My apartment essentials for weathering a spring cold 🤧
Vintage Kantha quilts, a sanitizing room spray that smells like LA, and my favorite Substack chats for scrolling.
Good Digs is a design and decor newsletter from The Good Trade. Every other Thursday, one of our editors pulls back the curtain on their space, inspirations, and reflections on home.
💌 A letter from our editor, Ashley
I’ve been sick for a week, maybe more. Looking back now, I think I felt the first suggestions of a throatache last Tuesday. On Monday night, I was chasing the sunset, walking all the way to the west side of Brooklyn to watch the clouds turning pink then purple and blue. I carried on happily to meet two friends and watch the Knicks in the playoffs. That night, they lost by a single point. I carried on with my week, fatigued but seemingly healthy. Three days later, the Knicks would lose by a single point again — by this time, my springtime cold was settling in to do some serious damage. On Saturday, I didn’t get out of bed until noon. On Sunday evening, I cried myself to sleep.
Spring has always been my favorite season, though it is much more for its symbolic resonance than for its actual qualities. My birthday lands at the end of April, and I love the frenzy of blossoms and activities that come along with the few choice days of the season that earn its reputation. But, actually, springtime is a bit miserable. I’m certainly not the first to say this. Actually, I’m pretty sure there’s a Gerard Manley Hopkins poem about it? The lilac blossoms disappeared so quickly this year that it made me wonder, well, what was the point of that? Most days are cloudy and cold, or at least mixed enough that the outfits you planned in the morning look perfectly bizarre by the afternoon. Add a springtime cold on top of it, and you’re in for a doozy.
Weathering a spring cold will certainly make you contemplate your existence. My weekend was all occasional wails, dragging myself to the kitchen to heat up my Springbone Kitchen delivery (poor me! I need immunity broth!), and watching the light filter in across the still life that is my apartment. With bursts of energy, I dusted the floorboards, took a shower (huge!), and situated myself with the things that make me feel happy and healthy. I drew close the smells, fabrics, and colors that enliven and sustain me. And I’m sorry for this total bummer of a letter — but now watch, I’m going to share with you what made me feel better. Next time you’re out in the wasteland of illness, depression, or seasonal malaise, you can turn to these lovingly chosen objects for some relief.
Cloud of Protection | I love the smell of this stuff, and it feels so LA to me. A hand sanitizer slash room spray slash spray it on your person because it smells cool and kills bacteria.
Balsam Fir scented satchel | Some might limit their Balsam Fir-scented things to the holiday season, but this tiny pillow lives me all year long. I love that the loon and lilac design is incidental to the scent, and it gives me the feeling of breathing in fresh Maine air even when I’m stuck inside with a cold.
Kantha quilt | I’ve had this traditional kantha quilt in my home for years. I originally got it from Salter House, but it looks like the go-to now is Patch NYC, which has a beautiful selection. So much better than a fleece blanket for feeling chic while getting rest.
Crisp linen sheets | Incredibly, I was moved to change my sheets during the height of my illness. I opted for this linen banger. The pencil stripe makes me feel put together and I like the comfortable but slightly rough feeling for recovery!
Stack of books | Some might poke fun at those whose bookshelves are full of things they haven’t read. My advice? If you like an author, buy the whole catalog and keep it stocked for when inspiration strikes. I’m currently reading “Nicotine” by Nell Zink. She’s always interesting to me.
Substack chats and roundups | I’ve been heavy in the Magasin and Gift Guide chats, both soliciting and offering recommendations. Much more stimulating than scrolling AI slop on X (like what even is that sentence…)! Also been tuning in to Delaney of Tremont Home’s time in the Cotswolds, and scrolling her vintage round-ups which include sick essentials like tissue box covers and other delights.
Pantry of supplements | Really into folqs colostrum, being on WeNatal as a multi, and leaning into Mini Dew (using a tiny spoon in a little tub of electrolytes beats ripping open packets any day). Not that you should take supplement advice from me in this state, but I basically haven’t been sick like this for years! And now isn’t the time to stop taking them, ha.
I hope this helps inspire you into gathering your own emergency care kit — even if you don’t need it yet, it doesn’t hurt to have the little things that might make your down time less miserable ready to go.
xo Ashley
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I hope by the time I am reading this (deeply honored to have been your sickbed entertainment) you are very much ON THE MEND!! <3