A Quiet Ritual in Greenpoint

Hello! Tell us a bit about yourself

Hey, I’m Lena. I live in Brooklyn with my partner and our very opinionated cat. I work in interior styling and creative editorial, usually behind the scenes on photoshoots, short films, or brand campaigns.

My background is in editorial design, but I’ve always loved interiors, especially the spaces that feel quietly intentional. I’m less about “aesthetic” and more about atmosphere.

Take us through your setup

My coffee corner lives in the sunniest spot in our apartment, a southeast-facing nook just off the kitchen. It’s not big, but it gets beautiful morning light and feels like its own little world.

The shelf is a custom-cut piece of reclaimed oak, finished with natural tung oil. I keep it simple: a white ceramic V60, a matte black Fellow kettle, and an enamel canister I found at a flea market in Hudson.

Beneath the shelf, I have an old Marantz amp and a pair of Boston Acoustics speakers we pulled from storage. It’s mostly tuned to jazz radio or slow ambient mixes. I treat it like the soundtrack to the ritual.

The routine is always the same: warm the kettle, fold the filter, grind slow with the hand mill, bloom, pour. It slows me down, which I need.

What do you love most about the setup?

It feels like mine. It’s one of the few things I don’t rush through in the morning.

I’ve had fancier espresso machines in past apartments, but honestly? I prefer the quiet simplicity of pour-over. It’s tactile. It makes me feel present.

Any challenges?

Fitting that Marantz into such a tight space wasn’t ideal. It runs a little hot, so I had to drill ventilation holes behind the shelf. And the manual grinder takes forever when I’m sleepy. But I don’t mind. It's part of the rhythm.

Favorite object?

A little coaster my friend made from poured resin and ash. It’s almost black, and weirdly heavy. Totally overbuilt for holding a mug. I love it.

What’s a typical morning like?

Usually up around 7:30. Kettle on, NPR or jazz radio in the background, and coffee by the window. No Slack. No phone. Just 10 to 15 minutes of peace.

After that, I’ll usually move to the big table and start sketching or writing. But I try to protect that coffee ritual. It makes the day feel less digital.

Any advice for others building a coffee setup?

Don’t over-optimize. Find tools you like to touch. Use natural materials. And if you’re short on space, just make one corner feel intentional.

It doesn’t need to be a café. Just a small moment that feels like yours.