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Geoff Howell

@detailsdiary

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Design director, Artist, NYC. INFJ. Vegan. Most photos by me of things i love, art, architecture, design, color, 19th century stuff, nature, me...

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“Time travelling is my favourite fantasy,” says Geoff Howell.

I can’t think of a better introduction to Geoff (@detailsdiary), whose remarkable home in Athens, New York, was the subject of a recent story I wrote for @fthtsi

Geoff’s fascination with antiques began in childhood. At six or seven, he claimed a marble sculpture discovered in the basement, inscribing his name on it in ballpoint pen. His great-aunt Dolly, with a South Orange apartment filled with treasures and stories from her ‘party girl’ days, introduced him to the word ‘ormolu’, a memory he still recalls with great affection.

These early encounters informed his lifelong curiosity about objects and the histories they hold. His 1866 Italianate is filled with these dossiers. A kitchen stove that belonged to his mother, bedrooms devoted to the matriarchs who informed his sensibilities, and countless objects acquired through friendships and chance encounters, like the stained-glass panel purchased on eBay that allegedly belonged to a film star. “Needless to say, a day doesn’t go by when I don’t wonder who it was.” he says.

What stayed with me most was Geoff’s description of the pleasure he takes in his home, even after more than twenty years. He still pinches himself walking downstairs in the morning. I find that enormously moving. His home is a love letter to the people who have shaped his life, and to remain so delighted by the world he’s built is an inspiring accomplishment. 🤍
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Words and image styling: @lizgrdnr
Photography: @taylorhallobrien
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Special thanks to @jellison22 @craftacularuk @katiefcwebb

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“Time travelling is my favourite fantasy,” says Geoff Howell (@detailsdiary) whose Italianate home in Athens, upstate New York, is a cache of eclectic finds. Howell is the founder of @geoffhowellstudio - a visual merchandising and design business that, over the past 43 years, has created sets for cultural institutions including the Whitney Museum and the American Museum of Natural History and brands such as Gucci and Tiffany & Co. But his home is a dense canvas of antiques, curios and ephemera in which each room takes on the character of a still life. @lizgrdnr writes about it in this weekend’s @fthtsi. Pictures by @taylorhallobrien

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Once again I was fortunate enough to have a few things my favorite customer liked ! @detailsdiary Simply wonderful Marble top , a wonderful profusely carved Black Forest tilt top and a pair of matching Georgian mahogany knife boxes !!! I love finding exceptional things for great customers ! Thank you !

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We placed this wonderful stenciled work table with one of our favorite customers @detailsdiary thank you Geoff

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📸: @detailsdiary
Always dreamy 🖤
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#aesthetic #explore #fyp #goth #trending

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What a year! A whirlwind of rooms designed, decorated, toured, studied, shot and admired;)) I will forever be grateful for the joyful experiences. Let’s go 2026!! ✨🎉🥂🙌🏼🏡✨

#interiordesign #vintagedecor #housemuseum #2025

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CHRISTMAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION‼️🪏💥🎄 James LaForce & Stephen Henderson - aka The LaFendersons - threw their big, creative, fantabulous Christmastime shindig. And boy was it some big time Holiday party throwing..! Fantasy construction site w/ short-shorted, skimpy clad workmen and a general vibe courtesy Tom of Finland. Delicious Ho, Ho, Hoing for December 2025. NYC.
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@stephengordonhenderson @jameslaforcenyc @laforcenyc
#underconstruction #christmas2025 #nyc2025 #ny2025 #nycxmas #nyc #washintonsquarepark #xmas2025

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#CONSTRUCTION 🚧 #partyseason #embracethetheme 🍹🛠️ #festiveandfun 🔌🔨 #thankyou 🎄⛄️🎅🏻 @stephengordonhenderson @jameslaforcenyc

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Halloween 2025 successful here in Athens, NY with too much Candy but we all had fun and made it home safely. 😹❤️🎃

#trickortreating #halloween #friendsandnieghbors #spooky #costumefun #gratefulheart❤️

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Afternoon light in the home of artist and design director Geoff Howell @detailsdiary
Didn't know it was possible to be in love with a curved wall!

#perioddecor #timelessinteriors #thisoldhouse #oldhouselove #oldhouse #classicalinteriors #americanempire #antiquedecor #antiques #englishantiques #countryhousedecor #countryhousestyle #elclectichome #maximalism #maximalistdecorinspo #curvedwall #antiquedecor #19thcenturydecor #paintedfloors #perioddetails #perioddecor #periodcoving

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Well this is exciting..do tell @detailsdiary

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Just launched and open for Labor Day Weekend: Click the link in our bio to spend the end of summer upstate 🌻

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#tsitp #thesummeriturnedpretty #hudson #upstate #hudsonvalley
#upstateny #catskill #summer

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