Known for her impeccably curated, globally inspired downtown boutique, Maryam Nassir Zadeh
applies the same level of discerning style to her downtown apartment. Much like her store (a favorite of in-the-know women with an eye for the unexpected), the Iranian-born beauty has filled her home with treasured finds from Mexico, India, and Montauk. But for this growing family (baby number two is on the way this fall), staying in one place for too long is not in the cards. The close-knit trio will soon trade the busy streets of Manhattan for the palm trees and bougainvillea of Los Angeles (where Zadeh grew up). With their adventurous spirits and nomadic style, we have a feeling that wherever they lay their hat will instantly become home.
Anaïs Vida, two, July 2012
1. "When Anaïs is watching a video on the iPad and she sees little kids joining together holding hands and singing, she comes to me and say's, 'can you hold my hand?', and then we dance and sing. It's the cutest thing—she sees me as one of her friends she wants to play with.
2. Being in nature—taking long drives out of the city in our car with the family and visiting the forest or the ocean.
3. Watching her in the car with wind in her face
4. Anaïs putting on my clothes and finding her own way to wear things"
Tassel over the bed: Bought in the desert in Jodhpur, India. The tassels normally adorn the trucks in the area for good luck. They are believed to ward off the evil eye.
1. Favorite part about growing up in New York: "Tompkins's Square Park and yoga class with all my friends."
2. Favorite food: "Mac and cheese"
3. Favorite thing to do with your mom: "Sing songs and dance"
Vintage dress from Brimfield antique fair
"My go-to pieces are Isabel Marant and Electric Feathers cotton dresses and jumpsuits, mixed with vintage finds to keep the mix fresh and unexpected."
Snakeskin-print dress: "I got this at Narnia, my favorite vintage store in the city, owned by Molly Spaulding, one of my closest friends."
"I like to maintain a full and focused schedule at work, so when I do get home I rarely work. I dive right into motherhood in the evening and try to maintain that spirit throughout the weekend with Anaïs. I try to keep it separate and enjoy our family moments. The combination of work and motherhood is so gratifying that each gives strength unconsciously even if I'm focusing on the opposite, I feel better for having those two separate parts of your life."
"Right before she's about to fall asleep, she puts her leg around my husband and her arm around my neck, and gets really cozy and loving. It's always the best moment to feel the day is winding down with three of us all experiencing love together. She really feels connected to us and nothing could give me more satisfaction."
On Maryam: vintage dress from Narnia
"I'd rather find objects that my husband and I have collected and expose them to Anaïs—like driftwood, shells, crystals, vegetable gourds. A lot of her accessories are things that were ours before we had her."
Woven basket: a gift from Maryam's friend Leana, the designer of Electric Feathers
"Jane Mayle bought this beaded bag on her travels and gave it to my friend, who then gave it to me, and now I passed it down to Anaïs. She loves to throw on purses and sunglasses before she walks out the door."
"My mom taught me that family comes before anything. Her greatest joy in life was raising me and my brother—she has always thought of everyone in the family and what makes them happy before fulfilling her own needs. I always look up to her as my inspiration for being a better mother—she is purely selfless and a love machine."
"The hardest part about being a mom is discipline and dealing with the struggles of your child not listening or responding when your try to discipline—it's frustrating because as a mother you want to be strong and not let your child get away with what you know is not right. I'm still figuring it out but I'm also sure it all comes with age, understanding and communication."
Hat designed by Maryam's friend, Sonia Boyajian
"When Anaïs was born, it was almost too profound to comprehend how significant that experience is and how that relationship shapes you day by day. I was once told by an astrologer that you and your child pick each other before they are born. It's incredible to think we are destined to live our lives together, and that my child will be my friend forever. It's the best feeling to experience building your own family—these members are the most significant relationships you have in life."
"As overwhelming as motherhood might be at times, everything falls into place and has its space to exist. The more you open your life to opportunities and experiences, the more life makes room for the abundance."
Vintage turn of the century curio case bought in a Pennsylvania antique store, boat from Brimfield antique fair
"Brimfield is the jackpot—I’m obsessed. I go every year. All my favorite things are from there. This year, we got a huge U-Haul, filled it up, and only spent $1,000."
"My husband is from India, and we went there in March for his brother’s wedding. After the wedding, we took a trip to Rajasthan and that’s where I realized I was pregnant again. We found the most amazing children's clothing. I wanted to sell these little jackets in my store, but they’re so special that I kept them for Anaïs."
Anais's beautifully-adorned Oeuf crib: Cuyogi bedspread, colorful hat given as a gift by a friend traveling in Peru, blue African textile from John Derian, Bonpoint bunny
, and Victorian patchwork quilt
"Anaïs is obsessed with the iPad. At first, she was crazy about Elmo and Sesame Street and now she has graduated to Barney and Friends. She is so addicted, it's the first thing she mentions in the morning. I have made peace with it, because I can see how her interest in it can entertain her, which can be helpful for us, and it's truly teaching her so much."
Netto changing table, vintage green table won at auction
"We were at a dear friend's wedding and Anaïs was in the center of the dance floor and everyone was circling around her, dancing and clapping. I'm so proud to see her full of life and sharing amazing moments with a group of strangers—she is not afraid, she is open and ready to embrace what's next."
"I never fit it exercise after I had Anaïs. A little over a year after she was born, the weight suddenly dropped off and I was my normal weight, but only a few months later I was pregnant again. This second time around, my intentions are to exercise regularly and work hard to get my figure back. Because although I reached my previous size, my body shape was still never the same. After round two, I know I'll be motivated to do it!"
"I keep it simple: Creed Silver Mountain Water, Mac blush in Prism, lipsticks and nail polish by Illamasqua."
"Since my husband and I both work a full week, nighttime is our time to spend with baby and each other. Anaïs stays up very late and sleeps with us in our bed, so we don't get tons of private time! We are really lucky that we both have amazing parents and it's their pure pleasure to spend time with the baby, so as often as possible we will let Anaïs stay with her grandparents and then go on a romantic excursion."
"My style has changed only slightly since becoming a mom—lower shoes and easy to clean fabrics. Our decor has changed because for so long we we're collecting objects and soon after the baby was born we realized those objects we're most likely unconsciously being collected for her. Many of the natural and sculptural objects were perfect toys for the baby. We have also become more minimal and shifted our attention towards collecting art for the walls and books, which will remain in our family longterm, and can be a source of curiosity and inspiration for our children for years to come."
Wall hanging: vintage quilt from Rajasthan
"I started designing my own label at 23 and decided to take a break after four years. Since then I have allowed my life to take on new directions, always knowing that I was still meant to design. Since November I have been working on line of clothing and shoes for my brand. Knowing that the time has come for me to begin this has given me so much satisfaction. It feels grounding to know that I have a business and family and meanwhile and I'm also pursuing my passion. My life feels full and challenged and for me it's important to be true to who I want to be and not feel as though I have to compromise because I'm a mother. Each aspect—motherhood, business, and my creativity are all simultaneously growing, feeding, and informing each other."
Necklace bought in Peru
"My cravings haven't been too crazy this time around, but I do crave cold drinks, like grapefruit and plum juice. Also vinegary and salty flavors, and coffee ice cream!"
Maryam's recipe for Mexican cabbage salad
