I love getting the KRB New Product emails. Everything she procures for her shop is just so special, whimsy & simply sublime. Today’s email was no exception. While these are certainly just eye candy for moi, I thought I’d share a few of my favorites…
HAND-BLOWN CRYSTAL BALL LAMP IN IRISH GREEN, KRB NYC
PAIR OF EARLY 19TH CENTURY FRENCH PORCELAIN DESIGNS, KRB NYC
CHRISTOPHER SPITZMILLER LIME MARBLE GARDEN STOOL, KRB NYC
SYON HOUSE GREAT HALL, KRB NYC
Since my last post, we welcomed a baby into the world, who is sweet as ever. Our hearts are so happy. We’re sleeping through the night already at 7 weeks and I’m C&C’ing in almost-full-force. Yes, it may be a lot for some, but I thrive on chaos. Needless to say, this summer has been busy. I feel like I blinked and August appeared. But doesn’t it always happen that way?
It’s a strange time we’re living in. There are so many moments where I feel like I am lacking the words in daily exchanges given all that is happening in our country. It often feels surreal. And so, I came back to this platform, which was intended to share, muse & inspire. While blogs may be a thing of the past, I will continue to use it as an escape, even if I don’t have any visitors. The mental escape is needed, more than ever.
Last Friday I took a little time to step away from work and went on a drive with a friend to the “country” in Little Compton, Rhode Island. We bopped around, both thrilled to be out of the office having a little sliver of a summer morning, and visited my favorite farm stand for provisions (tomatoes! corn!), and lobster rolls for lunch.
The morning was a nice reminder that there are still so many things to enjoy and celebrate right now. Friendships, fresh produce, sunny days, salty air and the luxury to slow down. Despite proclaiming that I thrive on chaos, it showed me that I need slower moments in my life. We all do. And that is perhaps one of the biggest lessons we have all uncovered with this Pandemic.
Walker’s Farm Stand, Little Compton, Rhode Island.
With gardens in their June bloom, and people retreating to their sun porches, the world of Instagram has been flooded with visions of green. And I LOVE IT.
One of my favorites as of late is the great Jeffrey Bilhuber. And while I adore his work, I especially love seeing snippets of his idyllic life at his handsome 17th century home. After drooling over photos of his prized collection of agapanthus last summer (always affectionately potted, front and center outside his home), this season I adopted a few of them for myself!
Enjoy a few visuals from his Instagram account, below.
My eyes glittered when I saw this recent feature in Architectural Digest featuring one of Miles Redd’s recent projects in The Adirondacks. I grew up going to the Adirondack Mountains and have since developed a strong attraction to the simplistic allure the setting serves. After all, my husband and I were married there so one might think it would have some sacredness to moi!
What I love most about the Adirondacks is the uncontrived yet whimsical nature of a place that still feels stuck in time. It’s a place where cell service is scarce and values go back to basics. Time lingers, but in a good way. Your body, soul and mind are cleansed in the most profound way. You’ll be hard pressed to find an individual that doesn’t connect with the outdoors. It’s a place where daytime adventures include fishing, swimming, hiking and simple R&R (what some might call “the art of doing nothing”) — a place where evenings typically involve porch chatter, cocktails, board games and cooking. The mountains are restorative as much as they are a powerful reminder of Mother Nature’s force. (Their 46er Mountains are serious business!).
But back to the article. I think I was particularly drawn to this because Miles Redd was behind the design, and his work can often be punchy and daring, things the Adirondacks are not. Yet, he achieved such a great mix of the old, new and playful. Wicker! Ferns! Painted Floors! It all just works and in a really fabulous authentic and magical way.
Have a look for yourself, here.
- - -
Interior Design by Miles Redd
Photography by Noe DeWitt
Styled by Howard Christian
When I read or hear the words “the elegance of a bygone age” my heart begins to flutter. What can I say, I love the romance that is often attached to those words, and this time it’s no exception. The latest issue of Cabana Magazine might be one of the best. Issue 13 Spring/Summer 2020 is chalked full of mesmerizing images of Turkey, Istanbul and other Eastern European places, rich in soul, texture and color.
But one story in particular made my heart really sing, and that is the story of Alicia, a 90 year-old vessel that has lived many adventures, but most recently, was scooped up in Nice to be completely restored. The rather extensive period of restoration has brought her to her absolute best self, with hand-stitched leather furnishings, lamps that were procured from Positano, a new galley and engine room — the list goes on.
And in a time when dreaming is the ultimate luxury, how magnificent would it be to sit on her deck in one of those rattan chairs, floating on the Mediterranean with a cocktail in hand?
Images by Douglas Friedman | Text by Gianluca Longo
The creator behind the lens steps in front of it: Maaike of MAAIKE BERNSTROM PHOTOGRAPHY
I met Maaike what seems like many moons ago, when I was starting the very beginning of C&C, and enlisted her talent to generate some content. Maaike was already very established with her photography career, however it’s been an absolute thrill seeing her in full throttle mode ever since. Though her work ranges from commercial to lifestyle and weddings, there is one notable constant — this girl is in HIGH DEMAND.
Whether she’s shooting for Anthropologie, Vineyard Vines, Stetson or Farmaesthetics, Maaike has a way of making her subjects in front of the camera look and feel incredibly natural and alluring.
On a personal level, it’s been fun to reflect back on those initial photos with Maaike, while also knowing that she’s been there to capture other milestone moments, like our engagement and wedding (scroll for a few snaps). I’ve always loved the way Maaike uses light and there seems to be an inherent nod to the natural world with her work. Perhaps the result of her upbringing, as she notes below. Her imagery is indeed visually intoxicating, yet so organic. With summer around the corner, I always think to her imagery, and thus, thought I’d showcase a few of her summer-esque photos! (View her full portfolio here).
I wish I could just bottle this moment….
A commercial shoot for Anthropologie x The Dahlia Shed. Is there a better combo than summer whites and big juicy dahlias?!
I invite you to get to know Maaike with a good old fashioned Q&A, below (and be sure to follow her on Insta):
Aw thanks Caitlin! For me, lighting is one of the most important elements when it comes to photography. Whether you are shooting indoors or outdoors lighting is what brings out that feeling which draws you into the image. Golden hour light is a magical time of the day to photograph people - it is a very flattering light and offers such a warm ethereal element to images.
I try to make everyone who steps in front of my lens feel comfortable and to give them the time to relax and trust the process. Being in front of someone's camera can be a very nerve-racking experience - I do my best to eliminate that feeling. So for my family + wedding clients when everyone is relaxed - those deep heartfelt images are the result - its magic.
In addition - when you have the right magical light and location on top of relaxed clients it is a win win - such a great feeling.
Any shoot with a person! I have been working with some great brands over the last few years shooting commercial/lifestyle imagery for their branding - it is so fun to pull together the whole shoot from picking the models, to the location to the styling of clothing + props. I really enjoy this avenue of commercial photography
Being outside hiking, exploring, traveling, sailing, camping, skiing, gardening were all things my parents instilled on my brother and I from a very early age. All of those feelings of being free in nature as a child has stuck with me. It has drawn me to work with brands that offer the same feelings of being outside and sense of adventure. Being outside in the fresh air no matter what the season is an instant mind “ reset” for me.
For my photography - I have built my business around shooting outdoors in natural light.
YES - we run to Vermont every chance we get - it is definitely one of our most favorite happy places. The minute we all arrive in Vermont we feel relaxed - whether its for some hiking in the summer and fall or for the ski season in the winter.
Hmm… an ideal wintery day in Vermont starts with coffee by the fire early in the am. Then its straight to Bromley Mountain where our daughter races on the ski team and where we ski all day, which leads to après with friends, then its home for dinner, fireside family time and bed - REPEAT! On days where I am not skiing I love to hike all around - and snowshoe up the backside of Bromley.
My mother is from The Netherlands and it is a country I have been going to since I was 6 months old. My name Maaike is a traditional dutch name meaning little girl - my brother’s name is Sam - haha I always joke about this. Holland is a very special place to me - we have lots of family and friends who live here and we try to make it back at least 1 x a year. Holland is a very small country so it is so easy to visit so many people in one visit - we love to bike from town to town, the food, the canals, the light, the flowers - I wish I was there right now!
Summertime in Newport is... let's be real - the main reason we all choose to live here. A few of our favorite things to do are beach dinners with friends, rafting up at Mackerel cove, Clarke Cooke house Sushi, and soaking up endless days at 2nd Beach.
I love going over to Casey Farm for their Saturday morning Farmer’s markets as well as Aquidneck Farmers market - in my basket is usually fresh fish, fresh baked goods from Olga’s, and veggies from Little River Farm out of Exeter.
I’m always weak in the knees for a good old fashioned screen door…they remind me of happy hazy summer adventures. Love this shot Maaike captured as part of a special wedding album.
Lovely bits featuring Blundstone and Little State Flower Company.
Maaike’s darling daughter and her prized summer wheels.
Unfair question haha! Seriously - I am not sure , can I choose both :)?
A really nice part of my job is that I get to work with so many other creatives from handcrafting artisans to videographers and fellow photographers to stylists and writers, jewelry makers to floral designers. A few years ago I met a woman named Linda Campos who lives in Boston- we have become social media friends and I just love her food photography and the direction she has taken her business - go give her a follow :) - I could seriously name over a 100 people I am championing for - New England seems to be a powerhouse area in our country for Creatives!
Ohh so hard to pick one - I love peonies, dahlias, echinacea, zinnas, and hydrangeas!
A salty and sublime New England moment.
This was one of the snaps from our engagement shoot with Maaike. Just love how she works with light!
Love this shot Maaike took from our wedding in the Adirondacks. I chose this Oscar de la Renta dress as I fell in love with all of the embroidery and appliqué details. Naturally, it was nothing near what I had pictured my dress would be but Maaike captured the details so beautifully.
A slightly haphazard yet perfectly captured snapshot of summer in all its glory.
I had to feature this holiday shot for Farmaesthetics. Don’t you want to just jump right in to this dreamy scene?!
We were supposed to be in Morocco over April break - hiking in the Atlas mountains which was postponed due to Covid. Morocco is still heavy on my mind so I would say there… I generally travel pretty light with camera gear - I was planning to just bring my Canon Mark 1V and Canon 35mm. I was so excited to document our trip through the markets of Marrakech to the Atlas Mountains and high desserts by camel. We will get there someday.
Over the past few years I have been directing my business towards mainly shooting lifestyle branding which not only am I super passionate about but also works really well with my young daughters schedule. Running a busy business and being a mom and wife definitely has its scheduling scrambles at times but directing my business this way has been so positive on all fronts.
Thank you, Maaike!
A blast from the past featuring yours truly…the past, as in 2014.
ALL PHOTOGRAPHY: MAAIKE BERNSTROM PHOTOGRAPHY
Over the past few years I’ve developed a slight affinity to splatterware ceramics. I’m not quite sure how this came to be, but in a way, the style reminds me of an old school “camp” aesthetic I absolutely cherish. Campy Casual Chic, if that’s a thing? My husband and I have a collection of MARCH SF black on white splatterware pieces in our tiny Vermont A-frame cabin which I absolutely adore. The pieces are made exclusively for the San Francisco retailer, in the Pugliese region of Italy.
I love that the splatterware style is part whimsy, part casual and can pair well with other tabletop elements like linen, wicker and colored glassware. Here are some ceramic dinner plates by Este Ceramiche I’m currently eyeing. I love the two-tone motif. They make me dream of what I would prepare and plate on them… how about a burrata salad with local peas, mint and radish! Delish!
Do send me your favorite splatterware sources if you have them!
Set-of-four ceramic dinner plates by Este Ceramiche. See here.
Lately, I find myself taking more time to immerse myself in emails, articles and magazines I might ordinarily glaze over in the haste of only addressing work-related correspondence. Overall, I find that I’m seeking more beauty and enrichment for my brain. Maybe I’m just needing some good old fashioned distractions.
Which brings me to Sponge Cake. Andy Warhol’s Sponge Cake, that is. And Suckling Pig. Produced in the 1950s, Wild Raspberries is one of the six self-published recipe books the artist issued. He illustrated the book with interior decorator and socialite Suzie Frankfort functioning as the writer. I love the whimsy pop-art illustrations and hilarious instructions that accompany each recipe page.
The pieces were part of a lot that sold this week with Sotheby’s in their Prints and Multiples Online Collection. See more, here.
ANDY WARHOL, 1928 - 1987, WILD RASPBERRIES (FELDMAN & SCHELLMANN IV.126-143)
ANDY WARHOL, 1928 - 1987, WILD RASPBERRIES (FELDMAN & SCHELLMANN IV.126-143)
Betsy Lanphier, of Elizabeth Swift Interior Design.
I was first introduced to Betsy in Vermont for a winter weekend at a friend’s farm house (think: “adult” sledding, dance parties, too much queso dip and roaring fires). But that tale is for another time. Fast-forward a few months and we both found ourselves moving to San Francisco within days of one another. It could be said we navigated some of our formative years together in the Bay Area, building our careers, exploring new places and laughing throughout some of the unavoidable tribulations city life presented.
Betsy is a truly special individual and it is an honor to call her a friend. She is thoughtful and kind, a classic beauty, an old soul — and has a keen eye for all things design. Over the years I’ve witnessed her build a beautiful family whilst growing her robust interior design business.
Her aesthetic most certainly reflects her east-coast upbringing, effortlessly married with a certain “California Cool” revealing refreshing, livable and timeless spaces, both in design & decoration. Betsy’s client roster varies from established families in Marin County, to young working couples “in town” and metropolitan bachelors seeking a little sophistication.
This year, Betsy will be taking her firm bi-coastal, an exciting new chapter for her team. I cannot wait to see what she brings (back) to the east coast!
I invite you to get to know Betsy with a good old fashioned Q&A, below (and be sure to follow her on Insta):
ESID is a high end residential design firm with projects on the East & West Coasts. The business came to life about 6 years ago and stemmed from a deep passion for the design world, and the joy of making a house a home. I had always hoped to be at the helm of a creative business one day, and meandered my way there through various posts in different creative fields. Ultimately after working for notable firms in New York and California I had a few small (but mighty!) clients and decided to branch off on my own!
My design influences are definitely rooted in the classical. Particularly with studying Art History & Architecture as an undergrad, I was consistently drawn to more classic styles, and similarly while studying post-grad at New York School of Interior Design I found I was most inspired by spaces in the American Federal or English Georgian styles. Working with various design firms absolutely opened my eyes to different aesthetics, and challenged me creatively to go outside of my comfort zone, for which I am incredibly thankful. I think the many mentors and designers for whom I worked all left their individual mark on me, allowing for this great mixing pot of styles to root from.
Incredibly tough question! Truly inspired by both in different ways, but at the moment I would say Mr. Buatta (who I will never forget meeting!)
Oh gosh! There is really part of me in each one of these. I think I would say Coast, with my love for the Ocean...but would need to be in close proximity to a city!
Various coffee table books, hopefully not damaged by my two daughters, a tall tortoise hurricane from Treillage before it closed, some antique boxes I’ve collected, probably some Blue & White Delftware and a large cup of coffee (or cocktail depending on the time of day)
I love to travel, and hope to continue exploring new places around the globe. I would say studying in Paris in High School, I was sixteen and living in Paris for the Summer and I think that’s when I became a true Francophile...The other trip is from my childhood, my Mother took me to London and I’ll never forget that one. I was maybe eleven and just in awe of everything. I’m pretty certain I’m part Brit deep down somewhere...I still love a good afternoon tea & crumpet--it’s a cure all.
I’m incredibly lucky that I’ve been able to experience both coasts and live in two fantastic cities, New York and San Francisco. They have absolutely impacted my design approach. I would say that New York City’s energy, hustle, the creativity is unparalleled. I try to bring that sense of drive to my design projects, and certainly the level of service and client experience. The East Coast in general is also rooted in history and that classical style that I am so drawn to, so I try to bring that into projects as well. San Francisco and the West Coast has the natural beauty in it’s landscape which I never take for granted. It’s a more laid back and breezy lifestyle, and I love the melding of indoor/outdoor. Living here and working on homes here has pulled me in that more “California Cool” look, with more block prints, linens, indoor/outdoor fabrics, whereas New York tended to be a little bit more sophisticated or richer in texture and finishes. I truly love both styles of living!!! Best of both worlds!!
A happy client, and a proud team. Whether it’s as simple as wallpapering one room, or as detailed as an entire renovation, when we have happy clients and we’re all proud of the end result it’s a win-win.
I’m not sure if it’s necessarily a trend, or more a sign of our evolving digital age and this need for “instant gratification” but, I feel like there are more and more outlets for purchasing all of the pieces for a room to get the look of another designer’s space, often for much less of an expense and without the designer’s consent.I can’t help but feel it minimizes the hard work behind the pretty photo; the design hours, the craftsmanship, the originality that was tailored for a specific client. I hope people remember that your house should be a reflection of you! Designers are here to help with that vision. Inspiration is everywhere, use it but don’t copy it. So I hope we see less of the “buy this whole look for less” and more, “tips to add soul to your home.”
Always Sue Fisher King, and March SF. Elsie Green in the East Bay has also has an amazing selection of flea market finds for tabletop and beyond
We are about to roll out our new branding and website which I’m very excited about! Project wise, we are currently involved in a kitchen & family room renovation, a living room refresh with some of my favorite fabrics, and lots of Master and Guest Beds and Baths. Most importantly we are gearing up to move East and open the East Coast branch of ESID! Stay tuned….!
Photography Credits: Lacy Kiernan and Olivia Hellman
Yesterday I visited my office briefly to check in on things as I haven’t been there in over two months. It was frankly a very odd feeling as it felt abandoned and in need of some love. Mail had piled up, the air was stale and my desk looked practically ransacked from when I hastily took my critical belongings not knowing how long we’d be in lockdown for.
I’m trying to stay patient and as regimented as possible in the meantime. It’s HARD. Part of that mindset is thinking forward to summertime. Even though we don’t quite know what that will look like, we are so fortunate to live by the water which will certainly be a welcomed outlet, like never before. I’m craving farmers markets, frolicking in the green grass, enjoying refreshing cocktails and having the windows and doors in the house flung open!
So, here’s to hanging on, and setting our sights on SUMMER.
Make it #CandCapproved
FOLLOW ALONG ON INSTAGRAM
FOR ALL THINGS IN & OUT OF THE OFFICE