As the temperature climbs during the summer months, thoughts turn to looks that are breezy, loose and relaxed. Kaftans, thanks to the current '70s bohemia trend are back. Whenever I think of a kaftan I see Elizabeth Taylor, Queen of the Kaftan, who seemed to me at least, to be wearing them constantly for all occasions, formal and otherwise. Because they're full length and often billowy, there's scale and proportion to consider, as none of us want to look overwhelmed by yards of fabric and beading.
I pay particular attention to mirror placement in my interiors as they have such a significant impact in a room. Living with mirrors is not just utilitarian, but also adds a dramatic statement, makes a space feel more expansive, reflects light and can be used in place of, or alongside artwork. My preference is always for larger rather than smaller mirrors as I love the glamor and sense of scale they bring to the room. A recent post from Jade at LuxDeco, another of my favorite blogs explores several creative ways to successfully bring mirrors into your space.
One of my favorite blogs,Habitually Chic has a wonderful post from the recent Pitti Uomo Menswear tradeshow in Florence. Italian men have a particularly innate sense of style and it's on full display here. Some are Italian while others have adopted Italian style...enjoy!
With the unusually cooperative weather continuing in London we dined @ Scott's in Mayfair, which goes immediately into rotation, along with River Cafe as one of our London favorites. First of all we loved the decor, which has a comfortable clubby feel. There's leather banquette seating throughout the restaurant and as it's quite celebrity driven there are also dining tables in the elegantly appointed champagne and oyster bar for those who want to see and be seen. Talking of celebrities, you may be familiar with Nigella Lawson the Domestic Goddess of British TV, who was dining at Scott's on the outdoor terrace last year when she was seen being choked by her then-husband, Charles Saatchi. Back to the food - the menu specializes in market-fresh fish, seafood, caviar and I had the dover sole, which I also ordered in a couple of other restaurants and Scott's was by far the best!
Just back from a short vacation in London, Philippe and I visited our favorite restaurants and also discovered some new ones. A perennial favorite is The River Cafe, in Thames Wharf and we go without fail whenever we're in town. River Cafe was inspired by Chefs Ruth Rogers and Rose Gray who died in 2010. It's justly famous for well executed rustic-style Italian dishes, made from locally sourced in-season ingredients. The main dining room is bright, airy, convivial and during warm summer evenings the wall of glass doors are flung open to the lovely garden with the Thames flowing alongside. Chefs that began their careers at River Cafe and went onto great success elsewhere include Ed Baines of Randall & Aubin (London), April Bloomfield of The Spotted Pig (New York) and celebrity chef, Jamie Oliver.
Christian Liaigre, one of my favorite interior and furniture designers has just published his most recent book,Liaigre 12 Projects. I was invited to the reception launching both the book and the new Spring collection of furniture and fabrics, which Liaigre designed in collaboration with his wife, Déborah Comte-Liaigre. Their aesthetic is minimalist luxury, creating beautifully hand crafted furniture in refined woods, such as open grain walnut and Larch wood. All the furniture is crafted in France and the design and production of each piece is of the highest quality.
My April 2 post was about the quintessential English country house. The Hamptons weekend summer house is arguably, the North American equivalent. Habitually Chic had a lovely post this week about Aerin Lauder and her beautiful summer house situated in one of the exclusive Hamptons enclaves. Aerin's summer house is relaxed, welcoming and understatedly elegant. The gardens are particularly exquisite with all those gorgeous flowers in full bloom. The beauty of Aerin's house for me is in her liberal use of simple low maintenance materials like sisal, rattan, beach-grass, along with groupings of blue/white Chinoiserie porcelain, flora and fauna patterned fabrics, against a backdrop of white painted interiors and exteriors. All of which are elements of the classic Hamptons summer house. Use one or several of these elements to create your own summer oasis!
One of my very favorite vacations was at Hotel Il Pellicano,Tuscany, Italy. Just outside of Porto Ercole, overlooking the Tyrrhernian Sea, at cliff's edge sits Il Pellicano. It's been the resort of choice for various celebrities and European royalty for over 50 years. During its 1960's heyday, the society photographer, Slim Aarons chronicled the guests as they played and relaxed in this tucked away oasis. Updated in 2006 the hotel maintains its laid-back charm, feeling more like a very well run private home rather than a luxury hotel. Philippe and I arrived very late one evening at the end of summer and there were no street or house lights for miles around.
I'm very much a separates type and happy switching between jeans, tops and sweaters most days for much of the year. However, by June I'm looking high and low for dresses, as New York becomes hot and humid and Fort Lauderdale & Miami, where I also spend a lot of time, is even more hot and humid. During those balmy months, the white summer dress comes into its own and saves me from dissolving into a daily sweaty heap.
Flowers are currently abundant in home interiors. Flower prints were out of vogue for a number of years as the preference was for neutral, monochromatic tones and painted walls. But, as the saying goes "what goes around comes around" and flower prints are back, in both abstract and literal forms. There's also a welcome return, for me anyway, of repeating a pattern on windows and at least one piece of furniture in the room.
One of my favorite restaurants Buvette was recently featured on One King's Lane. My husband, Philippe and I have been going to Buvette since 2012 and we love it because it truly gives you the feeling you're in Paris. Every detail by the owner, Jody Williams has been fully considered, from the menu, wine list to the interior design, yet it manages to be neither precious or pretentious. It's now so popular it's almost impossible to get in unless you're prepared to wait sometimes up to an hour, however it's worth the wait and the staff is welcoming and professional. Yes, its definitely a big fave!!
Spring has finally sprung and blooming spring florals are everywhere! Minimalism for now is seen in the distance of our rearview mirror. Typically I'm not one to wear big floral prints however, I've seen such delightful styles this season that I'm willing to at least try some things on. Dolce & Gabbana caught my eye because they have such a romantic point of view and their clothes are exquisitely made. The combination of red and black along with richly intricate embroideries and hair ornamentations, enhance their definition of Italy's la dolce vita.
I'm a little out of synch with my posts because I've just returned from Amsterdam and Brussels on an art collectors' trip. My Living with ArtOctober 15 post was about this trip and how excited I was about staying at the Waldorf Astoria in Amsterdam - it didn't disappoint. The hotel's a year old and the results of the renovation of 3 townhouses along the canal was spectacular. Sadly, we were only there for 4 days and everyone hated to leave. There's a welcoming mega-sized candle from the French company Cire Trudon, wafting Ernesto throughout the lobby. Of course every time I smell Ernesto going forward it will conjure up this trip. Between several of us we bought up the entire inventory of that particular candle to the surprise of the storeowner.
The NYT style section showed a selection of "crazy" patterned pants that really caught my eye. A welcome change from skinny jean and an item I'll be adding to my summer wardrobe. Love the mules too - easy to wear adding a breezing elegance to the pants. Roll on Summer...
I'm currently reading the fantasticSargent: Portraits of Artists and Friendsabout the celebrated American artist, John Singer Sargent. A beautifully illustrated book written by Richard Ormond with Elaine Kilmurray coincides with an upcoming exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, June 30 - October 4 2015 of the same title. Not only a painter of portraits celebrating American and European high society, Sargent also made numerous portraits, often not commissioned, of his friends, who were writers, actors, artists and musicians.
