La Dolce Vita

Northeast Notebook: Autumn Reading List

Paloma Contreras — Tue, 12 Oct 2021 12:00:25 +0000

Greetings LDV readers, Stefanie Scheer Young here with an installment of Northeast Notebook. There is nothing like a chill in the air to make a reader want to settle into the chair by the fireplace and dive into a new book. A number of wonderful new titles being released this fall speak to our newfound appreciation of home at the center of our lives. I look forward to adding these volumes to my library to reference again and again.

As Ashley Whittaker says in her book The Well-Loved House, “everything I do as a designer stems from the love of home.” Whittaker is the master of the L-shaped sofa and the decorative thread (who doesn’t love a chain of prussian blue woven through a home?). She explains that, while she likes a house to feel like it is collected and always evolving, it is important to her that it feel complete. To this end she works forward from the entrance hall as she works backward from the last piece of art in a child’s room, allowing the spaces to knit together into an organic, cohesive whole. She speaks so eloquently of the ways she works out flow and layout it makes us wish we could see the floorplans, or better yet, visit in person. Whittaker’s work is always fresh, polished, livable and elegant and leaves us wanting more.

In Janie Molster’s book House Dressing she showcases her own gracious home as well as those of many long term clients, illustrating how to make a space dressy but not stuffy. She believes that truly pretty and quietly elegant will always stand the test of time. When picking hues, Molster advises readers to look for the tried and true, the color that dominates your choice of handbag, your wardrobe or even your car. She’ll let you in on the secret to pulling off a lot of pink, she believes in the durability of antiques and in her hands a brass range hood looks like jewelry. Molster’s best advice is don’t wait, life will never be pristine, live your life to the fullest right now, create a home that reflects you, built for all the glory and chaos of real life.

In the early, horrific days of the pandemic Charlotte Moss took inspiration from a book Edith Wharton created in 1916 as a fundraiser for refugee children during the dark days of World War I and assembled her answer to it, Home A Celebration. In collaboration with No Kid Hungry she asked scores of talented friends to contribute a personal take on the meaning of home, gathering these to make a memorable keepsake that also benefits vulnerable children. One hundred and twenty-two generous spirits answered the call, from Joyce Carol Oates to Duro Olowu to Alice Waters, in thoughtful, unique and creative ways. The reminiscences, works of art, even recipes, add up to a fascinating ode to sanctuary and portrait of the way we see home. As Susan Wissler, the executive director of The Mount, Edith Wharton’s home in Lenox, Massachusetts writes, “Wharton’s novels often portray how people are shaped by, and in turn shape, their places.” Wharton was always seeking and ultimately found her own “Great Good Place” and Moss helps us to think creatively about our own.

The tireless Moss lends her editing skills to another new release, joining president of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation Leslie Greene Bowman in creating Thomas Jefferson at Monticello. Six acclaimed arts and cultural luminaries pay homage to this imperfect but fascinating man with texts that present a current assessment of Jefferson’s cultural contributions to his noteworthy home and the fledgling country, while considering the important role and painful reality of the enslaved workforce that made his lifestyle and plantation possible. Jefferson built a Palladio-inspired villa (Monticello is Italian for “little mountain”) and groomed the landscape as an agricultural enterprise that also resulted in a retreat for pleasure. An innovator in landscape design, architecture, and the cultivation of food and wine, Jefferson celebrated his nation and devoted himself to improving it, not just in politics but in diverse disciplines. But the star of this volume is photographer Miguel Flores-Vianna whose visually stunning photography allows us to delight in exploring Monticello close up and in depth. Any one who has visited and observed the “no photography” rule, as I have, is in for a treat.

Fittingly named, Collaborations Ferguson & Shamamian the firm’s second monograth is an in-depth exploration of fourteen private residences across the country and the way the architects complete each project working with a dream team of partners. Though collaboration is not often the first word one associates with world class architects, Mark Ferguson and Oscar Shamamian began their careers as proteges of Albert Hadley on the staff of iconic decorating firm Parish Hadley and they are well acquainted with the value of working alongside top interior designers, landscape designers, trade people, artisans and clients. Their calm, practical, pragmatic, thoughtful and client-focused approach blended with their understanding of classical proportions, scale, detail and functionality, as well as creativity, leads to outstanding outcomes, almost cinematic in quality and often for repeat clients. A fascinating set of projects, to this city apartment dweller, is the treatment of two basically identical full floor layouts in a classic Rosario Candela apartment building which, by virtue of different collaborating teams, results in two diverse, highly personalized, gracious homes. The firm creates classically oriented projects, conceived and created in a traditional idiom that translates perfectly to modern life and they generously credit and share information about the partners, from stylists to engineers to stoneworkers, that are involved in each project.

A scholar and an artist, Aldous Bertram brings us Dragons & Pagodas a book examining the cultural phenomenon that is Chinoiserie, the decorative movement that first swept Europe and America in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries bringing to interiors and gardens all manner of things inspired by the Far East. So many of the motifs, patterns, materials and objects explored have their roots in past obsessions with exotic Eastern shores, together creating an entire genre of decoration that continues to be repeatedly referenced today. Organized by theme Bertram examines porcelain, flora, fauna, architecture and more as each chapter bursts with inspirational images of astounding and lasting beauty. Uniquely charming, colorful and at times chaotic, Chinoiserie is designed to both amaze and amuse and its immediate success ignited a mania that raged for decades in great houses and royal palaces. In this sumptuous volume Bertram shows us how the applications are woven through the past few centuries and how the lasting influence of Chinoiserie is more prevalent in our surroundings than we often realize.

Now we turn from the exotic to the sublime! Rose Uniacke At Home is a big book in every way. Oversized, expensive, welcoming… wow. Filled with grand gestures (the glorious winter garden) and refined details (a tiny brass bird that looks as if it has hopped in from the garden), even its large folio format can’t contain Uniacke’s home and the reader is treated to gatefolds that open to reveal more. She documents the restoration and decoration of a Scottish artists’ grand mansion, later a bohemian art school and a victim of World War II bombing, applying the lessons learnt in years of design and restoration work. Uniacke animates her family home with deft juxtapositions of texture, color, light, shadow, and scale and with a sense of discovery. While she charts the difficulties of deciding how to treat elements of the project, and of identifying the precise degree of renovation, repair, and replacement required, she uses the same mix of instinct and precision to regularly rearrange the art, furniture and objects filling the house. Uniacke collaborated with Tom Stuart-Smith on the exquisite garden spaces and architect Vincent Van Duysen to rethink the architectural scale and spatial character of the building, but the aesthetic and atmosphere are entirely her own. Francois Halard’s photographs capture the spirit of the house, showcasing the balance between the fine architecture and exquisite furnishings. While grand, the house achieves a warm, elegant ease and feeling of welcome. I’m looking forward to adding these volumes to my library. Please let us know in the comments below some of the new books you are looking forward to enjoying this fall.

My library, photo by Cody Guilfoyle for Domino

Northeast Notebook: Design Inspiration in Seaside Sag Harbor, New York

Paloma Contreras — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 12:00:50 +0000

Moody Magic at the Galerie House of Art and Design featuring Nancy Lorenz’ “Sunlight” painting. Credit: Katie Leede and Co.

Katie Leede in her eponymous shop. Credit: Katie Leede and Co.

Hello LDV readers, Stefanie Scheer Young here with an installment of Northeast Notebook. If shopkeeping is good theater, who is better suited than one-time-actress-turned-ace-interior-designer Katie Leede to see the possibilities in an empty shop front and conjure a mesmerizing stage set overflowing with temptations. Having segued from acting to design in Los Angeles, Leede later relocated to New York City, for love. But in the early days of the pandemic she was spending more time than usual outside the city, in the Hamptons, when she happened upon the “For Rent” sign in the window of Sag Harbor’s former Ruby Beets shop, a beloved, recently shuttered antique shop. She just decided then and there to take the leap into retail. She has not looked back, no spread sheets, no market research, just unbridled enthusiasm. The resulting store, Katie Leede and Co., like its proprietor and her interior design work, is effervescent, effusive and endlessly creative. The shop has become the go to source for unique floor coverings that inspire complete room schemes. And, in addition to showcasing her extensive line of fabrics and wallpapers, she carries a rich assortment of lighting, upholstery, and decorative objects amassed over years of inquisitive and acquisitive travel across the globe.

A selection of Leede’s vast collection of carpets. Credit: Stefanie Scheer Young

Lamps, lions, cushions and carpets in the shop window. Credit: Stefanie Scheer Young

A wide of array of artwork comes through the store. Credit: Katie Leede and Co.

If a visit to Leede’s new curiosity shop isn’t enough of a draw to enchanting Sag Harbor, NY, this week the curtain rises on the inaugural Galerie House of Art and Design, a month long show house whose goal is to illustrate how to to “Live Artfully.” Assigned the tiniest of the spaces, Leede has whipped up a “Magical Mudroom,” not so much a boot room as an intimate, charming gathering spot. The cozy dark green space is illuminated by a stunning piece of Nancy Lorenz’ art work. Galerie’s editorial team drew to Sag Harbor a group of talented designers from near and far, who have in common an aptitude for creating extraordinary rooms that showcase exceptional collections of art. In addition to Leede participants include design chair Nicole Fuller, Rayman Boozer, Billy Cotton, Mark Cunningham, Geoffrey De Sousa, Dwyer M. Derrig, Benoist F. Drut, Elena Frampton, Elizabeth Gill, Josh Greene, Ellen Hamilton, André Jordan Hilton, Adam Hunter, Ike Kligerman Barkley, Leroy Street Studio, Leyden Lewis, Jeff Lincoln, Richard Mishaan, Rocky Rochon, and Sara Story as well as kitchen designer Bob Bakes.

Leede brainstormed a scheme for the small mudroom. Credit: Katie Leede and Co.

Leede’s final mood board. Credit: Katie Leede and Co.

The Magical Mudroom coming into focus. Credit: Katie Leede and Co.

The room comes to life. Credit: Katie Leede and Co.

For those making the trip to visit the shop at 23 Washington Street and the show house (running through September 7th) at 772 Middle Line Highway there is much in the surrounding town to take in. Settled in the early 1700s, Sag Harbor’s deep water harbor became an international port and whaling center, its colorful reputation famously documented by Herman Melville. Many old whaling captain’s houses survive, complete with historic details like widow’s walks, and the history of Sag Harbor has been kept alive through the efforts of the Whaling and Historical Museum. Leede bought a little 1890s fixer upper of her own and is putting down roots in the community fast but she brings the wide-eyed enthusiasm of a newcomer. She has a heartfelt appreciation for the small town feel that has lasted, as she points out there is still a five-and-dime, independent bookstore and old school beverage shop right on Main Street.

Main Street, Sag Harbor. Credit: Stefanie Scheer Young

Come for the people watching, stay for much more. Credit: Stefanie Scheer Young

Leede’s top recommendations for visitors include: Stay: Book at Barons’ Cove, a cozy waterfront resort with nautically inspired design, offering a salt water pool and a shuttle providing local beach passes, chairs and umbrellas. Eat: Leede’s favorite is tutto il giorno, for lunch or dinner. She also suggests Dopo la Spiaggia for yummy Italian and K Pasa for a quick Mexican salad and margarita and fish tacos, LuluLulu Kitchen and Bar is great too. People Watching: the American Hotel porch, especially for lunch (and they also have a handful of overnight rooms that book up quickly). Antiques: Black Swan is fun, especially for their old photos of Sag Harbor, visit dealer Jean Yves Legrand’s Neo Studio emporium, and hit Sage Street Antiques for a mix of traditional treasures. Culture: Check out April Gornik and Eric Fischl’s reinvention of an historic churchchurch into an arts center, visit the Custom House (operated by Preservation Long Island) to explore the history of the maritime trade, and don’t miss the awesome renovation of the Art Deco Sag Harbor Cinema after a fire gutted it a few years back. Creative Shops: Stop in at Bloom for owner Mona Nerenberg’s creatively edited selection of tableware, accessories, art and gifts, visit Natasha Esch’s Monc XIII showcasing treasures from the 18th century to the modern day, and JANGEORGe is great for more modern home decor. Provisions: Cavaniola’s Gourmet, just down the street from Leede’s shop, is the place to stock up on wonderful cheeses, prepared food, desserts and more, stop by Grindstone’s Coffee and Donuts in the morning, make sure to get an ice cream at Olaf’s and take a walk down to the pier for a look at the yachts.

The Church, now a creative space. Credit: Stefanie Scheer Young

Endless creativity at Bloom. Credit: Stefanie Scheer Young

Wonderful photos of old Sag Harbor at Black Swan Antiques. Credit: Stefanie Scheer Young

Sage Street Antiques carries a range of collectibles. Credit: Stefanie Scheer Young

Visit Monc XIII for stylish entertaining wares. Credit: Stefanie Scheer Young

The American Hotel keeps the maritime tradition alive. Credit: Stefanie Scheer Young

Embracing her new role as a Sag Harbor hostess, the new shop has enabled Leede to create a gathering place for trunk shows, books signings, visiting artists and the like. She still has had time for one more acting cameo. Daughter Lucia and son Lionel recently co-wrote and co-produced a short film, casting their mother in the lead role. In the past few months, their film “The Dependents” has been selected for the Paris, Houston and Los Angeles film festivals. Look out for an opportunity to stream the twelve minute feature online at another festival or streaming service soon.

The rejuvenated local theatre. Credit: Stefanie Scheer Young

Join our Team: PCD is Hiring for Two Positions at our Studio

Paloma Contreras — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 13:09:02 +0000

Our team is growing and we are currently searching for talented, hard working, and experienced individuals to join our dynamic team! If you love interior design and fit the qualifications for either of the positions below, we’d love to hear from you! If you know someone who would be a great fit, please share the listing with them. We’re quite busy with a lot of exciting projects and would love to fill this role soon.

POSITION: DESIGN ASSOCIATE

JOB DESCRIPTION

Paloma Contreras Design seeks a Design Associate to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 2-3 years experience at an interior design firm. Applicants must be extremely organized, detail-oriented, and should have great multi-tasking and problem-solving skills. The ideal candidate is articulate in both verbal and written communication and possesses style and professionalism in keeping with that of our firm. The ideal candidate should be able to work in a fast-paced environment and should be a self-starter.

– Minimum 2-3 years experience in high-end residential design
– 4 year degree in Interior Design or Interior Architecture preferred but not required
-Self-starter with the ability to work seamlessly with our team
-Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize workflow, and meet deadlines through installation
– Excellent written and verbal communication skills
– High level of detail, organization, and professionalism
-We are seeking a qualified candidate who lives in Houston, TX or is willing to relocate.
-We are a fun, friendly team who work together closely. We are seeking someone who fits well into our company culture which values integrity, excellence, transparency, inspiration, and forward thinking

JOB REQUIREMENTS

– Prepare floor, space, and furniture plans and elevations in AutoCAD, and ability to effectively present design intent to high-end clientele
– Researching, sourcing, and pricing furniture, lighting + antiques that are cohesive to the design aesthetic of the project independently as well as in collaboration with Principal – Create, update, and monitor project budgets
– Work with Office Manager to place, process and manage all vendor orders through to completion
– Maintain project binders for all items ordered for each project assigned
– Prepare for and attend client meetings, including design meetings and project site visits
– Experience designing, drawing, and producing custom furniture, millwork, lighting a plus
– Review and redline all shop drawings to ensure design intent
– Create installation timelines; organize and oversee installations
– Represent firm at meetings with architects, contractors and vendors
– Oversee / manage issues with contractors, vendors and clients. Identify and document problem /conflicts and determine solutions
– Heavy vendor and client contact by phone and by e-mail
– Be responsible for providing weekly status reports and be prepared to discuss the status of all orders on all projects at weekly staff meetings
– Knowledge of StudioDesigner or similar program for creating proposals, purchase orders and invoices is a plus
-Proficiency in AutoCad, Adobe Creative Suite, MS Office, and Dropbox
-Extensive knowledge of fabric, furniture, lighting vendors, etc.
– Must possess good follow-through skills
– Must be a team player
-Salary commensurate with experience plus benefits

POSITION: DESIGN ASSISTANT

JOB DESCRIPTION

The ideal candidate will have at least one year of experience at an interior design firm. Applicants must be extremely organized, detail-oriented, and should have great multi-tasking and problem-solving skills. The ideal candidate is articulate in both verbal and written communication and possesses style and professionalism in keeping with that of our firm. The ideal candidate should be able to work in a fast-paced environment and should be a self-starter as we may work remotely from time to time.

Day-to-Day Duties will Include, but are not Limited to:

-Assisting Principal with organization and logistics of projects, including tracking client budgets, purchases, and delivery/installation schedules

-Working from proposal phase through project completion to ensure seamless process for Principal and client up to installation

-Procurement of quotes and estimates from vendors

-Creation of client proposals, purchase orders, and invoices

-Managing ordering process by analyzing lead times & placing purchase orders with vendors

-Expediting: Tracking orders from purchase order to shipping and arrival date- work with vendors and our warehouse to ensure items arrive as specified. Handling any issues in a timely manner prior to installation.

-Scheduling installations with clients

-Assisting with office tasks per Principal’s request

-Assisting with special projects including photoshoots for client projects and for Paloma’s upcoming second book

-Assisting with various design tasks including sourcing and completing renderings and floorplans in AutoCAD

Requirements:

-Proficiency in Microsoft Office and AutoCAD is required. Experience with Studio Designer is a plus.

– Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience preferred

– Must be extremely detail oriented and have the ability to prioritize and manage complex projects while meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment

– Ideal candidate is reliable, self-motivated, and willing to learn both independently and in a team setting

– The ideal candidate will have at least 1- 2 years experience in the residential interior design industry

-Salary commensurate with experience

This position has opportunity for growth as our firm continues to grow.

ABOUT OUR COMPANY

Paloma Contreras Design is a boutique, high-end interior design firm in Houston, Texas. We specialize in residential interiors, offering comprehensive design services that result in comfortable, luxurious spaces reflective of our clients’ tastes and lifestyles. Our team has completed projects throughout Houston as well as in Southampton, NY, Palm Beach, Atlanta, and New York. We are currently working on projects across the country and in the Caribbean.

Paloma has been repeatedly named to the prestigious ELLE Decor “A-List”. She has also been recognized as a “Next Wave” interior designer by House Beautiful and has been named to LUXE Magazine’s “Gold List”. In 2017, Paloma was named #4 on the Forbes list of the Top Social Media Influencers in the Home category and has one of the Top 10 Instagram accounts to follow for interior design according to ELLE Decor. Paloma and her work have been featured in numerous publications and websites including ELLE Decor, Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, Vogue, Domino, Luxe, Traditional Home, Southern Living, Better Homes & Gardens, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal.

This position offers the ideal candidate an opportunity to work directly alongside the Principal, Paloma Contreras and offers valuable exposure to many facets of the interior design business including residential interiors, product design, and publishing.

To apply, please email your resume and cover letter to our Office Manager, Jaime Ball (jaime@palomacontreras.com).

LDV Edit: Vacation Inspiration

Paloma Contreras — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 12:00:41 +0000

Summer is officially here, and after the past year in quarantine, I have definitely come down with a case of wanderlust. However, with a baby due at any moment, I don’t think I’ll be boarding a plane for another while.

One of my favorite weekend activities is flipping through coffee table books. As the weather warms up here in Houston, I’ve found myself gravitating towards the Assouline travel books and thinking about my next vacation. Travel has always been a huge source of design inspiration for me, and I can’t wait to hop on a plane again soon and land somewhere beautiful!

Of course, thinking about vacations had me planning coordinating outfits for each locale, so I figured I’d share some of my picks with you for this week’s LDV Edit.

The first destination is… The Hamptons.

Photo via Assouline.

There is a certain charm about the Hamptons that can’t be replicated. The stately homes and manicured lawns transport you back to a different era, and its easy to sink into the leisurely yet luxurious atmosphere. That led me to pick an outfit that is both laidback yet chic, a classic blue and white ensemble.

The next destination is…Tulum.

Photo via Assouline.

Tulum is a tiny oasis off the coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula and consists of both jungles and beaches. In keeping with the eclectic vibe of this island, I chose a few colorful, beachy vacation essentials.

The final destination is… Palm Beach.

Photo via Assouline.

I could talk about Palm Beach all day long. If I could live anywhere in the world, it might just be Palm Beach. There is a sense of old-world opulence that permeates and makes you want to stay just a little longer. Can you tell that I’m completely enamored by places that transport you back in time? In Palm Beach, I tend to gravitate towards clothing that is timeless and elegant.

If you can’t travel right now for whatever reason, I can’t recommend flipping through these Assouline books enough. While I wait for our baby girl to arrive, I’ll get my travel fix this way!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Friday Five: 06.04.21

Paloma Contreras — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 12:00:42 +0000

Happy Friday! It is starting to set in that our baby girl will be here in less than ten days. I know my whole life is about to be turned upside down- but in the best way! That being said, I am going to miss stopping into my store, Paloma & Co, every day while I am on maternity leave. When things get hectic on the design side of the business, the storefront always seems to provide a breath of fresh air and escape from the chaos. I love to peruse the shelves and admire all the new arrivals that we so carefully selected. During my last few days in the office, I have been admiring a few particular pieces in the store. There are so many amazing things right now, that I am going to focus on finds from the store for this week’s Friday Five!

ONE: This stunning work by Hillary Howorth is one of my favorite pieces of art in the shop right now. Her mastery of shapes and soothing colors results in art that evokes a sense serenity. I find myself pausing and admiring Hillary’s work every time it arrives in the store- the sign of truly impactful art!

TWO: I am swooning over this Louis XVI style ebonized mahogany marble top commode in the manner of Maison Jansen. While not antique, it dates back to 1940. I frequently use ebonized commodes and dressers in my projects because they make a statement while maintaining that timeless feel.

THREE: Summer is here meaning its time for al fresco dinners and cocktail hours. There is nothing that elevates a summer night like candlelight. This beautiful brass hurricane shields your candles from the evening breeze.

FOUR: Nicola Bathie is a Texas based jewelry designer. Her jewelry is the perfect combination of timeless and unique. I already have the perfect outfit for these earrings planned in my head: this floral dress and these leather sandals.

FIVE: This opulent Italian mirror is everything I love about antiques- one-of-a-kind, storied and stunning. There’s just something I can’t resist about an antique mirror like this!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!