// VHNY cropped sweatshirt, Uniqlo jeans, Vintage Chanel backpack, H&M Studio earrings, Reike Nen loafers //

The perfect weekend ensemble. Inspired by the 90’s. Extremely comfortable. Totally wicked. Weekends for me are spent mostly in and around my neighborhood of Dumbo, Brooklyn. I don’t like to travel far on my days off. You can mostly find me browsing the Dumbo flea market for a good vintage blazer, or right here, at the Photoville art instillation that is showcasing alongside our parks and piers. There’s always something new to discover here and my weekend attitude is purely playful. Like here, dancing as the sun goes down under the Manhattan bridge, or using all of my energy out on my bicycle. Once Saturday hits, I get to wipe off the makeup and put on my comfy clothes. Give it a little glamour with a giant sparkling earring. This is a look that helps me ease into the perfect weekend of fun. 

The post 90’S WEEKEND ATTITUDE first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

Photographed by Bartosz Jankowski for DUMBO LIVING August 2020  

I am finally sharing our Suarez Sisters cover story for DUMBO LIVING magazine! Both Dylana and I are Dumbo, Brooklyn homeowners, and we couldn’t be more proud. For me, it is already going on already 5 years! Investing in this neighborhood was the easiest decision I ever made and I was only a baby! A big leap as my first home, but when you know, you know right? I feel so lucky. Dumbo is my heart and home. I remember the very first time it took my breath away, 10 years ago. It felt like magic, and it still does. The city skyline. The sparkling water. I like to call them my own little beaches. There’s so much natural beauty, and what I love most, is that it’s a tiny little pocket. A small, but special neighborhood. Bustling days, followed by sleepy nights. It’s become our true East Coast homes and also where we really built our careers…a place that changed my aspirations in many ways. I am pretty sure I’m here to stay. Enjoy the story! 

SHOP THE SHOOT: 

The post DUMBO LIVING COVER STORY – SUAREZ SISTERS first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

Sectional sofa: Interior Define. Leather dining chairs: Interior Define. Dress: Maggie Marilyn.

As winter comes along, I’m making my Dumbo, Brooklyn loft feel a lot more intimate, inviting, and cozy…and not just for me, but for all of the people in my life when they come to visit. That always starts with upgrading my living and dining room interiors and adding a lot more seating space so all of my guests feel like my home is theirs as well. I discovered Interior Define on a recent trip to Chicago, where I walked by their gorgeous boutique during a day of shopping. I went inside and fell in love with their clean aesthetic, with a close attention to details and quality. I came back to NYC and customized my selects on their online shop to perfectly work in my home.

Neutrals for me are a must. My home is a mix of soft blues, grays, concrete, wood, and little pops of red. I have been traveling so much this year. When I am home in NYC, I cherish every single moment I get to enjoy here. I love a shabby chic aesthetic that feels lived in and loved, but with a relaxing and elegant color approach. I love inviting friends over to cook a hearty breakfast, or simple circle around my living room space with a bottle of wine. A sectional sofa for me is a must. I had all this extra floor space, and just wanted a much larger couch that made for really stretching out on. This piece gives me that ahhh moment when I come home after a long work trip. The Ms. Chesterfield Sectional Sofa was perfect. I adore the old-fashioned men’s club design with really elegant tufting. It’s my go-to style in any home. I customized it in the fabric, Seed, which is a really amazing cross weave that adds a lot of dimension and warmth.

As for dining area, I have this really luxurious concrete and wood table, but I needed the perfect chairs to match. The Audrey leather dining chairs by Interior Define were just the right fit, with a super luxurious, sleek and modern design to match. You just sit in them and never want to get up. I chose the “New City” gray color with Matte Brass legs. You can choose between a few gorgeous and warm shades of leather with either Matte Black or Chrome legs. Each combination is absolutely divine. These chairs are just so yummy and so pretty to look at. I can’t wait to finally have my guests over and put them to good use.

Discover more home on Interior Define.

The post PREPARING FOR GUESTS IN MY NYC LOFT | INTERIOR DEFINE first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

Being a homeowner has proven how worth-it it is to invest in quality, statement to keep forever. My Dumbo, Brooklyn loft is my sanctuary. It’s also my workspace. It’s eclectic. It’s unique. It’s contemporary. Meet these two stunning Stewart-Schafer icelandic sheepskin chairs…designed and made right here in Brooklyn. I’m so excited to tell you all about this amazing interior design duo.

Aren’t these two pieces just beautiful?! The black and white hide combined with sleek blackened metal legs just oozes luxury. Each hide selected directly from the farms in Iceland so that no piece is exactly alike. I fell in love with Stewart-Schafer because not only are they incredible furniture designers with a refined, elevated taste that sprouts from a design background and career extending from all over the world (we’re talking Rome, England, to NYC) but this husband-wife duo really bring their dynamically different viewpoints to each project they take on. It could be everything from architecturally designing a new space…to actually creating and producing the furniture. They do it all, and I love how hands-on they are with every single project from start to finish. Stewart-Schafer is all about focusing on form, quality, and a strong emphasis on distinctive material palettes. That’s what really drawn me to their work: a new take on contemporary design that’s timeless. Eclectic, but minimal. A statement, yet necessary. I can’t imagine how they could completely transform the rest of my home! We’ll have to wait and see!

Stewart-Schafer Icelandic Sheepskin Chairs

Chairs also come in white!

See more of their work and interior design services on http://www.stewart-schafer.com 

The post ICELANDIC SHEEPSKIN CHAIRS BY INTERIOR DESIGN DUO: STEWART-SCHAFER first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

The brand new Equinox Dumbo location has that beautiful industrial feel that Dumbo is famous for and I’m so happy it’s joined the neighborhood! Clean and minimal with big open windows makes it the perfect place for me to clear my head and be in tune with my mind, body, and soul. First thing I do is turn off my phone and completely disconnect so that I have that one hour purely for myself. The amazing thing is the gym has everything you need when you’re craving that little energy boost. I’m assuming you guys haven’t gotten off your fitness kick from the New Year just yet? This year for me so far has been one finding out the workouts that I really love and finding my strength and balance. I travel so much for work that I have to schedule my workouts, plan classes, and everything else in-between. Equinox’s all access membership allows me to still travel the world for work, and still feel like I’m right at home getting in that daily sweat or stretch. I never focus exercise purely on body image because it’s an unhealthy way of motivation. I focus on the way exercising makes me feel. Pilates, dance, yoga! It’s more about feeling happy, focused, and energized in your own skin and that’s something I love Equinox represents. Pilates is my #1 and has worked wonders on my core, but I love to mix it up. Sometimes I’ll spend the morning solely in the stretch room…using resistance bands and zoning out in plank position. Other times you’ll find me at Equinox’s yoga class on a Saturday morning. Or maybe I just need those extra 10 minutes in the steam room. If nobody’s in the yoga room, it immediately turns into my own private dance studio. All I can say is that getting out a good sweat is the perfect beginning or end to my day. Equinox has helped keep my energy high, my head clear and focused, and my skin glowing. It’s insane how much a good workout routine has improved all areas of my life. I’ve never felt stronger and more in love with my body now just the way it is.

Tips for a quick workout: 

Yoga stretch (I like to start out in some simple yoga stretches…really lengthening your legs, arms, and neck)

15 minutes jumprope gives you a little sweat and energy.

15 minutes abs floor workout for your core.

15 minutes squats or lunges across the floor (with resistance bands and ball)

5 minutes burpies 

10 minute cool down on elliptical.

Stretch + steam.

// KORAL Activewear tank, bra, and pant, NIKE shoes //

The post WORK YOUR CORE – EQUINOX DUMBO first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

Getting my DUMBO loft together this year has been insanely fun. My first home in NYC that is finally a real home and I love putting of my eclectic touch to the place. I just felt I needed one last item. Something with color. Something that pops. An unexpected, unique touch that is still clean and minimal, but has a bit of personality. Meet my new dreamy pink chair and matching coffee table by PROMEMORIA. PROMEMORIA is based on Lake Como, Italy and not only is their furniture extremely well made…their high-end designs are unique, playful and so elegantly beautiful. They have antique roots going back to the 19th century, but a love for detail and special designs. Each piece meant to not only be a beautiful piece of art, but also meant to be lived in and loved in. The Vittoria chair in a bright pink velvet was the finishing touch to my home. Where I like to sip my morning coffee on a Sunday morning.

photographed by Emmy Park  

Featuring the PROMEMORIA  “Vittoria” chair and “Iko” coffee table.

PROMEMORIA “Vittoria” chair and “Iko” coffee table. Check out all of their COLLECTIONS here.

Follow Promemoria on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Vimeo, and Houzz to see more.

// St. Roche dress, Coach shoes, The 2 Bandits earrings //

The post MY DREAMY PINK CHAIR | PROMEMORIA first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

Dining tables are meant to be special. Made for great meals, conversation, and getting things done. I was looking for something extra sturdy and big for my new loft. I found the perfect matching wood and concrete pieces over at High Fashion Home. The warwick dining table and matching sideboard sure weighed a ton, but I don’t think I’ll be moving them any time soon! Right now, I’m diggin’ a lot of modern and contemporary pieces that went with my home’s already industrial minimal aesthetic. I’ve always been drawn to wood and anything with a raw, natural feel and HFH Home really nailed it in that department. Maybe it comes from my folk’s house back in LA, fully crafted in wood from the top to bottom…so having a touch of that makes my home feel more like home. It’s nice having a good drafting place to meet with friends and come up with ideas on whatever we’re working on. Planning our next escape, drawing and pinning inspiration for our next shoot, or simply writing. Home should always be a place that inspires you to think outside the box and use a bit of your imagination. Give yourself that little bit of space!

// High Fashion Home “warwick” dining table //

// High Fashion Home “warwick” sideboard //

see more contemporary styles at High Fashion Home.

wearing: Anna Sui red jumpsuit, Frends headphones, Stylestalker red dress, Haute Hippie sequin jacket

The post CONCRETE + WOOD | HFH HOME first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

Meet my dream couch by Joybird. I am a sucker for the perfect tufted couch, and I found it. Joybird’s Mid-Century furniture can be customized in different colors, making shopping their simply chic design aesthetic online even more exciting. Each piece is inspired by the Mid-Century movement of the ’50s and ’60s, from designs such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Cara Greenburg, and Ero Saarinen. It wasn’t until I moved to NYC that I really started to appreciate a touch of Mid-Century style…and of course, shopping everything online. It’s addicting and saves time. Joybird has totally made home shopping easy as 1,2,3.  I had a hard time choosing between this and a bright mustard yellow! There’s a side of me that’s wacky and colorful, and the side of me that’s calm and loves all soft watercolors. Grey just seemed too perfect though against my pale blue walls and the fire-y pops of red. And can we talk about how comfortable it is? You don’t want to get off of it on movie night. It is indeed one of the most comfortable couches ever made. Lucky me.

Here’s a little sneak peek inside my home. I’m always singing something. Here’s a little tune and a strum to “Try a Little Tenderness” by Otis Redding.

Shop the Joybird “Theo” sofa. 

// 360 Cashmere top, 3×1 jeans, H&M hat //

The post MEET THE MOST COMFORTABLE COUCH | JOYBIRD first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

This month I’ll be revealing bits of my DUMBO, Brooklyn loft! So much sweat was put into getting it just right. Home for me is always a work in progress. But I like to start with the little details. My favorite things to shop for are rugs and woven pieces to warm up my already minimal home. I immediately went to Lulu & Georgia. I love their play on color and texture. They carry every type style, but I love their beautiful exotic collection. I of course gravitated towards the Sauri wool rug. I went with the extra large size for my living room. It’s dramatic and really brightens up my space. How beautiful are the deep red colors? I clearly have a thing for red. It’s so vibrant and bold! So most of my house bounces off it’s industrial red accents like the painted pipes and bright barstools.

There’s also something about sheepskin I can’t get enough of. I like them casually thrown over a chair, or like here, thrown over my couch. It’s simple, chic, and extra cozy. The long “Alma” sheepskin rug is a transitional piece that can be styled anywhere. 

When it comes to hanging things on my walls, I’m still slowly finding artwork from my travels and adventures. But I love to play off textures. So I snagged a Lulu & Georgia wall hanging reminds me of my childhood. Of all my colorful wool knits. It adds a bit of an earthy element to my entryway. Though I love the industrial, minimal vibe, my style is still super quirky. 

shop more of my favorite home pieces at Lulu & Georgia.

The post WOVEN ACCENTS IN MY HOME | LULU & GEORGIA first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

So I just got back home to Dumbo, Brooklyn after a month long of traveling. Yes, I’m completely wiped out, but I’ve got a ton of work to do on my new loft, next to getting a good night’s sleep because boy is this week going to be non-stop! My couch is almost here. My dining table and buffet table won’t be here for another week, so I figured I may as well begin with putting together my guest room. I just received 2 amazing Helix Sleep mattresses to put together a gorgeous day bed. I’m excited to pile it with metallic pillows and a red comforter. The amazing thing about Helix is you can customize the mattress, and it’s a simple and easy process. We spend the majority of our life sleeping. It’s worth investing in something so important. With Helix, you start by picking the side you sleep on, decide what you love/hate about your current mattress, and what firmness you prefer. Then, they create one that works best for your body type. Totally personalized.

For me, I always sleep on my side. I love my mattress very firm. And I nearly never wake up in the middle night, ever. I shall continue to sleep like a baby from now!

My story on my home and loft will be out soon. Patiently making it perfect.

Personalize your own mattress now at Helix Sleep.

The post HELIX SLEEP first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.