Inside The 1818 Collective’s Creative World of Design and Art

Some of today's most compelling design stories don't begin with a finished house. They begin with the people, ideas and creative communities shaping the way we think about interiors. In Sag Harbor, The 1818 Collective has developed into just such a space – part showroom, part design studio and part cultural meeting point.

Founded by Analisse Taft-Gersten and interior designer Kristin Fine, the creative destination has become a place where designers, artists, collectors and makers can meet and exchange ideas. Rather than presenting interiors as a series of finished products, the collective puts craftsmanship, materiality and collecting at the centre of the experience.

Now entering its next chapter, The 1818 Collective is expanding beyond the Hamptons, with new locations planned in New York City and Los Angeles. While the collective's reach grows, its original community remains an important part of its identity.

Where Design Meets Community

The 1818 Collective reflects a wider shift in the design world, where the boundaries between showroom, gallery, studio and cultural destination are becoming increasingly fluid.

Its programme of collaborations has brought together artists and makers including Katrien van der Schueren, Olivia Cognet, Analuisa Corrigan, Sophie Lou Jacobsen and Amélie du Chalard. Through these relationships, Analisse and Kristin have created a platform for emerging creative talent, with a particular emphasis on giving visibility to female voices across art and design.

Two Perspectives, One Vision

The strength of the collective lies partly in the different experiences its founders bring to the table. Analisse Taft-Gersten has spent decades working across bespoke textiles and handcrafted furnishings through ALT for Living, giving her an understanding of design from multiple sides of the industry.

Kristin Fine brings an interior designer's instinct for layering light, texture and patina. Her approach considers not only what a room contains, but how it relates to its surroundings and the people who inhabit it. Together, their work creates a multidisciplinary practice in which interiors, art and craftsmanship naturally overlap.

Creating Balance Through Tension

If there is a defining characteristic of the duo's aesthetic, it is balance. Their interiors combine contrasting elements rather than relying on a single design language. “Our design is powerful but has a softness to it,” say Analisse and Kristin.

For them, this comes through the relationship between opposites – particularly vintage and contemporary pieces. “All great spaces and designs have tension, which help underscore the beauty of individual finish choices and items,” the duo says. It is an approach that allows individual pieces to retain their character while contributing to a larger, more considered composition.

A Holistic Approach To Interiors

Kristin's philosophy extends beyond the objects placed inside a room. She considers the relationship between a space and its surroundings, working with human scale while carefully integrating art, proportion and timelessness.

Analisse's experience across different areas of the design industry brings another layer to this holistic perspective. “Working as a retailer, wholesale vendor, a manufacturer of a private label and an interior designer, it has allowed me to see how all the facets of design work.” That breadth of experience informs the collective's approach, where the creative process is not confined to one discipline.

What's Next For The Collective?

With new locations in New York City and Los Angeles, The 1818 Collective is moving into a broader phase, but its ambitions extend beyond physical design spaces. The founders ultimately hope to take their philosophy into hospitality, with a particular interest in creating and curating the atmosphere of a boutique hotel, spa or restaurant.

It feels like a natural progression. After all, The 1818 Collective has already demonstrated that compelling design is about more than beautiful objects. It is about atmosphere, relationships, craftsmanship and the stories that emerge when different creative disciplines are brought together.

Credits

Interior design: The 1818 Collective, Instagram: @the1818collective

Photos: Glen Alsop, Instagram: @glenallsop, Nicole Franzen, Instagram: @nicole_franzen, Courtesy of The 1818 Collective

Production: Karine Monié, Instagram: @karinemonie