free man: taavo somer on his new book

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photography by  DAVID PRINCE text by   ALEX REDGRAVE

Designer and architect

Taavo Somer

is the creative mastermind behind some of New York’s best-loved restaurants and watering holes—from Freemans to the freshly minted Le Turtle. We take a peek inside his new book for design inspiration and recipe ideas, like the famed artichoke dip.

“THERE’S ALWAYS ONE DEGREE 

of separation from making it myself,” says Taavo Somer, referring to his up-close-and-personal approach to designing and building a space, whether a salty waterfront dive bar or a spruced-up men’s clothing shop. It’s a rare combo of talents—dreaming up ideas and putting them into action—that’s created an eclectic mini empire of dining, drinking, and lifestyle spots scattered across lower Manhattan, each with real character and charm. In October, Somer launches Freemans, a book covering more than a decade of his work, including essays on design, interiors, and style, as well as a handful of favorite recipes.

This approach extends to the stone house in upstate New York that he and his wife, Courtney (domino editor at large), have slowly restored—which, he adds with a chuckle, might be a little too sparse for her taste. “I was a minimalist as a kid, but at some point I had to rebel against my Scandinavian parents!” Somer says of his penchant for (expertly) layering on decorative elements, like the oft-imitated taxidermy at Freemans and the worldly pieces at Gemma. In a way, paring down to a cleaner aesthetic for his new venture, the modern French eatery Le Turtle, is a return to his roots. (His architecture school thesis was on developing Chrystie Street in the East Village, precisely where Le Turtle is located.) And if Somer makes it, people are sure to come.

Sitting upstairs at Freemans, his first and (for now) best-known establishment, the designer and architect traces his hands-on ethics back to his Estonian parents, who designed and built their own home in Michigan. Crafting a distinct and authentic space largely comes down to the details, according to Somer, like stocking old-school European grooming products at the Freemans Barbershop, sourcing a jukebox with yacht rock for The Rusty Knot, and staining the oak-paneled walls at Gemma restaurant in the Bowery Hotel himself for just the right effect.

Somer’s spaces always feel warm and lived-in—like his take on a dive bar, The Rusty Knot, his own home in upstate New York , and Freemans —because you can sense that he had a hand in creating them.

TAAVO SOMER’S 5 FAVORITE DESIGN BOOKS

  1. The Poetics of Space by Gaston Bachelard

    Probably the most important book, which set the wheels in motion for me, exploring the notion of phenomenology and the importance of designing with our memories to create places that resonate with people through the senses.  

  2. Thinking Architecture by Peter Zumthor

    I remember being in architecture school in the early ’90s when Zumthor’s first works were published. He had a cultlike status among our group. This book describes a way toward design that relies on memory and the feelings of materials.  

  3. Between Silence and Light by Louis Kahn

    Aside from the fact that Kahn was an Estonian (as a child I thought we had some connection), I’ve always held him in the highest regard. He was a great architect, but I’ve always liked his writings, lectures, and diagrams the most.  

  4. A Frame for Life by Ilse Crawford

    I worked with Ilse on a project that never came to be, but I really loved the warmth of her design studio, which imbued every project with people at the center. She and her husband, Oscar Pena, are such an inspiring couple who are living their work.  

  5. Delirious New York by Rem Koolhaas

    I got my first copy in 1993 and read it almost every day. Koolhaas’s view on the city both culturally and physically is deeply personal and quirky. For me, this book started the concept of designing ecosystems that can evolve and change.

The reclaimed pine flooring at Somer’s house in upstate New York (pictured here) was sourced from the same place as for the new Whitney Museum of American Art.

DEVILS ON HORSEBACK

Another favorite, this dish has been on the menu since Freemans opened. The quantities depend on how many you want to serve; Somer recommends at least two pieces per person, although diners have been known to order a second (and third) plate at the restaurant.

Pitted prunes Block of buttermilk blue cheese Bacon, preferably thick cut, into ¼-inch-thick slices Toothpicks

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
  2. Cut blue cheese into 1-centimeter cubes. (It helps to heat the knife by running it under hot water and drying it off.) Any crumbles can be smashed together to use.
  3. Stuff blue cheese into the prune hole (where the pit used to be).
  4. Wrap bacon around the prune and secure with toothpick. If using thick bacon, overlap the strip only enough so it can be secured. If using a thinner cut of bacon, double wrap the prunes.
  5. Bake until bacon is fully cooked, about 15 minutes.

“When I start working on a space, I don’t think of a color or a certain piece of furniture. I start with a story or a theme—the history of the place, perhaps, or a narrative I want to explore,” says Somer. “Like Method acting, there is Method design. Do the deep dive first (Who would live here? What is this space supposed to be?), then all of the elements fall into place.”

ARTICHOKE DIP

“When we started Freemans, I wanted to include this artichoke dip on the menu. Our first cook initially refused to make it; she wanted the dip to be fancier. But I insisted—and it’s always been our most popular dish,” Somer writes of the ultimate comfort side dish.

Serves 6–8

  • ¾ cup mayonnaise (Hellmann’s is best)
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 2 cans (14 ounces) artichoke hearts in water, drained and finely chopped
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 baguette, sliced diagonally, ½ -inch thick
  1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
  2. In a food processor, place mayonnaise, cayenne, and garlic. Process until smooth.
  3. Add half the artichokes and half the cheese, pulse to to combine. Place in a bowl, and fold in the remaining artichoke and cheese.
  4. Transfer to a 1-quart baking dish. Bake until golden and bubbly, about 30 minutes.
  5. Lay out bread slices on a cookie sheet and toast until golden, about 5 minutes.
  6. Serve everything hot.
Alex Redgrave Avatar

Alex Redgrave

Editor/Writer

Alex Redgrave is an award-winning editor and writer. Previously. she was Executive Editor at Domino and Saveur, where she guided editorial strategy. She currently lives in Nova Scotia.