THE SIXTH SENSE: LISA PRZYSTUP

For this issue of our newsletter, we chatted with writer Lisa Przystup about life upstate, dressing for fall, and her gorgeous new book Once Around the Sun, which she describes as a love letter to the seasons.

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Lisa Przystup, I’m a writer and I live in the Western Catskills with my husband, Jonathon and our dog, Gus. Once Around the Sun is my second book (my first was Upstate: Living Spaces with Space to Live).

How has living upstate impacted your style?

I’d say that it’s less varied and more utilitarian—the same two (maybe three?) pairs of jeans/t-shirts/sweatshirts on rotation (plus a sweater or two for good measure) and pull-on insulated muck boots starting in November through till May. Our everydays lives are on the absolute opposite end of the spectrum of our lives in Greenpoint—there’s really nowhere to “go out” and the main place you’re seeing and being seen is the Farmer’s Market and everyone is pretty much wearing different versions of what you’re wearing. There is a real freedom to not have that pressure and at the same time I do miss having a reason to put myself together. That’s not to say that it never happens here—if we are going to dinner at a friends, maybe I’ll throw on my fancy jumpsuit. Summer is kind of the sartorial exception up here: dresses and shorts and blouses and other fun things get folded into the mix but the months between November—May are very uniform-centric. It’s too cold/snowy/icy to mess around with anything else.

Has living upstate changed what you consider beautiful? If so, how?

Hmmm…in general or in reference to something specific? I mean I think the answer really is that we moved here because upstate was beauty to us. To be this close to nature, to move through it every day is living beauty. But there’s beauty to be found everywhere really. When we visit the city all the small, wonderful moments of beauty take me by surprise and in a way, stand out even more: a flower blooming in a community garden, the moon rising above the buildings, the light reflecting off the East River (yes, the East River), the sunsets. So I guess the answer to your question is no, it hasn’t :)

Is there a room, or even a corner of a room, that tells the story of who you are in this season of your life? What makes you love it?

Oh this is a fun question. I think I’d have to say our kitchen table/our kitchen though as I think of it this would have been my answer ten years ago too so it’s not necessarily specific to the particular season of my life. I guess that’s the beauty of a kitchen table—what unfolds around it sustains and feeds you through all of life’s seasons. It’s the place that I can sit across the table from my husband and share a meal and a dedicated conversation. It’s where we host friends for dinner. It’s warmth and connection and nourishment.

In your opinion, what's the relationship between the style of the home and the style of the person creating the home?

I think they really are completely different (or at least they are in my case). On one level, each house has its own energy that’s been shaped by anyone who has ever moved through it. On another level, I don’t think there’s really an exact equivalent or translation between interior design styles and clothing/personal style. Even further, I’d say that my personal style is different from what I’m drawn to in interiors.

Is there something that you once thought was ugly that you now find beautiful? Can you tell us about it?

Zinnias. I used to think they were uninspiring and basic but there are so many different varieties of zinnias and some real showstoppers out there (some even give dahlias a run for their money) and the colors! Glowy peach, pale yellow, green-y ones too.

If a friend from out of state is coming to visit you (currently in fall) and is stumped on what to bring, what do you recommend? What would you recommend from our collection?

Comfortable clothes that you’re not worried about getting dirty. A cozy sweater. Slippers. The Contour Clog with shearling (flat base) from your store are perfect for here: warm, comfortable, practical while also being VERY stylish.

No.6 Contour Clog with Shearling on Flat Base in Java and Brown Brisa

What does stylish in the country look like and mean to you?

Busting out the cateye liner every once in a while.

If you could give one piece of advice about decorating a home, or a life in general, what would it be?

Stay true to yourself. Don’t try to be anyone else. It won’t feel (or look) right.

You can buy Lisa's Book Once Around the Sun: Seasonal Rituals, Food, and Stories from a House Upstate here or your local bookshop.

SHOP LISA'S LOOK AND MORE NO.6