Deborah Berke's Clean and Simple Spaces

The New York-based architect and soon-to-be Yale University School of Architecture dean discusses Japanese aesthetics, good books, and her interior designs for the new 432 Park Avenue.

You championed “the architecture of the everyday.” What does this mean to you?
I championed this 20 years ago when I was commuting regularly up 1-95 to teach at Yale. This philosophy celebrated the beauty and inspiration in everyday life: from the diners we’d pass on the road, to new materials being used for construction. I still believe in unselfconscious design that we can all learn from, but I’m now most interested in designing buildings that are linked to where they are. So much of what gets built today could be anywhere. I’m arguing for architecture that’s specific to place.

You studied at London’s Architectural Association with Rem Koolhaas, Zaha Hadid, and Elia Zenghelis. What impact did this have on your work?
They are all completely fascinating people, but I would have to say that I was the AA that impacted my practice and opened my eyes to a different kind of architecture. There isn’t the same studio culture in the U.K. as in the U.S.—it’s much more about meeting with your critic over there.

How does living in New York inform your preferences for spare spaces and natural materials?
I love New York but because it’s frenetic, dirty, and busy, people want simplicity, clarity, and serenity in their environments. They seek an antidote to the city. In addition to designing minimalist spaces, I tend to gravitate toward natural, clean materials in neutral hues that have integrity to them.

You have said that you have a longitude interest in cities as places where things get made. What cities are particularly interesting and productive today?
Right now we are seeing an explosion in cities where things have traditionally been made or exchanged, and Detroit and Nashville are two prime examples of this. Boutique industries are thriving again—for the creation of musical instruments in Nashville, to the production of everything from belts to chairs to custom bicycles in secondary or tertiary cities. Small-scale production is really thriving again.

Has being a woman in a field dominated by men felt like an impediment? Is the playing field being leveled with time?
For all women architects I know, there is a glass ceiling of a kind. One example: I was recently sitting in business class on an airplane and was asked what I do by the man seated next to me. When I said I was an architect, he immediately asked, “Do you do interiors?” There are lesser expectations for women. In general, there is a lack of diversity in architecture, and women are certainly better represented than many other groups. Architecture is hideously underrepresented of society as a whole.

Your love of boutique hotels has led to an ongoing collaboration with 21c Hotels, a small chain of properties housed in restored historic buildings, in smaller cities. What’s important about these properties?
I came to 21c through an interesting set of circumstances: I had pitched for a project in Louisville that we didn’t get, but one of the principals liked what he heard and asked us to help revitalize that downtown That has led to work on a series of important buildings, from a conversion project in Buffalo that involves an H.H. Richardson building, to an addition to I.M. Pei’s Rockefeller Arts Center at SUNY Fredonia, to a hotel project in a Shreve Lambs & Harmon building in Durham, and an Albert Kahn building in Oklahoma City that were transforming from a Ford plant into a hotel. These are all great buildings that are of a place. We hope to transform them, yet keep them deeply grounded in their sites.

How did being a model influence your design aesthetic? Do you have an appreciation for fashion?
My mother was a lingerie designer and I’ve always had a love of fashion. She was a professor at FIT. Her creative life was an inspiration to me, as was her passion for teaching.

Are you still tied to that world? Narciso Rodriquez is a friend.
Narciso and I had drinks last night, and he gave me a beautiful book on Brazilian modernist architect Lina Bo Bardi. He loves architecture, so we always have that to discuss, as well as art exhibits at the MoMA, Supreme Court decisions, government policies, and politics in general.

Your firm hosts a rotating art program at the studio that showcases work by up-and-coming artists. How is this series curated?
A three-person curatorial committee selects work by older artists, young people, and artwork that runs the gamut from prints for paintings to sculpture and group shows. The common thread is that the art just has to interest us in some way. These exhibitions are good for office morale—very fun for parties, as they add to the studio environment. And they’re a great forum for emerging artists who don’t always have gallery representation.

New York’s Marianna Boesky Gallery, which you designed, is a combination of corrugated metal and concrete, juxtaposed against the High Line. How did the location influence your choice of materials?
The 6,000-square-foot building refers to the industrial, garage like composition of the West Chelsea neighborhood. It is composed of custom concrete blocks and also incorporates glazed white brick and corrugated metal. It was the first building built under the new High Line zoning, and it’s contextual to the surroundings. The interiors of the gallery are austere and muted, all to highlight the art within.

If you were to invite the greats of architecture and design to dinner, whom might you include?
By definition they’d all have to be dead—otherwise I’d just have a dinner party! I’d much rather invite poets, composers, and dancers, as I love talking to people who do things other than what I do. Gertrude Stein and Maria Tallchief would be right at the top of my guest list…

How has your design process evolved from early loft conversions in the 1980s to the collaboration with Rafael Viñoly on 431 Park, currently the tallest building in the western hemisphere?
We are living in cities in very different ways now and the definition of luxury has changed dramatically. Luxury is omnipresent. Much of the work that I do is “whole vision.” We design the building to the furnishings. This project was very different in that way.

Can you elaborate on the exquisite finishes, fabrics, lighting solutions and custom hardware at 432 Park?
Harry Macklowe, the developer, is an old-school modernist and came up to us because he wanted an elegant, understate, spare aesthetic that capitalized on the stunning views in all directions. We took inspiration from the classic apartments of Park Avenue for floor plans and layouts. We looked at the way spaces were traditionally used in terms of general lifestyle and the flow for entertaining in particular. Everything form the herringbone floors, to the baseboards, to the bathrooms with windows that can be seen throughout the half-floor model apartment references the work of historic Park Avenue buildings by the likes of Rosario Candela.

Which artists—and what kind of artwork—would you like to see in these spaces at 432 Park?
The walls here are vast and are designed to take art. In the model apartment there are “Seascape” photographs by Hiroshi Sugimoto, prints by Ellsworth Kelly and Donald Sultan, and the table by Yves Klein. Old Master paintings would work just as well as the light and spaces are so beautiful.

Which building or buildings do you think are the greatest of all time?
It’s hard to narrow it down, but I’m a huge fan of both Eliel and Eero Saarinen, and the First Christian Church in Columbus, Indiana, is among my favorites. The space, light, and materiality all make this sacred building feel not too precious. Louis Kahn’s library at the Phillips Exeter Academy is another great one. The materiality of it has influenced me forever.

What is one place that you’ve traveled to in the past year that really impressed you from a design perspective?
The attention to detail in Japan is incredible. It seems that everything is highly considered, from both a visual and functional perspective. This is true to the architecture, yes, but of every other craft, too. Fabric design, cooking, urban design—they all have a connection to quality and tradition, which is felt even if the idea or expression is new. Naoshima, an art-filled island, is a great example of this.

You famously eschew clutter. What’s an area of your life where you make an exception?
Books. I can’t get rid of them and they line the shelves in both my New York City apartment and at my home in Long Island. From art and architecture tomes, to fiction, to biographies to books about philosophy, I’m an avid collector.

What are the books on your bedside table?
Many at any given time. I’m currently reading the Alexander Hamilton biography by Ron Chernow; Between You & Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen by New Yorker proofreader Mary Norris; and James Salter’s A Sport and a Pastime. Next up will be 1939, a book about the failure of diplomacy to stop World War II. I always have a stack of magazines, too—everything from Vogue and Allure to The Economist and The Nation.

Connor NYC

Superlative hand-engraved stationery

I recently stumbled upon a sleek, elegant stationery brand whose classic yet contemporary designs I have completely fallen for. All Connor NYC’s offerings – including its correspondence paper, cards, place cards and even drinks coasters – are produced at its atelier in France, using custom dies, intricate hand-engraved designs and the world’s finest paper, and then hand-stamped in the US. The results take note writing to a whole other, very opulent level.

I was immediately struck by the exquisitely simple Jupiter cards ($85 for a set of 12) – uniquely oversized in creamy paper and hand-stamped with a raised, tactile copper planet motif. The Celestial cards ($95 for 12) were equally arresting, decorated with a bold gold and green sun/moon icon (which also features on a calendar, $135, complete with a tiny brass easel). Both sets of cards come with tissue-lined envelopes – the former in bright orange, the latter in a delicate nude – and are packaged in Connor’s signature dove-grey boxes and tied with understated grosgrain ribbons. I quickly settled on a box of each; they would make perfect Christmas presents as well as festive missives.

Other lust-worthy designs include Medallion ($85 for 12, pictured) – pearl-coloured cards with copper embellishment, and either contrasting turquoise or complementary green and gold tissue-lined envelopes – and the limited-edition Hand of Fatima cards ($125 for 12). This collaboration with textile designer Madeline Weinrib features a gold icon and hand edging, juxtaposed with a cerise envelope lining. And if you don’t see a design to your liking, Connor also creates bespoke orders.

A 19th-Century Carriage House is Transformed into an Artful Setting for Two Young Collectors

We didn’t want a pristine, untouched space,” says Anamarie “Pink” Pasdar of the 2,800-square-foot carriage house in the Mission that she and her husband, former Apple executive Iain Newton, spent more than a year renovating. “The fact that we didn’t need a car to be in the center of the action was another plus. After years spent living in New York and London, this particular house—with its funky ’70s bohemian vibe and great flow—just felt like home.”

Pasdar and Newton are art collectors, avid travelers, busy parents, cooks and hosts. His family from the U.K. visits frequently, as do the couple’s friends from around the world. So a house with communal spaces for entertaining and a guest room were requisites. After just one meeting, architect Patrick Flynn of Envelope Architecture + Design was selected to realize the duo’s vision for a home that would patina over time. “We wanted materials and finishes that would wear well as they aged—floors that would be enhanced by scuff marks, not flawed,” says Pasdar.

Following LEED guidelines and sourcing locally wherever possible, the couple also worked closely with interior designer Ilaria Ventriglia Burke to create a series of clean, bright spaces that employ natural colors and materials, as well as stark white walls that show off their collection of works by contemporary artists Banksy, Jeremy Evans and Andre Razo to brilliant effect.

In these communal areas, Ventriglia Burke (“an incredibly definitive, Neapolitan decision-maker,” says Pasdar) was able to help the couple incorporate the furnishings, art and mementos gathered from their far-flung adventures. The dining room is a perfect case in point: Floors made of reclaimed wood from an Oregon hops factory coexist with a Milo Baughman table and an eclectic conglomeration of cocoon-like Hannes Wettstein leather chairs by Cassina, as well as with Shaker-esque wooden versions by Britain’s Ercol. Playful 1920s-era crystal chandeliers cast a gentle glow throughout the space where, as Ventriglia Burke points out, “every piece tells a story, and the room is a total mirror of who they are.”

In the lofty master bedroom, it’s all about the high-low mix: A pair of locally made chairs comfortably coexists with Paul Evans side tables of inlaid wood and mirror. An old Sherwin-Williams paint sample board-cum-installation makes for an unexpected centerpiece, while the original fireplace—complete with a disco ball rumored to be from Studio 54 and given as a birthday gift by Newton to Pasdar—adorns the hearth. Artworks include prints from San Francisco gallery Ratio 3 and a series of small, abstract works by Andre Razo that hang next to the minimalist, Matthew Hilton-designed leather bed frame. A ladder serves as functional objet d’art leading to a loft-like storage area above.

A respect for the original structure and its materials carried over to the kitchen where warm bay-laurel floors and gray soapstone and granite countertops set a practical-yet-sleek culinary stage. Even the stairs have stories to tell, and each serves as a gallery for photographs, drawings and prints. “One staircase was stripped down to its original, acid-green paint,” says Ventriglia Burke. “We initially tried to find a runner to cover it, nothing was as beautiful as the original, worn wood.”

Galerie Patrick Seguin opens in London

An exhibition of Jean Prouvé’s prefabs kicks things off with a bang

Paris’ Galerie Patrick Seguin is something of a mecca for those who love 20th-century French design, and on Sunday October 11 it opens its doors in London’s Mayfair, an area rapidly becoming something of a design district.

Much like the Paris gallery, this 65sq m space on Brook Street, next to Claridge’s, will feature an alternating programme of art, architecture and design highlighting the work of French modernists, including Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Jean Royère and Seguin’s speciality Jean Prouvé, an exhibition of whose works opens the space.

This inaugural show (running until Saturday December 19) is dedicated to two of Prouvé’s most important demountable houses – the prefabricated, portable structures he designed in the aftermath of the second world war, when affordable buildings were in short supply. Collectors include Miuccia Prada, Azzedine Alaïa, Maja Hoffmann and Richard Prince, and Seguin is regarded as the foremost dealer – even owning 20 himself. Displaying the built structures in a gallery setting presents a serious challenge, so it’s an ambitious show to open with.

The first house, seen at Design Miami/Basel in June, is an adaptation of Prouvé’s 6x6 Demountable House (1944, €1.25m) by award-winning architecture practice Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners. It combines Prouvé’s original metal and wood structure with added modern conveniences, including a satellite bathroom and kitchen, and solar power. Originally designed to house displaced victims of war in Lorraine, France, the 6x6 will be represented in the gallery by its frame (along with other 6x6 related items) and furnished with midcentury pieces that complement the original aesthetic.

The second ambitious work, Temporary School at Villejuif (1956, €3.5m, pictured), is an asymmetrical structure made of sheet-steel props that support a wooden cantilevered roof. Exhibited earlier this year at Gagosian in New York, this building was the architect’s response to the need for versatile rooms and is considered a milestone of 20th-century architecture and engineering.

“Prouvé was a visionary and his historic and inspiring structures were so ahead of their time,” says Seguin. “The inherent beauty of many of his creations is obvious, but he never claimed his work was intended to be aesthetically pleasing. It is rather the perfect match of form and function. He is, and will remain, a modern icon.”

Bespoke books from Twigg’s Bindery

Commission beautiful tomes with smart spines

“The thing I love about books is that they are a vehicle for self-expression, learning and reflection,” explains Jonna Twigg, founder of Twigg’s Bindery, a Brooklyn-based studiothatproduces leather and fabric journals, hand-stitched with thread and wax-embroidery floss (third picture).

For nearly a decade, Twigg’s Bindery has served the niche binding needs of discerning private clients, as well as museums, including the Smithsonian. Her custom creations (all featuring signature long-stitch, flat binding that makes each one a unique work of art) range from simple diaries to wedding albums using sumptuous silk, suede or rare decorative paper, and books for children – 100 of which were recently created for a family playroom (costing $20,000). “Those children will be expressing themselves through those books for years to come,” says Twigg. “How nice to have the evolution of thought and ability all together in a set of beautiful books that will be a treasure for the children and parents alike.”

From the outset, Twigg has been committed to premium American-made cover materials – vegetable-tanned leather, raw silk, linen or satin – and colourful binding patterns. Commissions (about $200-$3,000) begin with a discussion about size, paper, typeface and palette, and while it’s possible to commission from afar, a visit to the vibrant Fort Greene studio offers the chance to see Twigg’s artisans in action, as well as her stunning swatch board and range of ribbons.

Among the most popular requests are leather journals ($120-$250) featuring 80lb Mohawk Superfine paper (first picture), chosen for its opacity, with binding in hues of cyan, fuchsia or ivory – to name just a few. Each cover can be personalised with embossed messages or initials, and volumes come wrapped in fine-wool/cashmere protective bags. Tone-on-tone fabric-and-thread hardbacks ($120-$180) are a particular speciality; spines in shades of saffron, red or cornflower (second picture) add a pop of colour to a bookshelf.

Modern General store

A Santa Fe emporium of the sensible yet chic

Contemporary takes on the old-school general store are something of a growing trend. One such is Modern General in Santa Fe, New Mexico, which sells assorted tools, kitchen gadgets and other practical odds and ends, all with a sleek farmhouse aesthetic, and also serves the most delicious breakfast in town.

Like any good general store, Modern General stocks the basics: fruit and vegetables from proprietress Erin Wade’s farm in nearby Nambé, New Mexico, barrels of organic and heirloom wheat, gluten-free flours and eco-friendly cleaning supplies. But the airy space is also full of treasures – tasteful, locally sourced ones as well as the finest kitchen accessories from France, Italy and Scandinavia. Los Poblanos soap ($12) – artisanal bars from a farm in Albuquerque – and silverware from France by Guy Degrenne ($35 per setting) were among my favourites. A utilitarian paring knife by Nogent ($16), rolls of Nutscene twine ($9) and a leather-handled Sportman’s axe by Estwing ($51) were all new to me. I left with a couple of jars of local honey ($16), a sculptural cutting board hewn from ancient Tuscan olive trees ($70) and a small hand-hammered copper frying pan ($210) that was crafted in Mexico by the Amoretti Brothers. All the items have been chosen to “spark joy in the user”, says Wade.

This is Wade’s second Santa Fe venture; she is also chef/owner of my favourite lunch spot in the city, the vibrant, design-led Vinaigrette, which serves a chopped salad like no other. Happily, she’s brought some of her signature dishes to MG (as locals call it), such as the Czech kolache pastries and nutrient-packed green juices. The avocado on toast is perfectly delivered and the purple barley porridge can be washed down with single-origin coffee, but perhaps best of all is the atmosphere: convivial and bursting with local colour.

Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Westchester County

The vibe of New York can be draining, so my weekends in Westchester are a restorative necessity. This is where I step away, spend time with family and friends and recharge my batteries. Our home is just an hour outside the city, so weekend escapes are very easy.

Saturday is my day to sleep in – a thing I never do during the week. After starting the day with a matcha green-tea latte and seven-grain toast topped with smoked salmon and avocado, I’ll head to the John Jay Homestead farm market in Katonah to stock up on provisions for the meals I like to cook over the weekend. I am always inspired by what is fresh and I’ll buy whatever vegetables, berries, cheeses and country breads look appealing.  

Our days are centred around being outside, so after a full shop I’ll take my daughter Chloe [15] to Echo Farm, where I’ll ride while she has a lesson. Or we’ll go canoeing on Lake Waccabuc [pictured]; it’s very peaceful and the perfect antidote to the city. Back home, I like to walk in the woods, foraging for wild berries and mushrooms to use in various dishes later.

We’ll have a casual lunch at the house – a roast chicken with simple mixed greens, a tomato salad and sautéed corn. The afternoon is then spent visiting Gossett Brothers Nursery, where I like buying plants and flowers for the house and garden, particularly roses and peonies.

Evenings are our time for trying the great – and varied – cuisine the area has to offer. Blue Hill at Stone Barns is always an incredible experience, with visits to the on-site greenhouse making it even more special. Chef Dan Barber’s signature “vegetables on a fence” features the freshest, simplest ingredients – baby carrots, fennel, tiny radishes – and I know I’m eating food straight from the field. If we feel like seafood, Purdy’s Farmer & the Fish is the place to go, while the relaxed 121 in North Salem serves the best goat’s cheese and caramelised-onion pizza.

For a fun night with friends, we’ll head to Truck for creative New Mexican food and margaritas, or to Campagna at the Bedford Post Inn, where chef Michael White of Marea serves amazing branzino and fusilli with pork ragù. The evening often ends with a nightcap – Hudson Valley whiskey, tequila or a good cold beer – enjoyed next to our outdoor firepit.

I’m always first up on Sunday so I’ll walk the dogs and prepare a breakfast of pancakes, eggs, bacon and fruit for my family. I use this quiet time to check emails from my restaurants. Saturday nights are key in my business and I like to know how my chefs are doing. We’ll then visit the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem, which has 25 endangered red and grey wolves and all sorts of interesting workshops and guided walks – as well as “evening howls”.

Lunch is always a huge spread, with ribs, fish, chicken and vegetables, all cooked on our custom-made stone grill. My wife Marja might make a Korean dish too. Our friends and family – often 12 or more people – like coming over because they’re sure the food will be good and the atmosphere low-key. After that, we’ll do more hiking or canoeing before heading back to the city for an early dinner.

Sunday nights are spent with the whole family, including my two older children – Cedric, the chef at Perry Street, and Louise, the creative force at Chefs Club – and our two grandchildren. By this point, we’re all ready for great sushi, so we’ll go to the sleek EN Japanese Brasserie in West Village or Nobu in Tribeca. My Sundays typically end early – I’m in bed by 9pm – so that I’m rested for the busy week ahead in my kitchens.

Finally! A Hotel We Can Love in Notting Hill

Fathom contributing editor Christina Ohly has lived in London on and off for years. Now based in NYC, she recently checked in to a Victorian townhouse in London's Notting Hill that's been updated with stylish modern charm, a serious art collection, and a killer chef serving snacks behind the bar.

CHECKING IN

Overview

You may know the areas in and around London's W2, W8, and W11 post codes as Kensington and Notting HIll, but I consider them my second home. I've never been able to find anywhere (at least of a certain standard) to stay when visiting, until the recent opening of The Laslett, a chic boutique hotel spread across five gorgeous, stucco-fronted townhouses in Pembridge Gardens. Design-led touches — modernist furniture and fabrics, a curated ground-floor boutique, Samsung LED TVs, and classic British antiques and objets d'art sourced by Jerome Dodd of Les Couilles du Chien — make this unique hotel feel like a cozy home away from home.

Claims to Fame

The lobby, library, bar, and rooms are filled with art by British favorites like Barbara Hulanicki and Barry Kamen, giving the hotel a gallery feel.The Laslett is home to Henderson Bar, named after Russell Henderson, founder of the famed Notting Hill Carnival and creator of the bar's signature rum-based cocktail. Henderson Bar is also where you'll find the culinary genius of Sally Clarke on full, glorious display in her first food foray outside her eponymous restaurant. The overall design is another claim to fame: The Laslett is a collaboration between luxury specialist Living Rooms and interior design firm Waldo Works, who have peppered the rooms with cool custom finishes and contemporary furniture by UK brands like Race Studio and Pinch.

What's on Site

Henderson Bar, which serves as the breakfast room, café, and cocktail lounge, is a lovely place to savor a cup of Workshop Coffee Company's strong brew or take down an orchard (a fresh-pressed apple, lemon, and ginger concoction) with one of Sally Clarke's perfectly flaky pains au chocolat. The library's literary offerings are another bonus, as is the shop's creative mix of jewelry by Les Glorieuses, art tomes, assorted knickknacks, and Neal's Yard Remedies creams and gels.

The Food

There is no formal restaurant, but guests can order platters piled high with Neal's Yard cheeses and charcuterie and Sally Clarke's delicious baked goods and homemade muesli at breakfast. You know parents are behind this operation, as there is a dedicated children's menu offering pizzettes, toasted sandwiches, and ice cream all day. The Laslett is perfect for craft cocktails and heavy hors d'oeuvres, but neighboring restaurants like The Ledbury, Wolfe, and Pizza East are the real culinary draw.

Room with a View

The 51 rooms, including eight suites, are set across five townhouses in a soothing Scandinavian palette on the quiet, tree-lined surroundings of Pembridge Gardens. Master bedroom suites are the way to go: Several have separate living room spaces, making them ideal for families. Double bedrooms offer value for money (as the Brits say) with beautiful finishes like bespoke light fixtures by Nocturne Workshop, sumptuous textiles by Eleanor Pritchard, and a full array of Neal's Yard Remedies and plush robes for use in the state-of-the-art bathroom. Ask for a garden-facing room to capitalize on the great natural light (whenever possible) and absorb the West London neighborhood feel.

This Place is Perfect For

Local color. The Laslett is a gem for design junkies and anyone who wants to feel like they are staying at the home of a stylish, slightly boho British friend. It's perfect for lovers of good literature: Each room is outfitted with copies of Penguin classics like Mrs. Dalloway and The Canterbury Tales.

But Not So Perfect For

Anyone looking for that polished Mayfair five-star experience. The Laslett is all about stylish charm, not fine porcelain and starched linens.

Notting Hill has always been cool, but the W2 area has seen a major resurgence in popularity over the past few years due to its incredible restaurants and cafes, proximity to shops on Westbourne Grove and Ledbury Road, and beautiful parks like Kensington Gardens.

What to Do Nearby

Kids will love Diana Memorial Playground at the top of Kensington Gardens. Anglophiles of all ages should flock to Kensington Palace — Will and Kate's former abode — for tea time at Orangery. Saturday mornings are all about Portobello Market, where dedicated scavengers find all kinds of bits and bobs — antique nautical equipment, hotel silver, vintage toys — before heading to Electric Cinema for lunch and screenings of the latest films in comfy leather chairs.

Food is a major focus in this area, and Granger and Farm Girl are two of the best breakfast spots in any London post code. Book a table at Clarke's on picturesque Kensington Church Street, where Sally Clarke serves unbelievably delicious set menus of Devonshire crab, organic lamb, British and Irish cheeses, as well as trifles, tarts, and decadent chocolate tortes. Books For Cooks remains one of the best foodie bookshops on the planet, and E&O next door is still a great spot for people watching and prawn and chive dumplings.

For more shopping, head to Kensington High Street for the world's best, most civilized Whole Foods, or entertain yourself at nearby Print Room, an eclectic theatre company housed in the iconic Coronet Theatre at Notting Hill Gate.

BOOK IT

Rates start at £275. Click here for reservations.

FIND IT

The Laslett
8 Pembridge Gardens
Notting Hill, London W2 4DU
+44-0-20-7792-6688
reservations@thelaslett.co.uk

Dara Rosenfield Designs a Nob Hill Pied-á-Terre for Carpet Couturier Mark Nelson

"I wanted a luxury hotel suite,” says couture carpet designer Mark Nelson of his first Bay Area home, a petite pied-à-terre atop Nob Hill. He achieved the look and feel of a sumptuous little suite with the help of noted Bay Area interior designer Dara Rosenfeld. Together, the duo transformed a 450-square-foot space into a jewel box of urbane textures and hues, finally giving New York–based Nelson—who for years has traveled regularly to San Francisco to provide exquisite bespoke carpets to the A-list of the city’s interior designers—a stylish residence in San Francisco.

Longtime collaborators and friends, Nelson trusted Rosenfeld’s aesthetic so completely that he put in a bid on the light-filled property sight unseen, based solely upon her recommendation. (A devoted foodie, Nelson was also seduced by the building’s proximity to b. patisserie and Bi-Rite.) The result of their six-month collaboration is a sophisticated space that is serene, intimate and, importantly, turnkey, for the bicoastal designer.

“I grew to love this city—the serious design community that share my aesthetic, my group of friends, all of the fantastic restaurants,” says Nelson. “I wanted a place here to call home.”

To maximize usable space, Rosenfeld conceived of a custom series of hidden closets, utilitarian cubbies and a Murphy bed—complete with bedside tables—that seamlessly merges into the wall. Recessed lighting casts a sleek glow, while custom-made, wall-to-wall European carpets (in a weave that, says Nelson, “looks like a sisal, but with more depth”) were chosen to make the room appear larger. And a stylish, art-filled work niche features a cantilevered walnut desk, with all cords and cables neatly tucked out of the way.

Since the home looks out onto city rooftops, “I wanted colors and finishes that mimicked the light of the dusk in San Francisco,” says Nelson. Rosenfeld adds, “The term ‘greige’ is often overused, but the color works beautifully here, especially when paired with hints of plum and lavender.” She began by wrapping the space in a smoky gray Soie wallpaper by Elitis, and then extended the colorway into sumptuous fabrics: drapes in Osborne & Little’s Oscura woven strié fabric in a khaki hue; sofa upholstered in DeLany & Long Neptune Velvet in Driftwood; and a set of dining chairs in a fine mohair—“our ultimate treasure-hunt find,” says Nelson.

An eclectic mix of contemporary pieces and fine antiques gives the apartment its unique flair. A clean-lined Paul Evans coffee table with silver and gold accents serves as a focal point for the room; a 1950s T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings slipper chair provides a swank spot for reading; a classic Paul McCobb dresser adjoins the sofa; and a striking 1960s French amethyst lamp sourced from Lebreton Gallery adds texture and subtle hue.

“I trust Dara implicitly, so this was the easiest transaction ever,” says Nelson of the renovation. “I was looking for an understated, comfortable environment—with nothing flashy—that I could call my home away from home. This apartment is the yin to my New York yang.”

A version of this article appeared in the September 2015 issue of San Francisco Cottages & Gardens with the headline: Little Luxuries.

Tabitha Simmons talks personal taste: Part One

British stylist-turned-shoe designer Tabitha Simmons brings exquisite craftsmanship and a cool eccentricity to her eponymous label. This year she was voted CFDA Accessories Designer of the Year

My personal style signifiers are a Chanel bouclé jacket, skinny Rag & Bone jeans, and either a white or stripy shirt by Equipment. I pair this go-everywhere outfit with my own pointy boots with a buckle. I also keep my hair very dark and, in true British style, wear it slightly unkempt. www.chanel.com. www.equipmentfr.com. www.rag-bone.com.

The last thing I bought and loved was a dragonfly table by Emile Gallé. I absolutely adore this art nouveau piece and it sits in my living room in my New York house. The mahogany legs are carved like dragonflies and I feel unbelievably lucky to have found it at auction.

Simmons’ Dolce & Gabbana basket-weave box bag | Image: Circe Hamilton

And the thing I’m eyeing next is a pair of diamond bird earrings from SJ Phillips in London. I have been coveting these romantic pieces for some time, and I check on them periodically to make sure they are still there. www.sjphillips.com.

A recent “find” is the Big Sur Bakery in California, a special wood-fired bakery and restaurant set in an old ranch house just off scenic Highway 1. It serves the best open avocado sandwiches on sourdough bread I’ve ever tasted. 47540 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920 (+1831-667 0520; www.bigsurbakery.com).

The last music I downloaded was Stay Gold by the Swedish duo First Aid Kit. I love these girls’ folk-pop sound. They have great personal style, too.

The last items I added to my wardrobe were a basket-weave box bag with red leather trim  and a red and cream dress with pale-pink buttons, both by Dolce & Gabbana. The dress has long sleeves, is quite fitted and cut long, perfect for day or an evening out. www.dolcegabbana.com.

Estée Lauder Double Wear concealer, $24 for 25fl oz

The place that inspires me is the rambling English countryside, particularly Dartmoor in Devon. The granite hilltops, rivers and bogs are beautiful, and the way that the mist rolls in is spooky but magical.

The best gift I’ve given recently was a zipped Chanel tweed and wool pouch, to my business partner’s mother as a thank you present. www.chanel.com.

Dustin Yellin glass-encased sculptures | Image: Circe Hamilton

And the best one I’ve received was a poem in a hand-painted, decorated wood frame given to me by my children at a Mother’s Day tea at their school. It has a very special place on my desk and I cherish it.

The beauty staples I’m never without are Terax Crema Ultra Moisturizing Daily Conditioner for my colour-treated hair – it leaves it softer and more manageable; Touche Eclat by YSL, superb for brightening around the eyes; and Estée Lauder’s Double Wear concealer [pictured], a new favourite that gives excellent coverage. Estée Lauder Double Wear concealer, $24 for 25fl oz; www.esteelauder.com. Terax Crema Ultra Moisturizing Daily Conditioner, from $22 for 200ml; www.beauty.com. YSL Touche Eclat, £25; www.yslbeauty.com.

Simmons’ Alexander McQueen hand-painted, pleated silk skirt | Image: Circe Hamilton

The artists whose work I would collect if I could are Damien Hirst – I love his butterfly paintings; Francis Bacon, whose figurative painting I adore; and Brooklyn artist Dustin Yellin. I have a few of his glass-encased sculptures that resemble objects floating in air – his pieces have an eerie life to them.

Objects I would never part with include my collection of Alexander McQueen dresses and one of his hand-painted, pleated silk skirts that is very special to me; a Dolce & Gabbana gold embroidered jacket given to me by the designers many years ago; and the first shoe from my first collection. It is a black and cream wedge with a black bow and symbolises the realisation of my dreams.

My favourite websites are Moda Operandi for fashion; I love its immediacy – you can see the shows and order pieces right away. I also like Net-a-Porter for quick and easy shopping gratification, the BBC for news, Vogue.com for the latest style updates, and AbeBooks for rare or out-of- print titles. www.abebooks.co.uk. www.bbc.co.uk. www.modaoperandi.com. www.net-a-porter.com. www.vogue.com.

Tabitha Simmons talks personal taste: Part Two

The British shoe designer concludes her list of likes with Game of Thrones, the Italian Riveria and roast beef

My style icons are many: Karen Elson, for whom I named my first shoe; and Sienna Miller, Poppy Delevingne and Alexa Chung, who all have innate, individual style. These women aren’t afraid to take risks and rely on their instincts to make interesting fashion choices.

An unforgettable place I’ve travelled to in the last year is Portofino on the Italian Riviera, which is so beautiful in summer. I stayed at the Hotel Splendido, a spot with the most incredible views of the harbour and the kindest staff, and loved everything about the area – the colourful buildings that line the hillsides, the delicious food, and exploring the surrounding islands, dotted with caves and little coves, by sailboat. Salita Baratta 16, 16034 Portofino (+390185-267 801; www.belmond.com/hotel-splendido-portofino).

Karen Elson | Image: BFAnyc.com/REX Shutterstock

The books on my bedside table are the Game of Thrones series, including A Dance with Dragons, and a stack of National Geographic magazines, which I find quite inspirational; the photography is phenomenal and I love the varied locations and traditional costumes in these pages – I learn about the world here. I also have copies of Katie Grand’s biannual fashion magazine Love and whatever tapestry I am working on; it’s rather granny-like but it’s my new favourite thing.

The last meal that truly impressed me was an incredible English roast served in the oak panelled restaurant at The George hotel in Lincolnshire. It included all my favourite things: roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, potatoes, local vegetables and cauliflower cheese. I could eat this combination of things forever, but this particular meal and the country setting were sublime. 71 St Martins, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 2LB(01780-750 750; www.georgehotelofstamford.com).

My favourite room in my house is my kitchen, which is the centre of our Chelsea home. It’s a bright space with a midcentury-modern feel, dark walnut floors and a central island that is surrounded by Giò Ponti-designed dining chairs.

The people I rely on for personal grooming include Tracie Martyn for regular facials and André at the John Barrett salon for my hair colour; he has a secret formula and I have trusted him for many years. I also go to the Dashing Diva nail salon in Chelsea for regular manicures and pedicures. Dashing Diva, 177 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY 10011 (+1212-620 0200; www.dashingdiva.com). John Barrett Salon, 754 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10019 (+1212-872 2700; www.johnbarrett.com). Tracie Martyn, 101 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10003 (+1212-206 9333; www.traciemartyn.com).

Royal Suite, Four Seasons Hotel, Florence | Image: Barbara Kraft

If I didn’t live in New York, the city I would live in is Florence, ideally in a villa overlooking the Arno. I love the sense of history here, the incredible architecture and artistry. I adore the Uffizi Gallery and the Boboli Gardens and would like to explore both more frequently over time. My shoes are also made in this part of Italy and I would love to be closer to the manufacturing process. I might also stay at the Four Seasons, a meticulously restored former Renaissance palazzo and convent. I visited recently and was blown away by this place: its magnificent 16th-century frescoes, original chapel, and wide-open green spaces and swimming pool that are like oases in the middle of the city. Boboli Gardens, Piazza Pitti 1 (+39055-229 8732; www.polomuseale.firenze.it). Four Seasons Florence, Borgo Pinti 99 (+39055-262 61; www.fourseasons.com). Uffizi Gallery, Piazzale degli Uffizi 6 (+39055-238 8651; www.uffizi.org).

An indulgence I would never forgo is a good massage at The Spa at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park. I don’t have much time for massages when I am at home, but this spa is so relaxing and the therapists so expert that I try to make time for its Oriental Essence massage whenever I’m in town. The facials are wonderful too. £155 for the Oriental Essence massage; Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, 66 Knightsbridge, London SW1 (020-7838 9888; www.mandarinoriental.com).

Hotel Splendido, Portofino | Image: Tommy Picone

The best souvenir I’ve brought home is exquisite white table linens from Taormina in Sicily. I buy textiles wherever I go, and love these simple, handmade tablecloths and napkins with delicate lacework that isn’t too frilly. I like souvenirs that stand the test of time and can be used on a regular basis.

In my fridge you’ll always find almond milk, oranges for making freshly squeezed juice, rocket for salads and ham and cheese for my children’s favourite sandwiches.

If I had to limit my shopping to one neighbourhood in one city, I’d choose London’s Chelsea. I love the original Joseph store for its unique fashion mix, as well as the Chanel boutique on Brompton Road. Then there’s the Rag & Bone and Chloé shops near Sloane Square and Harvey Nichols just up the road in Knightsbridge. If I can include a fraction of Mayfair, SJ Phillips remains my absolute favourite source of antique jewellery. Chanel, 278-280 Brompton Road, SW3 (020-7581 8620; www.chanel.com). Chloé, 152-153 Sloane Street, SW1 (020-7823 5348; www.chloe.com). Harvey Nichols, 109-125 Knightsbridge, SW1 (020-7235 5000; www.harveynichols.com). Joseph, 77 Fulham Road, SW3 (020-823 9500; www.joseph-fashion.com). Rag & Bone, 13-14 Sloane Square, SW1 (020-7730 6881; www.rag-bone.com). SJ Phillips, 139 New Bond Street, W1 (020-7629 6261; www.sjphillips.com).

If I weren’t doing what I do, I would be a film and television set designer. I studied this at university and was offered a job at Pinewood upon graduation, which has always left me wondering what if…  I love the creative energy found on set.

Kris Van Assche talks personal taste: Part One

Belgian designer Kris Van Assche has been bringing exquisite tailoring and technical flair to Dior Homme since 2007

Kris Van Assche | Image: Lea Crespi

My personal style signifier is a Tiffany white gold necklace with a diamond solitaire. It was a gift from my boyfriend who knew I would like the idea of discreet diamonds on a man and the notion that diamonds are forever. It works well with the white dress shirts I wear every day, either with jeans or a suit. www.tiffany.co.uk.

Moynat leather passport holder, £220

The last thing I bought and loved was a leather passport holder from Moynat, which I like so much I have given a few to friends as presents. It is an envelope-shaped case and comes in various colours. They can also emboss it with your initials in a little over an hour. £220;348 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris (+331‑4703 8390; www.moynat.com).

And the things I’m eyeing next are some 1950s French ceramics to add to my collection. I have developed something of an addiction and love pieces – which I find at the big French auction houses like Piasa and Thomas Fritsch, but also at the St-Ouen flea market – by Pol Chambost in particular. Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen, www.marcheauxpuces-saintouen.com. Piasa, 118 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris (+331-5334 1010; www.piasa.fr). Thomas Fritsch, 6 Rue de Seine, 75006 Paris (+331-4326 7712; www.thomasfritsch.fr).

Van Assche’s Adidas Ultra Boost trainers, from £130

The last accessory I added to my wardrobe was a pair of Adidas Ultra Boost trainers in a navy, red and grey argyle pattern. They combine lightweight materials and high performance and are one of my favourite collaborations to date. From£130; www.adidas.co.uk.

The rooftop infinity pool at Rio’s Hotel Fasano | Image: Courtesy Fasano

The last music I downloaded was Narin Yalnizlik by the contemporary post-punk Turkish band She Past Away. I love their 1980s sound – it reminds me of the band Sisters of Mercy – and the Turkish lyrics.

Rinus Van de Velde self-portrait in charcoal, 2012 | Image: Lea Crespi

The last meal that truly impressed me was at L’Acajou in Paris’s 16th arrondissement. I love the simple fresh food – like a starter of delicious “forgotten vegetables” served in a little pot – and the setting, which feels a bit New Yorkish, with one low, sleek, black-lacquer communal table. Both the decor and cuisine are very pure. 35 Rue Jean de la Fontaine, 75016 Paris (+331-4288 0447; www.l-acajou.com).

The people I rely on for personal grooming and wellness are my trainer, nutritionist and best friend Adele, with whom I work out three times a week at the Klay club. I’ve been training with her for 11 years and the gym is a beautiful, industrially designed space. And I’ve had my hair cut by Milan at the gents’ hairdresser Cercle Delacre for years. Cercle Delacre, 17 Avenue George V, 75008 Paris (+331-4070 9970; www.cercledelacre.com). Klay, 4 Bis Rue Saint Sauveur, 75002 Paris (+331-4026 0000; www.klay.fr).

If I didn’t live in Paris, the city I would live in is Rio. For work there is no other city than Paris, but for great weather and nice people it is hard to beat Brazil. I like Ipanema’s sleekly designed Hotel Fasano, with its rooftop infinity pool; the Oscar Niemeyer-designed Niterói Contemporary Art Museum overlooking the bay and city beyond; and restaurants like Rubaiyat, with its excellent grilled steaks served overlooking the Botanical Garden. Rio provides a welcome change of pace from the Parisian fashion world. Hotel Fasano, Avenida Vieira Souto 80, Ipanema (+5521-3202 4000; www.fasano.com.br). Niterói Contemporary Art Museum, Mirante da Boa Viagem, Niterói (+5521-2620 2400; www.macniteroi.com.br). Rubaiyat Rio, Rua Jardim Botânico 971 (+5521-3204 9999; www.rubaiyat.com.br).

The one artist whose work I would collect if I could is the Belgian Rinus Van de Velde. I love his enormous charcoal drawings and have altered a wall in my apartment to accommodate one. His pieces seem radically new and yet somehow traditional; I’d like to own more, but I’d need to move to a bigger place.

An object I would never part with is a letter from my grandmother. We were extremely close. She was in good health until the age of 94, but I think she sensed she would decline thereafter so it’s a goodbye of sorts.  

My favourite websites are France’s Le Figaro and De Standaard for all the news from Belgium; I moved away 17 years ago, but like to stay informed. And 1stdibs and eBay for sourcing ceramics from all over the world. www.1stdibs.com. www.ebay.com. www.lefigaro.fr. www.standaard.be.

Radice Apothecary’s hydrating Myrrh Cream

A rich moisturiser with an equally rich Tuscan history

To my long list of Tuscan favourites I have recently added Radiće Apothecary – an under-the-radar organic brand, owned by third-generation Italian pharmacist and herbalist Jasmine Urzia. And it is her Myrrh Cream ($75 for 30ml, pictured) that I am particularly fond of.

After being tipped off about this ultra-lightweight anti-ageing lotion, I have been using it morning and night. The artisanal blend comprises myrrh resin (infused with oils and left to bake in the Italian sun), sandalwood, extracts of avocado and rosehip (which help strengthen skin), shea butter, vitamin E, hemp and jojoba oils. It also contains St John’s wort, a key skin-healing component. Myrrh Cream has a thin, almost milky texture, and I’ve been delighted with its hydrating effects, especially around my eyes.

Although Urzia is now based in New York, she is carrying on the family tradition started by her grandmother, crafting every lotion herself in small batches – all containing organic ingredients from the same Tuscan garden. Radiće Apothecary products are not widely available, nor are they sold online – you have to place an order via email. But as Urzia likes to personally connect with her customers, and even encourages email exchanges about everything from the anti-wrinkle properties of hemp oil to the use of black cumin-seed oil to treat eczema and rosacea, this only adds to the experience. As do the simple 1oz brown jars and bottles, which, helpfully, are airline-approved.

Inna Jam’s curious condiments

A site jam-packed with curious preserves, pickles and chutneys

Those with a penchant for curious condiments will rejoice at the discovery of Inna Jam, a California-based e-purveyor of conserves, pickles, chutneys and shrub (a fruit tipple dating from the colonial era), all costing $13.50 each for 10oz. This streamlined site delivers seasonal condiments made from sustainably grown fruit sourced within 150 miles of the company’s kitchen and containing no added herbs or flavourings.

Jars of unexpected Californian crossbreeds include Flavor King Pluot, a native fruit that is a sharp and sweet mix between a plum and an apricot, and Tayberry, a tart raspberry/blackberry, while purebreeds include Obsidian Blackberry, Blenheim Apricot, Damson Plum and Black Mission Fig.

Most popular is a seriously spicy Jalapeño Jam. Served with hors d’oeuvres or employed as a glaze for meat, it uses an entire chilli pepper for added intensity. For those looking for a milder option, try the Not Too Spicy Hungarian Pepper Jam, while Apricot Chutney has a ginger and coriander kick that pairs well with cheeses and charcuterie. Customised sets (a year’s supply of jam costs $150, or there are six jars for $83, four jars for $56 and two jars for $29) make great gifts.

Further foodie delights await at Yumbles, a delectable online farmers’ market, or check out delicious Crown Maple syrups from New York.

Designer Kimberly Ayres and Architect Ken Linsteadt Create a Picture-Perfect Mill Valley Home

Photography by John Merkl

On a charming, tree-lined street in Mill Valley sits a home that melds a traditional, East Coast shingle-style aesthetic with Northern California ease and accessibility. “The house is located in a neighborhood of Craftsman bungalows and clean-lined cottages,” explains architect Ken Linsteadt, “and the owners wanted a casually elegant home that would fit nicely into the tight-knit community.”

The result is a 3,100-square-foot, cedar-clad house where, notes Linsteadt, “a subtle, weathered-gray and white palette is predominant.” With interiors by noted Bay Area designer—and Kelly Wearstler alumna—Kimberly Ayres, the property has a classic feel, but features a mix of contemporary furnishings and unexpected flourishes of color. The surrounding landscape also plays a starring role: “All of the main public spaces flow out to the sun, garden and creek beyond,” explains Linsteadt of the L-shaped house that forms a south-facing courtyard.

This study in contrasts and exquisite finishes begins in the airy entry foyer and continues down a soothing, central front hall featuring floors hewn from French white oak and layered with an oriental rug “that is elegant, yet has a fresh, modern graphic at the same time,” says Ayres. Pendant fixtures by Palmer Hargrave are also new, but their design pays homage to the past. Ayres delights in blending antique elements with modern pieces, and nowhere is this more felt than in the family’s living room, where an exquisite 19th-century French limestone fireplace serves as the focal point. A sumptuous sofa swathed in a classic chocolate-brown Bennison fabric is juxtaposed with velvet cushions in a bright cerulean blue by Travers, while a custom chair in a striking shade of coral adds yet another punch of color.

The dining room is an extension of Linsteadt and Ayres’ approachable design philosophy and feels “cozy and communal,” says Ayres, “not overly formal or underutilized.” Chocolate-brown grasscloth by Phillip Jeffries wraps the room, giving it an intimate atmosphere. Upholstered Henredon chairs—as well as a pair of RH armchairs customized by Ayres—provide plush, comfortable seating, and a bay window functions as both a buffet and rotating gallery space for the family’s porcelain.

Upstairs, the master suite is painted in muted hues. “They wanted a quiet, calm oasis overlooking the trees,” says Ayres, who focused on integrating family pieces—a Baker bed and upholstered headboard; a dresser that was stripped and refinished—while enhancing the space with bespoke Italian bed linens and throws by Sue Fisher King. “Although there are classic design elements and materials, it has an approachable feel at the same time,” explains Linsteadt. “I think it strikes a nice balance.”

A version of this article appeared in the September 2015 issue of San Francisco Cottages & Gardens with the headline: Charmed Life.

Albertine

Rare first editions and a Renaissance night sky single out this opulent New York bookshop dedicated to French literature

Tucked inside the historic Payne Whitney mansion near Manhattan’s Museum Mile is an exquisite jewel box devoted to classic and contemporary books – some 14,000 of them – with a tie to French literature. Albertine, named after Proust’s object of affection in Remembrance of Things Past, has gained a loyal following, and cultured New Yorkers flock to this Upper East Side gem for its expansive inventory. “We have a mix of fiction and non-fiction as well as some very rare first editions,” says founder Antonin Baudry (right in first picture). “We choose titles that work for a New York audience but are emblematic of France and French culture.”

Conceived as a grand private library, Albertine is set within a Stanford White‑designed landmark, its Italian Renaissance interior reimagined by master of opulence Jacques Garcia. Sofas in deep green velvet and decorative objets sourced from Paris’s renowned Les Puces are interspersed with busts of great figures of French-American culture – Descartes, Benjamin Franklin and Voltaire – that have been crafted by the workshops of the Musée du Louvre.

Image: Weston Wells

The star of the show – quite literally – is the magnificent ceiling mural on the second floor, a Renaissance sky of handpainted constellations and planets in brilliant blue and gold, inspired by the bedroom of Lorenzo de’ Medici and the Villa Stuck in Munich. “This is a Gilded Age mansion with a destination bookshop,” says Baudry. The building has housed the cultural services of the French Embassy since 1952, and Albertine launched with the support of LVMH, Van Cleef & Arpels and many others last year.

On the floor-to-ceiling shelves, filled by shop director François-Xavier Schmit (left in first picture), visitors will find philosophy classics by Foucault and de Montaigne and crime fiction by John le Carré; foodie books from Julia Child’s classics to Note-by-Note Cooking ($25) by molecular gastronomist Hervé This; and children’s favourites including Tintin, Asterix, Babar and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince ($13).

There are also coffee-table tomes on art (Picasso et les écrivains by Serge Linarès, $254, second picture, and L’histoire de Parispar la peinture by Georges Duby, $485) and fashion (Dior Couture by photographer Patrick Demarchelier, $125, and No 5 Culture Chanel, $175), celebrating the heritage of storied maisons.

A beautifully illustrated, seven-volume set of the Ramayana ($1,283) by French publisher Diane de Selliers is exclusive to Albertine in the US, while rare first editions such as Simone de Beauvoir’s Les Mandarins ($2,000) and Gustave Flaubert’s 1862 Salammbô ($1,400) are displayed in elegant glass vitrines commissioned for Albertine’s quiet reading niche. A well‑subscribed monthly book club enthusiastically led by Monsieur Baudry and a dynamic speaker series complete Albertine’s wide-ranging, thought-provoking offerings.

“I want this to be a place where people discover life-changing books,” says Baudry. “We hope to expose them to new ideas. We also encourage people to linger – Albertine is more like a reading room with a till than a commercial bookshop.” For a bit of France on Fifth Avenue, look no further.

For another beguiling bookshop, see the flagship Maison Assouline in London’s Piccadilly, complete with a bespoke library service and fashionable swan bar, or for more rare finds for the discerning bibliophile, see Los Angeles’ Arcana Booksfor a chic destination shop stocked with design and fashion tomes and out-of-print titles.

Donna Karan talks personal taste: Part One

Designer Donna Karan recently stood down from the eponymous empire she founded over 30 years ago to focus on her philanthropic initiative, Urban Zen

My personal style signifiers are a black cashmere scarf and a bold artisan necklace made of wood or stone. The scarf is a way of life for me; it’s a security blanket, a luxurious piece to throw on my shoulder or wrap around myself if I get cold. The necklace – often something I pick up in Haiti from craftswoman Pascale Théard – adds that element of soul and individuality. www.pascaletheard.com.        

Karan’s Urban Zen coat | Image: Dorothy Hong

The best gift I’ve given recently was a Ross Bleckner painting called Treasury of Light (Black), to my daughter Gabby. It is a large oil-on-linen piece that looks like a starburst in the dark night sky. I adore Bleckner – for his art and as a friend. We went to Hewlett High School together and have stayed in touch. Mary Boone Gallery, 541 W 24th St, New York, NY 10011 (+1212-752 2929; www.maryboonegallery.com).

And the best one I’ve received is time off. At this point in my life, this is the most precious gift of all.

Florblanca resort, Costa Rica. | Image: Peter Artemenko

The last item of clothing I added to my wardrobe was a slouchy chocolate-brown suede coat from Urban Zen [the label that helps fund her foundation]; I love the softness of suede. I have also ordered a striking gold metallic and black velvet embroidered evening coat from my autumn 2015 collection – a benefit of having my own label. It’s a forever piece. www.donnakaran.com. www.urbanzen.com.

Tutto Il Giorno restaurant, Long Island. | Image: Erik Striffler

A recent “find” is a private house in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, which was recommended to me by the wonderful manager at the Florblanca resort just next door. Holidays are risky when it’s a new place, but everything about this villa was perfection. The house was comfortable, the views were stunning, and the location – right on the beach – was heavenly. Our days were spent doing yoga, eating at great restaurants and racing quad bikes across the sand. Florblanca, two miles north of Frank’s Place, Santa Teresa (+506-2640 0226; www.florblanca.com).

The Zohar

The people I rely on for personal grooming are the same people I’ve been working with forever: Berta Camal at Jed Root who does my make-up in a low-key way, and Joyce Cohen who cuts and styles my hair. They know me and I trust them completely, even when we experiment with new looks. Berta Camal at Jed Root, 333 Seventh Ave, New York, NY 10001 (+1212-226 6600; www.jedroot.com).

Who Will Comfort Me by Melody Gardot.

The last meal that truly impressed me was at Tutto Il Giorno on Long Island, where I loved both the food and atmosphere. Everything is fresh, simple and southern Italian in style, and the burrata with tomatoes, penne with eggplant, and cartoccio – beautiful local fish baked in parchment paper with roasted-tomato vinaigrette – were all exceptional. 56 Nugent St, Southampton, New York, NY 11968 (+1631-377 3611; www.tuttoilgiorno.com).

The one artist whose work I would collect if I could is Francis Bacon. I have a few of his works, but I’d like more. I surprised my late husband Stephan with an enormous Bacon painting, as he was his favourite artist – and now he’s mine too.

The books on my bedside table are The Zohar – I’m a Kabbalist and this spiritual book is an endless source of comfort and inspiration – and my journal, which contains my to-do lists, my calendar and the sketches and ideas that strike at all times of the day and night.

My favourite room in my house is the spa in each of my homes. I have one in my Manhattan apartment, a yoga hut in Parrot Cay and a whole spa house in East Hampton. In each case, their design was an integral part of the overall space, because for me a spa is an essential.

The last music I downloaded was songs used in my autumn 2015 show. Our “music curator” Kevin Edwards always picks great tracks that become my playlist until the next season. Favourites include Kandace Springs’ Love Got in the Way, Lipbone Redding’s Sixteen Tons, and Melody Gardot’s Who Will Comfort Me. Each one has a soulful rhythm and beautiful lyrics.

My favourite websites are 8, a new video platform launched by my friend Sonja Nuttall that allows users to keep 80 per cent of the advertising money from the site, and Citizen Brooklyn, which focuses on this New York borough’s emerging creative community. www.citizenbrooklyn.com.www.weare8.com.

Discover the personal style files of other creatives with philanthropic clout, such as disaster-relief- housing architect Shigeru Ban and ethical jewellery designer Pippa Small.

Donna Karan talks personal taste: Part Two

The fashion designer’s compendium of passions includes the great energy of Costa Rica and Orange County’s best clothing boutique

The last things I bought and loved were artisanal textiles from the open-air markets surrounding the Seminyak area of Bali. I love, love, love artisan pieces – jewellery, clothing, decorative objects; when I travel, it’s these handmade pieces that stop me. You feel the spirit of the person who made them, the craft culture that has been passed from generation to generation. It connects the past, present and future.

And the thing I’m eyeing next is a vacation – to Cuba and Colombia. I value travelling and experiences more than anything and love to seek out the new and undiscovered. I always say my favourite place is the one I haven’t been to and these two are next on my bucket list.

Birdman, by Stephan Weiss | Image: Colin Hofman

An object I would never part with is my late husband Stephan’s collection of artwork. I have so much of it in my home and also at my philanthropic foundation, the Urban Zen Center. There’s nothing more personal to me. My very favourite piece is called Birdman, a brass sculpture that looks like it’s taking flight. Urban Zen Center, 711 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10014 (+1212-414 8520; www.urbanzen.org).

An unforgettable place I’ve travelled to in the past year is Costa Rica. I went with my daughter Gabby, her husband Gianpaolo, and their children Stefania and Sebastino. It was my first time there and I loved it. Each gorgeous place was so understated but also had great energy. The country is raw and untravelled in many places and I adored the adventure of getting into an open Jeep and exploring the dirt roads with monkeys swinging from the trees above. I particularly loved Playa Hermosa in Santa Teresa, where I watched my grandchildren surf; Koji’s, a Japanese restaurant right on the beach; and Couleur Café for its fresh juices. The food was exceptional everywhere we went – Playa de los Artistas in Montezuma was another favourite – and I can’t wait to return. Couleur Café, main access road to Playa Hermosa, Santa Teresa (+506-2640 0677). Koji’s Restaurant, 400m south of Hermosa Valley School, Playa Hermosa, Santa Teresa (+506-2640 0815). Playa de los Artistas, Montezuma (+506-2642 0920).

And the best souvenir I’ve brought home is peace of mind. Time with my family does that for me. I take on many projects, professionally and philanthropically, and it’s hard for me to let go. To be in a place like Costa Rica was a true vacation. The phone reception was bad so I couldn’t be in constant contact, which turned out to be a great thing.

An indulgence I would never forgo is yoga. I practise every morning – either privately in my apartment if I’m in the city, or at Yoga Shanti in Sag Harbor when I’m in the Hamptons. It’s an indulgence because I have to squeeze it into my busy schedule, but it’s the calm in the chaos of the day that awaits me. Yoga Shanti, 32 Bridge Street, Sag Harbor, New York, NY 11963 (+1631-725 6424; www.yogashanti.com).

Obsolete antiques shop in New York

If I didn’t live in New York, the city I would live in is LA. It is the closest lifestyle to New York and all my friends live there. A perfect day includes a walk on the beach in Malibu; a drive along the Pacific Coast Highway; and exploring the antiques shop Obsolete, where I always find pieces to buy, and A’maree’s, a favourite fashion boutique in Orange County with a brilliant edit. In the evenings I usually hang out at my friends’ homes, but I also love a good dinner out – with great people watching – at either Nobu or Chateau Marmont on Sunset Boulevard. A’maree’s, 2241 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach (+1949-642 4423; www.amarees.com). Chateau Marmont, 8221 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood(+1323-656 1010; www.chateaumarmont.com). Nobu Los Angeles, 903 North La Cienega Boulevard (+1310-657 2900; www.noburestaurants.com). Obsolete, 11270 West Washington Boulevard, Culver City (+1310-399 0024; www.obsoleteinc.com).

In my fridge you’ll always find ingredients for my green juice. I love the fresh taste and it packs in so many important daily nutrients. I have a glass every morning and take a flask or two to work to get me through the day. You’ll also find salmon for poaching, various homemade soups and eggs for my morning egg-white omelettes.

Chiltern Firehouse | Image: Nicholas Kay

If I had to limit my shopping to one neighbourhood in one city, I’d choose Belgravia and Mayfair in London; I really only shop when I travel. I love Egg for its eclectic mix of eastern-inspired clothing and emerging designers, and Dover Street Market for six storeys of fashion finds, art installations and new ideas. After shopping, Chiltern Firehouse is a new favourite for its vibrant atmosphere and I love Scott’s for its classic fresh seafood. At the end of the day, I adore retreating to The Halkin, which is a home away from home and holds so many memories for me. Chiltern Firehouse, 1 Chiltern Street, W1 (020-7073 7676; www.chilternfirehouse.com). Dover Street Market, 17-18 Dover Street, W1 (020-7518 0680; www.doverstreetmarket.com). Egg, 36 Kinnerton Street, SW1 (020-7235 9315; www.eggtrading.com). The Halkin by Como, 5-6 Halkin Street, SW1 (020-7333 1000; www.comohotels.com/thehalkin). Scott’s, 20 Mount Street, W1 (020-7495 7309).

The sites that inspire me are views of the ocean in the Hamptons in spring and summer, and in winter, the sunset against New York’s ever-changing skyline. I will stop my car to get out and inhale the beauty of a sunset; I particularly love the view from a spot on the West Side Highway near Stephan’s apple sculpture.

Young Living Thieves Essential Oil Supplement, £37.50 for 15ml

The beauty staples I’m never without are the essential oils that I use for everything – as scent, as a massage oil, and to set the olfactory atmosphere in both private and public spaces. I use Young Living Essential Oils, where the spicy, woody Thieves is my favourite. I also love the more calming lavender version. £37.50 for 15ml; www.youngliving.com.

If I weren’t doing what I do, I would be on the back of a motorcycle, going from one artisan village to another, supporting and developing their trade and bringing it to the world. I’d publish my journal about this alternative life and call it My Motorcycle Diaries.  

Stunning Opulence in Arty Aix-En-Provence at Villa Gallici

If exceedingly elegant and luxurious travel is your style, then add Villa Gallici in Aix-En-Provence to your increasingly long list. (Don't you love us for how we help you with that list?) Fathom contributing editor Christina Ohly visits and finds the renovated beauty even better than expected.

CHECKING IN

Overview

AIX-EN-PROVENCE, France – Just a 15-minute walk from the bustling Cours Mirabou in the heart of Aix, you'll find the 22-room, ultra-luxe, terra cotta dream that is Villa Gallici. The original 18th-century palazzo-inspired building has been lovingly restored by the Italian Baglioni Hotels group and is also part of the Relais & Châteauxconsortium, so every Mediterranean touch feels just right — from the extremely friendly and knowledgeable concierges (none of my bizarre questions about faience shopping proved too much for them) to the refined Provençal cuisine served on the restaurant's atmospheric terrace. Villa Gallici is the perfect oasis from which to explore neighboring Romanesque churches, Mont Sainte-Victoire (Cézanne's inspiration), and some of the most vibrant outdoor markets in the south of France.

Claim to Fame

One of the villa's main draws is the plane tree-shaded piscine. A huge plus in the searing summer heat, it's an ideal spot to while away a lazy afternoon. A day at the pool will leave you refreshed for Villa Gallici's stellar cuisine and the vast wine list overseen by maitre d'hotel Stephane Gilbert, who is happy to arrange tastings throughout the gardens and guide guests through the villa's extensive cellars.

What's on Site

Villa Gallici is set amid seven lush acres of jasmine- and lavender-laden gardens with secret pathways and an incredible statuary collection. So good is the cache of bronze sculptures here that you can almost count this as a cultural excursion and therefor be forgiven for just parking it on property. The villa's refreshing pool — with its brilliant red umbrellas — and the small but fantastic spa (treatments include cryosurgery and Guinot facials) are thoroughly restorative. If you're feeling the need to burn off a little of last night's seared foie gras (don't miss this indulgence), the hotel's recently added fitness facility will put you through a light workout.

The Food

People flock from near and far to sample the creative, locally sourced cuisine in the formal restaurant and the more casual fare served on the relaxed candle-lit terrace. While all of the cooking is rooted in a classic French style — local poached fish, roasted lamb, delicately fried zucchini, and ice cream flavored with anise — there is an emphasis on beautiful vegetables as well as lighter sauces and preparations.

If you have only one meal here, make it the expansive breakfast spread on the patio beside spectacular, 100-year-old cypress trees. Lavender honey, crispy croissants with local jams, and delicious cappuccinos are a fantastic way to start the day. (Throw in their perfect egg white omelette, and this could be my Death Row meal.)

In the Room

Check your modernist aesthetic at the door and embrace the sumptuous, Louis XV surroundings found in many of the 22 rooms, suites, and communal sitting spaces. Each of the recently renovated rooms features toile, chintz, and seriously luxurious linens. Well-stocked minibars mean cold Diet Cokes and salty snacks are within range, and the technology — WiFi, TVs (sacre bleu!) — is top-notch, as expected by the Villa's discerning, ever-connected clientele.

This Place Is Perfect For

Maximalists of all ages. Families, newlyweds seeking seclusion, foodies, and lovers of art history will all rejoice at this ornate hospitality extravaganza.

But Not So Perfect For

Minimalists. One must embrace the slight ostentation and revel in the gilt finishes and multiple shades of crimson at every turn.

Room with a View

Every room affords a view onto the exuberant gardens, but the Superior 8 room — with its four-poster bed and hand-painted wallpaper — is among the best. On my next visit, I hope to stay in Suite 20, a split-level space with an upstairs living room swathed in soothing, cream-colored hues with the scent of orange blossoms filling the air.

CHECKING OUT

What to Do Nearby

You won't want to ply yourself away from this cosseting premises, but you must for the historical, culinary, and retail discoveries that await.

Start with a visit to the cloisters at Aix's Cathédrale Saint-Saveur before wandering the city streets that inspired Cézanne, Camus, and Hemingway, among many other artistic and literary greats. The Saturday outdoor markets, with their piles of lavender, mushrooms, gorgeous eggplant, and locally produced chèvre and honey, are full of local flavor, as is the Musée Granet, with its outstanding collection of nine paintings by local hero Paul Cézanne. Another worthy detour is Atelier Paul Cézanne, a light-filled studio that looks as if the Impressionist artist were recently in residence.

The nearby Sextius Thermal Baths are the place to take restorative hydrotherapy treatments, followed by a meal and a digestif at La Rotonde, or at Brasserie des Deux Garcons, an institution in Aix that is the ideal spot for sipping pastis and watching the world pass by.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

How to Get Here: If you're coming by train from Paris, Aix is an easy ride on the high-speed TGV. If you're flying, Marseilles Provence Airport (MRS) is the closest airport. It's nine miles from the train station and sixteen from the airport to Villa Gallici.

BOOK IT

Rates start at €205. Click here for reservations.

Hôtel de Tourrel, Provence

A boutique bolthole housed in a 17th-century palais complete with rooftop pool and gourmet restaurant

When I think of the sun-soaked village of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, images of Van Gogh, fields of lavender and sweet calissons – the local nougatine treats – all spring to mind.

Design-led hotels that are as chic as anything one might find in Paris haven’t always been synonymous with these historic streets, and so I was delighted to discover the Hôtel de Tourrel housed in a 17th-century palais on a recent visit to the area.

We took refuge from the midday heat in the restaurant (first picture), where the Mediterranean-inspired menu is overseen by chef Benoit Fauci (formerly of the Michelin-starred Les Chênes Verts in Tourtour) and changes weekly in accordance with market finds. Chef Fauci works exclusively with village suppliers to create three-course meals at lunch (€48, with cheese or dessert) and dinner (€58), only offering two options for each course, each one executed deftly.   

Our meal began with a charcuterie plate for sharing, followed by a soup of onions and green vegetables topped with an egg parfait. Slices of tender cabillaud(cod) with brightly coloured piperade was another standout dish. The garnishes were as beautiful as they were tasty, with delicate tempura-battered blossoms and fennel slaw adding an unexpected edge to more traditional dishes such as duck. The fruitcake with homemade glacé and wild strawberries was outstanding.

After our meal, owners Margot Stangle and Ralph Husgen – an architect and advertising executive who have lovingly restored the exquisite property – let me peek into a few of the seven suites (from €350-€690, July and August, example second picture). Light and airy, original features – such as Strecco – have been kept, but whitewashed walls, parquet floors and a midcentury aesthetic lend a hip, streamlined vibe. Atop the building sits a rooftop pool that’s temptingly plungeworthy.

Had I known about this boutique bolthole sooner, I most certainly would have booked a stay, but as it is, the Hôtel de Tourrel gives me reason to return.

For alternative places to stay in Provence, try Domaine de Baume, or for something a bit more sporty in the region, this outstanding golf clinic would be worth a visit.