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.