An expert in art, Lorie Mertes is executive director of nonprofit gallery Locust Projects — and she knows how to incorporate beautiful things into her Miami lifestyle. Here are eight of her current obsessions:
1. The Gallery
“Locust Projects has some stellar exhibitions lined up by Nancy Davidson and Miami-based artist Pepe Mar, and we are also participating in NADA Miami during Art Basel.”
3852 North Miami Avenue, Miami; 305-576-8570; locustprojects.org.
2. The Clothing
“I do the delivery services like MM.LaFleur. It is a great way to see a range of things you likely would not find in one store. I go for comfortable modern pieces that have an interesting cut, and I try to make them distinctive through accessories.”
3. The Makeup
“A colleague at Locust introduced me to Fenty Beauty, and I am so happy! Real-life skin tones that cover my sensitive, heat-flushed skin and have awesome staying power.”
Foundation, $34. Sephora, 721 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305-532-0904; sephora.com.
4. The Restaurant
“I’m intrigued that there are still restaurants where you can expect the unexpected and be wowed every time. My faves at KYU Miami include the roasted grouper, Thai coconut creamed spinach and coconut cake.”
251 Northwest 25th Street, Miami; 786-077-0150; kyumiami.com.
5. The Art
“Miami’s museums and galleries pull out all the stops this time of year, and locals are lucky to go check them our before or after Basel. I’m looking forward to the Dara Friedman retrospective at Pérez Art Museum Miami.”
1103 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami; 305-375-3000; pamm.org.
6. The Late Night
“The Corner is my go-to bar. They have great cocktails made by attentive bartenders, an extensive beer selection and good noshes. It’s a reliable haven to keep those great conversations going.”
1035 North Miami Avenue, Miami; 305-961-7887; thecornermiami.com.
7. The Ring
“My grandmother’s color-coded drawers of vintage costume jewelry informed my collecting obsession. I’ll mix big and bold vintage statement pieces like ’70s black chains and ’50s multistrand beads with modern touches, including my Elsa Peretti Cabochon ring that looks like a crystal ball.”
$775. Tiffany & Co. at Miami Design District, 114 Northeast 39th Street, Miami; 305-428-1390; tiffany.com.
8. The Read
“The most beautifully written book I’ve read recently is A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. Richly visual, enchanting characters. Begs to be made into a movie. Can’t wait to see who they cast as Count Rostov!”
$27. Books & Books, 265 Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables; 305-442-4408; booksandbooks.com.
Originally published in Indulge magazine.