Tara Bernerd talks personal taste: Part One
Interior designer Tara Bernerd is chairman of her eponymous design company. Her latest project is a 47m Turkish superyacht.
Tara Bernerd in her Knightsbridge office. | Image: Jude Edginton
My personal style signifier is a large three-part “Bondage” ring by Loree Rodkin that I wear every day. It has lots of attitude to it. Loree came to my house in London several years ago, emptied her Kelly bag full of jewellery on my bed, and I selected it from the wonderful pile. It isn’t very conventional, but neither am I. Browns, 24-27 South Molton Street, London W1 (020-7514 0016; brownsfashion.com). www.loreerodkin.com and see Browns.
The last thing I bought and loved was a lens table by B&B Italia. I recently moved and had very little furniture, so I needed a dining and work table quickly. I wandered into the Brompton Road showroom and they had the table on hand and let me take it right off the floor. My white and glass version serves as the centrepiece in my new home. From £438; 250 Brompton Rd, London SW3 (020-7591 8111; www.bebitalia.it).
A Murano-glass vase from Talisman, £345.
And the thing I’m eyeing next is a 1940s or 1950s Murano-glass ashtray or vase from Talisman. I collect these chunky, sculptural pieces and I follow the inventory to see what has come up. Ashtrays, from £260; vases, from £345; 79-91 New King’s Road, London SW6 (020-7731 4686; www.talismanlondon.com).
An unforgettable place I’ve travelled to in the last year is Göcek in southern Turkey. I sailed with a group of friends on a gulet called Cobra King through stunningly beautiful turquoise waters. This part of Turkey is truly untouched and magical; our chef cooked wonderful local delicacies such as menemen, a scrambled egg dish with tomatoes. The whole scene was like an opulent Dutch painting, complete with terracotta scenery and the scent of sweet pine. From €21,000 a week through Inter Yacht Charter (020-8099 5941; www.interyachtcharter.com).
The beauty staple I’m never without is Yves Saint Laurent lipstick Rouge Volupté #2, a creamy-beige hue that is increasingly difficult to find. The other is Boudoir by Vivienne Westwood, a perfume that was given to me by a friend when I was 19 years old, and that I’ve worn ever since. £50 for 50ml; www.viviennewestwood.co.uk. £23.50; www.yslbeauty.co.uk.
The last item of clothing I added to my wardrobe was a white Alexander McQueen smoking-type jacket. I will wear it for evening this summer – it will look perfect paired with Rick Owens jeans and a James Perse T-shirt. 4-5 Old Bond Street, London W1 (020-7355 0088; www.alexandermcqueen.com).
A bay off Göcek, Fethiye, Turkey. | Image: Alamy
A recent “find” is the restaurant La Bodega Negra. The whole thing is clever, from the hidden entrance via a “sex shop” to the authentic, old-school Mexican feel of the space. It is edgy yet intimate – and feels like an escape to New York City really, due to its lack of formality and interesting clientele. The margaritas and roast chicken are fantastic. 9 Old Compton Street, London W1 (020-7758 4100; labodeganegra.com).
The last music I downloaded was Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol. I Shazamed it from TV; I thought it was a pensive song and I like listening to it in quieter moments. www.shazam.com.
Lens tables by B&B Italia, from £438.
The books on my bedside table are varied, and are usually historical, or fiction. I am currently reading The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, which I love for its look into society. Atlas Shrugged is always on my bedside table in Switzerland; I love Dagny’s quote about the “exhilaration of action”, which I can relate to.
In my fridge you’ll always find… not very much! Not even water, as I prefer it at room temperature. You might find Diet Coke, or fennel, which I like raw with olive oil and a bit of salt. On occasion there will also be salad greens and fresh parmesan cheese.
Boudoir by Vivienne Westwood, £50 for 50ml.
The best gift I’ve received recently is a pair of Troy Lee-designed Rossignol skis. I am an avid skier and getting these fluorescent-pink carving beauties made me feel like I was 12 years old again. www.rossignol.com.
My favourite websites are 1st Dibs, for the mix of antiques from both the UK and the US; Stylepark, a search engine for design; and MyDeco, full of home things from my good friend Brent Hoberman. I also love his site Made.com, for great deals in design. www.1stdibs.com. www.made.com. www.mydeco.com. www.stylepark.com.