I’ve been working on a home project lately. It started with remodeling my sons’ bedrooms and as it progressed, opened my eyes to a few other spots that could use attention – upholstery, window coverings, new linens, towels, throws. I’ve been to LA a few times recently to shop fabric and wallpaper and I’m remembering how much I enjoy the in-person experience. The showrooms are inspiring in a way a website just isn’t. Coming home with a bag of samples provides immediate gratification of knowing if something is right.
That same energy has carried over into clothes. I’ve been enjoying local stores, trying things on, seeing how a color reads. Shopping online will always have its place from a point of pure convenience but balancing both gives me complete options. Here’s what I’ve been looking at.
In the LA showrooms, I found new fabrics that work beautifully with wallpaper samples I’ve held onto for years. Jasper’s Indian Flower is one and I think this project will open the opportunity to finally put this beautiful pattern to use. I like mixing organic and floral patterns with a geometric and found a textured Jane Churchill open square as a possible fabric for a headboard. My creativity is always sparked after a visit to a few favorite showrooms – Jasper, Hollywood at Home, and Niki Kehoe. A mix of what those three represent is very much my style.
After showroom shopping, online fills in some of the areas I’d like to refresh. Bedding and towels for starters. Certain brands are repeat buys so that’s an easy fix. The percale sheets from Boll & Branch have been a standard in my home for years. I like a crisp sheet and love how these maintain that fresh hand. I’m replacing bedding in the boys’ rooms with the setup they prefer – no flat sheet – and I appreciate Boll & Branch selling that exact bundle. No wasted top sheet that will never be used. I go through towels far too often and don’t understand why they lose their plush softness. Because of that, I’m not loyal to a brand. My latest test is with a gifted set from Brooklinen and I’m impressed with how they’ve held up so far. I’ll purchase an additional set for another bathroom. After washing everything in Laundry Sauce’s Siberian Pine, a mild scent lingers – just enough to notice. (Boll&Branch and Brooklinen have Memorial Day sales now.)
A new throw can do wonders for a room – a place to experiment with color or pattern without too much commitment. I have an odd mauve-like throw draped over a chair in my living room that’s such an off color for the rest of the space and yet it adds a spark that makes the room more interesting. I’m considering a large-scale botanical in a leafy green jacquard cashmere for another room. For something more casual, I keep a basket full of Barefoot Dreams in the family room that everyone loves – cozy, warm, and I throw them in the wash without worry.
During this mini-remodel, I’ve relocated my workspace to another room. I’m using a large desk and have things collected on a tray rather than a blank open space. I shared a photo the other day of a current arrangement with a candle, flowers, and pen cup. The Guerlain candle jar is an attractive piece to leave on a desk whether it’s in use or not – and I like that it’s refillable.
Other objects include a vintage Herend mini cachepot for flowers and a glass wicker vase I use to hold pens. I could use one more pop of white on my desk and am eyeing a creamy stoneware planter. The paneled sides, little ball feet, and glazed finish are beautiful details. Together the pieces end up looking like they belong, and I know they’ll work in any room in the house.
The same approach applies to shopping for clothing as it does at home – combining in-store experiences with the ease of online. LA has been the spark for getting back into stores, trying things on, seeing how a color reads in person, noticing how things are merchandised together and most importantly, getting the sizing right.
My wardrobe of neutrals, black, and white aren’t going anywhere, but shopping in store has me entertaining prints and color in a way I haven’t considered for a while. Specifically, they’re feeling very apropos for my summer travels.
The color I keep coming back to is soft yellow. A TWP shirt kicked things off, followed by an Otted’Ame ochre pant that’s acting as a neutral. A cashmere sweater from La Ligne is next and will feel cozy this summer on foggy mornings and chilly evenings. I’ve even ventured into colored denim – a step outside my comfort zone – but it feels right for Italy.
Linen separates are a key category for my travel and summer wardrobe. I wear them in relaxed silhouettes and don’t mind the wrinkles. A J.Crew drawstring waist pant is a good one – they run big. Reformation has a two-piece set I’m getting in oatmeal and white. I tend to wear linen in a tonal story. It always comes off as pulled together. On vacation I’ll add a linen short.
White denim is the starting point of my summer uniform. I have several silhouettes in rotation but lately keep reaching for a cropped length. I like a bit of ankle showing in the warmer months. Worn with a relaxed white tee it’s a solid base – add a belt, a great sandal, done. My favorite t-shirt right now is a classic style from Soldout NYC. It looks good on its own or layered under a sweater or jacket. I have it in white and black. My zero-thought outfit is a black top with white bottoms. From a casual t-shirt to a dressier CO blouse, the whole spectrum of styles works.
A variety of tops is what keeps a parade of white denim feeling current. Classic button front shirts are a closet staple year round. Come summer, crisp poplin, relaxed linen, and a lightweight denim are my go-tos year after year – the ideal complement to white denim. Ann Mashburn gifted me their Icon Shirt in indigo and I can see how it earned its name. Perfect in fit and fabric. The pull toward color and pattern plays out easily in this category. I’ve been wearing a French blue Comme Si poplin, a green and pink striped linen, and just picked up a yellow bow-tied polka dot blouse (only available here).
I layer necklaces year round – usually something gold, a bit of sparkle, some charms. This summer I’ve added colorful beads. Two variations of green right now, a chunky malachite from Zoë Chicco and a delicate enamel from Dorsey. They work together and with anything gold. Malachite reads summer to me and feels like something collected on a trip. Warm carnelian red is the other direction – jasper beads with a pendant or charms on a gold chain. And then pearls, always. Nothing brightens a face in summer quite the same way.
A low heel thong sandal is the silhouette I’ve been trying to get right this season. I’ve tried several. A style from Margaux is the closest contender so far – I need to exchange sizes, they run big, but I can already tell they’ll be the most comfortable. Versions from Khaite to Reformation – a style that completes any summer outfit. For a flat I’m on the hunt for a Birkenstock replacement. A sandal with thick leather straps (love these Dries Van Noten slides) and a little padding. Maybe I should just stick with the Alaia Mary Janes. I know they work. Poolside, a jelly is always easy – I have a brown fisherman style I love. Also considering a jelly ballerina from Jimmy Choo. The toffee would go with everything.
The Bottega Veneta Andiamo in raffia is my favorite summer bag, now available with an espresso brown trim. For vacation and the beach I need something more casual that travels well. The M.Gemi raffia tote with leather accents is more refined than a typical beach bag and there’s a tidy black raffia clutch from Cuyana that works as a great vacation accessory - with strap, on its own or to drop in a larger tote. Both of these bags come in natural nraffia too. For something more playful, I’m eyeing this new Loewe.
I have three Eric Javits straw hats – and one rain hat – that have held up beautifully over the years. I wear them at home and on vacation. They’re more of a fedora style, so for extra coverage I’d like a wider brim. There’s one from Eric Javits that does just that – a style that works at the beach or at lunch. I already know the quality and fit of the brand so it feels like an easy decision.
Shopping for sunglasses, the first thing I look for is an ultra lightweight frame – then style and coverage. I just received a gorgeous pair of black frames with burgundy lenses from DITA, gifted, and they’ll be my summer go-to. The colored lens is interesting, nearly weightless, and the kind of pair I’ll almost forget I have on.
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