The Artful Life: 8 Things Galerie Editors Love This Week

1. Petit Trois Opens First Venture Outside Los Angeles in the Mollie Aspen

The third iteration of Chef Ludo Lefebvre’s Parisian-style bistro, Petit Trois, opened its doors recently inside the Mollie Aspen. The latest outpost, which is the first outside of Los Angeles, serves breakfast and dinner in the main dining room and heated patio with a menu focused on bistro classics and modern dishes crafted with locally sourced ingredients such as Croque Monsieur, Pancakes Suzette, Steak Frites, Burgundy Escargots, and Foie Gras Ravioles. In a decadent twist, the legendary Big Mec burger is prepared with foie gras. Meanwhile, the lobby bar and café is open for breakfast and lunch before transforming into an après ski haven with wine service in the afternoon. In addition to an invigorating and extensive wine list, guests can unwind with selections from a refreshing cocktail menu, which includes the signature Petit Trois Martini and a Fleur Du Mal Spritz.—Jacqueline Terrebonne

2. An Airy Tribeca Loft Becomes Beni Rugs’s New York Base

A soaring loft in Tribeca that once belonged to Colin King has reemerged as a sleek pied-à-terre for Robert Wright and a presentation setting for his brand, Beni Rugs, a purveyor of handwoven Moroccan rugs crafted at a women-led atelier outside Marrakech. An interior stylist who also serves as Beni’s artistic director, King reworked his onetime residence with a steady hand informed by his extended time spent living there. The 19th-century structure, originally built for dried-goods storage and later home to abstract expressionist Barnett Newman, retains its charm through original pine floors—dressed up with a rotating selection of exquisitely crafted rugs, of course—that impart warmth. A newly added fireplace and array of vintage furnishings conjure a lived-in atmosphere while the bedroom, drenched in cola hues, evokes a remote cabin in the Atlas Mountains. In the office, which doubles as a sample library, a large Noguchi lantern hangs above the worktable. Wright stays here during trips between the brand’s studio outside Marrakech and his home in Barcelona, welcoming guests by appointment. —Ryan Waddoups

3. Van Cleef & Arpels Introduces Latest Zodiaque Creations

As we enter the new year and usher in a season of new beginnings, the alignment of the stars seems more significant than ever. In honor of this cosmic connection, Van Cleef & Arpels has officially launched its newest Zodiaque creations, celebrating the stars in fine jewelry. Long fascinated with astrology and the natural world, the house first launched a collection of yellow gold medals in the 1950s as a series of delicate lucky charms, quickly becoming sought-after talismans by those in the know. The design was then famously reimagined in the 1970s with a larger, more graphic look, and the current iteration continues to build on that heritage. Now, the latest collection, which debuts globally this week, introduces white gold and a brand-new category: 12 bracelets set in radiant yellow gold with 16mm medals perfectly adapted to wear on the wrist. On one side is a Western zodiac sign in a sculptural relief, while the reverse features their symbols and dates in Roman numerals. —Lucy Rees 

4. AmaWaterways Debuts New Look for 2026

Cruising has demonstrated one of the most seismic shifts in the travel industry with smaller, more elevated designs and boutique vessels drawing affluent crowds looking for once-in-a-lifetime experiences, gourmet dining, and multi-destination tours, all with the convenience of only having to unpack once. A leader in river exploration, AmaWaterways has undergone a brand refresh to reflect “who we are today and where we are going,” says CEO Catherine Powell. “There is a warmth and elegance to the new colors, and a more authentic way in which we are expressing ourselves that feels true to the AmaWaterways spirit. We are bringing our personality, passion, and sense of discovery to life more clearly than ever before.” With 29 ships sailing throughout four continents, AmaWaterways is also expanding its travel opportunities, building on recently added ships and itineraries on the Magdalena River in Colombia. Coming soon, the company will introduce the AmaSofia on the Danube, while a new vessel on the Mekong River, as well as the AmaFiora and AmaRudi, the company’s second double-width ship, are all planned for 2027.—Jill Sieracki

5. In Marina Del Rey, a Laid-Back Café Channels ‘90s Coffee Culture

With its working harbor, waterfront restaurants, and steady coastal pace, Marina del Rey sets an easygoing tone that flows languorously into Noun, a newly opened coffee lounge in the neighborhood designed by Warkentin Associates. The café supports use from morning through evening, serving coffee and espresso early before shifting to natural wine later on. The interior takes cues from domestic settings rather than commercial cafés, with furnishings arranged to encourage extended stays. As principal Nathan Warkentin notes, “we loved the idea of celebrating the beauty of the mismatched, and were inspired by the warmth of ‘90s coffee shops, the irreverence of postmodernism, and the personal charm of an artist’s living room.” That approach appears throughout the room: Vintage, found, and classic pieces gather atop wool and sisal rugs, while a blue lacquered communal table perched beneath an Isamu Noguchi pendant offers shared seating for work and conversation. The Slow Bar replaces a traditional espresso machine with bottled espresso prepared off site to ensure consistency. Elsewhere, a 1970s smoked glass and chrome Gianfranco Frattini coffee table sits near concrete paver side tables and a De Sede sofa, while builder-grade brick and heavy gauge stainless steel clad the bar. —R.W.

6. Richard Avedon’s Iconic Portraits of the American West Go on View at Gagosian in London

This week, art lovers are offered a rare chance to see Richard Avedon’s seminal series, “In the American West” which he created between 1979–84, at Gagosian’s Grosvenor Hill gallery in London. Curated by the photographer’s granddaughter, Caroline Avedon, the must-see exhibition features 21 editioned prints—including rare works not seen by the public since their debut. Widely considered Avedon’s magnum opus, the acclaimed series marked a radical shift for the lensman who was most known for his high-glamour celebrity shoots in the worlds of fashion and politics. Over a period of five years, Avedon traversed 21 states to document the “heart and soul” of working-class America, capturing coal miners, ranchers, and drifters against his signature stark white backdrop. By removing their usual context and environment and utilizing the natural light of the outdoors, Avedon shone a light on the raw, psychological presence of his subjects with a searing honesty. Highlight works include a striking portrait of miner James Story, who was depicted artistically as Saint Sebastian by the artist. Also featured is a significant diptych of rancher Richard Wheatcroft, photographed two years apart in 1981 and 1983, to reveal subtle shifts in his story. The show, “Richard Avedon: Facing West,” is on view from January 15 through March 14, 2026. —L.R.

7. Afternoon Tea Returns to Waldorf Astoria New York

After a lengthy eight-year hiatus, New York City’s acclaimed five-star stay Waldorf Astoria has relaunched a delectable afternoon delight for visitors and tourists alike. Spearheaded by Executive Chef Ry Nitzkowski, new afternoon tea service Yoshoku brings Japanese-inspired flair to this storied tradition. While sitting in the luxurious dining room, guests can sip on a carefully curated selection of loose-leaf Kettl teas all sourced from Japan, such as the honey and citrus-flavored Kumamoto Blended Wakoucha or the Miyabi Sencha tea infused with toasted almond and wild grass, while feasting on a collection of savory and sweet bites. Among the offerings are wagyu pastrami sandwiches with yuzu pickle, 1000 island, shaved cabbage, and Havarti cheese; warm cream scones, or an optional caviar service served with warm nori taiyaki, potato chawanmushi, and yuzu miso tofu cream. For pastries, led by Executive Pastry Chef Jennie Chiu, artful delicacies such as matcha yuzu cake, soba cha maple verrine, and houjicha hazelnut choux channel the spirit and creativity of Japan in the heart of New York City. —Shelby Black

8. Savoir Adds Two Styles to Its Curated Collection of Beds

Known for meticulously crafted beds, British brand Savoir is adding to its tightly curated collection with two new designs. The sinuous Alex boasts a hand-upholstered headboard that offers a gracefully reserved silhouette, while the Hugo captures attention for its deeply tufted details and traditional savoir faire. Each example is handmade to order in London with natural materials such as wool, cotton, flax, and horsehair, and draws on the company’s more than 120 years of history and craftsmanship. Upholstered in sumptuous bouclé, wool, velvet, or other tactile fabrics from Savoir’s library of richly colored materials, these soigné styles are the epitome of sleeping well. —J.S.