Pink in Portugal

With Love Day on the horizon, I’m thinking pink, particularly as I sit here in my red striped pajamas needing a creative outlet after a day of go-go-go. Instantly, I am reminded of Noemi Marone Cinzano’s residence in Portugal that was featured in AD Online a few years back. The sofa, with its vibrant fuchsia ikat pillows has always captivated me in such a simplistic manner. What a treat to be able to enjoy this beach home!

The project was decorated by John Stefanidis and photographed for AD by Miguel Flores Vianna.

Loving Lately

I tend to get tired of my linens pretty quickly and thus, love mixing it up. With tabletop having a major moment, I find that I see so much of the same pieces gracing tables. I want to see tables that feel effortless yet special and refreshing. Unexpected prints, hand-blown glassware, delicate details — these are a few of my favorites. In fact, it gave me great comfort to read Joanna Williams’ note in the context of Gregory Parksinson (my latest obsession). She noted:

With the rise of independent brands in the last decade, coupled with the introduction of social media, we’ve been inundated with images and messages of what products to buy. I often feel like many things start to look the same, which makes sense considering how quickly trends become absorbed via Instagram and Pinterest, not to mention design publications and websites. The benefit to ‘sameness’, is that you really start to develop a filter and take notice of which brands stand out – whether it’s through design, using a strong brand message, or even positive manufacturing principles.

Hear! Hear! As someone that helps coach and nurture independent brands, I love when I discover a new product that lures me in, and when it’s made by an artisan or small business, all the better. Enter what I’m loving lately: I just stocked up on some of Gregory Parksinon’s linens and love their soft cotton material, large format, and double-sided function. And, for anyone that says Ikat is passe, you will be rethinking, pronto. I adore all of his prints! His hand-blocked tablecloths and napkins make me yearn for summer al fresco meals, candlelight, a good playlist, and cocktails. Yes, lots of those. And we sure need some mental distractions these days…

Have a look at his collection, here. You’ll also find some exclusive pieces as part of Joanna’s shop, Kneeland Co. Rarities.

2020 C&C Approved Brands

With the new year approaching, I thought I would share some of my favorite #CandCApproved brands from 2020. Full disclosure — these are not C&C Clients, however, they are brands I’ve carefully watched, have consumed, or simply adore. Some of them are tried and true staples, others are new players that I look forward to supporting this next year and beyond. Each one has impacted me in some fashion — perhaps they have brought me joy, stretched my imagination or even taught me something. Consider the below my version of the “AD 100” list.

The most successful brands, in my opinion, are those that are unapologetically authentic, visually well curated, customer-centric, and often possess that “je ne sais quoi” — the alluring “something” you can’t quite put your finger on…

Let me say that I am intimately aware of how hard it is to run and grow your own business. After all, I run my own service-based company and with my consulting work, help others grow and prosper. It is HARD. It can be depleting. It can feel isolating. You can find yourself questioning your own worth. But at the end of the day, you press on, you innovate, you educate and ultimately, you evolve and in the next moment, can just as easily feel perfectly fulfilled. I find it addicting in the best possible way.

I am most grateful for those that have helped me press on, stay creative and inspired. A big BRAVO to all that have made it through this trying year.

Alas, here are the 2020 #CandCApproved Brands:

KRB NYC

I don’t know if there is anything that Kate Rheinstein Brodsky touches that doesn’t turn into a cache pot full of gold, but she just has the secret sauce. Her shop on East 74th Street in New York City is full of carefully chosen objects of beauty. When I am in New York, I do my best to pop in and it’s always a treat to bring home something from her shop, especially with its fabulous green camo-floral wrapping. I’ve been loving her almost-daily store tours via Instagram and learning how her eye resonates with each piece in her shop.

Kneeland Co.

Joanna Williams’ company Kneeland Co. has come on my radar more recently. Perhaps this is due to the recent launch of her Los Angeles-based brick and mortar shop that sells one-of-a-kind, globally sourced, and handmade home goods and jewelry. A quick peek on her Instagram and website will reveal gorgeous imagery of tablescapes and shop scenes with their patterned textiles and ceramics. I just stocked up on some Gregory Parkinson textiles myself and had a delightful shopping experience. Her online presence is clean, simple and well presented, a benchmark I will use when helping some of my clients develop their e-commerce shops.

Patrick Mele

Patrick’s home goods shop in Greenwich, Connecticut has been on my list for a while. In lieu of a visit (thanks, COVID!), I have enjoyed following his punchy and colorful designs on social media. Seeing his work has reminded me of the importance of taking risks — and I especially love seeing little snippets of his furniture pieces at his upholsterer’s, bound for their official debut. I still have visions of a gorgeous settee from earlier this year he had covered in an icy blue wool with green welting.

Hannah Ozburn Interiors

Hannah Ozburn shared her “new look” à la Gadabout Creative earlier this year, and I think my jaw nearly dropped when I saw. The typeface selections and color pairings are beyond chic and so refreshing. Her beautiful landing page has me anxiously awaiting the full digital reveal. Until then, I’ll be closely watching her interior design work.

Mary Nelson Sinclair

I definitely fell in love this year with Mary and her husband, Corbin Cruise. I mean, how could you not?! There is something romantic about their “brand” as two wildly talented trained artists living their married life in the Hudson Valley with their darling daughter. I watched their Instagram live with Sister Parish a few months back and loved learning more about how their creative work intersects. Mary’s abstract paintings are like fairytales and if Santa could somehow come down the chimney next year with the Corbin Cruise coffee table in its azul patina, that would make my…life.

Tattie Rose Flowers

I definitely spent a great deal of time this year dreaming of all the parties I would throw and attend, if I could. Even uber grand ones I would ordinarily have no business hosting! Tattie Rose Flowers played a big role in those lustful thoughts as I spent some time studying their designs. The work of Tattie and her team is just utterly dreamy. The floral design is presented in such a way that feels effortless, wild, magical and uncontrived. I could just sit and linger at a gorgeous table she’s designed for hours.

Atelier MVM

After visiting Villa d’Este on our honeymoon, I’ve become quite drawn to shellwork and the grotto motif in design work in general. Atelier MVM, led by Matthias Vriens, creates the most exquisite shell work pieces, to include the above mirror which presides over a fireplace in Tory Burch’s Southhampton home. Each piece is so intricate and special.

Max Sinsteden

You know that classic question about inviting anyone to a dinner table? Mine might be Maximilian Sinsteden after this year. As partner in the design firm Olasky & Sinsteden, Maximilian (a fellow Rhode Islander I should proudly boast!) took to Instagram to share his frequent Quarantine tablescapes leaving me not only hungry but inspired. I truly wanted to jump into each photograph and saddle up with the cocktails he and his beau were concocting, the oysters they were shucking and the dreamy dishes awaiting their marble-glazed Christopher Spitzmiller plates. Each table was thoughtfully fashioned with new and interesting tableware pairings — and trust me, when I say, never has a grilled cheese or tv dinner looked so marvelous.

Houses and Parties

If there is anyone having a moment, it is most certainly Rebecca Gardner of Houses and Parties. I have been smitten with Rebecca’s work for quite some time. My visit to her Holiday Pop-up at The St. Regis in New York a few years back certainly sealed the deal. Not only does she have an exceptional eye and a knack for creating some of the most divine fêtes, she does it with a certain elegant cheekiness I so admire. The launch of her online shop, Houses and Parties, was brilliantly executed from a launch perspective, but truly, every element of the shopping experience with Rebecca only affirms her elevated standing in the customer experience space. I would literally buy a paperclip on her site, just to be delighted with the arrival of the package, with its gorgeous dust bag, hand-written note and clever box of Advil and communique. My husband gifted me with a few of her pieces this holiday and I have to say, he has no idea how well he did! It is so hard to master an experience that is not only magical in each phase, but incredibly thoughtful and refreshing. This one takes the cake. P.S. Brides! She has a registry!

Christmas Cards

If there is one thing that has kept me somewhat sane amidst this Pandemic life, it has been the creative projects in both my work and personal life. I absolutely love assembling teams to execute a project.

Our Christmas cards felt like the perfect creative endeavor this year, especially! To start, I utilized the help of Atlanta-based printery Dear Elouise for all things paper. With the launch of Brent’s Holiday Shop, I chose her classic Nutcracker design which would house a photo we took with local photographer Lisette Rooney. From there, I knew I wanted a colored envelope and letterpress treatment on 220lb paper and worked with Brent’s team to refine the selections. The team at Dear Elouise is top notch, and as someone who values convenience and fine execution, their “upgrade offerings” do just the trick.

Once we landed on the Chartreuse colored envelope, I enlisted the help of Boston-based calligrapher Léa Bushnell of Maplume Calligraphy to jazz up our envelopes with a classic yet dramatic script in a dark forest green to complement the postage stamps and ink selection on the cards. Léa is a true delight and has been such a dream to partner with on work and personal projects this year!

This mini project was fun and a wonderful way to showcase and support the work of other people and businesses I believe in. We have a growing stack of Christmas Cards in a silver tray near our foyer and they truly bring me so much happiness on a daily basis. There is something so joyful about opening a mail piece and seeing the faces of your friends and families. It’s the little luxuries in life, always.

The C&C Holiday Gift Guide

Friends and the like always consult me around this time for gift ideas and so, this year, here you have it! I am a believer in little luxuries. Gifts don’t have to be grand or uber expensive, but well considered. Personally, I am also interested in the maker and materials behind each product.

Below, I’ve included a little round up of some of my personal favorites…

Send me a message if I can help in any way: Caitlin@citrusandcedars.com

Brass & Light Blue Bowls found at Anyon Atelier — see HERE.

I have a collection of these and think they are so chic and fun. Use for office bits & bobs, matchbook collections or beautiful holiday candies. Alternatively, simply leave empty on a coffee table. They are made by Denmark-based artist Louise Roe Copenhagen, available at Anyon Atelier in San Francisco.

Small Mid-Century French Lamp found via Live Auctioneers — see HERE.

Our little pantry in Vermont that is underway needs a tiny light and I love this Mid-century darling.

Brass Pepper Mill via Cook’s Atelier — see HERE.

What would one NOT lust for on this site! I love gifting “sweet” little kitchen accoutrements from Cook’s Atelier. This brass pepper mill is on my list. Jewelry for your spices!

Rattan Ottoman by Franco Albini via 1st Dibs — see HERE.

Rattan is ALWAYS in. I may have already put the sleigh before the reindeer and purchased one of these for moi, but I love all of the pieces re-produced in the manner of Italian Neo-Rationalist designer Franco Albini.

Cire Trudon “Ernesto” Candle — see HERE.

I’m not a big scented candle person — it reminds me of being in a Victoria’s Secret or Yankee Candle (YUCK!), but Cire Trudon is a sure thing. Ernesto is a recent scent I discovered when a dear client gifted it to me — and my husband LOVES its notes of leather, cigar and tobacco. I always light it before he comes home from work.

Poplin London Silk Nightshirt — see HERE.

I love a good monogrammed nightshirt and silk is always comfy and luxurious. Poplin London is so accommodating with bespoke orders. Their silk colors are so decadent and unusual.

Spalted Salad Bowls via Hudson Grace San Francisco - see HERE.

I am obsessed with these salad bowls. We have them in various sizes at home — the 11” for just meals for two, and the 13” for when we are/(were!!) entertaining. I love that they are made from a fallen tree by a craftsman in Massachusetts. (View Spencer Peterman’s work here). If not for the holidays, put these on your registry!

French stone garden urns — see HERE.

I adore all of Carol’s products she thoughtfully procures for her antiques business, Gray Antiques. Why not dress the garden this winter with some gorgeous 1940s stone urns? Forever pieces!

D. Porthault lingerie bags — see HERE.

I adore these little linen bags. Perfect for lingerie when traveling. Throw in a tote bag and GO! A few years back, I gave these to my bridesmaids with their monogram.

Gucci Fair Isle Sweater — see HERE.

Consignment is COOL! I love the Real Real! Give a little mohair and wool while recycling some haute fashion!

Party Pooper

One of the things I miss the most from all of this Covid nonsense is parties. Parties in all forms. Casual backyard rendezvous. Milestone celebrations. The kinds of parties that make your jaw drop. The homes where the hosts have clearly gone to such thoughtful great lengths to delight their guests in such an intimate way. The wedding that made your heart sing. The kind of bash you’d fly across country for because you know your dear friends will be there.

When this is finally under wraps (hurry up already!!) I know we will all come back with a much greater appreciation for the company we celebrate with and the measures taken to be joyful in those moments.

When I think about glamorous, whimsical, decadent parties that ooze with old-school hospitality, I think about Van Wyck & Van Wyck.

Enjoy a sampling of their work, here.

Hopefully we’ll get our party on again very soon…

A New Orleans wedding by Van Wyck & Van Wyck

A moment from a New Orleans wedding by Van Wyck & Van Wyck

A Weekend Well Spent

My husband and I had a lovely getaway in Litchfield County, Connecticut over the weekend. The past few weeks have been exhausting for wonderful reasons, but it was time to take a healthy pause.

The weekend was a little slice of happiness — and a welcomed distraction, as we were footloose without baby, exploring a few places we have had on our list for some time.

First, was New Preston to check out Plain Goods Shop, followed by a cozy and casual lunch at The Owl, a wonderful recommendation from Carol Vargo of Gray Antiques. My encounter with Plain Goods Shop was a lovely reminder of how a shopping experience should be, in my opinion. Every product was thoughtfully procured and presented whilst beautifully styled amongst juicy Autumn dahlias, resting on antique furniture pieces with a perfect patina — all ready to enchant the customer.

Just across the way, lunch at the The Owl was fantastic and with the raw New England air, it made for the perfect respite. The menu was simple — mostly pizzas and salads, all fashioned with seasonal ingredients, accompanied with fantastic wine and beer selections. The decor, matte black bistro tables and chairs adorned with local blooms, was uncontrived yet well considered.

Though there were other highlights of course, one of the main reasons we road tripped was to see The Mayflower Inn after its chic face lift by Kemble Interiors. Our experience did not disappoint. Dinner was prix fixe, and with all the hype about their new in-house chef April Bloomfield, I can genuinely say, it was impressive and delicious. As far as the interior, Kemble Interiors truly did a remarkable job with the project. My favorite room, the parlor, was adjacent to the chic gift shop (a fun collab with the ladies of The Huntress), playfully swathed in bold fabrics, Green Vase paper florals, abstract art (to include one of Gary Komarin’s iconic Cake Paintings), and trimmings for the perfect fireside cocktail experience. I highly recommend a visit, even if just for a drink!

Here’s to savoring new experiences and hoping 2021 will make way for more adventures…

A snap from our stay in Litchfield County.

Old World Italian

My copy of Mimi Thorisson’s new cookbook, Old World Italian, arrived yesterday and it has me excited for a cozy weekend of recipe reading and testing. We are headed up north to our tiny cabin this evening, a place where I love to cook, so the timing could not have been more perfect.

I’ve followed Mimi for years, since her idyllic days in Médoc living in her family’s farmhouse and now, I look forward to reading about their new adventure in Turin, Italy.

Admittedly, part of what first drew me into her work was the photography. Her husband, Oddur Thorisson has been capturing her culinary travels and recipes since the beginning. There is such depth to her work — her authenticity and passion comes alive in the imagery that feels so uncontrived yet seductive in color, texture and mood. And yes, there is indeed an element of “Old World” to her spirit and philosophy that I find incredibly alluring. She is perhaps one of the royal members of and advocates for the Slow Food movement that captivates many of us.

From foraging in the fields for mushrooms, to the best duck with green olives in Paris, to her favorite local markets in Bordeaux, Mimi has always been a go-to source of mine when I’m scheming up special meals, and even influenced our restaurant selections in Paris last fall and on our honeymoon in Italy.

I highly recommend following Mimi on Instagram, and welcoming her cookbook to your kitchen.

Now, I’m off to find some Oxtail Stock…

ABOVE & BELOW: Snippets from Mimi’s new cookbook, available for order on Amazon — or, better yet, call your local bookstore to see if they will order for you.

Perfectly Provocative in Nantucket

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

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

the best kinds of decisions…

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

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

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

LSD’s dressing room. Design by Virginia Tupker.

Mark Cunningham, Southhampton. See here.

Carrier & Company, Southhampton.

Remy Renzullo:

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