This Is the Shopping Site All Your Trendy Friends Will Be Talking About Soon

published Oct 1, 2023
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White living room with orange sofa, gallery wall, and colorful decor

I’ve often waxed poetic about the covering trade shows aspect of my job as a home design editor. Truth is, industry expos are a grind, for sure — long days, thousands of steps walking around a convention center, lots of information being thrown at you. But the whole discovering new products part of the experience — often from up-and-coming makers or small independent brands — really is the most satisfying, beautiful part of the process and what I love most. But isn’t always something that the average shopper really is privy to. Well, all that’s about to change. Because access to the coolest new brands and an ultra-curated shopping experience is the premise behind Afternoon Light, an online destination for home decor and furniture. And did I mention it’s from the brilliant minds of Deirdre Maloney and Minya Quirk, the duo once behind one of my favorite trade shows, Shoppe Object

Credit: Afternoon Light

Alongside established brands like Emeco, Kartell, Nordic Knots, and Sophie Lou Jacobsen, you’ll find pieces from tons of new designers and cool artisans. Currently, the shoppable destination boasts over 230 brands and has been financially backed by some seriously stylish people (celebs Gabrielle Union, Dwayne Wade, and Pusha T, for starters). I took a look at the offerings — and tapped the founders for some of the best-sellers — to bring you this short list of very cool things to buy there. This is just the start, though; browse away because there’s so much to discover at Afternoon Light, and inventory is constantly changing.

1 / 8
Afternoon Light
$16.00

Following in the footsteps of her father, who owned his own cabinet hardware business for 40 years, Priya Vij just launched her own business, Hapny, which is all about elevating knobs, pulls, and handles to mini works of art. Vij isn’t forgetting whimsy, either, as evidenced by her Smiley Knob, which is made of solid brass and available in three metallic finishes.

2 / 8
Afternoon Light
$68.00

Tortuga’s bookends are for true bookworms. They come in several different sizes to speak to your whole collection, and you can choose from a variety of vibrant, powder-coated colorways.

3 / 8
Afternoon Light
$40.00

Xenia Taler makes the best melamine plates, and of course, Afternoon Light has an assortment of the brand’s tableware. This terrazzo patterned side plate set can be used indoors or outdoors and will add the perfect pop of color to your afternoon snack or dinner salad.

4 / 8
Afternoon Light
$300.00

I’ve been a fan of Quiet Town’s shower curtains and towels, so I’m happy to see that they’re now in the blanket game. I’d throw this super-soft, cashmere-meets-merino wool Beacon Blanket over the back of a sofa or fold it nicely at the foot of the bed.

5 / 8
Afternoon Light
$24.00

Speaking of linens, this new-to-me brand, STATE, has really striking towel, blanket, and napkin designs alongside furniture, too. Set out this Turkish towel in a powder room to prep it for guests, or use one in the kitchen to liven up your counters.

6 / 8
Afternoon Light
$235.00

As the proud owner of a Componibili (two actually), I can’t sing the praises of this storage unit meets table enough. I have the green colorway and use a set as nightstands, but I’m loving this lilac version, too.

7 / 8
Afternoon Light
$16.00

You can never have too many trinket bowls, and Departo’s design is cute and budget-friendly. They’re great for jewelry and little odds and ends bedside. I also like to keep one near a sink for removing rings while cooking or hand-washing.

8 / 8
Afternoon Light
$40.00

Hawkins New York makes stylish kitchen basics in beautiful neutrals that go with pretty much any palette. A set of these mugs would be a wonderful housewarming gift.