At Home with Minnie Mortimer

I'm loving these images of Minnie Mortimer's Malibu home that were featured on Vogue.com. I've been compiling pieces of art, bright, old Vivaldi album covers that look very Lilly Pulitzer, and paintings over the past couple of years in hopes that they will eventually turn into the gallery wall I wish them to be. I love the idea of mixing artwork with found objects, similar to how Andy Spade did in his Hampton's home.

Here's what to love about her space:

- art and books are the focal points of the house, only second to the Malibu location
- oversized windows in the sun room and behind the day bed
- plank oak floors reminiscent of boot flooring bring the outside in
- the gallery wall
- framed photography from the 'Locals Only' skateboarding book in the foyer
- her traditional library/dining room with modern chairs reminiscent of The Miller House
- the seashell chandelier hanging over the coffee tables, again, bring the outside in
- the idea of hanging your favorite dress 'on display' in your closet

*images via Claiborne Swanson Frank

An Argument for Looking at Books Instead of Reading Them

In 2006, Andy Spade curated this installation that celebrated beautiful book covers, posters and post cards for the Kate Spade handbag line. After traveling to Japan, the exhibition, named 'An Argument for Looking at Books instead of Reading Them,' ended at Colette in Paris.

Of the exhibit, Colette noted, “...Andy is as impressed with striking, unusual book jackets as he is with quality literature. From art exhibition catalogs found in second-hand bins to rare first edition titles, the book collection has been built to surround Kate Spade product and give dimension to the company’s aesthetic.” I'd love to do a wall similar to this in my apartment.

*images via colette

Andy Spade Porn

I can't get enough of Andy Spade. The creative director, gallerist and raconteur invited NOWNESS into his Southampton home to explore his collection of high-low art.

The 19th-century house was originally the site of the Shinnecock Hills Summer School, a painting academy run by William Merritt Chase, founder of Parsons. His range of art is a testament to his emotion-driven collecting philosophy, which extends to his gallery/design studio with Anthony Sperduti, Partners & Spade.

Check out my post on his home in Manhattan here.


Andy Spade's Hamptons Manor from Alison Chernick on Nowness.com.

The King and Queen of Spades

The Selby recently posted images of Kate and Andy Spade's home in Manhattan- and it's perfection. Not surprisingly, they have every detail down. Here's what to love:

* the herringbone wood floors

* the black gloss rotary phone

* black + white abstract art contrasted with..

* punches of primary colors in the walls and chairs

* the white subway tiles in the kitchen

* coffee table books galore

It's a great mix of preppy/chic. If I wasn't in a rental I'd paint my doors black lacquer like that! Bonus: watch this video on Spade and Sperduti here- creators of the J.Crew Liquor Store concept. I'm so luckily to have met and worked with them while I was working on the Rolex brand in New York!

*images via the selby

Designing Minds: Andy Spade

Starting in a Manhattan apartment, the now multi-million dollar fashion empire, Andy Spade, one half of kate spade, showcases the style and business know-how it takes to make it to the top. From iconic hand bags to a group art gallery that doubles as a retail space, the concept of surrounding yourself with what you love has proven to be the secret ingredient to their success. Watch the video above to learn more.