WHY DO YOU LIKE AND COLLECT MATCHES?
Well, much to the chagrin of our houseguests and friends, my husband and I are embarrassing clean freaks and minimalists. But for some reason, the matches don't count. There's something about the size (you can keep so many in such a small space!) and the memories (digging through the match bowl and talking about the bar we went to five years ago). It's amazing we've kept as many as we have, but we love them all.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE ONES AND WHY?
Definitely any from New York establishments. Bonus if they're no longer with us, RIP Little Park. But hands down our custom matches from our wedding! When we were doing our intimate wedding in NYC we knew we had to have matchbooks. We had already collected them for such a long time, it seemed like the perfect way to commemorate our day. Seven years later, I still get texts from friends letting me know they're striking them up to light a candle or such.
WHEN AND HOW DO YOU LIKE TO ENJOY YOUR MATCHES?
I am not precious about this collection—we use them as often as possible! Almost nightly my husband and I have a little at-home wine/cocktail hour and to sort of start that transition I'll go around and light some candles throughout the apt. Even if I finish a box or book, I will still keep it empty in the collection.
