In Bed With: Kai Avent-deLeon
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Recently, we spent a morning in bed with Kai Avent-deLeon in her Bed-Stuy home. As the founder of lifestyle concept store Sincerely, Tommy and neighborhood restaurant Che and community builder behind Building Black Bedstuy, Kai took us through the rituals that ground her through the day. Her most recent project, Sanctuary, builds off of her lifelong work in healing and strengthening the community, offering a peaceful space to reconnect with oneself through retreats and wellness programs in The Catskills and Grenada. Kai shares with us her intentional practices for slowing down and how she designs her homes to imbue a sense of calm.
What does rest mean to you, especially as someone who creates space for others to heal and recharge?
Rest is a form of being productive because it's about prioritizing yourself—allowing your body and spirit to be in a state of relaxation. It's also about listening to yourself and paying attention a bit deeper.
How does rest play a role in the way you shape your wellness retreats through Sanctuary?
I'm always trying to find rest in general and prioritize taking care of myself in different ways. I think Sanctuary is really just an extension of that—it's rooted in my own practice of slowing down.
Where do you carve out moments of rest for yourself amidst the energy of your various spaces?
Mostly upstate, that’s definitely my resting place.
Can you share the intention behind designing your upstate home as a sanctuary?
It’s meant to feel like a part of the land that’s already there. Everything in the house is made from natural materials—things that feel organic to the environment. I wanted it to be a place where people could relax easily. It’s very minimal and not too busy—just calm and intentional.
Do you think spaces can teach us how to slow down? If so, how does your home reflect that?
Yeah, definitely. I don’t have Wi-Fi in any of the places I live, because I try to find ways to be offline more. Especially upstate—if I had Wi-Fi, I’d be constantly plugged in. My phone is already a distraction, and I find myself on it more than ever. Not having Wi-Fi means I don’t bring my laptop up there, which helps me feel way more present. It’s really nice.
Is there a specific corner, room, or ritual at your upstate retreat that brings you the most calm?
Probably my bedroom, I just really like waking up there. It feels so quiet and peaceful.
Shop Kai's Picks
Kai picked The Bedford, the most luxuriously plush hybrid mattress in our collection. The Bedford allows Kai to feel cradled yet supported while she gets her rest.