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From Kim:

The Santa Barbara Magazine spread above reprises the chic vibe of 70s California in a beguiling 21st century way.  I can almost hear my very first LP, the Beach Boys' Endless Summer album wafting in the background. Once upon a time, summers did seem endless; basking at the beach, kicking back on bean bag chairs (updated like these hand-stitched leather ottomans), riding bikes all around and shopping for "love beads." Fiery pink, coral and golden sunsets, gorgeous backdrops for silhouetted palm trees create the perfect endless summer sunsets.

From Kim:

This is an image of the Iftaree Pavilion, situated on the Marble Terrace of the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. Though petite, this golden canopied pavilion is commanding in it's beauty and situation, overlooking the Golden Horn. Built in the 17th century, it was created to "break fast" at sunset during Ramadan. During summer months, it was considered the "Moonlit Seat."  With summer on it's way, I love the idea of creating an outdoor pavilion - one needn't have a palace, just a small plot of earth, four posts and a roof. It can be very simple, or very complex whatever your fancy.  There are many possibilities with different names: Pavilion, Gazebo and Ramada. All of them are going for gold!

From Kim:

The Harem. That's what the sign said outside a narrow entrance portal within the grand confines of the Topkapi Palace.  Images from A Thousand and One Nights danced in my mind - and yet as I soon learned, "The Harem" does not mean a group of sequestered women, but rather, the private living quarters of the Sultan where he, and all his family, including the women and children lived. There are what seem like miles of exquisitely tiled rooms and several fountains with the cooling, calming sound of water tinkling.  I'm sure that in the day, there were yards and yards of sumptuous textiles all about, with mounds of luxurious pillows everywhere, similar to our signature pillows of various silk velvet textiles!

From Kim:

Pictured here is a "still" from L'Année Dernière à Marienbad - Last Year at Marienbad. It's a classic with many fervent admirers, like myself, who are entranced by the mystifying story with exquisite staging, mood and cinematography.

The film is shot within the interiors and gardens of several chateaux around Munich and while this isn't the Riviera, (Marienbad is actually a Czech spa town) the glamour and essence of the film puts it in the same ranks. Delphine Seyrig (as "the woman") is always perfectly coiffed and stunningly dressed by Channel throughout. My favorite scene is of Delphine in her bedroom wearing a marabou edged robe sitting upon a small chair among what seems like a hundred pair of shoes. The black and white riviera glamour style of this film is fantastique!

From Kim:

I'm a great fan of John Saladino's work and one of the many reasons is his use of color. This is the main reason he's a "Designer We Love." Looking at his work, I almost feel as though I'm viewing an expression of nature, so perfect the palette and textured nuances. Regarding one of John's rooms recently, a friend said, ""I just want to stare at it's beauty." Ditto I thought, the feeling is similar to enjoying a sublime Santa Barbara sunset such as this. I don't do it often enough but it's a great treat to enjoy a water perspective of our beloved city whether out paddling on a surfboard or on a catamaran sunset cruise. Time to get out there!

From Kim:

The first time I ever went to a hammam was years ago in Paris, after walking a trade show for days on end I was in need of a tranquil restoration. Recently, I treated myself to a traditional Turkish bath in Istanbul and highly recommend my experience at Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamami. Pictured left is this exquisite hammam built in the 16th century, commissioned by Roxelana, the wife of Suleiman the Magnificent. Situated between the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia, it is truly a gem of a building. The interior of the bath is a large gorgeous room, covered wall to wall and floor to ceiling with gleaming white marble. This grand room, filled with warm air, bubbly softly scented soap, and the subtle sound of running water felt like a dream from a bygone era. They had the most luxurious Turkish cotton towels that inspired me to bring them into the store.

From Kim:

How I have never made it to the headlands of More Mesa until just last weekend I don't know. Leave it to my husband from New York City to introduce me to my own backyard!  It was a rare day with a tiny drizzle and then suddenly there was a clearing so we headed down the path that leads directly to a spectacular seaside trail along the very edge of the bluff which tumbles dramatically to the beach. There were many luxuriant green grasses and wild flowers, most notably a hillside of bright yellow Coast Sunflowers; Encelia californica in full bloom and glory, lighting this grey day.

From Kim:

Like a sorbet serves as a palate cleanser between courses at a long feast, a trip to the serene and exquisite Chora Church in Istanbul was just what my senses needed after the heady and mind boggling assortment and sounds of a buying trip in Istanbul. Considered one of the most beautiful examples of Byzantine architecture in the world, it's a true gem. Istanbul's phenomenal geographic position between East and West, and the myriad of influences over the centuries from different cultures and traditions, makes for a spectacular amalgamation and experience today. This Christian Church founded in the 5th century became a mosque in the 15th century. It's now being painstankingly restored to reveal the soul stirring images created in fresco and mosaic eons ago.