Downtown

Downtown According to Nina Tiari

Published on May 03, 2024 3 minutes read

Words by Carmen Hall

"Downtown is collaged wheat pasted walls, the Calvin Klein billboard on Lafayette, the smell of Le Labo Santal, a dollar slice, or last night’s trash on the curb, a stroll through Washington Square Park, the sound of someone’s music loudly blasting from their car as they drive past, aperol spritzes on sidewalk tables; lots of life being lived."

Designer Nina Tiari wears our Soho Gold Downtown necklace.

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What’s the perfect Nina day in Soho?

A perfect day in Soho starts with quickly getting my little one fed, ready for preschool, and out the door with Daddio, while I skip off to Pilates. After, I’ll make myself a cappuccino and work on current projects, take a meeting over Zoom or at a nearby coffee shop, then possibly meet a friend nearby for lunch to catch up on what we’re working on and get some feedback. I’ll maybe wander through taking in some inspiration, browsing vintage finds at The Jeffrey Deitch Gallery, or a furniture showroom, like Future Perfect, or in books at Left Bank Books. Then it’s school pickup and off to a playground or to ballet class.

If someone is visiting you, what are the top things you tell them to see and do?

I always recommend a new exhibition downtown at the Whitney or New Museum, or gallery hopping in Chelsea. After taking in some art, I’d tell them to hit up a fab restaurant in the West Village like a cute spot called The Commerce Inn and walk through the charming tree lined streets towards The Highline, or grab a table outside at Sartianos on a sunny day and walk through the cobblestone streets in Soho towards Nolita and the Lower East Side. A show of some sort is always a good idea in NYC, on Broadway or the Bowery Ballroom. Drinks and snacks or dinner after at The Nines in Noho is a winning combo, or hit up Superiority Burger in the East Village and possibly grab a pizza there, too, from Chrissy’s — the pie with a 2 month waitlist.

"Experiencing New York City isn’t so much about the destinations as it is about setting yourself up to move through the city allowing moments for spontaneity and magic to happen throughout. You can either take in the city through destination heavy moments and tire yourself out, or experience it poetically and organically, and let the city leave an impression."

What's the best part about living in Soho?

Being central to every neighborhood downtown, and also walking through the cobblestone streets in the mornings, noticing the way the warm light bounces off the cast iron buildings; enjoying those quiet romantic moments with the city before the rush.

What draws you to downtown; how might you describe the energy there? What are the sounds, smells, feelings?

Downtown is a mix of collaged wheat pasted walls, the Calvin Klein billboard on Lafayette, the smell of Le Labo Santal, a dollar slice or last night’s trash on the curb, a stroll through Washington Square Park, the sound of someone’s music loudly blasting from their car as they drive past, aperol spritzes on sidewalk tables; lots of life being lived.

Nina's Downtown

GRAMERCY

Gramercy is so small but so cute to walk through, and the most coveted park if you know someone with a key!

GREENWICH VILLAGE

There’s an amazing record store on Bleecker called Village Revival Records, most of my records are from there!

NOLITA

My three-year-old and I can’t resist a cupcake from The Little Cupcake Bakeshop, and a walk through Elizabeth Street Gardens afterwards.

BOWERY

A cocktail at The Bowery Hotel.

SOHO

The Soho Prada Store is pretty legendary to me.

TRIBECA

A lot of hidden gems in Tribeca; it is the quiet luxury of neighborhoods. Currently, I’m loving the new science playground on Pier 25. There’s a slide in the shape of a whale!