This Dating Expert Explains Why You Should Hang A Tasteful Nude In Your Home
As far as we’re concerned, New York-based dating expert Lindsey Metselaar of We Met At Acme (named after the buzzy restaurant/bar in Manhattan) is a modern day Carrie Bradshaw who takes a good look at the dating world and critiques it down to every last detail. On her podcast and Instagram, She discusses rules like never sending the “thank you” text following a first date, shares tips from how to play it cool at the beginning of a relationship to dealing with a friend’s partner you can’t stand, and explores topics like what it means to truly put yourself out there.
But she also knows a thing or two about interiors. A poll once came in to her 60k-strong Instagram account that was something along the lines of “Red flag or deal breaker: The guy I’m dating invited me over and he didn’t have a fitted sheet on his mattress… it was just bare.” Or, “My boyfriend of 2 years is signing a lease for a studio apartment. Should I bring up moving in together, or just let him sign the lease?”
And so Metselaar has rules for navigating your home, too. (She recently moved in with her boyfriend.) We asked her how to make your personal space date-friendly, and how to function when you’re living with (and working from home with!) a partner. Here’s what she said.
Make Your Space Personal
Your home is a window into your lifestyle, values, and passions, which can make the first time a date comes over intimate in more ways than one. Metselaar suggests using your apartment as a tool to let someone get to know you a little better. For her, that has meant displaying her love of baking by keeping a favorite cake stand on the countertop, or leaving out an in-progress puzzle or game to show that she doesn’t take herself too seriously.
Let Them Know You’re Cultured
The art you choose says a lot about you, and Metselaar says that a tasteful nude art piece (not of yourself, necessarily) hanging in your space can be a good thing. “I think it’s great for a woman to have because it shows isn’t shy about loving the female body.” In her own apartment, art and books about New York City show her appreciation for her hometown. Also, keeping books on display shows you’re curious about learning.
Your Bed Is A Temple
First things first: Metselaar says having a headboard is an easy way to make your bed feel more adult. And while you may not notice, it can be pretty obvious to someone else when your sheets haven’t been washed recently, so taking the time to freshen up the linens with a spray is a smart move. While Metselaar always goes for white sheets, even she agrees that color and style is less important than good hygiene.
Create Your Own Zones
Working from home has made cohabitating a little trickier. Rather than floating around the house throughout the day, creating seperate zones can help keep things functional. Anything additionally separating like a room divider or noise cancelling headphones will keep you independently productive. When it comes to sharing spaces like closets, Metselaar and her partner worked with organizer Leah Mari to uncover the best organizing cubes. And for those spaces where sharing is a must and you’re trying to agree on furniture choices, it’s best to find a middle ground and steer clear of stubborness.
Your Bathroom Can Be Sexy, Too
No really. The secret? Candles. Metselaar collects matches from her favorite NYC restaurants and keeps them in a glass container to help create the ritual of lighting a match after using the bathroom. And keeping your Q-tips and face serums in concealed cabinets rather than open shelving is a great way to keep everything tucked away. That way your date will be focused on you, not your clutter.
