She’s been called the “nightgown doyenne of Brooklyn,” but Sandeep Salter’s real talent is finding beautiful things before everyone else does. Luckily for us, she and her husband have turned that instinct into Brooklyn clothing and homewares brand Salter House. (She’s also the reason the double-headed horse combs that became a standout in ITG’s 2025 holiday gift guide ended up on our radar.) But where does a woman whose life revolves around thoughtful curation shop in NYC? We asked.
Dear ITG,
When I first opened Salter House with my husband, Carson, eight years ago, it was a café and shop showcasing other people’s goods. That quickly evolved into developing our own products, and later, clothing—now the lion’s share of our business and what most people know us for. Through it all, two things have remained constant: a focus on sustainably-made products and a love of discovery. Whether it’s finding a new natural fabric or sourcing something from one specific small maker, we’re always chasing that feeling. We sell horse-shaped combs from Studio Environmental, for example. The woman who makes them designed them as a nod to the rooftops of Vilnius, Lithuania, where double-headed horses are a Baltic Pagan symbol of protection.
It’s that same sense of discovery that makes me so proud to support other independently owned businesses in the city. I love walking into a space where I can immediately feel someone’s point of view and where there’s real intentionality rather than a version of a corporate brief.
Eva Joan in the West Village is one of my favorites. It’s an embroidery studio and repair shop with a small selection of clothing. The founders, Bjorn Eva Park and Emma Villeneuve, are wonderful. We’ve worked together on a few projects, and seeing their thoughtful approach to mending firsthand was so special. They’ve repaired some of my own favorite pieces, too. Plus, the space itself is beautiful, and that never hurts.
A couple of neighborhoods over is Café Forgot on the Lower East Side. Before opening its permanent location, Vita Haas and Lucy Weisner ran it as a roving pop-up. They’ve always carried incredibly special, unexpected designers. Even if you don’t know it by name, you’ve probably seen videos or photos of its motorized clothing rack—a nod to Cher Horowitz’s closet in Clueless. They treat the store almost like an art installation. Half the pieces feel like works of art, but ones you can actually wear. I bought a Gauntlett Cheng top there, and they always have the best hair accessories.
Tangerine in Williamsburg is another beautiful stop. It’s a lifestyle store with everything from accessories and ceramics to books. One of the co-founders, Gina Esposito, also founded the swimwear line Nu Swim. At this point, it’s almost all I wear to the beach because the cuts are so well done and the fabrics are organic. I’ve repurchased their low-back swimsuit multiple times. I’m also proud to say that before Tangerine had a permanent home, I actually hosted Nu Swim’s first pop-up at my art gallery, Picture Room.
Also in Williamsburg is Maimoun. Founder Mina Alyeshmerni has such an interesting eye. And champions emerging avant-garde designers. Mina herself is Persian so she really likes to bring in Arabic designers, too. The way she curates the store is incredibly smart. I bought Baserange there in the brand’s early days, and I love the jewelry selection—I found a gorgeous pair of silver earrings—but my favorite purchase might be the Japanese cotton slippers I picked up last Christmas.
If you’re in Brooklyn Heights, you should definitely stop by Salter House… for obvious reasons. But we have a lovely selection of beauty products, too. I’ve been loving Monastery and Lesse. I love how considered every one of Monastery’s products are, from the scents to the packaging. And I’ve been using Lesse’s Ritual Serum a lot. It actually cleared a few lingering blemishes and uneven spots. Naede Peters, the founder, actually purchased land in Canada that has forest on it where she grows some of the mushrooms that they use in their products.
The neighborhood is full of great food, too, so you can easily make a day of it. Stop by Sahadi’s for olives, cheese, nuts, and pickles, or head to Damascus Bread & Pastry Shop for beautiful flatbreads and baklava.
With love,
Sandeep Salter
—as told to Daise Bedolla
Photos courtesy of Sandeep Salter