Photo by Paige Geffen
"To collect mindfully rather than consume mindlessly" is the philosophy behind Paige Geffen's Object & Us, a consultancy that seeks to redefine the individual's relationship to the things that they acquire. After years as an art director and interior designer in Los Angeles, Geffen recently moved to Sante Fe, where the new landscape and desert stillness further inspires her approach to finding balance and personal connection to the material world.
@paigegeffen
How would you describe your style?
Right now I'd describe it as 70s Lauren Hutton meets 90s Prada. Androgynous, sleek, and subtly sexy. I love classic lines and menswear-inspired items. I live in vintage levi's and trousers, but sometimes I like to put on a beautiful dress or pair my pants with a very feminine silhouetted top.
Who is currently inspiring you? Sartorially, culturally, or otherwise?
The open landscape of the American Southwest. People I've met here in New Mexico who were, like me, drawn to the land, the history, and the magnetic pull to be here. Sartorially, I've been really inspired by Timothee Chalamet's style. He wears a suit magnificently well.
What is your current favorite shoe from Emme Parsons?
Right now I’m really into the Certo in Cream because it can transition well between seasons.
How would you style it for a full day on the go?
With vintage Re-work B Sides straight-leg ankle jeans, a Shaina Mote statement top, and perhaps a pop of color in an accessory such as a Clyde beret.
Guilty (or not so guilty) pleasure?
I have an obsession with Honey Mamma’s chocolate bars. Most people say they’re so rich that they can only handle bits at a time, but I usually eat the entire bar in one sitting.
Can you tell us about Object & Us and how it came to be?
Object & Us teaches us about our internal selves by exploring our external surroundings. It's a bridge to the metaphysical through the physical. Our motto is "to collect mindfully rather than to consume mindlessly." We can look to our objects as tools that help us to live intentionally and to practice mindfulness. We are so accustomed to identifying ourselves with our stuff, yet our things have nothing to do with who we are. Who we are comes from within.
I had my interiors business for a few years, and I wanted to translate that into something more fulfilling to me. It's a very consumer-driven business, and I wanted to shift that. I wasn't quite sure how it would look, but I knew I wanted to explore objects and space. I felt an inner turmoil about loving furniture and clothing and objects, while also having a deep respect for the environment. It felt like a terrible contradiction. I became obsessed with marrying beauty with intention—that they could be one in the same. That we could live mindfully and consciously without having to live in stark, empty spaces. As I was developing all of this, I went through an incredibly difficult personal trial. I didn't have a home for nearly a year and then had to get rid of all of my belongings, all while being extremely sick. This experience really pushed the concept forward, as I was getting deep, grueling lessons on what I was exploring. Object & Us was born from this place—a place of rawness and truth.
@paigegeffen
What are some of your most treasured objects and why?
I got rid of nearly all of my belongings prior to moving to New Mexico due to mold exposure. I’m treasuring everything I have right now because I know what it’s like to part with meaningful objects. It’s interesting to start entirely fresh and to only have items that are new to me, so I’m building relationships with the items around me to create a sense of stability and grounding. These are the objects that stand out to me:
My Rachel Saunders Ceramics vase filled with dried lavender from the garden, a beautiful Picasso book I got for $2 in Sedona at the most amazing used bookstore, the old chair next to my bed that holds my candles, a drawing of Joni (my dog) and myself that Amber Lu made for me - it makes me smile every time I look at it, and most recently, the Petite Jess Barrette by Winden.
@paigegeffen
Best kept secret in New Mexico?
My friend's family farm. I went there my first night here, and I couldn't have dreamt up a better night—it was an epic introduction to New Mexico. I drove down a private dirt road surrounded by stunning mountains to get there. When I arrived, I was greeted by a beautiful meal cooked over an open fire and an interesting mix of strangers. We were brought together by the food and the scenery for a night full of laughter and connection. We concluded the evening in a wooden hot tub under the starry sky, as we watched the moon rise over the mountains. I hope to have many more nights like this in the spring/summer here.
Describe your perfect winter day in New Mexico.
Breakfast/tea outside (or if it's too cold, in the dining room looking out the windows to the beautiful landscape) with my journal. Perhaps heading to a local cafe in town to get my people watching fix or going to Ten Thousand Waves for some luxurious (yet affordable) relaxation. Cooking a nourishing dinner while blasting music. Eating in front of the fireplace.
