Editorial Interior Photography | NY Metropolitan-area

Design by Town and Country Design Studio, Photography by Tori Sikkema Photography Styling by Mariah Rich

Three spaces. Three moods. One story.

Every editorial image begins with a feeling and for this project, that feeling was fall. The golden haze of seasonal light, the depth of moody materials, the softness of shadow. In collaboration with Ginny Padula of Town & Country Design Studio, Padula Builders, and the heirloom-quality lighting of Urban Electric, this project became a study in how light and composition tell a brand story. As an Architectural Digest-approved interior and architectural photographer, my approach isn’t about simply capturing what’s there—it’s about shaping a strategic editorial vision. This is editorial photography rooted in heritage, intentionality, and design legacy. Let’s go through the story together.

Design by Town and Country Design Studio, Photography by Tori Sikkema Photography Styling by Mariah Rich

The Moody Bar: Brass, Shadow & Invitation

Across the project, we moved between the tones of luxury: the quiet drama of a green butler’s pantry, the golden serenity of a sun-drenched kitchen, the deep wood and brass warmth of an atmospheric bar. The bar sets the tone with warmth and shadow layered beneath Urban Electric’s Gardener V.2 in heirloom finish. Brass accents and rich wood glow in the fall light, inviting a quiet evening of bourbon or bubbles. Here, my role wasn’t only to photograph but to shape the light—directing the balance of contrast and detail to highlight the mood. It’s not just an image of a bar; it’s an invitation to linger.

Design by Town and Country Design Studio, Photography by Tori Sikkema Photography Styling by Mariah Rich

The Sunlit Kitchen: Marble, Oak & Glow

Fall’s afternoon light poured into the kitchen, illuminating oak cabinetry and veined marble like a living painting. Suspended above, Urban Electric’s Thistle pendant in found brass and opal glass shimmered like jewelry—delicate, sculptural, and timeless. Kitchens often serve as the emotional heart of the home, and this one called for a softer editorial lens. My composition highlighted craftsmanship while preserving mood, crafting a visual language that blended quiet luxury with approachable warmth. The result was contemporary elegance that felt timeless.

Design by Town and Country Design Studio, Photography by Tori Sikkema Photography Styling by Mariah Rich

The Pantry: Depth, Drama, and Cinematic Mood

The butler’s pantry brought an entirely different visual mood. Deep green cabinetry, inky tile, and Urban Electric’s Hooper pendant in Ivy Green set the stage for something more intimate and theatrical. It read like a still life—quiet, heritage-rich, and layered with intimacy. Editorial interior photography thrives on contrast, and this vignette became the grounding counterpoint to the light-filled kitchen. Every shadow was shaped to build mood. Every highlight, a whisper of luxury. This visual identity is what makes editorial stories sing.

From Strategy to Story

What unified this project was not just the caliber of materials or design. It was the strategic creative direction behind the lens. I mapped the light, planned the shot flow, styled each scene, and directed every frame with a clear editorial goal in mind: to create images that resonate emotionally and perform strategically. Every detail was crafted to serve both beauty and business. From the sculptural lighting to the soulful styling, every collaborator contributed to a visual story that was refined, cohesive, and worthy of publication.

Design by Town and Country Design Studio, Photography by Tori Sikkema Photography

A Path to Publication

This project is a blueprint for how quiet luxury, architectural storytelling, and editorial restraint can elevate a designer’s work into a timeless visual narrative. Urban Electric’s heirloom fixtures, Ginny Padula’s timeless interiors, and the strategic photographic composition came together to create more than a portfolio—it created brand legacy. For brands and designers seeking long-term impact, this is what elevates a project from portfolio to published feature. If you’re a designer or brand ready to bring your work to life in this way, let’s create together.

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