Owner, Curator, and Creative Director 2008 - 2009
Jan & Äya was a personal project that came out of a love for design, the handmade and a desire to support local and sustainable artists in the community. More than a lifestyle store, the space provided a platform for curated shows, talks and tastings, creating an open dialogue of ever changing objects and ideas. It received a wide range of press from Dwell magazine, Apartment Therapy and Design Sponge to the New York Times and was nominated by Daily Candy as one of their “Sweetest Things of 2008”. Hit by the recession it had a beautiful but short run. The experience continues to nourish me in so many ways and so grateful to my family, who accompanied me on this journey.
Hand applied gold leaf signage by Jerry Pagane, shop photos by Piotr Powietrzynski, still-lives by Philip Ficks