SET A PLACE FOR GLOBAL INSPIRATION
Photographs courtesy Kim Seybert
Designer Kim Seybert tells the story of an unexpected treat, a week spent on the Mediterranean as a guest on her friends’ yacht. Last summer’s trip was, she has said, a lovely respite from her usually frantic pace of traveling the world to oversee her business. And, no surprise here, that restful voyage yielded plenty of design inspiration now reflected in her latest creations. The beach and sea have always influenced Seybert, but those elements truly rise to the forefront and mingle gracefully with her trademark elegance. Who wouldn’t want to anchor a summer dinner-party table with the Sea Odyssey Runner ($830) or create a dazzling place setting with the Sand Dollar collection ($24 to $110, pictured here with the ivory/natural Poseidon runner, $790)? Back on land, there’s the charm of the casual lifted beyond the everyday as seen by the Moroccan Melamine tableware ($17 to $25). Finally, we journey to the Far East with the Pagoda collection’s placemats, napkins and napkin rings ($21 to $200). It’s all designed to help create a round-the-world excursion in your own backyard. Kim Seybert is carried by Neiman Marcus in White Plains, Current Home in Scarsdale and Hoagland’s of Greenwich.
For more, visit kimseybert.com.
FOR THE DAD WHO’S AT HOME IN THE KITCHEN
Photograph courtesy Mantry
There’s a definite charm to a man who knows his way around a kitchen. If a man in your life is one of those, lucky you. Maybe you’d like to reward his interest just in time for Father’s Day with a gift with a strong, masculine viewpoint. Mantry is a company designed for “modern men looking to discover American artisan food and how to cook and entertain with it.” The company puts a most contemporary spin on a tried-and-true concept – the “of-the-month” club model – by spotlighting artisan brands and unique flavors. Each Mantry delivery features six full-size artisan food products delivered in a handmade wooden crate along with a custom manual that details the products and offers recipes. Past deliveries have carried themes ranging from “Mountain Man” to “Bacon Nation,” “Breakfast with Pops” to “Italian American Picnic.” Who else but “The Modern Man’s Pantry” is going to take you on virtual American road trip and deliver bourbon marshmallows, chili-lime pistachios or natural summer sausage right to your door? A single Mantry delivery is $75, plus $10 shipping. A three-month subscription is $225, with six months for $450 (both include shipping).
For more, visit mantry.com.
WITH A DECIDEDLY BRITISH ACCENT
Photograph courtesy Farrow & Ball
Take two respected British companies, let the creativity mingle and suddenly, you have quite the distinctive result. That’s what happened when Farrow & Ball, the noted paint and wallpaper company, collaborated with The Cambridge Satchel Company, which is committed to preserving British manufacturing. The partnership has resulted in 200 limited-edition satchels that have just launched. Showcasing Farrow & Ball’s latest bespoke paint color, Stiffkey Blue, the sturdy-yet-stylish bags range from $180 to $230. Sarah Cole, Farrow & Ball’s creative director, sums up the partnership: “We are delighted to collaborate with The Cambridge Satchel Company on this limited edition collection of Stiffkey Blue satchels. Born on a Norfolk beach, our new rich navy, Stiffkey Blue, was the perfect choice for this summer’s nautical look, but with a classic feel that reflects our rich heritage. The exclusive satchels celebrate the coming together of two British brands and their shared commitment to quality and craftsmanship, with every satchel made here in the U.K.” Consider the purchase of this showcase of contemporary British style the ideal companion for your own summer travels across the pond.
For more, visit cambridgesatchel.com/us.
BLACK AND WHITE AND OH, SO STYLISH
Photographs courtesy Sieger by Fürstenberg
German luxury brand Sieger was in New York City recently, making quite the splash in launching its new Ca’ d’Oro collection from Sieger by Fürstenberg at The New York Tabletop Market. Christian Sieger flew in just for the event, speaking to those in attendance about the handcrafted collection designed by his brother Michael Sieger. Its name, which translates as “golden house,” is inspired by the palazzo on the banks of the Grand Canal in Venice, which was once the designer’s second home. The understated line of 35 items (those pictured here range from $170 to $698) is elevated to something special with the application of a delicate band of gold applied and burnished by hand. Isn’t it just too chic?
For more, visit sieger.org.
DOCTOR’S ORDERS…
Photograph by Bob Rozycki
Dr. Ian Smith, the Danbury-born author of The New York Times best-sellers “Shred: The Revolutionary Diet” and “Super Shred: The Big Results Diet” has come to our snacking rescue. Smith, who was featured here in WAG back in 2012, has introduced a guilt-free snack to help curb cravings. SHRED Pop Popcorn is made with non-GMO corn, and all flavors are gluten-free. At just 100 calories per one-ounce bag, we’re more than ready to throw some honey BBQ, sea salt, kettle or white cheddar SHRED popcorn into our beach bags this summer. It’s available at $21.99 for 24 one-ounce bags.
For more, visit shredlife.com.
A SIP (OR TWO) FROM SPAIN
Photograph by Bob Rozycki
Warm weather often translates to lighter meals and dining outdoors. Complete the picture with a chilled white wine. The Spanish region of Rueda suggests the ideal varietal for al fresco meals, the Verdejo grape. A fresh minerality balances the herbaceous and citrus fruit flavors, creating a lovely option for sunny-day sipping. And since June 12 is National Verdejo Day, why not serve some salad, grilled chicken or seafood and then raise your glass in celebration? Among the 2013 vintage options are Emina Verdejo ($10.99), Transcampanas Verdejo ($14.99) and Protos Verdejo ($13.99).
For more, visit winesofrueda.com.
SWEET SCENT OF PARADISE
Photograph by Bob Rozycki
We just can’t seem to get the scent of Escada’s latest, Born of Paradise, off our mind. The limited-edition fragrance, mentioned in our spring perfume preview, is now in full bloom. It invites you to the tropical paradise that is French Polynesia with its vivid flowers, glistening beaches, turquoise waters and delicious tropical fruits. Inspired by the summertime classic, the piña colada, the playful scent is a blend of pineapple and coconut milk shaken with notes of watermelon, green apple and guava – all enhanced with woody, musky and creamy undertones. Yum. The 50ml/1.6-ounce bottle is $56.
For more, visit sephora.com.
ALL-AMERICAN SUMMERTIME
Photograph courtesy Jonathan Adler and Chandon
The nautical look and summer go hand-in-hand – a classic combination. And this summer, we hope to be serving up a bit of bubbly on a pretty neat anchor-themed tray. To do this, we’re looking to Chandon, the pioneer in California sparkling beverages, as it launches its third limited-edition bottle. This year, the iconic Napa Valley sparkling wine has partnered with noted designer Jonathan Adler – how much do you love browsing his amazing boutiques in Greenwich and Westport? – to release two exclusive items available only this summer. Serve up Chandon’s 2014 “American Summer” Limited Edition on either of two Adler-created acrylic trays that sport a red-white-and-blue motif of interlocking anchors. The wave of color echoes the wave design of the Chandon bottle to make quite the presentation, a celebration of Chandon’s American heritage. As Adler has said of the collaboration: “I love irreverent, colorful design, and Chandon shares that spirit of vibrant energy. The American Summer bottle is clean and crisp with a dash of preppy nauticalia that is always alluring. The tray I designed is perfect for outdoor entertaining; inviting friends over for an afternoon of bubbly; and recreating the glamour of your favorite Slim Aarons’ photograph.” The limited-edition tray will be available in Adler’s Manhattan boutique or online at $98 for the 11-by-17 inch version or $78 for the 9-by-11 inch tray. American Summer will retail for $8 in 187ml minis or from $22 in 750ml bottles.
For more, visit jonathanadler.com or chandon.com.
FOR THE LOVE OF ANIMALS
Photograph courtesy Elena Kriegner
Austrian-born jewelry designer Elena Kriegner has long been creating one-of-a-kind signature pieces for private clients around the world. Her work has taken her far, from studying with a gemstone cutter in South Africa to teaching jewelry design in Greece. Now working out of a Chelsea studio in New York City, Kriegner created a Heart-Paw pet lover’s necklace that was raffled off last month at an animal-themed conference in Las Vegas. For those who would like a Heart-Paw necklace ($480) of their own, Kriegner will take custom orders and craft the sterling silver piece that features an amethyst drop by hand.
For more, visit elenakriegner.com.
FOR THE PLANE (AND BEYOND)
Photograph courtesy Heat Holders
Sure, sure, summer is hot. Summer is sticky. But sometimes, summer can touch on the cooler side. Think of those long flights when you simply catch a chill or the way you sometimes feel padding around in your hotel after a long day beside the ocean. All you want to do is snuggle up. Well, Sock Shop, a company established in 1947 in England, is ready to offer a solution with its Heat Holders. Ideal to take along whether heading to the mountains, the shore or points in between, the thermal socks and slippers – which handily ship out of North Carolina – are designed to keep the nip out of your night. $19.99.
For more, visit heatholders.com.