simplepretty

A confession (which will no doubt be validated by family and friends): I am hard to shop for. I tend to obsessively research items, at which point I either decide I definitely need it — and then go out and buy it for myself — or declare myself over it. Even something straightforward, like perusing my amazon.com wishlists, can become a gamble. (Will my enthusiasm cool before the 25th?) Not helping is the thought of lugging items back to London — hello, Border Control! — and afterward, having to find a space for it in our rental. Yes, I’m a bit of a Christmas Scrooge.

However, all is not lost. This gift guide contains a range of items — at a variety of price points — that I promise will hold delight well into 2016.

1. Handvaerk Alpaca-Silk Sweater I love Handvaerk’s minimalist range of basics, and the fall collection introduced sumptuous sweaters as well as long-sleeve crewneck tees to the lineup. This medium (charcoal) grey sweater looks lightweight yet warm: perfect to wear under a coat to fight off London’s winter chill without adding bulk.
2. Doe Leather 2-zip Purse I’m always on the lookout for bags to corral cards and ephemera while traveling, and of course, I want said bag to look elegant. Deborah Thomas has a winner with her new minimalist 2-zip purse (with accent-colored pen holder). The leather is rigid at first, but with love and use takes on a sublime softness. Can’t wait to get mine!*
3. Claire Moynihan’s Bug Balls I serendipitously stumbled across Claire Moynihan’s artwork this fall. (Un-serendipitously, it was just days after she participated in a Marylebone art fair.) Her “bug balls”, equally scientific and sweet, are typically sold as framed sets, but this single felt snail captured my heart. Officially obsessed.
4. Paris in Winter While everyone loves Paris in the spring time, it’s my favorite place to go in any season. David Coggins’ ink and watercolor illustrations capture the city in its winter splendor and will serve as a beautiful souvenir. I can’t wait to read his stories about his family’s annual winter visits: I’m sure I’ll refer to them often when we’re back in the US for a quick Paris fix. Living a short train ride away has been a dream.
5. Wool Babouche Shoes Babouche shoes are all the rage at the moment, and they fit perfectly with my hate-socks, love-easy-on-and-off aesthetic. Brother Vellies offers a splendid range of fabrics and textures, from denim to leather to über-luxe furs.** This wool style would lend a touch of luxe slipper-chic to my utilitarian jeans-and-sweater uniform.
6. Paper Geranium Geraniums are a vastly underappreciated flower in my opinion, and I’ve had my eye on Livia Cetti’s beautiful paper version for years. It would make the perfect gift as I desperately want it but haven’t yet been bold enough to click buy and treat myself. (Though every time it pops up on John Derian’s Instagram feed, I’m tempted.)

image credits: 1. handvaerk.com 2. courtesy of doe leather 3.  endless-swarm.com (well worth a click-through to learn more about claire’s art) 4. davidcoggins.com 4. brothervellies.com 5. thegreenvase.com // layout and type by jane potrykus

* another confession: I pre-ordered this pouch the second I spotted it at a London holiday market.

** I’m completely besotted with these two furry options (they’re what led me down the rabbit hole), but of course, they’re not available online. 

Gift guides: depending on the day, I crave them or loathe them. But Christmas rolls around like clockwork, and I need ideas! (Which means you probably do, too.) To that end, I’ve compiled a few of my favorite things from browsing the Internet, broken down into two installments. Part One features items I think would make perfect gifts. (Part Two, arriving next week, highlights objects I’d like to receive, though truth be told, there’s a lot of overlap.)

The simplepretty guide to Gift Giving, 2015 edition:

1. Belle et Enfant ribbed cardigan The older my “baby” gets, the more joy I derive from baby clothes and gifts. I love to buy simple, luxe items that can (hopefully) be worn a lot because they go with everything. This pretty cardigan fits the bill: it’s basic enough to wear over a onesie but dressy enough to set off any holiday outfit.
2. Beloved Dog So many of my family members are dog lovers, and I’m currently living in a dog-obsessed country. Maira Kalman’s new book cleverly and lovingly illustrates the special bond that develops between a dog and his human. Even if you buy it simply for the illustrations, it’s a winner.
3. Diptyque ‘Vanille’ mini candle Winter is candle season, both to add a bit of light as well as lend a bit of fragrance to stuffy, closed-up rooms. Diptyque mini candles are a “little luxury” and the simple-yet-complex Bourbon Vanilla fragrance has wide appeal. (Don’t forget to save the jar afterward to store makeup brushes, pens and pencils, or whatnots).
4. Minimal Holiday Notecard Set I revere In Haus Press for its dedication to striking simplicity. This set of 8 notecards (four sayings) is small enough to tuck into a handbag (or coat pocket) yet luxe enough to present as a hostess gift over the December holiday party circuit. Plan ahead: grab a few.
5. Olof Rudbeck ‘Common Redstart’ Affordable art makes a wonderful gift. I’ve long been a fan of Olof Rudbeck’s Swedish bird watercolors, and while some of the larger/more dramatic options can be pricey, this simple, minimalist print will set you back a mere $15 (which leaves some room in the budget for framing).
6. Hannah Bergen Heirloom Kit 2015 has been the year of Kondo-ing, and what better way to celebrate the items that bring you joy than to document and share those items? Favorite possessions have a story. Share it. Save it. And better yet, start collecting those memories while the family is together for the holidays. You may learn something about your treasured gravy boat that will surprise you. Here’s to starting the conversation …

image credits: 1. belleenfant-boutique.com 2. amazon.com 3. diptyqueparis.com 4. inhauspress.com 5. nostalgiafineart.com 6. hannahbergen.com // layout and type by jane potrykus

‘cakes’ paper placemats

Laura Stoddart could be my favorite illustrator. Her watercolors are quirky yet sweet and old-fashioned yet modern. It doesn’t hurt that the subjects she chooses are perfection: I love to look at pretty cakes and hyper-organized butler’s pantries. While I keep my fingers crossed that she will announce new work very soon, these placemats and notecards for Hester and Cook will fill the very big void she’s left in her creative absence.

(Because of the scarcity, I have fallen into the habit of hoarding every bit of Laura Stoddart art I can get my hands on. It sounds very un-Kondo, but trust me, they bring lots of joy.)

‘cakes’ enclosure cards (set of 12)

‘cakes’ placecards

‘butler’s pantry’ paper placemats

p.s.: I’d love to see either of the placemat patterns as wallpaper.

images from hesterandcook.com

notebook, pencil + schedules for the day

I’m not sure where my infatuation/obsession? with Rita Konig began, but I know that it was cemented during the golden years of Domino magazine. Whenever I spotted her byline on a story, I knew I was in for a treat, whether the subject was how to decorate a rental (she found NYC’s “just paint it white when you’re done” rule freeing), throw an impromptu party, or my personal favorite, her recurring series of city guides. If I was familiar with the city in question, I would nod in agreement with her choices, yet she never failed to inspire me with a new find. If I wasn’t, I knew that when I did visit, following her suggestions would leave me in good stead.

Konig’s effortless approach to decorating straddles the luxe and livable line to great effect. Her time in New York made her especially adept at translating British style for Americans who covet the look but don’t have access to an attic-full of aristocratic hand-me-downs. Her influence pops up again and again when I put together inspiration boards for a space. (Not only has she reinvigorated my love for the color pink in a home, but I keep coming back to the brilliance of gallery walls thanks to her.)

Recently, Konig began offering day-long seminars on “The Complete House” at her London home. It’s the perfect setting for such a workshop as her residence has undergone a substantial renovation since her purchase a few years ago. (Trust me when I tell you that the interiors are stunning; they will soon be published in a UK shelter magazine, hence the photo embargo.) Intrigued by the concept, I attended a session on a recent Friday. Over the course of the day, Konig not only candidly shared the practical aspects of the flat’s transformation — the importance of organization and planning, the necessity of having fun during the process — but also shared plenty of photos of other favorite projects for further inspiration. I tried to soak in as much as possible so that when we land at “What’s Next” I’ll be ready to go, but thankfully, all attendees were sent home with a pdf of go-to sources. That document will help jump-start my memory when I’m an ocean away.

lots of visual examples were provided

The majority of the seminar took place in the living room. I must admit, my attention was divided at times between the slide show on the television and the gorgeous pink walls, jam-packed with artwork.

practical + pretty: adjustable bookshelves from MDF (with a fancy edge, of course)

Konig’s bookcases, fashioned from MDF with decorative edging, were both covetable and financially achievable. Which is a good thing, as I want lots of bookshelves at our next house.

lunch break: soup, bread + cheese

Attendees were well fed: the day began with coffee or tea; lunch was a relaxed meal of soup, bread and cheese (with cake for dessert) and the day concluded with a celebratory glass of prosecco and a goodie bag with the components for a good G&T at home.

an elegant bar tray (très rita)

An important London souvenir will be an enamel drinks tray, designed by Konig for The Lacquer Company and available at her newly launched e-store. But which color? (Who are we kidding: probably pale grey.)

chair love

Tied for favorite furnishing of the day were these cozy (yet pretty) open-arm chairs. I’m on the hunt for my own version to cover in sheepskin.

More workshop dates have just been added and can be booked through her website. If you’re in London, I highly recommend it.

A Rita Konig mini-bibliography:

1. Domino magazine’s online archives
2. Jane Flanagan/Ill Seen, Ill Said
3. A Lovely Being featured Rita Konig on Framing (and yes, you can see a bit more of the house)
4. Rita Konig’s Website and Instagram

all photos by jane potrykus

london fog: november 2, 2015

I’ve finally figured out the disconnect between my “I love London weather!” admonitions and everyone else’s “Are you crazy?” reactions — it’s the fact that November weather, mysterious and sometimes gloomy and more-often-than-not overcast speaks deeply to me. Until this point, I thought I was a California-sunshine kind of girl, the one who basks in a parade of endlessly sunny, 75 degree days. Turns out, I’m happiest when it’s 58 and cloudy, the leaves are considering their plight, and ochre and brown are the colors of the moment. (Admittedly, it’s England, so the glass is plenty green, and that helps.) A fog of melancholy has settled in my brain as well. It’s okay: I welcome it. It acknowledges the fact that, while my son’s senior year is predominantly one of celebration, it comes with more than tinge of sadness for me. Surrendering to that sadness heightens the joy. And circling back, maybe my love of imperfect, romantic weather is what allows me to appreciate California weather while I’m there. And don’t worry: I still hate snow.

To enhance this November spirit of giving thanks, what follows are a few of my current favorite things from around the Internet: for this month (at least) not just photos. Enjoy.

Instagram:

1. The view from a new project site …
2. The city where the fog is a tourist attraction.
3. One more from Port San Luis ~
4. Untitled
5. Closed for the season.
6. fingers cross for rain today!
7. hundreds of ducks
8. Think I’m ready to go sailing again…
9. Morning walk.
10. Mist rolling over tree covered slopes
11. by the sea today.

To listen:

1. “I May Know the Word”  Natalie Merchant, Paradise Is There
2. “Lasso” Phoenix, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
3. “She’s the One”  World Party, Egyptology
4. “Into the Mystic” Van Morrison, Moondance
5. “Come Pick Me Up” Ryan Adams, Heartbreaker

To read:

1. Letting Go of Stories
2. Taxonomy of Design
3. Exploring Blue Hill in Maine
4. The Thanksgiving Project
5. On What People Think

photo at top: london fog, november 2, 2015 by jane potrykus