The world of Loewe

Last month, I hopped a plane to Madrid for a scant 48 hours to immerse myself in Jonathan Anderson's Loewe and get a glimpse of his vision for the brand's future. The shiny new flagship store was just about to open and there was much cause for celebration. Ever since my first Loewe purchase - a bright green elephant coin purse - I've followed the brand with great interest and continue to be awed at their brilliant output. Don't even get me started on how Jonathan Anderson is only 32 and doing all that he does (ughh).



I started a crazy day with a quick tour of the Loewe factory in Getafe, a city in the south of the Madrid metropolitan area. As an avid consumer of luxury goods (guilty), I always find it gratifying to see a bit of the process and craftsmanship that go into these goods and really realize why they cost what they do. At the factory, we chatted about how no matter what kind of color changes and processes are done to the leather, the heritage is always there. The materials are true to themselves. Under Anderson's direction and mixing new ideas with classic heritage, the results are elegant but edgy, and this manifests in a clear way in his designs. Here's a peek at the making of the popular puzzle bag.



That afternoon, I poked my head around the not-yet-opened flagship store. It's situated in the Salamanca district in a landmarked 19th-century building, spread over three floors, and roughly 1000 sqm in size. Sounds like a recipe for a masterpiece. Besides the colorful eye-candy accessory merchandising and beautiful afternoon light, there are also a number of art pieces that are housed in the space. From the agate ceiling to the Spanish limestone details to some original British antiques, the store is more of a discovery cultural experience than just a shopping destination.





I was trigger-happy all over the store - every angle was photogenic. Then I got distracted and ended up picking up a hammock bag in cobalt blue. I had seen it on a few of the other journalists on the trip and thought it was incredibly versatile and beautiful. I'm an easy sell apparently. I absolutely love it though.



Later that night, after returning to the store for more celebrations, we made our way to the Real Jardin Botanico, where we toasted to the opening of the 'Loewe: Past, Present, Future' exhibition. I could not get over the room filled with Steven Meisel's photos of flowers. The arrangements were stunning, and the photos and framing sure did them justice. The other part of the exhibition consisted of collaged walls and floors as well as a selection of objects and accessories from Loewe's archives and current designs.


I am excited to see where Anderson takes the brand and have no doubt he has some innovative and fun surprises planned for the future.

CASA LOEWE
Calle Serrano 34
Madrid, Spain

Colors of my dreams

I recently stayed at the new(ish) Hotel Saint-Marc in Paris after a recommendation by my trusty friend Eric. It's a beautifully designed hotel with a contemporary art deco vibe, and it feels like a classic already. The combination of pinks, mustards, deep purple, and greens had my heart singing.



Hôtel Saint-Marc
36 Rue Saint-Marc
75002 Paris, France

The Villa at Saugerties

I recently spent a cold and wet weekend up at The Villa at Saugerties. It doesn't get much cozier than sleeping with the fireplace on in those weather conditions and watching good old HGTV. I never really get much R&R as even when I'm in a place like this, I'm waking up with the sun to try and shoot before the rest of the house wakes up. I can't turn off the photographer in me. (Alas, a curse and a blessing.)

No pool time this time around but it wouldn't be a shabby place at all to hang out on a sunny summer's day.

The owners, Amanda and Joe, are incredibly generous with their time and cook a barn dinner at their own house for the guests over the weekend (not to mention a multi-course breakfast every day).

Now I'm dreaming of being cooped up there during a proper snowstorm this winter. By the fireplace of course.

Is it fall yet?

A few weeks ago I got to spend a few days at a model home upstate, which made me crave fall weather with its warm wood paneling, moody light and textures, and wood furniture throughout. Though, I'm probably the only person who wants summer to be over...

Look 1: Loewe Sweater (sold out) / Vince Skirt / Margiela Boots

Look 2: Vince Turtleneck / AG Jeans

Open Office

My friends at Everlane launched a series of events last week to celebrate their sparkly new office and showroom. I had the pleasure of leaving cold rainy NY behind to check it out in person. I've been so close to the brand since its beginning days that I am surely biased, but I really love everything they do and the effort they put into their social media channels. If you haven't seen their Snapchat, you're missing out on some good entertainment. And if you're familiar with the brand, you know that transparency is at the forefront of everything they do. Their office and showroom design reflect that openness and transparency. I'm not sure I would get any work done in that space, though, because I would be photographing everything possible in that late afternoon light.

Of course it's not just about aesthetics and good window light – there's got to be good substance behind all of that. I know from first hand experience that these folks work hard and have great ideas. I'm always excited and looking forward to seeing what they do next.

Below is a little look at the office and showroom, with many gratuitous photos of the window light.




Having seen some of the newest pieces in person, I'm particularly into the relaxed poplin shirt in the blue/white stripe. I'm also looking forward to replacing my current modern point shoe, which I've completely worn down already – they're getting a restock of all the sizes that were previously sold out. And if you're like me and have trouble with the length of most shirts (petite problems), the square silk shirt is a great cropped length.

Checking in: Seoul

I think I sound like a broken record when I bemoan how my time in "x" city was too short, but I really felt that in Seoul. I went in with zero expectations (besides expecting to eat some damn good soondubu – which I did) but was quite blown away by the museums, food, design, how cheap everything was, and how modern everything felt.

I started my trip at the Grand Hyatt, which was located fairly centrally to many of the things I wanted to do. For instance, you can walk to the Leeum Museum from there, though the walk back is up a gnarly hill. The views are beautiful and the light in the restaurant is insane in the morning.



For the second half of my stay, I moved over to the Park Hyatt which is located in the Gangnam financial district of Seoul. There's something terribly luxurious about a bathroom that's bigger than your NYC studio. After checking in to a handful of hotels this year, I've come to realize I really do appreciate an unnecessarily large bathroom and shower that lets me spread out shamelessly. Though the location was a little less convenient, taxis were incredibly cheap (being stuck in traffic and going way across town for an hour would still only cost $17 USD or so) so it wasn't a problem.



(How beautiful is this staircase? I came across so many well-designed staircases during my short stay; no detail was spared!)

For me, it's fun to check out different neighborhoods so I don't mind the hassle of moving hotels mid-way through a stay, though it does cut into exploring time. There are still so many museums I want to visit and I didn't even scratch the surface with other visual attractions. I'm so looking forward to getting back there (especially as I've been completely ruined with Korean food and can't even think about having it in NY right now!).

*Lingered Upon received a press discount at the aforementioned Hyatt properties.

The Laslett

I spent one night in Notting Hill at The Laslett – I arrived much too late at night and had to leave much too early in the morning to really explore the neighborhood but I absolutely loved the 'smart charm' (is that even a real phrase?) and details of the hotel. This was supposed to be my London Part 2 post, but had too many photos of the hotel I wanted to share, so I guess this is a quick Part 2 Part 1?

Nicole Patel

When I first came across Nicole Patel's beautiful grid work (via Rosa of Cereal), I immediately felt a sense of calm. I wanted more. I exclaimed to anyone who might care and showed them her pieces, "I love this artist's work!" I was drawn to photos of her home in Nyack as well, which gave me a similar calm feeling. Clearly she knew a thing or two about interiors as well. We eventually started chatting and connected in real life. When Nicole came over one day to talk about doing a piece for me, I gave her the "grand tour" of my apartment and basically begged for organizing advice (if you saw the insides of my closets, you'd understand why). I recently had the chance to visit her home and studio, and I left feeling incredibly inspired by Nicole's thoughtfulness about her work, approach, and intentions. I hope you'll also enjoy this conversation with her.



How did you get started in your current series of work?

My current series is a collection of Bridges. It originated many months ago when I saw the documentary about the architect Sir Norman Foster. The Millau Viaduct in France was featured and the first sight of it inspired me immensely. It is a mastery of structure, sweeping and expansive, made up of a simple shift of equal line weights. I was simultaneously seeking to simulate what I love about blueprints within my work, and I began working with a Sky Blue Japanese Merino thread for its color and heathered line quality. Eventually after enough time, the Bridge manifested, and it held a space for that undulating grace that I longed to emulate.

Who/what are your biggest inspirations?

When I think about what my biggest inspiration is on a daily basis, my intention is to help people in some way. When I was studying fine art at University I had an inkling to be an art therapist. Later in life I developed my own company called Homework. I worked as a holistic interior designer. It was essentially home organizing and interior design, with an aim to optimize people’s quality of life by clarifying their home. Eventually I grew into working as a fine artist doing the work I am known for now, but my objective remains the same – helping people feel a sense of peace and clarity in their home by holding a space for simplicity.



What are your favorite materials to work with?

I tend to gravitate towards materials that are in some way pure. That largely becomes natural materials such as cotton, wool and marble, but it also includes plaster. So more than natural materials, I enjoy working with materials that are the foundation for other art forms. The muslin, for example, is the blank canvas of fashion, marble the bedrock of classical sculpture, plaster used in casting clay, etc. Someone likened my work to the experience of perusing a stationery store and selecting a notebook, holding so much possibility in those blank pages, and that is indeed what I want to offer – that unadulterated potential that a given material holds.

What influences your interior aesthetic? And what were you trying to achieve when putting together your workspace?

I am always working to turn down visual noise, and the furnishing is simple enough to be a platform for the daily activities. I continually transition from working on my art to being a mom, to housekeeping, and to administrative tasks throughout the day. They are all in the same space, so there is no boundary between my work and the rest of my life and I think that's how I'm most productive.



What kind of state of mind are you in when you're actively creating and putting together your grids?

Seeking – if it's a new piece or style I am seeking something, a fine line between what I feel appeals to both the intellect and the spirit. I always try several iterations and let them percolate. I live with them to understand their presence. They need to be understated and attractive, and also have enduring appeal.

Do some of the grids happen spontaneously or do you pre-plan all of them?

I have decide to produce my work in limited editions of twelve. So sometimes I have to stick to the plan and recreate a formula, which is possible but challenging for me. As an artist, once I have the foundation laid out, I set out on a journey but always want to take a new scenic route! So often times when I am intending to repeat myself I follow my intuition instead and new piece is born. It reminds me of one winter I was making a chicken soup for some friends who were visiting. I had the classic ingredients and then some, and my mind thought to make numerous alternative versions. I began to say to myself, “Just make the soup, just make the soup." I followed through with a most classic version and when my guest tasted it he remarked that it reminded him of his Jewish grandmother’s chicken soup. It was one of the best compliments I've had on my cooking, and I was so happy I stayed on task!



Can you share some of your favorite books for inspiration?

John Pawson by Deyan Sudjic and Bruce Chatwin, Belgian Architects and Their Houses by Diane Hendrix and Muriel Verbist, The Mountain Poems of Stonehouse by Red Pine

A few places you can find or purchase Nicole's work: Nalata Nalata (in the physical store), Cereal's online shop, and C'H'C'M. And of course you can contact Nicole directly via her website for pieces.

The Stahl House

I don't know if the Stahl House really needs much introduction, and there's little I can add to the conversation that hasn't been better said by others. It has been a dream of mine for a while now to visit (especially after I first watched Visual Acoustics), and I basically extended my recent LA trip just so I could finally take the tour. It's quite a visual feast, and hopefully these photos give you a taste of that (but really you should just plan a visit the next time you're in the area!). You're only allowed to take photos with mobile phones, so these were all shot on iPhone.

Outfit details: Rivet & Thread Jeans // Raey Cami (worn with these crazy things) // Trademark Mules

Lincoln Black Label at Home, NYC

I first worked with the Lincoln Motor Company on a road trip from Nashville to Austin last summer to promote their new MKC. I'm happy to be partnering with them again to experience their new Lincoln Black Label collection, a new line of interior themes with unique ownership privileges. It comes together with the cars themselves, and with their Black Label at Home program—where houses across the country have been reconsidered with interior design inspired by the themes and materials of the new collection.



Each of the four themes in the Black Label collection was designed with a specific personality in mind, and I went straight to the source to learn more. Lincoln Design Manager Janet Seymour says, "The goal was to reach out and appeal emotionally to a customer and their own personality and taste. We've tried to create as much differentiation between these themes as possible so we can appeal to a broad cross section of customers out there." 

After visiting the space in Manhattan’s Union Square and seeing the interiors, I tried to visualize how these “emotions” of diverse personalities could translate into food. Theme-by-theme, I paired ingredients that I felt best complemented them.

The Center Stage theme transports you to a swanky post-theater lounge with its striking black, white and red scheme. You also might feel like you've gone back to the '20s. Black leather and suede contribute to the drama of this theme. Janet talks about how the intent was "to create an interior environment where there's a surprise and delight, with an accent color called Foxfire Red within a black interior." Of course, it only seemed fitting to find a fiery red pepper (these are bird's eye chilies) to illustrate this theme's pronounced red detailing as well as this theme's target customer who is expressive and isn't afraid to make a statement about themselves.

Probably the most elegant of the four themes, Modern Heritage is for those who appreciate clean lines and a modern aesthetic. It is Janet's favorite (and mine too). Although the overall color scheme felt similar to that of Center Stage, the proportion of white made the rooms feel much more airy and open. The simple furniture lines and graphic art in both the living room and bedroom also made this feel much more modern.

How does this translate into the culinary world? These breakfast radishes are classic but never boring. The surprising bite you get at the end of the radish is like the surprise of the subtle red stitching that punctuates the white leather interior of the Modern Heritage car. More needs to happen with radishes.

Indulgence is an indisputable nod to the pleasure and allure of chocolate. The car interiors are the very color of a chocolate bar. Likewise, the Indulgence bedroom and kitchen are rich with shades of brown and contrasting textures, from the fluffy stools at the edge of the bed to the striped wood in the kitchen. This customer is looking for comfort and a cozy dark interior.

Translation? While I love a good dark chocolate bar myself, I have more of a savory-tooth and my indulgent savory counterpart is some good old prosciutto. I consider it such a treat.

The Oasis theme also very much mimics its namesake, with the cream and tan colors of the car interior and open-pore wood appliqués inspired by an actual oasis. The rooftop in the penthouse space was quite a haven in this bustling city. It had its own pool and multiple seating areas. I felt like I could easily spend all my time up there with a good book. In the bedroom, the same soothing neutral shades are repeated. I'm a sucker for succulents (yes, still!), and there were little guys scattered throughout. I felt a combination of lemon verbena tea and a sweet melon would be ideal for this environment.
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Janet says Lincoln is "constantly looking into the future" and has already been working on more Black Label themes to come. I'm excited to see what personalities will be added to the mix.

Disclosure: This post was created in partnership with Lincoln Motor Company.