As The United States of America approaches its 250th birthday, Pennsylvania’s state motto is worth a moment of your time.
What Does Pennsylvania’s State Motto Mean?
Engraver Caleb Lownes incorporated our state’s motto into Pennsylvania’s coat of arms in 1778. As a Philadelphian, he was acutely aware of the state’s role in the independence movement. As a Quaker, he valued fairness and humanity – evidenced in his later efforts to reform prison practices and allow for rehabilitation instead of mere punishment. How did these three words reflect the values of Pennsylvanians?
Virtue spoke to moral strength in one’s personal life, which included responsibility for and participation in civic life. Citizens were expected to be honest and to act in the common good.
Liberty referenced the personal and political freedoms endorsed by William Penn. Having been jailed several times in England for his Quakerism, he saw how abusive authority sought to punish difference. Having experienced intolerance himself, he wished for a more just and fairer government.
Independence referred to the state’s role in creating a nation free from Britain and its king. The people of Pennsylvania rejected unaccountable imperial rule. They feared concentrated power not just in the form of kings, but also in standing armies and oppressive central governments. They wanted every farmer, shopkeeper, or tradesman to be secure enough to speak freely and act without fear.
These three principles function as a meaningful trio. Liberty without virtue can become exploitation. Independence without virtue can become tribalism and contempt for the common good. Virtue without liberty or independence can become authoritarianism. The insightful choices of early Americans remain poignantly instructive today, 248 years later.
Editioned fine art prints of each state quarter are available for sale at blaisehayward.com.
Story by Keith Recker Photography by Blaise Hayward
Famous Vogue editor Diana Vreeland said this truism decades ago. We need to refresh our eyes with new ideas in order to feel alive. Start with these fresh design ideas for the home and fashion.
Designer and artist Elaine Yan Ling Ng, founder of The Fabrick Lab, blends traditional craftsmanship with technological innovation. Reverie Skin upholstery fabric is a collaboration with fashion designer Katerin Theys, developed at Ng’s Kwai Hing studio as well as knitting labs in Dongguan in Southern China. It is made from paper, copper, and lurex.
The Leo Sea Grey mosaic tile pattern captures the awesome beauty of a leopard’s spots in meticulously handcrafted natural stone tesserae. Also available in a Moca colorway, this pattern invites the eye to travel to safari country…without leaving home. Available at Splash.
Juts one benefit of working with an interior design professional is access to a deep library of fantastic textile patterns. Here, Brenda Friday enlivens a client’s home with throw pillows made of Schumacher’s Birds of Paradise fabric in a Chestnut colorway.
The Ivy necklace of hand-engraved gold beads with a diamond clasp comes from Italian designer Nanis. Made from 18k yellow gold, it also shows the brand’s signature millerighe— meaning “thousand stripes”—hand-engraving technique. It gives each bead a gorgeously textured finish.
Designer Jennie Bishop’s layered visual narrative takes up the hopeful energy of Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl. Bishop curates a thoughtful bringing together of found objects as well as personal pieces evoking emotion, vibrancy, and Swift’s ability to weave a compelling musical story. The palette was drawn from the album art—mint green fabrics, silver tones, and vibrant oranges—as well as the pop of champagne corks. Mirrored disco balls echo the sparkling costume Swift wears in the debut music video, while an ode to her signature red lip color anchors everything. Among the many inspiring objects Bishop shares with TABLE are a silky Samuel & Sons key tassel, a Chanel lipstick in Coco Flash, OPI Red Hot Rio nail polish, and also two fabrics from Prelle.
Story by Keith Recker and Stephen Treffinger Styling by Keith Recker Principal Photography by Dave Bryce
Groundbreaking. Yes, Miranda Priestley, we know: seasonal florals are hardly new. But some ideas endure for a reason: they seduce us with appealing color, pattern, and nostalgia.
Inventive artist Sourabh Gupta makes his handmade flowers in a workshop in East Harlem. All manner of raw materials (including paper towels, toilet paper, crepe paper, and more) come into play in the pursuit of perfect texture, color, and form. Discover his much-sought-after work on Instagram.
Handmade floral elements make up the surface of Julian Chichester’s ceramic Fairy lamps. Shown here with printed shades in petal colors, they come in two heights. Create your own side table or nightstand garden! Available at Antiquarian Shop.
An antique Chinese cinnabar lacquer tray brings a hit of life and color to any room. This one has a carved central design of peony flowers, floral banding at the rim, and brass edging.
Fair weather is here in shades of sky blue, coral, and sandy beaches. Designer Jennifer Janeway’s dreamily uplifting take on comfortable living is spot on. The coral wall covering is Thibaut Paper Rattan, and the lovely bird pattern is Phillip Jeffries Fable in Sepia Garden. Fabrics are all from Thibaut.
Story by Keith Recker and Stephen Treffinger Styling by Keith Recker Principal Photography by Dave Bryce
Designer Hallgarten wanted to honor the past but look towards the future with her new Country Manor collection, photographing the sleek, modern pieces in Great Britain’s atmospheric Ashby Manor. The pieces come in classic fabrics and skins including silk, mohair, alpaca, and shearling, in warm in colors like deep cognac, soft camel, oxblood, and vintage green.
North Carolina’s Michael Noelle designs and hand-makes unique artisan cigar pouches and handbags. Their Soigné Tote, both practical and beautiful, is ready to be your “go everywhere” bag.
Shown as part of Déco Off during Paris Design Week earlier this year, this wall covering mixes raffia, linen, and wool. They are combined in a repeating pattern inspired by the Japanese concept of yūgen, which roughly translates as subtle grace or beauty, something not immediately obvious. The company calls it “a dialogue between emptiness and fullness through airy abstract patterns, faux plains with intricate textures, and playful knots.”
When we asked TABLE Contributing Editor Danny Mankin to share a selection of materials and objects that inspire him, he appeared with a treasure trove of textures, objects old and new, personal sketches, books, bits of jewelry, and more. They telegraphed important messages to ponder when diving into a creative project. Or life. Defining who you are is an act of constant discovery: you need to fall in love with the mysteries of what crosses your path and look for ways to layer their virtues into your vision. And, perhaps most important: Everything and everyone is a text to be pondered, which means hasty rejection and harshess have no place in a tender vision for living. Thank you, Danny. His Instagram feed is a testament to his journey.
Story by Keith Recker and Stephen Treffinger Styling by Keith Recker Principal photography by Dave Bryce
From palettes inspired by the natural world to irreverent references to historical silhouettes and proportions, 2026’s spring fashion trends capture our desire to return to moments that ground us in comforting nostalgia or nature’s magnificence. Or both! Danny Mankin’s authorial take on current fashion is about breaking free from limitations, trying something new, and embracing craft and the craftspeople who make it happen. It’s the return of deco pastels, puff sleeves, brocades, jacquards, and tapestries – at home with an incredible cast of talented actors, crew, and friends.
Styling and Shopping 2026 Spring Fashion Trends in Pittsburgh
Pastels and Patterns in Women’s Wear
Pastels were everywhere in spring 2026 runways. From moroccan mint to vibrant violet, our sweet tooth welcomes the flavors to come.
Sara Lindsey wears Harris Wharf London Virgin Wool Coat and Marni A-Line Midi Skirt from Archive. Sheer Lace Long-Sleeve Top from Le Muse.
Daina Griffith wears Ulla Johnson Ida Dress from Maxalto. Vintage Earrings and Ring from Archive.
Daina Griffith has performed in dozens of plays, musicals, TV shows, and films. She is also a mentor and coach, helping students prepare for and get accepted into college theater programs. Daina teaches professional actors to help them stay at the top of their craft. She also travels across the country doing masterclasses. She was the recipient of the BroadwayWorld Arts Educator of the Decade Award in 2020.
Daina Griffith wears Johnny Was Limited Edition Jacquard Coat and Ulla Johnson Aurelia Turtleneck from Maxalto. Dries Van Noten Silk Skirt, Vintage Earrings and Ring from Archive; Floral Pattern Tights from Le Muse; Vintage Balenciaga Shoes from Mello & Sons; Gaetano Pesce Flower Vase from Archive.
Sara Lindsey wears Love The Label Serafina Dress, Statement Buckle Suede Belt and Vintage Earrings from Le Muse; AMI Buttoned Military Jacket from Archive; 3.1 Phillip Lim Leopard Embroidered Mini Market Tote from Maxalto.
The Denim Trend
Denim is tried and true. Chic yet utilitarian. This season’s denim trends are all about lightening up, loosening your grip, and embracing this steadfast fabrication as a dress-it-up staple.
Sara Lindsey wears Marni Oversized Colorblock Denim Shirt, Christy Lynn Paola Vegan Leather Skirt, and Vintage Earrings from Archive; Shay Structured Denim Bustier and Aimee Kestenberg Dumpling Convertible Handbag from Le Muse.
Patrick Jordan wears NN. 07 Jordin Double-Breasted Blazer, Officine Generale Giacomo Shirt, and Common Projects Soft Loafers from Moda; Vintage Levis 501 Jeans from Mello & Sons; Vintage Necktie from Le Muse.
In menswear, expertly crafted wovens emerged across the spring 2026 collections. We’re loving the return of tapestry jacquards, dobbies, double weaves, and embroideries, all in a beautifully soft and spring-forward palette. Spring-weight layers don’t have to be boring.
Matthew Linaburg wears Le Deux Hugh Jacquard Overshirt and Billy Reid Diamond Sweater Polo from Moda; Norse Projects Benn Relaxed Cavalry.
Matthew Linaburg is a Pittsburgh-based financial professional dedicated to helping individuals and families make confident, values-aligned decisions about their money. His practice focuses on long-term wealth, risk management, and life-stage planning, drawing on a background that spans materials science, banking, wealth platforms, and digital product innovation. Matthew brings a thoughtful, analytical approach to every client relationship, emphasizing clarity, education, and trust.
Patrick Jordan wears Portuguese Flannel Move Abstract short-sleeve camp shirt and Cause and Effect bracelets from Vestis; Isabel Marant Lorson wide-leg trousers from Moda.
Matthew Linaburg wears Le Deux Boston Gradient Knitted Cardigan and NN. 07 Julio Embroidered Organic Cotton Shirt from Moda; and East Harbour Surplus Axel Chinos from Vestis. The jewelry is Matthew’s own.
StylistDanny Mankin wears 11:11 Nikino Jacket from Moda.
Left to right: Danny Mankin; Keith Recker in Grey Cotton Blazer from Strategic Business Unit; Dominika Bronner in Kapital Cropped Winday Denim Chore Jacket; Michael Parente in Marni Oversized Colorblock Denim Shirt. Special thanks to Karla Boos of Quantum Theatre for her help in securing our models.
Story and Styling by Danny Mankin Grooming by Dominika Bronner Location Styling by Keith Recker Photography by Michael Parente Backdrops by Megumi Patenaude
From social walking clubs and startup running groups to wellness meetups and community jogs, Pittsburghers are finding new ways to connect while moving through the city.
On any given week in Pittsburgh, a small crowd gathers by a park fountain, outside a coffee shop, or along a river trail. Within minutes they set off together for a walk or run with strangers who quickly stop feeling like strangers.
Some come for exercise, others for conversation, but for many it is one of the easiest ways to meet people in a city where schedules are busy and social circles can be hard to expand.
“I really was surprised at how quickly it grew,” DeRiggi says. “But I also think that in Pittsburgh we are a community across the board, so everybody is always trying to find something that they’re interested in that others are interested in too.”
Part of the appeal is how easy it is to join. There are no membership fees or expectations.
“With a walking or running club, you come as you are,” DeRiggi says. “You can bring your pet. You can just bring yourself. It’s just to de-stress and have a conversation.”
In a city that has long valued neighborhood connections, these movement clubs offer a modern way to build community. Some focus on fitness, others on wellness or networking. All share the same basic idea: meet people by moving together.
Here are a few of the groups helping Pittsburgh get out the door.
Stay Active and Boost Your Mental Health with Pittsburgh’s Walking and Running Clubs
Walk with a Doc in Highland Park brings a public health perspective to the city’s growing social walking scene. The program is part of the global Walk with a Doc initiative, which invites physicians to lead free community walks that combine a short health talk with an easy group stroll. In Pittsburgh, lifestyle medicine physician Natalie Gentile organizes walks around Highland Park’s reservoir loop, one of the city’s most popular one-mile paths.
Participants gather near the fountain, listen to a brief discussion on topics such as heart health or sleep, then walk at their own pace while talking with neighbors. The walks run seasonally and are open to anyone looking for a low-pressure way to move, learn something new and spend time outdoors.
Startup networking tends to happen over coffee or cocktails. Pitch and Run swaps both for a jog or a walk at your own pace. The global community brings founders, tech workers and curious runners together for casual morning runs where conversations range from startup ideas to career moves. The Pittsburgh chapter, organized by Ajmail Matin, meets early on Friday mornings around Bakery Square, with relaxed one- and three-mile routes that encourage conversation as much as cardio.
“It’s a low-risk way for people to talk about ideas,” Matin says. “You’re just running together and having a conversation.”
And of course Pittsburgh might be the perfect place for it. A city built on reinvention now has a growing tech and startup ecosystem, which means there is no shortage of people ready to run a few miles while talking about the next big idea.
Formerly Pittsburgh’s chapter of City Girls Who Walk, Steel City Women’s Collective has grown into a broader wellness and community network. Founder Fallon DeRiggi launched the walking group in 2023 after reaching out to the New York creator of City Girls Who Walk and securing permission to start the city’s first official chapter. The group began with weekly Wednesday and Sunday walks where participants covered a few relaxed miles while meeting new people.
Earlier this year, DeRiggi and her team rebranded to reflect a wider mission. The collective now organizes events across eight pillars of wellness including physical, emotional, intellectual, social, spiritual, environmental, occupational and financial well-being. Upcoming gatherings range from community movement events like the Magee Women’s Research Institute EmpowerHER run and walk on the North Shore to restorative wellness sessions such as a Restore and Recharge event at Luna and Soul in McMurray featuring red light therapy, sauna, cold plunge, meditation, Reiki and sound baths. “This all started from us just taking walks,” DeRiggi says. “I absolutely love watching the friendships grow.”
Founded in 1989, Pittsburgh Frontrunners is one of the city’s longest-running LGBTQ running and walking groups. The club is part of the International Front Runners network and welcomes runners, walkers and allies of all levels. Most weekly runs begin in Schenley Park and typically cover three to six miles, though participants can choose their own pace or distance. The atmosphere is informal and community-oriented. Many members stay after runs for coffee or breakfast, making the group as much a social gathering as a workout.
If you want a running club that feels unmistakably Pittsburgh, Yinz Run Club is a good place to start. The volunteer-run Pittsburgh nonprofit hosts weekly runs that rotate through neighborhoods such as Lawrenceville, the North Shore and the South Side, among others.
Founder & President Dan Lampmann says, “Yinz Run Club started with 5 people running some loops in Highland park back in 2019. Now, because of a whole lot of intentional effort to build a community from everyone involved, we see hundreds of runners each week. It’s a place for anyone, no matter their running journey, to come, share miles, and find joy in moving their bodies with new friends.”
Wednesday’s RUN CREW offers one- and three-mile routes with volunteer pacers and sweepers so no one gets left behind, while every other Saturday TRAILS heads into the parks for a three-mile dirt run with hills and mud. Afterward, runners often linger for coffee, snacks or a drink at the host business.
The Hot Girl Walk began in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Created by Mia Lind, then a University of Southern California student, the practice spread after she began posting about it on TikTok in January 2021.
The philosophy centers on gratitude, goals and confidence: participants are encouraged to think about what they are grateful for, what they want to achieve and what makes them feel confident. Lind has described the practice as accessible and inclusive, emphasizing that “hot” is about confidence rather than appearance.
The trend has since reached Pittsburgh, where Hannah Samlall organizes free two- to three-mile group walks that turn a viral wellness ritual into a social gathering.
This all-volunteer run organization provides a year-round community of walkers and runners. They even have Road Runners Club of America and USATF Certified Coaches that are here to make sure you’re running (or walking) in the way that’s best for your body. The group plans runs throughout parts of the city like Schenley Oval, Robinson, Sewickley, Cranberry, and South Hills every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. You can even sign up for a membership to help support the club if you find yourself wanting to dive deeper into the community.
Story by Aakanksha Agarwal Featured Photo Courtesy of Yinz Run Club
Financial markets suggest that, in troubled times, investors seek safety in quality. The same goes for home decor and fashion! Noble choices in premium materials, finishes, and accessories reassure with stable voices and enduring appeal.
A fine watch celebrates traditional craftsmanship and technological precision. There’s no men’s style stamen more reassuring than that! Shown here, clockwise from top left: Breitling Chronomat 42 NFL Steelers Edition, Oris Big Crown Pointer Date, Cartier Santos de Cartier, Panerai Submersible Luna Rossa, Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Classic Small Seconds, Bell & Ross BR03 Skeleton Lum Ceramic, IWC Pilot’s Watch 41 Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Edition, Tudor Black Bay Chrono, Breitling B01 Chronograph 43 Navitimer, and IWC Ingeniuer Automatic 40.
Havisham fabric from Chelsea Textiles is another example of faded grandeur, this time evoking Lady Havisham’s disheveled, Dickensian country residence. The printed fabric is designed to appear naturally distressed in places, making it look as if it might have been done decades—or centuries—ago. This cotton and hemp blend comes in teal, seafoam, and fern.
The Atlason Composed Modular Sofa and Sectional is a new DWR gem by Icelandic designer Hlynur Atlason. Its various configurations connect and expand your seating options as far as your room and imagination will go. Visit DWR’s new showroom in the Strip District to see it in person.
Open up new depths in your bath or kitchen with Frondere Aqua’s serene blue-green hue and crackle glaze finish. Each tile features a subtle three-dimensional surface and a handmade look.
Architect and interior designer James Mohn shares with TABLE a glimpse of a dining and family room he’s putting together as part of a substantial reimagining of a 1929 Ingham and Boyd house built in the style of a Norman chateau. Verdigris bronze vases and dark wood finishes bring an intensity to otherwise classic choices of Holland and Sherry Chilean tweeds, Venetian-inspired printed cottons from Le Gracieux, and trims from Samuel and Sons. The intricate marquetry floors of the room are by Peiser Floors.
Important depth comes into the picture from a 19th century marble mantlepiece from England and a delicious antique Chinese rug from Doris Leslie Blau. As always, Mohn quietly seasons his work with found objects and art. “Every well-thought-out room needs the warmth and tactility of the handmade. Time-worn hints of history take us somewhere important. Together, all the details lead to a sensuous, layered experience for the eye and the hand.”
Story by Keith Recker and Stephen Treffinger Styling by Keith Recker Principal photography by Dave Bryce
Rose Antiqued hand-painted Badminton chinoiserie on tarnished silver-gilded paper is an investment-grade wallcovering. But the look of faded grandeur is showing up everywhere in hotels and interior design, offering up the comforting and reassuring patinas of the past. This hand-painted beauty is newly launched. Its antique finish on a metallic ground comes from “the unexpectedly beautiful tarnish that a client’s panels acquired when she stored them in a humid attic.”
This Pittsburgh-made artisanal cocktail strainer comes from a very basic set of hand-tools: a shear, a punch, and a few hammers and stakes. The skill of the maker brings it all together into an heirloom quality object that your grandchildren will also marvel at decades in the future.
Taylor King’s Collette banquet, Beauchamp chair, and Taylor Made sectional offer an updated take on English country style…with touch of modern whimsy. Florals, stripes, velvet, fringe, and pleats layer together in a time-tested formula but in colors and patterns right for today.
Details carefully noted while on a trip to France, including a stay at Château de Gudanes in the French Pyrenees, left designer Eddie Maestri with myriad lasting impressions: the way light softened stone, how rooms felt layered but never heavy, how nothing tried too hard. The mood board he shares with TABLE captures the mood of restraint, proportion, warmth, and a sense of lived-in elegance. The mix reflects the process of his studio, which includes studying details and collecting moments, and also allowing them to make their way naturally into architecture and interiors.
Photos at upper left and right come from Maestri at the Château. They are visual notes of his time there. Sketches were quick drawings of the rooms and other details that caught his attention. Dried items were gathered near his office in Texas, organic shapes and colors that reminded him of his time in France. Other objects, like old keys, a framed chateau print, as well as a vintage oil portrait, come from his visits to French flea markets. Fabrics and materials come from Rosemary Hallgarten, Jane Clayton and Company, Schumacher, and de Le Cuona.
Story by Keith Recker and Stephen Treffinger Styling by Keith Recker Principal photography by Dave Bryce
Classic neutrals are not trendy, which is exactly what has made them, paradoxically, a trend in our risk-averse style universe. We always crave change, however, so they’re getting sweeter and moving into chocolate, cocoa, and vanilla tones.
Hickory Chair’s Marquesa sectional anchors this eternally appealing room with the cool vibe of 20th century Italian design. A relaxed profile finished with classy tuxedo arms rests on an American Ash plinth base. The feeling is continued in a sexily modern wing chair and a Klismos-inspired side chair. Rendered in deep chocolate and ivory, the setting invites deep relaxation.
This dazzling natural brown diamond intrigues us with its earthy beauty. Set in platinum and accented with white diamonds, the ring suggests that Mother Nature knows best when it comes to color and shine.
The Dahlia placemat by Chilewich gleams with classic beauty. Joined by dip-dyed napkins from Kim Seybert, it becomes especially sensual in its appeal. Available at Feathers.
Get ready for grilling season with Pittsburgh-made hot sauces.
Do you put a bottle of hot sauce on the table during grilling season? Or perhaps every day? Did you know that Pittsburgh is positively on fire with great local hot sauce options? Check out these local makers. Try more than one of their great flavors: some are sharp, some are a little sweet, some lean into smoke, while some go toward citrus or tomato. Build yourself an arsenal of flavor and make every meal a little bit of an adventure.
This brand strives for balance and brightness across its twelve flavors. Founder Artie Pitt spotlights fresh chiles, citrus, and herbs, giving you vibrant heat instead of a blunt burn. Drizzle over grilled chicken, eggs, or grain bowls, or whisk into vinaigrettes for salads that don’t play it safe. My favorite: a generous dollop of Habanero Island over simply grilled lambchops. The natural sweetness of fruit complements the lamb while the forthright heat of chiles works well with the grilled smokiness of the meat. Also, do not miss their amazing hot pickles.
On the other side, Uncle Jammy takes a more decadent route, layering smoke, sweetness, and spice. Think complex barbecue-adjacent flavors with a slow-building kick. Brush their sauces on ribs or wings, fold into pulled pork, or spike ketchup and mayo for next-level burgers and fries. They’re ideal for anyone who wants depth, not daredevil Scoville levels. You’ll often find founder Jamal Etienne-Harrigan at local farmers markets. Say hello and ask him what he recommends.
A microbrand started by TABLE Magazine’s talented stylist and recipe developer Anna Calabrese Franklin, offers bold flavor profiles with vinegar and fresh Fresno peppers sharing the spotlight. Her sauces shine on tacos, roasted vegetables, and seafood, and they’re excellent for brightening soups, beans, and stews. A few drops wake up weeknight leftovers; a generous pour anchors a full-on taco spread. We admit that our favorite application is over scrambled eggs at breakfast or breakfast-for-dinner.
