Sunny Ruffalo

Home decor connoisseur Sunny Ruffalo owns an incredibly delightful design goods shop situated on the Delaware River in Narrowsburg, NY. Ruffalo’s modern eclectic taste stems in part from her peripatetic upbringing bridged between Paris and New Orleans. After spending time as an actress in Los Angeles, the tastemaker met her husband-to-be, Mark Ruffalo and the two settled in the Catskills part-time with their kin. Ruffalo’s bohemian sensibility, fierce dedication to the arts, and intrepidness are just a few things that make her so damn Dandy.

Your 5 go-to beauty products:

Anything with epsom salt (for my aching body, thanks to Lyme disease), Sadhu Relief Oil (also for aches, pains and uplifting the spirit), Band of Outlaws Perfume by West Third Brand (it’s the perfect unisex scent, my hubby and I share it), & Vintner’s Daughter Active Treatment Essence and Active Botanical Serum for the face. I’ve dealt with a lifetime of rosacea, and this is the first product that truly minimized my redness and relieves the itching. Love it!

Your current obsessions (art, music, people, etc):

Donnie and Joe Emerson’s album, Dreamin’ Wild. I can’t stop listening to “Baby.” I’m also obsessed with this podcast Disorganized Crime: Smuggler’s Daughter. And of course, Marisa Scheinfeld’s The Borscht Belt photography collection. I’ve been coveting the “Wedgewood Room” for my new home. Oh, and I'm also appreciating the provocative and playful nudes by the painter, Lisa Yuskavage.

Photo Credit: Wedgewood Room #1, Pines Hotel, South Fallsburg, NY, Marisa Scheinfeld

You’ve spent a lot of time in New Orleans. What are your favorite spots?

Tipitina’s for live music. This place is a New Orleans institution. Some bands there you’ll know, some you won’t. Growing up, my mom would pack me up into her Chevy nova, park out front, and leave me to fall asleep to the tunes playing inside. I don’t advocate this type of parenting, but I loved it. The Jazz and Heritage Festival’s World Music Tent always has something surprising playing and a beat you can really get down to. As far as food, you can’t really go wrong with any of the options in New Orleans. My favorite thing to do is hit up any fish store you can find with freshly cooked crawfish. Start with 5 lbs of crawfish, find a good spot on the levee and enjoy. I've always found watching the Mississippi River roll by very soothing.

Age that was the most challenging for you and why:

All of them; being a human is challenging.

Causes that matter the most to you:

Unconventional education and animal conservation.

Favorite items in your shop right now:

That’s tough. It’s like asking to choose a favorite child. I always love a good bag like 8.6.4’s Nylon Travel Tote or BartlebyObject’s Leather Wristlet. Also any thing by Abbatte. They design beautiful throw blankets and pillows all created on the property of a 12th century monastery in Spain.

The future is:

Uncertain.

In a past life, you were probably:

Maybe a house cat or a squirrel? Or a cleaning lady.

You can never have enough:

Apparently toilet paper these days...

You must order _ at _:

The scrambled eggs, cream cheese, and chives at the Heron Restaurant in Narrowsburg, NY.

How you source items for Sunny's Pop:

I always trust my gut. It’s served me well so far.

Describe your style today:

‘70s mom with a touch of avant garde. Teva’s with vintage Comme des Garçons anyone?!

How you cure the blues:

Dancing around the house to upbeat music. And chocolate, of course.

Unreasonable pet peeve:

People who are too virtuous. That drives me fucking nuts.

What makes the Catskills so special:

The pristine landscape, the incredible people, and the touch of lawlessness.

Your favorite spots in the Catskills:

The Delaware River, Forrest Myer’s Sculpture Garden, and sitting in my girlfriend Pam’s store, MayerWasner.

This is underrated:

Keeping my family together. It’s like herding kittens over here.

Book recommendations:

Feast of Snakes by Harry Crews is an oldie but goody and Cezanne’s Objects by Joel Meyerowitz.

Your morning routine today:

Woke up to my kitty chewing on my hair, tuned into some old podcasts and cooked breakfast for the family. Ended the morning by playing with my kitties some more.

Your attitude towards aging:

I’ve become more relaxed and grateful for aging. I believe “age is a state of mind.”

Your vices:

How long do you have?