“These gems have life in them:  their colors speak, say what words fail of.”  ~George Eliot

I  first discovered Bounkit on my never-ending and seemingly impossible quest for the stylish and modern clip on earring.  (Yes, I might be the only woman under the age of 80 who does not have her ears pierced.)  When I finally stumbled upon this treasure trove of gorgeous semi-precious gemstones (that offered all of their earrings with a clip-on option),  I thought I had died and gone to heaven! A native of Morocco, founder Hassan Bounkit launched his jewelery line in 2006.  His inspiration derived from his Mediterranean background, ancient Moroccan designs, art deco and his love of nature.  Each piece is handmade in the label’s New York atelier from crystal, wood and organically cut stones.  Below are just a few of my favorite creations.  I hope you enjoy these elegant and exotic creations as much as I do!  xx Kris

All items seen below can be purchased on their website www.bounkit.com.

Ring with Green Amethyst and Lemon Quartz

Earrings with Rutilated Quartz and Smoky Topaz

Earrings with Amethyst and Green Amethyst

Earrings with Blue Quartz and Garnet

Earrings with Moonstone, White Topaz, Button Pearl and White Cat’s Eye

Earrings with Green Onyx, Green Amethyst and Black Onyx

Bracelet with Green Onyx Beads and Clear Quartz

Cuff with Black Onyx and Carved Labradorite

Cuff with Lapis and Turquoise

Necklace with Melon Lapis and Multi Strand Peridot

Necklace with Rutilated Quartz and Smoky Topaz

*** All photos taken from Bounkit website.

 ”There are as many styles of beauty as there are visions of happiness.”
– Stendhal

The weather is finally getting nicer and I was inspired this morning by an Instagram photo of a De Gournay wallpaper posted by a friend and fellow interior designer, Georgia Tapert Howe of Carolina George.  Inspired by 18th Century Chinoiserie; nothing reminds me of springtime and brings the beauty of nature into a home quite like an exquisitely hand painted De Gournay wallpaper.  The company specializes in creating block-printed panoramic wallpapers developed in early 19th century France and called: Papiers Peints Panoramiques.   Every paper is handmade by skilled artisans and each one is a true work of art.  The epitome of luxury, beauty and fantasy the paper can be customized any way the client desires and made into matching pattern fabric.  Personally, De Gournay paper in a dining room is a look I will never tire of!!  Thanks to Georgia for the inspiration… I am jealous that you get to work with one and am certain it will be stunning! For everyone else, enjoy the way designers have used these gorgeous papers in the pictures below!   xx K

*All photos taken from the De Gournay Website.

“I have no recipe for how to combine things.  But you must be sincere.  And if you are, strangely, it will succeed.” – Andree Putnam, Interior Designer 

Today I thought I would simply post some of the things from one of my favorite websites (1st Dibs) that have inspired me over the past few days or (in the case of the John Dickinson tables)… things that I have loved my entire life! … Enjoy!

“I believe creativity is a childlike activity and to question too much may be irrelevant..” – Frank O. Gehry

Azilal Rug at 1stdibs.

The Log Holder at First Dibs

Stunning Moon Mask From The Ivory Coast at 1stdibs.

Rare Large John Dickinson African Table at First Dibs

Cantagalli Vase at First Dibs

Rooster Parade from the portfolio Aftermath by Gustav Klimt

Original John Dickinson Four Leg Table at 1stdibs.

“There is no place more delightful than one’s own fireplace.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero

There are few things better than snuggling up next to a roaring fire on a cold winters day.  If you have been on the east cost this week, I am sure you can agree!   Until the weather becomes more agreeable, stay warm and enjoy! xx Kris

1836 Greek Revival townhouse designed by Miles Redd, Elle Decor

Upper East Side Townhouse Decorated by Wayne Nathan and Carol Egan, Elle Decor Nov 2006

Downstairs parlor of painter John Dowd’s Provincetown, Massachusetts, home. Elle Decor Dec 2006

World of Interiors, May 2012

World of Interiors, May 2012

World of Interiors, June 2012

Wishing everyone love and happiness in the New Year. Xoxo Kris

“This is a book about dreams coming true; the curiosities in the rooms I have decorated; and the people, artists, and places that have inspired me. When all is said and done and I am long forgotten, maybe someone will find this book in a dusty library—if such a thing still exists—and glimpse a bit of the pleasure my life has given me. I want them to have the sensation of dancing across an MGM soundstage, silhouetted in a klieg light, because that was my intention with this book, a very personal blend of work and fantasy.” —Miles Redd

As a thank you for helping update a few things in her home, my Aunt/Godmother & one of the chicest woman I know, gave me my very own signed version of Miles Redd’s new Book, The Big Book of Chic. Needless to say… I am obsessed!  True to-miles-redd-form, the book is not what one might expect from a traditional design book. Save a brief introduction from Redd, the book contains no writing, hints or tips from the designer. Instead it reads more like a mood board in book form, allowing full-page photographs to narrate its story.  The book showcases some of Redd’s most famous interiors interspersed with the inspiration images that fuel Redd’s creativity.  Paintings by Sargent & Cassatt, Richard Avedon Fashion Photographs, a photo of Peggy Guggenheim and so on…  Each Chapter marked with a quote that speaks to Redd’s sensibilities. It is true that no one has mastered the use of bold, beautiful and rich color like Miles Redd and this book is no exception. Each time I flip through its pages I find myself a little more inspired and a little more tuned in to Redd’s intentions and overall message.  If you love design, color & glamour this books will not disappoint.  Below is just a little taste of what’s inside to wet your appetites …. Enjoy!

“It would turn out to be an arduous and at times a painful process, but one that has provided me years of pleasure and satisfaction.  I suppose a lot like childbirth – and to that point, houses in a way, are living things that need love and attention to flourish and shine.”  – Miles Redd, The Big Book of Chic

“From Labor there shall come forth rest.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Vogue 1959

Vogue 1954

Vogue May 1941

Vogue July 1932

Australian Vogue

Ralph Lauren Ad

Picture of my grandparents on their honeymoon

Vintage Cole Swimwear AD

Photo by me

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“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” – Coco Chanel

The Council of Fashion Designers of America (otherwise known as the CFDA), celebrated 50′s years at this years award show held at Lincoln Center.  Often called the “Oscars of Fashion”,  the cities fashion elite gather each year for the CFDA Awards and for this reason, it is often one of my favorite red carpets of the year.  The photos below were taken from Photographer Jamie Beck’s blog From Me to You.  I love the intimate shots she takes.  They give you the feeling of attending an intimate party among close friends.  Her detail shots are also fabulous.  All around I find her photos edgy, artistic, classic and fresh!

Enjoy!

The dress above worn by Doutzen Kroes may be my personal favorite of the night

Padma Lakshmi wearing Naeem Khan

Diane Von Furstenburg is the President of the CFDA

Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen won this years Womenswear Designer of the Year

Of course — I am obsessed with anything remotely related to Mad Men!

Another favorite dress from the evening was a Altuzarra dress worn by Kate Bosworth above

Anna Wintour wearing a dress by Marc Jacobs

Love the Cap Sleeves and Unexpected Hairdo from Mandi Moore (Photo on the Left)

The profile of Karolina Kurkova blows the front view of this outfit out of the water, HOWEVER…. I am still obsessed with these shoes!

All photos are by Jamie Beck’s blog From Me To You

Having spent most of my summer thus far in Montauk … it’s hard to not have surfing on the brain.  Below are a few of my favorite ways that surfboards have been incorporated into the interior design of a home… Enjoy!

Nate Berkus California Home

Brooke Giannetti

Montauk House of Robin Srandefer and Stephen Alesch of Roman and Williams

Leslie Klotz House Beautiful

Home of Alan Wanzenberg Elle Decor

Unknown

Kerry Joyce Elle Decor June 2003

Ralph Lauren Home

Jason Grant

Sana Keefer Summer House

Sdouble Surfboard Showroom

Leonard Correa Luna Surf Wagon Isetta

Tim Clark

Sidewalk Surfboard #4 by Nash, 34″ Long

via 1STDIBS.COM – Surfing Cowboys – Nash – Sidewalk Surfboard #4 by Nash, 34″ Long.

“When you are building a room, 

you are building character, and character

is the strength and wisdom of a home.” 

– Rose Tarlow

A noted American fashion Photographer of the 1950′s and 1960′s, Mark Shaw, is best known for documenting scenes from the family life of John F. Kennedy.  However, it was Shaw’s earlier work, shooting European fashion collections for LIFE and various other publications as a fashion photographer, that inspired Jacqueline Kennedy to hire him as the family photographer.  Over the years Shaw photographed an impressive list of celebrities which included: Pablo Picasso, Brigitte Bardot, Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, Danny Kaye, Cary Grant, Yves St. Laurent, Nico of the Velvet Underground, Audrey Hepburn & Coco Chanel.

 “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only.  Fashion is in the sky, in the street,  fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”   Coco Chanel

I am obsessed with all of Mark Shaw’s photographs, but have a special affinity for the pictures he took of models, socialites & celebrities in some of the most elegant, luxurious and famous interiors of the time.  The fashion and interiors in each one is stunning and seamlessly flawless.  The combination is captivating.  Especially for those of us with a passion for both.  Yet, it is the simple elegance conveyed in each photograph that I find most alluring.  There is an ease to the women in these pictures.  They just exist.  Fabulous creatures among all of this extravagance and decadence as if being the epitome of glamour was not a choice but just who they are.

Shaw was an innovator.  He became the first photographer to use color while shooting the Runway and “backstage” at the couture shows.  Perhaps more importantly, he was able to capture a rare “behind the scenes” look into a highly glamorous and stylized world.   As a result there was a feeling of authenticity and rawness to his work that was rarely seen during this time.  Enjoy!

Model in Apartments of Dior/Luling. France. 1960′s

Model in Mirror-Paris 1960

Model in Chateau Manon Lescault #3

Model in Teal Dress #1, France, 1960′s

Model in Home of Christian Dior, France 1953