full days, you need restful nights. And, a good nighttime routine helps prepare you for that—and also, a lot of beauty self-improvement can happen when you’re in R.E.M. and deep sleep, a great double duty.

I use Augustinus Bader creams—worth every penny, dreamy-smooth. And really, very good creams are not just about their effect, but a moment to yourself, in front of a mirror, that feels luxurious and elevated. To apply a cream should be as special and important and refreshing as what it can do to your skin. Take the time, revel in the routine.

I also love the eye creams by Noble Panacea, which are based on the science of a Nobel Prize-winning chemist.

And, of course, science is a great thing. And, so is technology.

The Oura ring measures sleep quality, and keeps my sleep schedule on track with notifications. I’m so amazed by these tools that give us really detailed insight into our own self. Good data helps you make good decisions—something that everyone sitting in an office would absolutely preach, but people rarely bring home.

It’s one of two things I’ll consistently wear at night. The other is a little more traditional—and also a bit of a ‘beauty secret’: the silk sleep mask. I have the “slip” mask in charcoal. (Silk is incredibly good for the skin, as you probably know. More science: it absorbs less moisture than cotton or whatever else, so skin can stay more hydrated.)

FROM MY PILLOW TO YOURS

I travel with my pillow, always. (Well, three pillows, actually—two for my head, and one to hug.) I stuff them all in my carry on.

And, that’s because not just any pillow will do—more than the comfort of a mattress, the thickness of a pillow is a major factor in sleep. (At least for me.) I travel with my pillow because I’ve made it my own by taking out about half its stuffing, making it softer and more malleable.

That said, I have ideas about mattresses. My husband Brad wants to switch ours to one with adjustable positions—which will ruin the room (not a matter of opinion, just fact). So we’re in a battle between design and his night’s sleep.

In any case, one thing won’t change: I use Frette pillows, always. The quality of the down is just really worth it.

For bedding: Frette and Sferra. And, I just bought some striped Tekla sheets for my two older boys, Elliott and Oliver, who are at college—and, it’s nice to see their dorm rooms looking so good on FaceTime.

FROM MY EARS TO YOURS

And just before I sign off, an evening playlist—songs that all have a smoothness to them: the immersive, expansive quality of Beach House, Kelsey Lu to the thump of a heartbeat, the singular swagger of Erykah Badu, and a lot more.

That’s all for now,