An Art-Filled Apartment in New York City

An Art-Filled Apartment in New York City

Leah & Her Home

It's incredibly easy to say that Leah Goren's abode is a true reflection of her artistic aesthetic. As a young female illustrator on the rise, Leah has made a name for herself designing pieces for clients like Anthropologie, Ban.do, Revlon and Chronicle Books. Happily, the playful, unique style of her work translates seamlessly into her home décor, and we can't get enough. Leah's metropolitan apartment is filled with an eclectic array of artwork by other female artists whom she admires, along with a plethora of plants and rich textures. The carefully curated collection creates an inviting escape from the urban jungle of New York City, as well as an inspiring environment for this budding artist to work within.

In case you're just meeting her acquaintance, Leah began selling her artwork on Etsy while still a student at Parsons School of Design in New York City. Eventually her work garnered enough attention to catch the eye of a few popular blogs and social media accounts, which ultimately led to lucrative freelance work and partnerships with even bigger name brands (see above!). She's since been a contributing author for Ladies Drawing Night and recently published her first solo book project, Besties.

Join us today as we tour Leah Goren's eclectic metropolitan apartment and listen in as we chat about her journey to becoming a professional artist. We think you'll be just as captivated by her colorful artwork, zest for life and her avid support of female artists.

Tell us how you got to where you are today as a working creative! When did you know the artistic track was for you, and what schooling/training did you go through to get to now?

I'm not sure I realized drawing and painting could be a viable career path until I was in high school, but I grew up surrounded by art and making things all the time. My mom is an artist—she has a Master in Fine Arts degree in painting from the California Institute of the Arts (Cal Arts), and has been teaching art my entire life. When I was 16 and 17, I attended a pre-college summer program at California College of the Arts, and that was a pivotal moment in my education. Suddenly I was surrounded by like-minded kids for the first time, and engaged in classes far beyond what my conservative-leaning public school could offer me. From there, I attended Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles for one year, and then finished up my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in illustration at Parsons School of Design.

While I was in school, I began putting my work online on sites like Blogspot and Tumblr and selling handmade products on Etsy. These felt like early days of the Internet and how social it's become. Fashion and lifestyle blogs were huge, Instagram was brand new and everyone was really excited to discover and share new artists, designers and products. I was lucky that some popular blogs started showing my work, and I was able to live off my shop for many years, and I slowly brought in more and more freelance work.

How does your personal style translate into your decorating style?

Personally, I don't wear too much color and pattern (I live in New York!) but it's a huge part of my work and I love being surrounded by bright beautiful things. As a young female illustrator, it also feels important to support other women who are making great work, and this makes up much of my décor. I have an Aelfie rug, Dusen Dusen pillow and towels and artwork by so many friends and artists I admire. I also love plants and flowers—both drawing them and wearing a good floral print—and I fill my home with as many as I can justify! My living room is filled with greenery and my bedding is even a mix of four different florals.

The best thing about being miserable and cold in the city is definitely the feeling of solidarity among all New Yorkers. Whether you're trekking around in five layers of clothing or shut inside waiting for a storm to pass, there's a prevailing sense that we're all in it together, sharing the same experience.

You helped write the book Ladies Drawing Night, which helps to encourage women to deepen their creative connection and expression. What helps you to remain inspired and encouraged during the creative process?

For me, sharing my experience through drawings or storytelling is what keeps me going. Most of my work is created in isolation—just me in my office with my cats—and putting it out in the world and seeing people's reaction is the most rewarding part. This is why Ladies Drawing Night is so great, too! It's a chance to chat, snack, laugh and draw with a group of friends, and connect through the work you make.

What are your favorite accounts to follow on Instagram?

I love my friends and their work! Illustrators @kayeblegvad, @hideousthings, @juliarothman, @rachaelcole and @kellyfondots who took these beautiful photos!

If you could splurge on any décor item, what would it be?

I would die for pretty much anything from the Jonathan Adler muse collection, particularly this vase.

You also have a brand new book, Besties! Who, or what, inspired this book and what was your favorite part of creating it?

I was approached by an editor at Clarkson Potter who wanted to make a beautifully printed gift book about female friendship, and was looking for an illustrator with the right style and voice to make it happen. I was nervous because I hadn't done a full illustrated book before, but I'm so passionate about best friendship so I knew it was the right project to take on.

I wrote Besties with help from my hilarious, genius friend Hallie Bateman, and worked closely with the editors at Potter to bring it to life. Most of the book is inspired by my real-life best friend, as well as other close friendships I have now and throughout my life. I tried to pull from a variety of relationships and experiences so that there are parts for every reader to relate to. I loved making all the drawings for this book, even more than I expected! I drew every day for three months and was so sad when it was over. You can purchase Besties from Amazon here, or anywhere books are sold.

What are your favorite types of plants to keep in your house?

I spent so long collecting plants, and at a certain point I had to ban myself from buying anymore. Everything I have now has been with me for years. My favorites are definitely my fiddle-leaf fig that touches the ceiling (it was half the size when I bought it!) and my rubber tree.

How do your cats inspire your work as an artist? How do your pets influence the décor of your home?

I actually became known for my drawings of cats before I had a cat of my own, so it's kind of the reverse of what most people think! Now I have two cats—Lacy and Aaron, who is one of Lacy's kittens. As a subject, cats have become more intimate to me, and tend to show up in personal narrative pieces or sketchbook drawings rather than the purely decorative patterns I used to make.

I moved into my current apartment before I adopted them, knowing I'd probably have to move things around as I got a feel for their bad habits. I'm lucky that they are pretty good, and don't eat any of my plants or knock things over. Regardless, I'm on the lookout for them scratching my vintage rugs, and keep my most prized pottery in cabinets. Luckily, the Aelfie rug and my vintage velvet couch seem to be scratch-proof.

What are your favorite things about the city in the fall and winter?

This is tough, because I'd pick summer over fall or winter any day! The best thing about being miserable and cold in the city is definitely the feeling of solidarity among all New Yorkers. Whether you're trekking around in five layers of clothing or shut inside waiting for a storm to pass, there's a prevailing sense that we're all in it together, sharing the same experience.

If you could have brunch with any three people, who would they be and why?

Maybe not a cool answer, but I'd just pick my three best friends! I'm happiest being around people I know and love.

We love all of the artwork that you have displayed in your home! Did you create most of the pieces yourself?

I have some of my ceramics here and there, but I don't like to look at my own work all the time. Most of the artwork I have up is by friends or pieces I've collected, like the Vera scarf I have framed over my bed. In the living room, my favorite things are a large Parrot weaving from Mexico my grandma handed down to me and one of my mom's fishbowl paintings from the '70s.

What are your must-have beauty products?

My everyday essentials are a good moisturizer (I like Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion), bareMinerals Original Foundation, Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo and Glossier Boy Brow to shape my eyebrows. Everything else is just extra and fun! I've been really into masks like Origins Rose Clay and Korean lip tints like My Lips Eat Cherry from The Face Shop.

You’ve designed for clients such as Revlon and Anthropologie. What does your creative process look like when you take on a new project?

A client will approach me with a concept for a project, and from there I'll send rough pencil sketches with different ideas for concept and composition. The client will then pick their favorite sketch or direction, and I'll make a final piece based on it. Sometimes the client loves what I come up with, and sometimes there will be a bit of back-and-forth with revisions. Generally, this is how it always works, though the process can vary slightly depending on the client and scope of the project.

What's next for you? Would you ever consider designing a line of home textiles?

I have no idea what's next, which is both the most exciting and scary part of my job. I'd love to design home textiles if there are any companies out there who want to team up!

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