24 Hours With... Jonathan Adler
Jonathan Adler knows exactly how to make your house feel like a home. Luckily for us, the multifaceted designer and author left his day job to pursue his first love of pottery in 1993. Ever since, his namesake brand has been bringing a uniquely dynamic charm to our surroundings with playful and spirited designs - reflecting his own vivacious character and unwavering dedication to exceptional craftsmanship. Powered by his inspiring get-up-and-go attitude, endless cups of tea and a good sense of humour, this is what 24 hours typically looks like in his colourful world…
Breakie, I’ve never met a baked good I didn’t like
Red, white and blue is an always combination...
I read every newspaper every morning.
Morning
What time do you wake up and what's the first thing you do when you get up?
Early! I’m a go-go-go kind of person. The first thing I do is argue with my husband Simon Doonan about whose turn it is to walk our adorable rescue mutt Foxy Lady.
Do you have any morning rituals?
I read every newspaper on earth as I drink endless cups of tea. I’m a highly-caffeinated person.
Where do you live and how long have you lived there?
I split my time between Palm Beach, NYC, and Shelter Island in the Hamptons. It’s actually kind of perfect.
Favourite thing about your neighbourhood/where you live?
In Palm Beach it’s about the blue of the sky, the white of the clouds, and the yellow of the sun. New York has an energy and creative spirit that’s like nowhere else in the world. Shelter Island is where we built our dream home, and it’s where we go to be surrounded by the people and things we love the most.
In your opinion, what makes a house a home?
A dog!
What is your favourite home away from home?
The Amangiri in Utah. It’s bone-crushingly expensive but it’s worth every cent.
What does your average day look like?
It’s basically the following on repeat: Tea. Meeting with my design team. Newspapers. Bothering Simon. Meeting with my PR team. Lunch. Paddleboarding. Meeting with an interior design client. Baked goods. Meeting with my retail team. Dinner. TV.
Had lunch at Gold in Notting Hill and was charmed by the colour-blocked houses.
Meet the first customer at my new store - a perfect Pomeranian!
Throwback to a young me potting.
Daytime
What is your idea of a perfect day?
Giggling with Simon, throwing a pot in my pottery studio, and a new episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
When you’re not working, what do you do for fun?
Reading, paddleboarding, and watching TV (not all at the same time!).
What did you do on your last day off?
Drove to the Everglades with my niece to feed Cheetos to alligators.
What do you need more time for?
Pillowscaping. There’s never enough time for pillowscaping.
What was your route into design and how did you begin the brand?
I first touched clay at summer camp when I was 12. I was hooked from the very first moment.
One thing you can’t live without?
My husband. The rest is just stuff.
What makes you laugh? What makes you cry? What gives you goosebumps?
My hilarious husband, my hilarious mother, my hilarious and talented team. I hope none of them are reading this!
A souvenir to remind you where you are.
Evening
What’s on your bookshelf?
Everything Simon’s ever written. His latest is Transformer, about Lou Reed.
What are you listening to at the moment?
I have the musical tastes of a 13-year-old girl - whatever’s the number one song is always my favourite.
What was the last piece of art/furniture you bought, or ogled?
I road-test almost everything we make in my own home, and I’m really excited about our new Trocadero Screen. It’s an easy way to bring pattern and colour to a room without having to wallpaper. I nailed it with this one, if I do say so myself!
What do you usually do for dinner?
My bestie Liz Lange is always concocting something delicious and calorific - it’s the best and the worst!
What’s your favourite restaurant? And what do you eat/drink there?
Cipriani, right next to our Atelier. People watching there is almost as good as the pasta.
Do you have any evening rituals?
Not really. Should I adopt some?
What time do you go to bed and what's the last thing you do before you sleep?
Around 11. I give Foxy and Simon a smooch goodnight (in that order!).
Words: Sophy Davis Russell
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