Talk Shop: Justin Reis // Justin Reis Ceramics
ABOUT JUSTIN
A marketer-turned-ceramicist, Justin climbed the ropes on the brand and marketing teams of Nylon, Allure, The Hoxton, and Away. After nearly a decade of building brands, he felt the call of the country and purchased an early 19th-century, Connecticut farmhouse with his partner Mark. Now a full-time resident of Connecticut’s quiet corner, Justin spends his days at the pottery wheel, planning and growing his gardens, tending to his chicken flock, and continuing the restoration of the couple's home.
He and Mark have turned the property into something of an evolving workshop, selling Justin’s ceramics and Mark’s cutting boards—all of which are made on or near the property. We loved Justin’s story and hope you do too!
Describe your style in three words or less:
Collected, Layered, Comfortable.
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
Oh man, I can only choose three? My early days in fashion and publishing definitely set me up with a foundation—maybe appreciation is the better word—of a love for design and things with a strong aesthetic. From there though, I fell in love with women like Bunny Mellon, Marie-Hélène de Rothschild, and Diana Vreeland. To me, these were women who understood style but weren’t afraid to subvert it a bit and turn it on its head. That ethos has always been something that’s inspired me.
What is your favorite thing about what you do:
I love the fluidity of pottery. It can be an incredibly challenging process but through it I’ve learned to give up a bit of control and to learn a whole lot of patience. Those two things are very new to me but I think have helped me immensely.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
I feel like I have more of a committee of trusted people that I turn to. Getting an honest perspective from a group of people I admire has always helped inform my decisions and trajectory, even if the answer has been to stay the course. I think going to a group of people versus one singular mentor has helped me think more critically about more nuanced decisions in my own life and trained me to go with my gut, but to round that out with some sage advice.
What does your home say about you:
I think our home says everything about us! It’s such a mix of ideas and references, I feel like every room can spark a new conversation. I’m a very curious person and I think that comes to life in how our home is furnished and decorated. It’s built for entertaining but in a way that feels intimate, special, and tailored for conversations with friends.
Where do you find inspiration:
All over. I fall down these wormholes and go way (too?) deep into inspirations. I love to read about people’s collections and how they display them—it always seems to spark some idea about how I can evolve my aesthetic further. Last summer I had a huge wicker moment. It started with a dream and then I made a whirlwind shopping trip through our local antique mall to snatch up as many baskets as I could find.
Who are your style icons:
Oh man—this one really runs the gamut. It’s such a mashup! Alessandro Michele; Cornelia Guest; Deborah Cavendish, The Duchess of Devonshire; Luke Edward Hall; Florence Welch; Lee Radziwill; David Cafiero; the list goes on!
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Preparation, paying attention, and a controlled casualness! I don’t really think you can have the latter without the two former. To me, entertaining is about playing it cool but always having plans that are adaptable based on the weather, the mood, or even the conversation. Let your guests’ energy drive where the dinner or the visit goes and play on their whims. Also when it comes to meal times, plan menus where everyone can get involved. Put the least culinary minded of the group on bar duty or have them chop something simple.
Do you collect anything:
Yes! For a long time the biggest was vintage taxidermy but I think we’re a bit too overloaded right now so that one is on pause! The last big addition was a vintage stuffed Emu and I don’t think we can top that! Otherwise it's everything from Nemadji pottery to BDDW plates to antique trophies. Each room of our house has a different collection, big or small—I think it helps to give the room some intention and set its character.
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
@englisheccentrichome, @mccormickcharlie, @stephenkentjohnson, @johnderian, @studioshamshiri, @lukeedwardhall, and @moro_dabron.
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
To follow: Only buy pieces that you think about after you’ve seen them for the first time. If it’s forgettable to you, it’s forgettable to everyone.
To break: Oh god, I don’t know. All of them? I feel like there are a lot of rules about rugs and rug sizes. Don’t overthink that. Do what feels right and comfortable for your space.
What are you working on right now:
I’m putting the finishing touches on a home pottery studio that we’ve been building on the property. I’m so excited to get it done.
Wardrobe staples:
I LIVED in flannels from the Todd Snyder x LL Bean collab nearly all winter. Otherwise, Levi’s 501s, Madhappy hoodies, my shearling lined Birkenstocks, and a plain white tee will get me by! I have a pretty serious Gucci slide collection that I wore nearly daily before moving to the country. I’m still trying to figure out how to get those to jive with the chicken coop!
Favorite fabric/wallpaper:
Vintage or hand painted wall coverings all the way! Our dining room has these amazing floral murals that were painted in the ‘40s. They are applied directly to the plaster which is cracked but I love how that roughs up the sweetness of the florals a bit.
Best interior advice you ever received:
Embrace the quirks of an old home, don’t fight them.
Best career advice you ever received:
Think two jobs ahead.
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
Don’t invest in anything until you’ve lived in your space and you know how you want to use it. From there, invest on the surfaces where you’re spending the most time. Don’t skimp on guest beds and mattresses! People notice!
Save on accessories. Find your local antique malls, scour eBay or Chairish. Buy things that you can swap out and store if you get tired of them.
Your greatest extravagance:
I’m not sure that I have one big one! I think I err more on the side of being extravagant when we’re entertaining. Lots of beautiful fresh produce, flowers, interesting liquors, etc. etc. Extravagances that can be shared I suppose.
Favorite places to shop for home:
Back when travel wasn’t restricted, I would try to buy something new for home at any local shop or antique mall from the place I was visiting. I loved being able to browse through things that I couldn’t find anywhere else. These days, the house is getting pretty full (so close to being done!) so we’re buying a lot of special pieces from architectural salvage yards or from dealers we love on Chairish.
Most prized possession and why:
Our land. There’s something incredibly comforting to me about being able to plant flowers and vegetables, or raise chickens that can produce food, on this one plot of land that we get to call our own. It’s been here forever, and will be here forever, and there’s something very calming in that permanence.
Your interiors motto:
Nothing should be too precious—create a space you want to live freely in.
Your life motto:
Stay curious.
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
Be a sponge! Try to absorb as many different references as you can. Find interior inspiration everywhere, not just from interior designers. Visit places that might not be “your style.”
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: Chicken Korma with fresh naan
Drink: Vodka Martini, dry with a twist
Film: Impossible to choose! Totally depends on my mood. Frontrunners: Auntie Mame with Rosalind Russel, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Blue Jasmine, Melancholia
Hotel: None, I try to stay with friends when I can. Otherwise it's whatever is most convenient for the trip.
City: Provincetown (okay more a town but there’s nowhere better!!)
Bedding: Parachute’s linen set
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Coffee, black
Playlist: Florence + The Machine, Arcade Fire, Kim Petras, Nina Simone, Sylvan Esso, Glass Animals
Weekend Activity: Entertaining
Design Book: Francois Halard: A Visual Diary
