If I had to choose only one website I could stare at for the next week, I'd gladly choose The Selby is in your place.
I don't know much about Todd Selby, other than the fact he's a talented photographer who lives in New York City and has access to scads of cool and interesting people. But that's enough for me to know right now.
Every few days Selby adds another photo set centered around a person or a couple in their home. He gives the person's full name and occupation, but doesn't give the context around why he chose to shoot them, although clearly they're all creative people with an established aesthetic and point of view: fashion designers, publishers, musicians, photographers. Without any more context than that, Selby presents photo after photo of whatever seems to catch his eye in the interior of their home. You'll see close-ups of tchotchkes on shelves, little tableaus on a nightstand or kitchen counter, revealing collections of books, albums and art. After the first few photos, the subject's tastes and obsessions start to reveal themselves; some are overt, others are more subtle. As I browse through each photo set, a million questions pop into my mind and I start looking for the threads of meaning behind each of their choices, every little tchtochke, imagining their stories. I bet even the subjects themselves discover new patterns or have a personal revelation after seeing their space documented with such a careful and observant eye.
One recent feature was the home of "jauretsi saizarbitoria - director and dj", whose name I recognized from years of reading Jane Magazine. Serious apartment envy:
Ever since I discovered Selby's site, I've wondered what my own apartment might reveal about me. His photos were part of my inspiration for yesterday's trip to the antiques market. Selby, next time you're in San Francisco you're invited over to my place!