Perfectly Provocative in Nantucket

My work requires me to spend a bit of time connected to Instagram, which in large doses can feel a bit stifling these days. However, every once in a while, there are certain images that are literally jaw dropping and remind me how the platform can serve as an incredibly seductive escape. This recent post by Steven Gambrel was exactly the provocative visual I needed. How sensational is this Nantucket kitchen? His materials and finishes are always second to none, and I love how the french pastry shelves feels right at home. Intentional, of course.

All images are via Steven Gambrel’s Instagram, @stevengambrel

the best kinds of decisions…

We’ve moved into a new little abode which in part, feels like a miracle. The past few months have been quite the roller coaster of emotions and sheer frenzy of activity. From a Pandemic, to my sister’s wedding getting cancelled, to having a baby, cancelling travel, losing a dog, buying a house, renovating another, and so on, it finally feels good to be settled. I use the world “settled” loosely of course, as we’re living in a sea of cardboard boxes, more construction and fabric swatches on just about every piece of furniture. And it seems the furniture I have ordered thus far won’t arrive until the holidays!

I’m feeling very excited — and a bit overwhelmed — in tackling all of the design decisions that need to be made. From the sweet little screened in porch, to the adult sitting room (this was a big one on my wish list!) and to the baby’s room, there are countless considerations to be made about how we want to use each space and thus, how it will come together. I’m feeling especially drawn to a certain ease and comfort that some of my favorites master so well. I find myself looking to inspiration from Carrier & Company (as classic as they come), Remy Renzullo (he’s having a serious moment right now) and Virginia Tupker (who decorated LSD’s home on Long Island). I’m drawn to block prints, subtle patterns and lots of textures.

Markham Roberts’ new book, Notes on Decorating, arrives today, and perhaps I’ll find some pages to dog ear. And so it continues!

LSD’s dressing room. Design by Virginia Tupker.

Mark Cunningham, Southhampton. See here.

Carrier & Company, Southhampton.

Remy Renzullo:

”The wall and curtain fabrics are cottons from a 200 year old traditional Provençal printer and the floors were hand painted to give the illusion of being faded by the sun.”

Eye Candy

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

The Art of Slowing Down

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.

Bilhuber's Best

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.

Miles Redd x ADKS

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.
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Interior Design by Miles Redd

Photography by Noe DeWitt

Styled by Howard Christian

Alicia

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

MEET MAAIKE OF MAAIKE BERNSTROM PHOTOGRAPHY

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):

Maaike! Your work is so beautiful and I especially love the way you master light. How do you think about light when it comes to your photography?

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.

What are some of the magical components that make a shoot fulfilling for you behind the lens?  

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.

Ideal subject matter? 

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

You honor nature and the outdoors with so much of your work, whether it’s directly or in a subliminal fashion. What do the outdoors represent to you, personally?

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.

We share a similar affection for the state of Vermont and all of the wonderful gifts it brings, especially in the winter. What does an ideal wintry day in Vermont look like for you and your family?

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.

You have a special tie to the Netherlands. Can you share a little bit about this? 

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!

Summer is (almost!) upon us here in Newport. What are some of your favorite things about summertime here in the Newport area?

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.

Can you share with us some of your go-to staples in your farmer’s market shopping basket?

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.

Would you rather... Cocktail harbor cruise in the summer, or fireside nightcap in the winter?

Unfair question haha!  Seriously - I am not sure , can I choose both :)?

Are there other creatives in the New England area you’re championing for at the moment? 

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!

Favorite summer bloom? 

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?!

Quick! You’re hopping on a plane tomorrow to shoot any landscape in the world. Where are you going and what camera equipment are you bringing?

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.

You’ve truly done it all (and so beautifully!) — from lifestyle to weddings, commercial to hospitality, family shoots to fashion. If you could only pick one sector, what would it be?

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

Splatterware

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.

Wild Raspberries for Wild Times

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)