Priya Patel
TLDR:
Jean Lin shares her top 3 secrets to becoming a more thoughtful collector in her new book, What We Keep. The book explores collections of all kinds and offers actionable wisdom, styling advice, and playful musings on home design. Lin’s goal is to create a relationship between collectors, designers, and makers, reflecting her heritage as an Asian American daughter of immigrants.
Key Elements:
- Jean Lin’s background in the design world and her founding of Colony.
- The inspiration behind Lin’s book, What We Keep, and its exploration of collections and keepsakes.
- Actionable tips and advice on how to collect, style, and design your home thoughtfully.
- The importance of building relationships between collectors, designers, and makers in the industry.
Article Summary:
Jean Lin, founder of Colony and a major force in the New York design world, shares her top 3 secrets to becoming a more thoughtful collector in her new book, What We Keep. The book explores collections of all kinds and offers actionable wisdom, styling advice, and playful musings on home design. Lin’s goal is to create a relationship between collectors, designers, and makers, reflecting her heritage as an Asian American daughter of immigrants.
The book features insights from various creators, including woodworkers, ceramists, chefs, and designers, giving readers an intimate tour of collectors’ studios, homes, and belongings. Lin’s tips provide a mix of humor and useful knowledge gained over years of working in the design industry.
One of the book’s overarching themes is that collections are about more than just the objects themselves; they hold meaningful memories and inspirations for the collectors. Lin also emphasizes the importance of sustainability in collecting, suggesting to appreciate existing items rather than buying new ones.
Education and knowing what to look for when expanding a collection are key takeaways from the book, as well as practical tips like utilizing a bar cart for storage. Lin’s book aims to inspire readers to be responsible in their consumption and understand the stories behind the objects they collect.
