Slowing Down with Rachel Schwartzmann at Home

Walks during golden hour!

I’ve been in Park Slope, Brooklyn since 2018, and it remains my favorite neighborhood in New York. It’s the perfect balance of energy and calm. I also happen to live down the street from Prospect Park, which is a bonus! My ideal day in the neighborhood includes a sourdough croissant and cappuccino from Winner, a visit to Community Bookstore or Troubled Sleep, followed by a stroll through the park before heading home or out to dinner at Provini.

My apartment is a true gem. It’s interesting to have lived through so much here (pre and post-pandemic), but through it all, it’s remained a place of gathering and love. Technically speaking, I love the historical details (read: the moldings!), but I think my favorite aspect is the light. It changes throughout the seasons, and it’s so beautiful and grounding.

Tangibly speaking, I make my house feel like home by filling it with inspiring books, art, and design-forward objects. But those things aside, just being in the presence of my husband, John, and rabbit, Pepper, makes it the best place in the world.

Slowing (out 9/17/24 – you can pre-order it here!) is a collection of personal essays, interviews, and prompts about time, pace, and creativity. The book’s origins stem from my project Slow Stories, and my experiences of navigating an age that prized productivity, speed, and external validation. Combining evocative—and slow—storytelling, guided prompts, and inspiring design, Slowing offers a distinct lens on time and attention.

I’ve learned the best way to cultivate intentional conversations is to listen. We’re living in an age where volume—in every sense of the word—is prioritized. Paring back, slowing down, and celebrating quieter moments allows us to truly hear what others are saying. When we create that space, we can also hear ourselves a little bit more clearly, too.

I love Sweet Hally P—I’m a big breakfast/brunch person, so I’ll definitely be incorporating it in egg dishes!

I’d love to elevate my tablescape with the Il Buco Vita Dinner Plates. To add a warm, inviting glow, the Il Buco Twisted Beeswax Candles are a must-have. The Ferm Living Ripple Glasses and Still Carafe are both stylish and practical, perfect for keeping guests refreshed. Lastly, the Ferm Living Tinta Bowls would add a charming, versatile element to the tablescape – ideal for serving everything from appetizers to snacks.

I’m an avid reader and have felt particularly nourished by recent reads like Coco Mellors’s Blue Sisters (out this September), Swimming in Paris by Colombe Schneck, We Were the Universe by Kimberly King Parsons, Here After by Amy Lin, With My Back to the World: Poems by Victoria Chang, Practice by Rosalind Brown, All Fours by Miranda July, and Worry by Alexandra Tanner.

I’m honestly not that big of a cook… but my cheese boards and snack plates always seem to delight!

I tend to get more nostalgic in the summer—maybe that’s why Regina Spektor’s song “Summer in the City” popped into my mind!

Depends on the mood, season, and occasion, but I generally love tulips.