New York City–based interior designer Purvi Padia takes DP around her favourite hidden gems across NYC for the best places to eat, shop, and explore.
By Simran Almeida | August 26, 2026
‘Where is home?’ This quest has plagued minds for years. It has built Dream Cities with lofty castles where dreamers migrate in pursuit of belonging. These cities pack memories and aspirations in spaces that ring close to home. New York City is one such Elysian arbour, where expatriates chase the American Dream and its gilded promise of belonging. Erstwhile a major port of entry to the U.S., this city was the country’s capital for five years, becoming a hub for businesses and factories. This commercial revolution led to a series of heterotopic spaces—from Studio 54’s futuristic chrome accents and MET’s rich archives to the jazz clubs and warehouse raves—of art that allowed the proletariat to gather and celebrate multiculturalism.
For all its cultural richness, New York can feel like a labyrinth with experiences tucked far away from the well-trodden path. DP navigates this maze with a diasporic guide who takes us to the most underrated spaces for a healthy dose of culture. This series explores the city’s rarest treasures, curated for the curious and culturally inclined. For the first segment, we meet Purvi Padia, a New York City–based interior designer and the founder and creative director of the lifestyle brand REVELRY. Growing up in a small city in the Midwest, “Ever since I can remember, I was drawn to the idea of big city energy, the anonymity, the ability to explore so many cultures and have access to incredible experiences and opportunities,” Padia shares. There, she also leads Project LION, an initiative in collaboration with UNICEF USA that supports millions of vulnerable children in India. “And once I finally arrived in my early 20s, I knew it would be my forever home.” She takes us to her favourite places to eat, shop, and explore across New York City.
Like a plant-based fruit and vegetable wash, our senior editor’s new favorite apron, and the comfiest slides.
By Alaina Chou | July 30, 2026
As people who write about food and kitchen gadgets for a living, Bon Appétit editors are constantly surrounded by a wide range of products. Between our own purchases and the endless stream of samples sent our way, it means there’s always something new coming across our desks and into our homes. Each month we round up the standouts we tested or bought ourselves that changed the way we cook and eat.
This month, a plant-based fruit and vegetable wash, a desk lunch-friendly food storage set, and a dinner-party-worthy flatware set.
Read on for all the products we obsessed over in July.
A few simple swaps can make your kitchen feel more polished.
By Leah Lopez Cardenas | July 24, 2026
The kitchen is one of the busiest and most important spaces in any home. Whether you’re brewing your first cup of coffee, preparing meals, or gathering with family to eat, it’s a room you probably use every day. Because of that, it should be designed for both practicality and comfort, with an inviting look that makes spending time there enjoyable.
Design experts agree that a well-planned kitchen balances functionality with personal style. The best kitchens are efficient, easy to use, and reflect the people who live in them. With that in mind, here are a few things professional designers would never include in their own kitchens—and why they recommend avoiding them in yours.
Fake-Looking Stone Countertops
“For me, so much of the beauty in design is about imperfection—the worn-in, aged look,” says Purvi Padia, founder and creative director of House of Revelry. “I am so drawn to the warmth and depth of a gorgeous slab of marble in the kitchen that has some etching and aging.”
If you really prefer a more perfect look, Padia recommends leathering natural stone (as it’s much more durable) rather than opting for something fake.
The Daily Front Row’s annual Hamptons Most Stylish party has become one of the most coveted invites of the season and this year was one for the books. In partnership with Jumelle Collection, the cocktail party was hosted in the spectacular and massive backyard of the home of Purvi Padia in Bridgehampton.
Hosting at Purvi Padia’s house doesn’t begin with a menu or a centerpiece; it begins with a vibe. As the founder of House of Revelry, Purvi creates beautifully elevated objects for the home that blur the line between design and “undone,” effortless entertaining. That same philosophy carries straight into how they gather people: start with the feeling, then let every detail fall into place.
Whether the night calls for shoes-off coziness, a tabletop dance party, or a casual lounge hang with billiards and table tennis, Purvi’s approach is a reminder that the best parties aren’t about perfection—they’re about warmth, energy, and intention.
Where do you begin when you’re planning a gathering?
I start with the feeling I want people to leave with. Maybe it’s shoes-off coziness, an intimate tabletop dance party, or a casual lounge night with billiards and table tennis. From there, the rest flows. The food, music, drink menu, lighting, and tabletop are all informed by the mood.
How do you break the ice when guests arrive?
I do something special at each place setting. It makes each guest feel intentional and welcome, and it’s also a great conversation starter. It can be as simple as a quote that reminds me of them or as elaborate as a personalized piece of jewelry.
If you’re hosting on a budget, what’s your tablescape priority?
Candles. They’re less expensive than flowers, and they ooze moodiness. To lean into the elegantly undone feel, I like to mix and match tapers and votives. Varied candle holders are also great.
House of Revelry: Candlelight, Glassware, And The Art Of Staying In
By Ty Wenzel | January 25, 2026
Valentine’s Day can turn a simple dinner at home into something special. You adjust the lights, pick the perfect music, and suddenly expect your table to do more than just hold dishes. Lately, people are getting back into entertaining, but it’s less about strict rules and more about adding thoughtful touches that seem natural. So, a romantic table setting isn’t so much a theme as it is a vibe: think glassware that sparkles in the candlelight, textured plates, and a few interesting pieces that make the setting feel complete.
House of Revelry, a cool tabletop brand you can find at Nordstrom, is perfect for evenings like this. Started by New York interior designer Purvi Padia, the brand has a modern, bold feel with its fluted glasses, china salad plates, eye-catching candle holders, and gold flatware. These pieces feel fancy but not too delicate actually to use. A serving piece like their Big Baller Board is great for a relaxed, grazing-style dinner, and fun touches like gold Lucky Charms can add a personal touch to each place setting.
Padia brings the same style to this collection that made her interior design studio a hit since 2008: a knack for mixing modern and classic elements to make spaces feel balanced, stylish, and timeless. Her work has appeared in magazines such as Vogue, Elle Décor, and Forbes, as well as on TV shows such as “Million Dollar Listing” and “Open House NY.” She’s also involved in New York charities and is on the boards of nonprofits like UNICEF USA. In 2018, she partnered with UNICEF to launch Project Lion (now the Lion Fund), which supports India’s most at-risk kids.
For a Valentine’s table, it’s best to keep it simple: pick one standout item (like cool glasses or bold candle holders), stick to a limited color range, and let the textures speak for themselves — matte plates next to shiny flatware, simple linens with a decorative centerpiece. After all, the best pieces aren’t just for one night. They’re the ones you’ll use again and again, long after February 14.
A well-appointed table—from linens and china to glassware and centerpieces—strengthens a chic setting. But the beautiful accessories are useless if you don’t know how to set a table properly. A Google search might even confuse you further, since arrangements will vary depending on what you’re looking for, whether it’s Thanksgiving table setting ideas or a casual dinner party table to enhance a wine night.
How to set a table for formal events
To further enhance a formal table, add a centerpiece. “Make sure not to block the view of your guests sitting across from each other,” Purvi Padia, the founder of House of Revelry, adds. A grand arrangement can quickly obstruct conversation or block sight lines, so I often favor a statement vase with an oversized arrangement at one end, paired with candlesticks, and then I keep the rest of the table more minimal,” she says. On that note, there’s no need to be super literal about your centerpiece. “It doesn’t have to live in the center,” Padia adds. “It can anchor one end, run the length of the table, or appear in sculptural clusters throughout.”
Wherever you choose to place your candles and flowers, the following steps will guide you as you set a table for any formal event, large or small.
Celebrity interior designer and House of REVELRY founder Purvi Padia shares her expert hosting tips.
What’s your secret to setting a table that guests won’t stop talking about? Try thinking of your table like it’s a piece of art or a killer outfit. Always consider material, silhouette and proportion and make sure they all play off each other.
How do you make a Thanksgiving table feel festive without going overboard? Pick only one fall-themed item — such as pinecones, pumpkins, fall leaves, etc. — and then rely on the color palette, texture and great candles to round out the edit and reflect the warmth of fall.
What’s one detail hosts always forget, but makes the biggest difference? A little gift or personalized note at each place setting instantly puts guests at ease and acts as an effortless conversation starter.
Any centerpiece ideas for when you’re short on time? I love the idea of using vegetables and fruit for centerpieces. Citrus for summer, artichokes and herbs for fall and spring and eggplant, plums and figs for the winter. Pile them into a statement bowl or on a statement tray and you’re done.
What’s your favorite House of REVELRY item to have on the table for Thanksgiving — and why? A mix of our amber-tinted and fluted glassware. The color, proportion and silhouette make a statement glass suite that also so beautifully aligns with the warmth and coziness of the season.
