We’ve asked this week’s curator Abbe Fenimore of Studioten25, to share with us her thoughts and inspiration for her Curator’s Collection event. Here’s what she had to say:

A favorite among Bostonians, Joanne Chang’s Flour bakery has amassed a cult-like following thanks to its eponymous cookbook, numerous New York Times accolades, and the pastry chef’s definitive sticky bun win over barbecue-king Bobby Flay on the Food Network show “Throwdown” a few years back.

After setting aside her finance career for sweeter pursuits, the Harvard-educated Chang worked at the world-famous Payard Patisserie in New York City before joining “Top Chef All-Star” Jody Adams at the renowned Boston restaurant Rialto. With three award-winning bakery-cafés, an Asian-style diner called Myers+Chang (which she owns with her husband), and a second cookbook in the works, Chang’s decision to leave the consulting world has yielded delicious returns.

We recently sat down with Chang to discuss her Curator’s Collection for Joss & Main, “Beginner, Dabbler, Expert,” which showcases everything from baking basics like mixing bowls to pastry decorating kits and tart molds for the more advanced. The event launches tonight.

Q: The theme of your Curator’s Collection is “Beginner, Dabbler, Expert.” Tell our readers about what they can expect.

A: If you are interested in getting into the kitchen and if you’re interested in picking things from this event, then it makes sense to start off with your basic level of familiarity. Beginner is somebody who really has never really stepped into a kitchen. I thought about my husband [restaurateur Christopher Myers]; he doesn’t really cook or bake that much, but if I wanted to set him up in his first kitchen, then I thought about what tools he would need for the basics of baking. These are for the easier recipes both in my book and other books. If you’re curious, this is what you need. It’s the foundation.

Q: What are your must-have baking or kitchen essentials?

A: The things that I stress are:

A kitchen scale. If you’re going to learn how to bake, you have to learn how to measure your ingredients accurately. The best way to do that is by weight, rather than volume.

An oven thermometer. If your oven isn’t calibrated properly, then you could overbake or underbake and not even realize it.

A really, really good knife is something that some people take for granted. We always have a great paring knife and chef’s knife on hand to help with basic prep for baking.

A microplane zester. Fresh lemon zest and lime zest is so important—they add so much flavor.

Bench scraper and bowl scraper. When I start baking for the day, I always grab a bowl scraper and stick it in my pocket because it’s really handy for both cleaning out your bowls and your work surface. Working clean is something we talk a lot about at the bakery.

A KitchenAid mixer. It’s a big investment, but if you can get a KitchenAid, that will make so much of your baking so much easier. A lot of things you can whisk by hand, and you can definitely cut butter into scones by hand, but if you can get a machine to help you, it’s so, so much easier.

Q: Your bakery is called Flour. You must have some opinions.

A: We use King Arthur Flour. It’s local [to Massachusetts]. We use unbleached, unbromated all-purpose flour. We use a cake flour for a lot of our cakes. It’s a lot more tender. It doesn’t develop as much gluten, which is what makes bread chewy—not what you want in cakes and cupcakes. For breads we use bread flour, because of the exact opposite reason—it has a lot of gluten in it. It allows for all of that chew that comes with really good artisan bread.

Q: And stocking the cupboard—what shouldn’t you scrimp on?

A: The best chocolate you can get. Before I started baking professionally, I would just grab chocolate from the grocery store, like a Baker’s or a Hershey’s. Now I won’t even look at it or touch it. Good chocolate is expensive – I went to Whole Foods the other day, and I went to look how much their Callebaut and Valrhona was. It was definitely pricey, but it makes such a difference. We use Tcho from San Francisco, which I think you can get online.

A really good cocoa powder. Vanilla beans. Something you might not have – a lot of people use vanilla extract. If you’re going to use vanilla extract, make sure it’s natural. Don’t use artificial, but even better is vanilla beans. And the great thing about them is after you use them you can – after you scraped the beans from the pods, you can place them in a tub of sugar and after a couple of days it will become vanilla sugar. The vanilla is so strong it absorbs the scent and then you can use that in baking.

Q: Some secrets you wish you knew then that you know now?

A: Two things have become ingrained in me over the years, and I think they can help all home bakers become better cooks. First is cleaning as you go. It sounds so simple, but it really makes a difference if, as you’re baking or cooking, you put something away when you’re done with it. If you spill something, clean it up. It makes for a much less frustrating experience. We teach that to our bakers here. It can feel like it’s slowing you down, but in the end it will make you better.

Q: And number 2?

A: Read the recipe from start to finish. It sounds obvious, but a lot of people don’t read it through. And then assemble your mise en place, which means take everything in your ingredient list and measure it out and put it in little containers, little bowls, whatever you have handy, and then start the recipe. Then you’re not in the middle of the recipe before you realize you need to add a cup of toasted walnuts. Then you have to stop everything, go find the walnuts, heat up the oven, toast them, wait for them to cool, and by then your batter has fallen or something.

Q: Your fridge at home always contains…?

A: We always have the chili sauce Sriracha. We always have eggs. There’s a ton of champagne—I don’t know why. We keep gathering it and collecting it and soon we’ll have to have a big celebration. Apples. I’m an apple freak. I love Fuji apples. I live near a Chinese grocery store and I go there a couple of times a week to stock up. Butter, yogurt. And take-out containers. Lots of take-out containers.

Q: Biggest guilty pleasure food?

A: Ice cream. I could eat ice cream all day long, all night long and never eat anything else.

Q: Last question – your last-meal dessert?

A: Ice cream! Häagen-Dazs coffee ice cream. No question.

We’ve asked this week’s curator Summer Thornton of Summer Thornton Design, to share with us her thoughts and inspiration for her Curator’s Collection event. Here’s what she had to say:

One of my favorite things to do when traveling is to visit local flea markets.  I’ve been to the flea markets in Russia, France, Argentina and several throughout the U.S.  This March I took a trip to Buenos Aires Argentina to visit one of the world’s largest flea markets as well as to enjoy some great food, local wine, and a unique blend of French and Italian inspired architecture.  But beyond the expected steaks and tango, I found a culture with passion for art and history and an eye for aesthetics that surprised and delighted me.  So that’s what I’m hoping to share with you through this Joss & Main curated sale – great finds that are all inspired by the art and culture of Buenos Aires.

For example, Buenos Aires is well known for its infamous Recoleta Cemetery, so we tracked down some beautiful statues that remind me of the over-the-top cemetery in B.A.  We of course included some beautiful cowhide rugs as Argentina has one of the largest cattle populations in the world.  And of course as Buenos Aires was originally settled it had an influx of beautiful antiques from France and Italy, so we’ve included furniture pieces that represent those styles and eras.  What I found surprising on my trip though was the contrast of old world formality contrasted with streamlined modernity -  rococo vs. graffiti, french settees vs. mid-century modern, taxidermy vs. industrial sleekness.  The contrast was quite amazing, and it is a similar sense of contrast that I often bring to the interior design projects at Summer Thornton Design where we blend new with old, antique with modern, and so on.  Now you have a chance to do the same with this internationally inspired curated sale – we’ve brought Buenos Aires right to your screen so you can get the look with just a few simple clicks.  No need for a 12-hour flight!

I hope you’ll enjoy the photos of my trip, and of course some of the Joss & Main furniture and accessories that were inspired by Buenos Aires.

We’ve asked this week’s curator Michelle Hinckley of 4 Men 1 Lady, to share with us her thoughts and inspiration for her Curator’s Collection event. Here’s what she had to say:

People don’t often realize that their creativity, productivity, and mood are all affected by the physical space they’re in. If you have drab and unkempt furnishings, your mood tends to mimic that. That’s why it’s important to live and work in a space that looks good, feels good, and inspires you.

As a wife and mother of three boys, my home is constantly filled with activity. It’s a challenge to keep things tidy and intact, but I strive to still bring beauty home. I use a lot of whites and neutrals as my base, then layer pops of color and pattern. That way, when the trends and the seasons change, I can simply trade out accessories in the forms of pillows, throw blankets, trays and more. It’s my go-to – and a great! – decorating formula.

We’ve asked this week’s curator Liz Joy of Shorely Chic, to share with us her thoughts and inspiration for her Curator’s Collection event. Here’s what she had to say:

I believe in the power of interiors – they can transform, elevate, or mellow one’s mood. To me, a perfect home transports its inhabitants to a refreshing and peaceful place that can bring your entire being to the gentle breeze, scent, and rolling waves of the beach.  Simply staring out at the vast sea makes my worries disappear.  That is what I strive to create upon opening the front door of the homes I design. I subtly infuse the colors and textures of nature into my decorating and create a truly chic environment. I had so much fun shopping the Joss & Main collection for you, and hope that you find my selection to represent all that is beautifully Beachy Chic.

We’ve asked this week’s curator Courtney Lake of Courtney Out Loud, to share with us his thoughts and inspiration for his Curator’s Collection event. Here’s what he had to say:

I have clients who love color – adore it with all their hearts, but are afraid to have it in their own homes thanks to previous encounters that went awry.  Many forget to use color’s three equally fabulous “cousins”: pattern, texture, and sheen. Various patterns and textures, as well as reflective materials, break up planes of color – incorporating these elements are pillars of my design aesthetic, and are my “secret weapons” to liven up any room or space.

For my curated collection, I selected a variety of pieces: boldly patterned accent chairs, lacquered vases, nubby throws, and eye-catching rugs. When used in small doses throughout a room, they can enliven and breathe fresh life into a space. When used in tandem with color, they can entirely transform a space into a kaleidoscope of visual interest and personality. Whether you’re a lover of neutrals or bold color, this collection has a little something for everyone looking to infuse their home with pattern, texture, and sheen.

We’ve asked this week’s curator Rashon Carraway of Mr. Goodwill Hunting, to share with us his thoughts and inspiration for his Curator’s Collection event. Here’s what he had to say:

Without a doubt, black exudes timeless sophistication. If you throw in a bit of white there’s an instant balance of contrast that makes for the perfect backdrop for any space. This black and white curated collection is intended to offer you the very best in home décor pieces that will give your home an air of refined elegance. Whether it be bold black and white stripes, damask, or chevron, this style combination is proven both transitional and lasting.

When I’m styling a home with black and white, I like to accessories with metals to add a touch of sparkle. Adding a silver or gold metal in front of a sophisticated back drop gives dimension to a space and instantly creates a sultry mood. Bold pops of colors such as green, red, and even pink can also be the perfect way to personalize a black and white room. For me, personally, I like red – it’s rich, energetic, and vibrant. I hope each of you will enjoy something in this collection – after all, who doesn’t love a little bit of sophistication?

In anticipation of her curator’s collection, launching Tuesday, we chatted with socialite, fashion icon, and author Tinsley Mortimer about her traditional beginnings in Virginia, the glamor of New York City, her style and color must-haves, and her new book, Southern Charm.

You’ve been busy writing Southern Charm and designing for your handbag line, Samantha Thavasa by Tinsley Mortimer. Where did your inspirations come from?

I design pieces that I really want to wear, that I would see in my closet. I design shapes that I really like, like clutches, lots of little cute day bags, and big day bags because you know you need to carry everything. For the spring collection, I did a lot of fringe, [inspired by a] collection I did a few years ago. I changed the fringe up, turned it on its side, used different techniques… I could talk about it for hours!

And the book?

For Southern Charm, the book is a story that does loosely parallel my life in a lot of ways. The character Minty Davenport is very much me, but it’s not entirely me – she’s also in a lot of ways made up. This is the first time I’ve done anything like this, and I never planned on writing a novel. The inspiration from this book does [mirror] my life, but it is a fictional story, and it will be a bit of a guessing game as to who’s who in the book. There’s not one [character] that’s any one person.

How do your Southern and New York influences interplay in your own home décor?

I grew up in Virginia, with all of the gorgeous Georgian architecture. My mom’s an interior designer, and my dad loves architecture and architectural restoration, and I grew up knowing about moldings and everything. I love them mixed with a little bit of color, mixed with a little bit of modern.

In my apartment there’s definitely pops of color, but a lot of it is also [blended] with traditional furniture. I like the mix of all of it. I moved into a loft and originally thought I loved the white open space, but then I got here and I thought it’s so not me. I love lots of architectural detail, and color, and texture, so I ended up wallpapering and added molding, and painting, and doing a lot of work.

When it comes to decorating, never be afraid of…

Color! Color, and mixing-and-matching. I’m loving a mix of different patterns, as long as they complement each other in some way, with color or tone or style.

What runway trends will we see in the home this spring and summer?

Bright colors and pops of neon, and very floral patterns. I grew up with florals, but now we’re seeing more stylized  designs, and ones with Asian elements and influences – including foo dogs and porcelain designs.

When you walk into someone’s home for the first time, the first thing you notice is…

Their interior design style, and especially their fabric choices. – I’ve spent a lot of time at the Design Center in New York, around all of their incredible fabrics, and that’s really the first thing I notice. I love going into other people’s homes, you can really learn so much about them by their styles, fabrics, and the feel of their home.

What are your go-to colors?

For fashion I love pink, but for my home I like blue and turquoise – a less girly approach, but still with pops of bold color.

We’ve asked this week’s curator Kris Lajeskie of Kris Lajeskie Design Group, to share with us her thoughts and inspiration for her Curator’s Collection event. Here’s what she had to say:

Perpetual motion best describes my life and design style. By designing and sourcing throughout the world, I’m able to keep my vision fresh and vibrant, whether I’m working in Maui or Manhattan, redesigning  hotels or museums, or creating fresh new spaces in a classic monastery.

With spring upon us, there’s no better time to plan your outdoor living spaces. Outdoor living has become one of the most important priorities for my clients – in fact, every project I’m currently working on now has one or more areas dedicated to specific outdoor activities. Whether it’s dining and entertaining, meditation and yoga, reading and relaxing, feeding the birds, or growing your own herb garden, my collection is all about having space dedicated to enjoying life with Mother Nature.

We’ve asked this week’s curator Jennifer Jones of IHeart Organizing, to share with us her thoughts and inspiration for her Curator’s Collection event. Here’s what she had to say:

Spring is my favorite season of the year due to the fresh green grass, brilliant blue skies, and vibrant blooming flowers.  Because all of those elements work so well together in nature, I do what I can to bring that feeling into our home as well. I tend to gravitate toward various shades of greens and blues, and love to pop in occasional bright pinks and yellows, which gives us a fun and happy place to grow and play as a family.

Being a busy mom of three, it’s so rewarding to find ways to streamline, simplify, and organize our lives and home, and that is why you’ll notice that my collection is a mixture of spring-inspired décor pieces combined with stylish organizing items. I’m a huge believer that organization should be integrated seamlessly within a home’s design, and that it can and should be lovely.  A decorative branch coat hook and umbrella stand by the front door, a large woven basket for extra pillows and throws, or colorful wallpaper behind a workspace are just a few ways I personally love to add beauty to the organized spaces we live in and use each day.

I had so much fun curating a collection for Joss & Main, and having the opportunity to select pieces that we are already enjoying or that I have been eyeing up for our home.