BLOG

From Kim:

The perfect combo; a luxurious robe, a quiet morning at home and delectable croissants! We are fortunate to have

Renaud here in Santa Barbara, who creates incredible french pastry. You will find all the French expats there too - saying his creations are better than many French bakeries. The ultimate French Tea Emporium experience this side of the pond is not even Laduree in NYC but actually just down the coast from us here, in downtown Los Angeles. Bottega Louie is a must for those longing for a French experience; the patisserie is housed in beautiful marble and glass cases, in a high-ceiling, turn of the century building with large windows full of light. Enjoy a bistro meal, tea time treat or take things to go; the macaroons, patisserie and chocolates are nestled into beautiful packaging. My fave is the raspberry croissant pictured here. Ooh la la!

From Kim:

I've long wanted to be at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the lighting of their Baroque Neapolitan Christmas Tree . The grand tree, festooned with flying angles and gorgeous creche figurines, is backed by an 18th century Spanish wrought iron choir screen, and located in the Medieval Sculpture Gallery.  Throughout the gallery, numerous renderings of Mary and Christ are displayed and no matter the material; wood, stone, ivory and pictured here, terra cotta - they are all precious renderings of a mother and child, and the very reason we celebrate Christmas. That said, their timeless appeal is universal regardless of belief as everyone recognizes the devotion and sacredness of motherhood.  The relief here, Virgin and Child, was created around 1475 by Andrea della Robbia, nephew of Luca who mastered the technique of a ceramic glaze that made such art and decoration suitable for both interior and exterior decoration.  The mood of this piece is serene and knowing. I always love to see the rendering of angels, their wings can be simple and pure like these perhaps white gull wings, some other favorite angels with fabulous wings are at Sainte Chapelle - there, with peacock and parrot wings.

From Kim:

Wonderful gifts come in myriad forms; a soft scarf, a lustrous pearl, a shimmering clutch - and then there are the priceless gifts - a beautiful sunset, the song of a bird, the scent of orange blossoms in bloom... Other gifts are those of compassion and solidarity. The imagery we've seen of late in support and honor of Paris, from people all around the world be it Myanmar, Israel, Germany, Australia, USA, Brazil, on and on, is breathtaking in scope and goodwill. We have seen the very worst of what humans can be and the very best of what we can be. Remember what Desiderius Erasmus said "Give light, and the darkness will disappear of itself."

From Kim:

Knowing we would be in Milan briefly, I bought a tiny guide book; Lonely Planet "Pocket" Milan & The Lakes.  It had an intriguing cover photo of what looked to be the rooftop of a gothic cathedral. Delving inside I learned indeed, one can visit the rooftop of the Duomo, so it was a "Milan Must" for me.  We took a lift directly to the top and there began a phenomenal walk on the narrow pathways around the circumference of the roof, eventually climbing a skinny stairway to the tip top. There were hundreds of airy, intricately carved spires, humorous gargoyles, flying buttresses and marvelous statuary of saints, all seeming to float like an island on a cloud, with breath taking 360 degree views of the city surround.  The first cathedral was built on this site in the 4th century; this iteration was begun in the 14th century and took 600 years to complete.  There is a massive restoration and cleaning taking place; pictured, you can see the contrast of the work.  Mark Twain was in awe of this cathedral; Oscar Wilde not so much. I personnally love this other worldly fairy tale beauty of a cathedral.

From Kim:

Cordoned off from the burgeoning crowds of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, is the octagonal Tribuna; a "treasure house" designed by Bernardo Buontalenti in1584 at the bequest of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Francesco1de'Medici. Considered the first museum of Europe, it was created to house the precious jewels, paintings, furniturnishings and ancient sculptures of the Medici.  The four elements are represented in the design by an intricately inlaid marble floor, symbolizing Earth, the walls upholstered in red velvet for Fire, the "rose of the wind" (compass) on the top of the lantern for Air and last but not least the huge nacre dome, pictured, created with 6000 mother of pearl shells - symbolizing Water. This "Room of Wonders" enchanted and inspired the great thinkers, leaders and artists of the Renaissance and now delights the throngs of us today.

From Kim:

Located in the Engadine Valley, Pontresina is a charming mountain resort town in south eastern Switzerland,10 minutes from it's better known neighbor St. Moritz. Many of the old village homes dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, are decorated with an incised decoration called "sgraffito" (the Italian term to scratch, and where the term graffiti comes from). Motifs include vines, (pictured left), geometric forms,  floral designs and animals, the most
predominant being the "capricorn" (the latin term for Ibex) or Alpine Ibex. These fascinating homes share the streets with elegant Belle Epoque hotels in a sunny, sheltered surround of grand mountains. Pontresina is en route of the Bernina Express, a glorious train ride that goes up and over the highest railway pass in Europe with sweeping views of mountains and valleys all the way into northern Italy, a most enchanting trip.

From Kim:

We were told, quite emphatically, there were no public beaches in Portofino, but I couldn't believe that to be true.  So suit under shorts, we headed off on a narrow footpath  above the precious seaside town and first came upon a handsome castle: Castello Brown. Not too far from there, an offshoot of the main path pointed: SPIAGGIA. I knew there must be and so it was, a teeny tiny beach, just barely, but at least an entrance to the dazzling turquoise sea.  After a brief dip, we continued to meander toward the promontory of the peninsula, where we enjoyed a bellini with freshly pureed peaches and a chocolate banana milkshake at Al Faro, created by it's irrepressible impresario, below the picturesque lighthouse; "faro" in Italian.

From Kim:

Just home from a holiday in Switzerland with National Geographic Expeditions — an amazing trip, predominantly by train.  One of the highlights was the magnificent sight of the Matterhorn, (instilled in my mind since the "bobsled ride" on "The Matterhorn" at Disneyland circa 1967.)  The peak is the beloved symbol of Switzerland, the land of the sportiest people I have ever seen. We passed couples with strollers on high mountain trails, followed by their great grandparents. At the end of a long day we would cozy into chairs indoor or out lined with sheepskins; the warmth, cush and chicness embodying the perfect Alpine experience. That said, here in SB for al fresco dinners, we set pelts in dining chairs as well, so company can linger out under the stars.

From Kim:

This is the view from Room 301 at Relais Santa Croce in Florence. This site, along with the ringing of the evening bells brought visions of "A Room with a View" (a personal favorite) to mind. The art, architecture, the textiles, the food, pasticceria, and gelateria so much, an endless delight.  There is such an elegance to life there like nowhere else.
I was last in Florence 15 years ago buying candles for a large company I used to work for.  This time, I was looking for very different products for MAISON K and, as you can imagine, there is a plethora of gorgeous product.

From Kim:

Ubiquitous mint, found in gorgeous heaps throughout the medina in Marrakech, always delights. The glorious scent wafts down the alleyways as people carry bunches home to prepare fresh tea. Mint tea is not just a refreshing beverage, but as importantly, a ritual and art form,; it represents friendship and hospitality. Go to any home, any shop, any restaurant and you will be served this freshest of teas - loads of mint, a tiny bit of green tea and heaps of sugar. Served in a beautiful pot, poured into a tiny glass from above, and served on beautiful trays, this tradition is alive and well, one we can incorporate into our busy lives too!