Trail of Inspiration

From Paint to Product

2012-02-10T13:41:00.000-08:00

This is a sampling of some pieces from our new fabric line...We are just mad about the birds, which are called Dancers....and inspired by the little birds hopping and nibbling on our newly seeded grass. There are so many fun things, including the gold butterflies above. All of which i will keep you posted on, but wanted to share the birth...from conception of the designs on paper and through collage to the actual fabrics. These will be available to order at the end of March.

My Favorite Valentine Gift

2012-02-06T10:19:00.000-08:00

Here is a fun idea for a Valentine's Gift. I am giving you a few days advance warning as this is an arts and crafts project so you will need a t-shirt (or bag or pillow or whatever floats your fancy) and iron and iron on paper (all which you may need to purchase). This is a fun project that you can do with your children too as gifts for Dad, Grandparents or for your husband or boyfriend, girlfriend etc. My husbands loves showing off my signs of affection towards him, so i made these "love" drawings on my computer and then print them onto iron-on paper (available at Staples). You are welcome to cut and paste one of my above designs and print out (remember to turn your printer to t-shirt mode while printing these). And then just follow the iron-on directions from the t-shirt transfer paper. And voila, you will have a totally cool gift for the one you love!!!
Also: Check out our Facebook page to win a LULU DK for Matouk embroidered LOVE pillow (below).

A Valentines Giveaway!

2012-02-03T16:46:00.000-08:00

Go to our Facebook page and enter to win a LULU DK for Matouk LOVE pillow in Valentine's red! I must admit, we at LULU DK have been somewhat slow with the Twitter and Facebook world, (being of a creative nature and not having a gaggle of assistants helping me to paint it seemed a little much for me to handle another outlet beyond my beloved blog, such as Facebook and Twitter, but we love our fans and clients and have so much we want to share and want to hear, so up up and away we (at LULU DK) go to make LULU DK a little more social savvy. To help in our efforts we have hired a fabulous new company (same company that did my video) Bsmart Interactive to initiate our Facebook and Twitter growing process. So first off, we are going to be keeping you abreast of LULU DK happenings, I will give you weekly design tips and we will have occasional GIVEAWAYS like the Valentines Embroidered LOVE pillow. Through time I will be giving away signed LULU books, some unframed prints, and other doodads...So check us out on Facebook, follow us on Twitter...and like like like us!

Collages on One Kings Lane!

2012-02-02T06:37:00.000-08:00

One and a bit more days to buy some of my collages from my book LULU on One King's Lane.
They are framed, come in many different sizes and have been beautifully reproduced into fine quality lithographs. Check it out!

The Color Purple

2012-01-30T09:02:00.000-08:00

Jeffrey Bilhuber loves a splash of purple

It’s funny how a color that has never been on the top of your ab-fab list suddenly becomes a season must have... and then before you know you too are loving it too! I am not quite sure how that happens (if anyone knows, please feel free to chirp in). It is safe to say (out of the blue) I am having a sudden thirst for the color PURPLE this season….For my LULU DK for Matouk bedding line this season, I had to forgo my beloved bright green shade of happy Spring for a lilac purple, which at first I raised a heavy eyebrow about, but I must say I have now taken to purple like a bee to honey…Here are a few examples of my new found friend that I am particularly crazy about.

“Purple has a special, almost sacred place in nature: lavender, orchid, lilac, and violet flowers are often delicate and considered precious. Because purple is derived from the mixing of a strong warm and strong cool color it has both warm and cool properties. A purple room can boost a child's imagination or an artist's creativity. Too much purple, like blue, could result in moodiness.
The color of mourning for widows in Thailand, purple was the favorite color of Egypt's Cleopatra. It has been traditionally associated with royalty in many cultures. Purple robes were worn by royalty and people of authority or high rank. The Purple Heart is a U.S. Military decoration given to soldiers wounded in battle.” –About.com

Katie Ridder-ElleDecor

Jose Solis Betancourt and Paul Sherrill-Southern Accents

Jeffrey Bilhuber-House Beautiful

A purple LULU DK Chant room. Custom purple color done by Daniel Romauldez.

Another painting by me that will be sold as prints at my upcoming Gilt Pop-up shop in April

Another painting by me that will be sold in my Gilt Pop-up shop

Another painting i did for a towel design for LULU DK for Matouk

A little sampling of our next LULU DK venture which i will keep you posted on in a few weeks!

And some INCREDIBLE purple hydrangeas I received after posting my purple post from my favorite flower shop, Lily Lodge in LA (owned by my friend Ariana)

A Big Collage Day on OKL

2012-01-28T07:08:00.000-08:00

Mark your calenders! One Kings Lane is doing a huge sale/ event for my collages from my book LULU. Beautifully printed and framed reproductions of collage work i did for my book. If you are not yet familiar with this body of work, it is a collection of collages made up of photos, journals, sketches, and fabric renderings from the past 40 years of my life...cut, ripped, paisted and painted upon. The book and hence the collages span through my childhood memories, experiences, romances, travels and generally everything that makes me who I am today. About 50 of them will be for sale starting February 1st on One Kings Lane.

The new LULU Dk for Matouk bedding line

2012-01-26T17:16:00.000-08:00

I always love working with Matouk, who I work with to make my LULU DK for Matouk bedding. It always turns out beautiful...Sometime when i create original artwork for a product, the final product doesn't always turn out to be what I imagine, but with the Matouk company...they always exceed my expectations, which is so fun (and often a huge relief) for anyone in this industry. This season we also created a children's collection which is shown below, and of course throw pillows which are all embroidered and shown below. There are many more styles and colors (blue, pink and purple seem to be the color story this season),....but you will either have to wait until they are in a store near you (or website) or you you can run down to the NY International Gift Fair at the Javitz center (booth 7804) from January 29th-February 2nd to pre-order.

A Cute Blog About Mom's

2012-01-24T09:24:00.000-08:00

Here is a fun blog started by my friend Karina Lepiner all about mom's that she finds Crushworthy, hence the name of the site! So if you are interested in my little interview with pictures, tips, thoughts etc...feel free to follow the Crushworthy link :-)

Loving Our Fabric in Nathan Turner's Beach House

2012-01-11T06:42:00.000-08:00

Nathan Turner's Malibu beach House

COLORS-Apple Martini

COLORS-Rose

COLORS-Sangria

COLORS-Mint Julep

We love what Nathan Turner did with our LULU DK "Colors" fabric and our Tangerine Stella fabric! Nathan's Malibu beach house is yummy. This picture will be featured in his upcoming design book that he is about to bring out. Nathan also opened his new fabulous store on 8546 Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles Phone: 310-275-1209. Definitly worth a visit.

A Happy New Year Toast To All!

2011-12-31T09:14:00.000-08:00

Happy New Years to all my wonderful followers. Thank you. Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy, inspiring new years...A beautiful journey filled with love, sharing, giving, hugging, laughing, tranquility and joy. This year proves to be a very exciting one for LULU DK. We have a lot of great things in the mix. We are about to bring out a very new and fresh "Garden Line" filled with butterflies, birds, organic shapes and delicious colors which will be available, as always, through Donghia.We are also about to bring out a GREAT line of children's fabrics with Schumacher, which will be launching this April. In January I will be doing a big sale with OKL of all the collages in my book LULU. In April we will have a fun pop-up shop with Gilt, selling a mix of everything; original interior prints, new items, collected items etc. And of course we will keep doing beautiful things with Matouk, including bedding, tabletop, towels, etc. I will of course keep you posted on everything. Check out Vogue.com's Travel Diaries of my Christmas Holidays...Along with Diane VonFurstenburg etc.

A Short Visual Story

2011-12-20T08:43:00.000-08:00

I am a fan! My dear friend Gabriella Stollenwerck has started this great video making company to help promote brands. Quick, cool, snappy videos that share the face behind a brand through video. Photos and words will always be magical but video really brings the story to reality. Please feel free to contact her for further information. Here is my video. I think they did a great job.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SKwWy2D8Y8&context=C3e583a4ADOEgsToPDskJ

If you would like your own snappy video, feel free to contact her at: 310-987-7646

Paint, Glitter, Pom-Poms and Fabulous!

2011-12-04T11:12:00.000-08:00

Martha Steward might cringe at the sight of our hand painted (by both children and parent alike)Christmas ornaments, but there is nothing better then a day of holiday creation and cheer. What a great day...Everyone had a blast making their beautiful Christmas ornaments. I have always been a fan of the handmade item and they always make the most thoughtful amusing gifts. An ornament painting afternoon is so easy to organize and not expensive at all! Really all it took was a trip to Rite aid or Target. Colorful pom-poms, paint, glitter, glue, ribbons, feathers and plastic Christmas balls and viola...some snacks for the children and cheer for the grown-ups and you have a great great day!

My Favorite Time of Year!

2011-12-02T12:48:00.000-08:00

I love Christmas time. My most fond memories are the moments when my mother had me and my 5 siblings create things for Christmas. Everything during Christmas time with 6 children becomes an event. We would all make Christmas cookies, each with our own bowl of dough to create what we could imagine up with green and red sprinkles, Santa cutouts, etc. We would create garland made from nic-nacs around the house, gingerbread houses etc, all useful ware as gifts for the extended family members. Decorating the tree was the best event of all, with 1000 of beautiful ornaments that we had to carefully place on the tree, careful not to break any. It was all magic to me.

Last year my husband came home with the ultimate no-no...plastic Christmas ball ornaments for the tree. With a grimace I thought "where on Earth will I hide those for the rest of our lives"...

However, as it turned out, it turned into the best thing ever! One day as I was chatting with my sister, i happened to have paint lying around and started half-hazardly doodling on one cheesy fake gold plastic little bobble and noticed it was becoming quite fantastic....Hence a new event was created! Painting Christmas ornaments. Since I have twin 3 year old boys (who you can see on my studio wall) who love to dabble with the brush, i decided we would have a little party inviting a handful of my nearest and dearest from LA and their children to come participate in some ornament decorating. So, thanks to my husband, off i went to get a barrel of plastic ornaments at Target and Rite aid...a little glitter, some pom-poms, Elmer's glue, some Tempura paints. If you wanted to do this yourself, you probably could decorate right onto the gold or silver or red or whatever plastic color you get...I chose to paint some of mine white (with white Primer water based paint that you can get at any hardware store)....So our party is tomorrow and I promise to document it.

The Art of Color Coordinating

2011-11-15T07:36:00.000-08:00

Here is a little something from Vogue this morning....My old NYC apartment where I happened to color coordinate my library. Color Coordinating books can totally change a room. I did mine one day when waiting to leave on a trip to India. I was totally packed and ready to go, but I had 2 hours until it was time to catch my flight. Being that my main book shelf was smack in the middle of my living room meant it needed to have a little pizazz (it certainly could not afford to be a mess). So i took EVERYTHING off the shelf and started from scratch. I threw a way a ton of old magazines and catalogs and started dividing all the books by color. At first it was a total accident and then I noticed what a world of difference it made. It actually made visitors giggle when they saw it...as to say "that's kind of cool.... with a touch of UCD!)

LULU DK for Elson and Co. Rugs

2011-10-24T08:19:00.000-07:00

Diane Elson and Co make beautiful rugs and I am lucky enough to design a bunch for her...along with Oscar de La Renta, Kathrine Ireland, Carleton Varney to name a few. Well today they are One Kings Lane so Yabadabadoo, you can check them all out together (and even buy a few). If you can not get enough of the rigs then go on over to the Elson website at http://www.elsoncompany.com/ . Above are a sample of the LULU DK rugs for Elson and Co. on sale today at OKL. These are all of course hand painted designs that Diane transferred to rugs...or in the case of ripped paper, they mimic the torn painted paper designs I always make. We have a fabric like this called Colors, all which you can see and read about if you scroll to old LULU posts. It is on our main http://www.luludk.com/ page right now or you can go right to the fabric here.

A Little Story About China

2011-10-06T09:23:00.000-07:00

If you can't wait to here more about LULU DK china then tap your way to a video description I did in unison with a House Beautiful photo shoot that is about to come out. I am also working on a new Melamine collection of china for Neiman Marcus. To purchase the collection above, you can go to Neiman Marcus website. Or Hildreth's if you happen to be in Long Island. Or you can always call LULU DK at 212-223-4234

Come Join Us!

2011-09-14T10:17:00.000-07:00

We at LULU DK are looking for an intern! This is what we need:

Applicant must be organized, efficient, independent, pleasant and detail-oriented. Interest and experience in textiles is helpful but not necessary. The position is part time and will involve 2-3 days of work weekly (10am- 5pm)
This exciting position provides hands on experience in a small business environment.

• Maintaining and organizing memo sample library

• Sending out memo sample requests daily
• Sending CFAs
• Helping maintain client database
• Organizing and sending out collateral for various marketing projects
• And other as-needed administrative tasks to aid in helping the company run smoothly

Please send resume and contact information for immediate consideration to pia@luludk.com
FYI: We are based out of NYC :-)

Interior Drawings

2011-08-03T07:06:00.000-07:00

After selling these interior drawings on OKL the other day, I got a lot of request to do custom ones. I actually love doing these little drawings, so the answer is yes, I would. Unfortunately I wouldn't be able to sell them at the discounted OKL price, but feel free to email me if you are interested. lulu@luludk.com

Cheers!

Dont miss out on a few of my favorite things!

2011-08-01T06:17:00.000-07:00

As most of you know, I am having a sale on OKL right now. There are still some of my favorite things that haven't sold...Perhaps because the photos aren't so good...So i thought I would share some of the items in the placement of my NY apartment. Here are the 2 chocolate and white cushions that are for sale. They are a beautiful brushed and raised cotton velvet.

Here are the 2 long tree oil paintings that I did. This is an image of the green one and there is an amber one too. They are flanking the walls in my apartment and kind of finished the space well.

This red square large painting is probably the best I have ever done. It is 6'x6' and filled with deep layers and shades of watermelon, coral, reds etc.

There is also a smaller 4'x4' which is great too.

Here are the images of my brothers paintings, which are totally amazing.

My OKL sale...starting at 11am EST today (Saturday July 30th)

2011-07-30T07:47:00.000-07:00

http://www.onekingslane.com/ Check it out!

Another OKL sale!

2011-07-15T08:21:00.000-07:00

Mark your calenders JULY 30. I am having another One Kings Lane sale. This time I am selling the majority of the contents from my NY apartment which I sold a few months ago. A lot of you have saw my apartment when it was published in Elle Decor or from my blog (you can scroll through past postings to fully see it). Additionally I have always loved painting interiors, above are a few original art works of interiors and fabric renderings that I will be selling during the sale. I have never sold these ever before...Above are just a few of them.

I am also selling a bunch of my painted overlapping square canvas', like the one above that I had in my NY apartment.

And the above 2 large paintings which were done by my brother Stephan deKwiatkowski who is a much more acclaimed artist then me. His work has show in Europe at Evergreen Gallery and also in New York at the Earl Mcgraff Gallery.

And then of course my favorite embroidered pillows collected from around the world.

Thank You Stylebeat!

2011-07-09T05:37:00.000-07:00

Thank you Marisia from Stylebeat for the great coverage on my new china line, which is available through Neiman Marcus and Horchow and now if your in the Hamptons at Hildreth in Southampton and Easthampton. Check out the Stylebeat story to catch all the details...As she says better then I ever could!
To purchase the mugs, you can go to http://www.heightscollection.com/search.htm?keyword=lulu

Obsessed!

2011-06-05T06:51:00.000-07:00

This company called Custom-Cool 40 is exactly that the coolest custom rug company I have come across in a while and just what I need for my new house! They make amazing custom kilims or woven rugs in any color or design you like. I love this because I don't know about you, but I start to get tired of the same looking Moroccan themed kilim designs in pinks and blues but i love the casual usability of Kilims and the bright colors, so when I came across this company in the heart of my home town Quogue, NY I was thrilled.

They also do pillows, bags, baby things and probably anything else you want! Custom and readymade.

I will also keep you posted about my crazy 3 days of moving with images and all (but my camera charger went lost in the mix), so those will come!

Summer Brings New Burst of Inspiration

2011-05-29T08:59:00.000-07:00

Summer is here and the flowers in LA are amazing, sparking my inspiration clock to start ticking on overtime. So i decided to start on a few more collages, which i really haven't done for a few years (distracted by giving birth to 3 boys)...But off I go again, and perfect timing since CLIC Gallery just opened in Cannes, where they are currently showing my work...so if you happen to be in that neighborhood this summer, please stop by!

Also getting ready to start the new line for Matouk bedding, so I will keep you abreast of that progress too! Happy Memorial Weekend to all!

Let The Games Begin!

2011-05-26T08:09:00.000-07:00

Nothing says summer like a little backgammon. Backgammon is one of the oldest board games, believed to have begun in Mesopotamia during the time of the Persian Empire. The game of Kings and for good reason, it is fun, portable (as you can see from the Slim Aarons image above) and very important to complete every home. My father was a huge backgammon player and hence I was brought up on the game. I happened to include the table/ area in our house in Bahamas (below) that I learned and played backgammon for most of my life.

Lyford Cay, Bahamas backgammon room. A very big sport in Lyford!

Although I am more a fan of the classic leather or needlepoint backgammon board, here is a fun backgammon board from Ara and Jack Peterson

Another classic is the tric-trac table above from 1stdibs, which happen to be beautiful I actually have one exactly like this that was a gift from my father when he passed away. I love it (although for the last few years it sadly found its place as a baby changing table in my NY apartment, but not for long, as I have transported it to Southampton for a little summer celebration!

The classic...T. Anthony. A splurge, but a must.

Jonathan Adler makes a fun needlepoint version too, but his website images are to blurry so here is the link

Additionally eBay has some of the best, slightly aged leather backgammon boards...That is were I go to get them!

Like a Bee to Honey

2011-05-11T08:36:00.002-07:00

It is safe to say I have taken to Los Angeles like a bee to honey. Whatever East coast snobbery i may have been harboring when I relocated here 3 years ago has shirley faded away with the sunshine. I must admit there is something wonderfully special about living with a grassy lawn, swimming pool, endless blooming flowers and sunshine year round...And to make things even better, my sister Arianne, five years my elder just moved down the street from me. So besides having a peaceful retreat to escape to, I have a sister (whom I love) that inspires me every day with her incredibly effortless taste. (as you can see in the photos above). I couldn't"t resist sharing her totally cool pad. She happens to race racehorses (and rides them) hence the beautiful horse images everywhere. Ciao Ciao, off to swim some laps in her Balinese feeling swimming pool!

LULU DK china is in!

2011-05-05T13:34:00.000-07:00

Here is a new china line I created for Neiman Marcus. It will be available through http://www.horchow.com/ any day and available at Neiman Marcus Stores in June. Fun fun fun. Will also be available through other stores. Call my office at 212-223-4234 for more information.

I Couldn't Resist Sharing This

2011-04-21T16:47:00.000-07:00

Could this be my dream come true. Yes these are a couple of African Samburu tribal warriors checking out my art show at CLIC Gallery in Soho, New York City. I couldn"t resist sharing this. Only in New York!

The Last Piece of my NYC Apartment!

2011-04-15T10:54:00.000-07:00

My NYC apartment is officially sold, but New York Social Diary got the last good-bye images. Check out the full story and interview here. I spent a crazy last week in NY. Two days packing everything up and then directly to my opening show at CLIC. Although a tad bittersweet, it is refreshing and cathartic to move forward. I lived in this apartment for 13 years. Started LULU DK in what became the babies room, painted and wrote my entire book LULU on the floor of my kitchen here...Wrote long love and break up letters to my now husband, experienced the passing of both my parents, organized my wedding...laughed, cried and had same GREAT parties here! So good-bye walls, floors and ceilings that sheltered me for all my growing years....and thank you Social Diary for being the last to capture the moment.

Get your house SUMMER ready!

2011-04-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

Here are a few new things I have done for Matouk. Loving the beach towels and our new line of fabulous quilts...Summer is coming, yippee...I can already feel the sun on my skin :-) Go to to http://www.luludkmatouk.com/ to find a retailer near you.

If you can not make it to the show, I will bring my show to you!

2011-04-09T17:07:00.000-07:00

These are some of the prints from the show...If you cant make it to the gallery then voila! These are all signed limited editions of 12. They come in prints or canvas' and are really beautifully reproduced. I was very pleased with them. Call Polly at CLIC Gallery in NY 212-966-2766 or http://www.clicgallery.com/

My art opening was April 6th and had an amazing turnout and response. Enjoy!
Check out James' Andrews fabulous Blog mention: http://www.whatisjameswearing.com/

And in WWD http://www.wwd.com/eyescoop/lulu-de-kwiatkowski-gets-a-collage-exhibit-3574654

and in Avenue http://tiny.cc/zf53w

April 6th My Art Opening in NYC

2011-03-26T10:50:00.000-07:00

Please come join me for Opening Night Cocktail Reception Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Clic Gallery

255 Centre Street, NYC

6 - 8 pm

PRESS RELEASE:

LULU: Collages by Lulu de Kwiatkowski
April 6 - May 8, 2011
Christiane Celle and Clic Gallery are proud to present LULU: COLLAGES BY LULU DE KWIATKOWSKI. The show will open April 7, 2011 and run through May 8, 20111.

In 2008, Ammo Books published LULU, a collection of Lulu de Kwiatkowski’s vividly colorful collages. Inspired by a lifetime of travel and her whimsical upbringing, the exuberant collages received praise from Vogue, W, Metropolitan Home, and others. Now these images make up the first gallery show for artist and designer LULU DE KWIATKOWSKI.

Best known as the creator of LULU DK Fabrics, Lulu de Kwiatkowski grew up in New York and the Bahamas. She received a fine arts degree from Parsons, and spent five years in Paris studying trompe l’oeil painting. Years ago, she began using her painter’s eye and her penchant for hunting out unusual color combinations to create a bold multimedia melange of painting, drawing, and photography. Her striking compositions play with scale and color, recalling Frida Kahlo and Peter Beard in their detail and imagination. Exotic fish swim past dining room furniture and Victorian erotica figures mingle with tree-sized bright red lollipops in these surreal, energetic landscapes. Proudly autobiographical, the sumptuous collages trace De Kwiatkowski’s development as an artist and celebrate farflung locales including Peru, Tanzania, Myanmar, Morocco, India, Bolivia, and New Zealand. The Clic Gallery show will present giclée prints of the original collages in limited editions.

For information about the print sales, contact the gallery at centre@clicgallery.com.

For press inquiries, contact Angharad Coates at acoates@clicgallery.com.

PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO SEE ALL IMAGES FROM THE EXHIBITION
https://www.wuala.com/clicgallery/IMAGES/LULU?key=9li1OlaTe0Ua

Clic Bookstore & Gallery

New York - East Hampton - St. Barth

www.clicgallery.com

A Lovely Summertime Fabric

2011-03-07T13:05:00.000-08:00

My new LULU DK fabric print just rolled out from the mill! I am loving it and would love it as endless flowing curtains in a bright white house...or perhaps I will treat it with acrylic backing and use it as wallpaper in my bedroom in my new Long Island home. Yummy. I am toying with names...Beaches? Forms? Shell? Summertime???? Feel free to chirp in with your opinion. Still brand new so we don't have swatches yet, but feel free to check in with my office 212-223-4234 if you would like further info.

Design Your Own Cake

2011-03-03T12:24:00.000-08:00

I love a good source and this little one is precious. My friend Ruthie Sommers ( a lot of you probably know her as a fantastic interior designer) put me onto this yummy cake making company. For those of you who have children you learn quickly the need for fun themed cakes and birthday/ holiday goodies. This is what Modern Bite in Los Angeles does. Ruthie asked for daisies and they sent her this selection of drawings below to choose from and play with....I think totally cool and fun and definitely worth a mention for that next birthday party! They are delicious and they will deliver. I like the idea of sending your own creation to a friend as their birthday present! One car and one choo-choo-train for me please!

My Picks to Spice up your Room on ThisNext.com

2011-03-02T13:47:00.000-08:00

Find out my secrets tips and picks to spice up your room for spring on http://www.thisnext.com/. The website that I am a taste-maker for. Check it out!

Light A Candle For The One You Love

2011-02-22T10:26:00.000-08:00

Today would have been my father's 86th birthday. He passed away 8 years ago from complications related to cancer. He was an amazing man, whose light guides me every day...I actually feel his presence more now then I did when he was alive. It is crazy, sad, and yet somehow magical all at the same time. I pray to him all the time and know that he listens...When I am doing a speech, I ask for his help, when I am writing an important letter, I ask for his help, when I painted my entire book LULU, he was sitting next to me guiding me.. just the other night I did a talk in front of a group of people and found myself in a pickle...I said "daddy help" and my pickle was resolved. Crazy but beautiful and true. So to thank my father for his guidance, I light a candle and say a prayer in his memory. (Above is my father, mother and 4 eldest siblings. Both my mother and father have passed from cancer)

I wrote about what an inspiration my father was to me at his last birthday and posted about this Glassbaby Candle Company. I write about it again, because I am drawn to the beauty and sacrifice of the founder whom also lost her struggle with cancer and therefore donates a large percentage of her company's earnings to those who walked the same path.. My father was also a huge giver, a quality I strive to emulate. Glassbaby is a company that makes beautiful candles for beautiful reasons.

Goodwill is the foundation of glassybaby

"To honor those who have walked her same path, founder Lee Rhodes established the glassybaby goodwill program, which has brought light and hope to thousands of people who are facing their own battles. During her cancer treatment, Lee met many other patients who could not afford even daily needs such as bus fare, childcare, or groceries. Today, much of the money donated by glassybaby goes directly toward meeting those basic needs."

My dear friend, Jeff Lincoln and his fabulous home!

2011-02-18T10:27:00.000-08:00

Loving the LULU DK for Matouk bedding

This fabulous NY apartment belongs to my dear friend and god father to my child, Jeff Lincoln. He is a wonderful interior designer and a huge inspiration always. These are a few samples of his great style as seen on NY Social Diary today. If you want to read further and see more images, go here.

LULU DK for Matouk is expanding!

2011-02-16T11:52:00.000-08:00

New collection of sheets and decorative pillows.

Yah, beach towels!

Funky hand towels!

And cool table top!

Here is a little sneak preview of a few of the items I did for Matouk this season. These images are from the most recent NY Gift Show and will be available in stores in a few months, but if you are interested in placing an order for your shop. Please contact Colleen at Matouk Cbrewer@matouk.com

To see the whole line, go to http://www.luludkmatouk.com/

Also, stay tuned...I just designed a line of china that will soon be available at Neiman Marcus...Receiving all the first samples as I type :-)

Today's Happenings

2011-02-10T09:19:00.000-08:00

Travel in style! Check out the story in The Huffington Post today on my travel experiences.

Also today on http://www.thisnext.com/ find my Valentine gift picks and make your shopping experience a little more simple!

The fabulous picture above is by Slim Aarons ;-)

My Shopping Favorites on ThisNext

2011-02-02T10:45:00.000-08:00

As many of you may already know, I am a shopping Tastemaker for the shopping website, ThisNext...Today I am featured for all the things "kiddie" that I love. Check it out!

Come Listen To Me Speak About Design!

2011-01-26T10:32:00.000-08:00

I am doing a talk at Pottery Barn in Santa Monica....Come here what it takes to start and run a company! Below is the description and to register and get the event details, go to this link.

"The marketplace is more crowded than ever. The "best" has been watered down by the sheer volume of people, often doing the same thing, claiming to be the authority in their niche. We all want to be the best at what we do, but what does "the best" mean anymore? Everyone claims to be an expert, but how do you filter out "marketing" from true talent? And how do you cultivate your own talent to be recognized as the best in your field or category? And furthermore, how long does "greatness" really take? One year? Or as Malcom Gladwell asserts, does true mastery take 10,000 hours?
Many of us struggle with focusing on and honing our crafts, talents or products because the business of simply promoting those talents and products is a job in and of itself. The discipline of our "work" can easily get lost in this time of hyper distraction – from email to social media to the daily logistical challenges of running a small business. Who has time to become the best and get clients and change the ink cartridge in the printer?
You are invited to meet former world-record holder, ultra-swimmer and NPR commentator Diana Nyad, textile designer, fashion insider and author Lulu deKwiatkowski and restauranteur Caroline Styne, the business partner of mega chef Suzanne Goin and co-owner of Lucques, Tavern and AOC.
Peek inside the lives of these Los Angeles women who all started somewhere near nowhere in particular, and in pursuing their passions, became celebrated "greats" in the fields of food, fitness and design. Come find the answer to how to become a master amidst the madness of the competitive market."

I would love the support! Cheers

St Barths

2011-01-19T11:05:00.000-08:00

I have a show going on in St Barths at CLIC Gallery. Christiane Celle (former owner of Calypso) has turned a selection of works from my book LULU into beautifully framed lithographs and large canvas'. They look almost exactly like the originals but half the price. If you are interested in purchasing any, you can go to stbarth@clicgallery.com or call +590 (590) 297017.

Gifts for the New Year!

2011-01-10T13:04:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone had a wonderful New Years! So sorry I have been a bit quiet on the blog front. I have been busy enlarging my collection of true inspirations! My 3rd son, Pier Giorgio arrived January 6, 2011.

8 lbs 12 ounces.

Cheers to everyone and wishing you all a warm, joyous, prosperous, creative and inspiring 2011!

Having a Quilty Moment!

2010-12-29T12:37:00.000-08:00

AMISH QUILT

SEVEN SISTERS QUILT

PRINCE'S FEATHER QUILT

PINK QUILT

INDIGO STAR QUILT

PATRIOTIC QUILT

Loving these quilts that I found on eBay....I have never actually been much of a quilt person, but while searching for things for my new beach house, I have become mesmerized by these bright, almost modern looking quilts. Attached is just a touch of what is available, but I must say It has made my mind spin with inspiration...I am imagining a whole fabric line in these prints, how fun would that be! p.s all of these are available on eBay right now....so go brighten your bedroom up for the New Year!

2010-12-23T10:00:00.000-08:00

And for the top of the tree!

2010-12-20T12:31:00.000-08:00

Here is another version of our collected branches. These twigs are a little larger, but done the same way...with elastic bands to hold them and then I just went a little more crazy with the colored grosgrain ribbon. These are great on top of the tree or as little gifts.

Homemade Christmas Tree Ornaments

2010-12-18T10:46:00.000-08:00

I was brought up as a hunter-and-gatherer, learning to make things with nature rather then running to the store to buy them. So my 2 sons and I collected a bunch of twigs in the park, tied them together with some colored elastic bands and added grosgrain ribbon and voila...great Christmas tree ornaments! My husband thinks I have gone voodoo crazy on him, but I think they are totally earthy and cool and a great activity to do with the kids (not to mention economical!)

It's Seated!

2010-12-16T10:35:00.000-08:00

Here is my all time favorite holiday surprise. I hosted a Christmas dinner one year for 14 guest. I was trying to think of a nice (not-so-expensive) gift to give to each guest without driving myself crazy....tricky. While I was ordering Christmas stocking for my family members (there were a few new ones that had arrived that year ;-) and in laws coming to share in the joy...I was of course monogramming them ( as I love to do with everything to make it a tad more personal) I came across these needlepoint Land's End stocking that are beautiful, sophisticated and only $22 dollars!!! I though I will do one for all my Christmas dinner guests and make it double as their seated name card and take-home-gift. Genius! Everyone loved them, as they come in about 7 different styles, you can mix and match....( they can also rush them in about 5 days if you have any last minute guests). You can choose any company to do this with, as there are a lot of companies with cool stocking. West Elm has nice grosgrain ones. Pottery Barn Kids also has a fun selection.

My Christmas Picks on This Next

2010-12-15T08:21:00.000-08:00

Check out my Christmas picks on the new and improved shopping website This Next. I work as one of the decor "tastemakers" for the site...Happy Holidays and happy shopping!
P.S the fabric in the background is my new LULU DK "Colors".

My new print is in!

2010-12-07T10:23:00.000-08:00

My new print "COLORS" has arrived in style from the mill! (the print is in the background- 5 different colorways). The lady is my mother boarding a Pan Am flight...flying was another story in those days...My sister got confused and thought the whole image was a fabric, so not to be confused, just the strips of fabric in the back are the fabrics....the rest is just for fun. I realize that this fabric is an either love or hate type of thing....but I JUST LOVE IT. I can not wait to cover my whole room with one of these prints. They have a little old school Palm Beach to them, but are taken from the ripped pieces designs I do (below).

The inspirations for my new print, "COLORS". Call my office at 212--223-4234 for more information.

Don't Miss Out!

2010-12-03T10:43:00.000-08:00

My One King's Lane sale starts tomorrow, December 4th at 11am ET, 8am PT. Don't miss out! These are textiles, pillows, blankets, rugs, vintage furniture pieces, etc that I have collected from all around the world on my many a trip to Africa, India, Turkey, South East Asia, Peru, Paris, etc...and am now selling!!! (trust me, I have tons tons more) but for now it was time to slim down my collection before they started busting through all my cabinets. Happy shopping!

The start of my christmas shopping spree!

2010-11-30T08:41:00.000-08:00

What more can i say, it is just too perfect and cool! Colored pencils in a brass deco holder. Perfect for by the phone, desk etc. http://www.jaysonhomeandgarden.com/product.php?productid=5288

Everyone wants luck! so here is a perfect gift to offer just that! . http://www.jaysonhomeandgarden.com/product.php?productid=5788

I love this as a Christmas or hostess gift. Everyone loves to be called beautiful!http://www.jaysonhomeandgarden.com/product.php?productid=6408

I bought this for my husband last year and he loves it. It is on our mantel and looks great...These are solid, well built beautiful gifts for the man in your life! http://www.qualitymodelships.com/

And for the woman in your life....;-) http://fashion.1stdibs.com/avl_item_detail.php?id=26677

everyone loves love, so give it to them as a holiday gift so they can remember always: http://www.luludkmatouk.com/

i couldn't live without my soda machine....i used to lug bottles of Perrier home everyday (because I am an addict) and then my husband bought me this...add purified water and you get instant sparkling water from...helps on the trash too, no more bags of empty bottles! http://www.sodastreamusa.com/Pure-Machines-C24.aspx

Every house needs matches to light candles, fires, or just to have elegantly placed in an ashtray http://www.themonogramshops.com/Web/MgSProductDtl.aspx?Id=120

ring-a-ling-in the holidays with this super cool retro phone http://www.okstore.la/gallery.php?id=104

I love this to hold keys on the entrance table http://www.olystudio.com/products/gift/home_decor/constance_bowl.html

Beautifully done reproductions from my book, blown up quite large, framed or unframed and available through CLIC Gallery http://www.clicgallery.com/

My book, LULU. The cover will brighten any coffee table...A book of inspiration, travel and love. What more could you offer your hostess.

         The perfect gift for all aged children and these adorable handmade pj's come in every color, size shape, girls, boys...you name it!

                                                          HAPPY SHOPPING TO ALL!!!

A Few Great Things to Get Your House Holiday Ready!

2010-11-27T09:57:00.000-08:00

Hunter Thompson Photograph

Briana Babani hand made pillows

African Baskets in great colors

Give your coffee table a little organic love! Urchins.

Take a seat! I just bought these yesterday! Knitted Coral Pouf

I just can't stop with the jute, raffia, grasscloth, etc! West Elm Pouf

Can't take my eyes off of you!

Benches to die for

These beds are worth re-doing the guest room

A little something From Todd Romano's new LA store

Need I explain?

As my son, Francesco says when he wants something....."Me, I want"

A little preppy, but definitly speaking to me (in some lamp language).

Every entrance table needs a sculpture with a touch, to tell your guests that you have a little cool in you (no matter how uncool the rest of the house is)

Sofa, Fabulous on any planet

Love love love baskets for everything. West Elm is rocking the peace, love and granola in me.

And last ut not least...a little piece of "I am too sexy for this blog" stool

ThisNext.com

2010-11-23T09:13:00.000-08:00

Here is a little something that could be fun, ThisNext a website that has just given itself a face lift has asked a handful of people to be their expert taste makers...In the fields of fashion, home, lifestyle, etc...We pick our favorite everything and they get posted. I am one of the decor experts and am featured today with some of my favorite things. Check it out and do a little early holiday shopping!

Coming soon to OKL

2010-11-19T08:51:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I spent my day at my warehouse with the great photographers from One King's Lane photographing my collection of collected textiles, pillows, rugs and furniture...Mostly collected through my many travels around the world. I have so many of them that it was time to part with a few....So on December 4th 2010, One Kings Lane will be selling them off. There are beautiful hand woven Suzani throws and pillows, antique rugs, fun colored Ikat pillows, Kashmiries from Kashmir, India, woven rugs from Turkey...and some fun furniture pieces all covered in LULU DK Fabric. Mark your calender!!!

The Trials and Tribulations of Running a Company

2010-11-15T08:10:00.000-08:00

I am often approached by creative people looking to start their own business. There are many-a-wonder and satisfaction about being your own boss and running a business. But in certain cases the unavoidable is bound to smack you in the heart. For example, my new design Sunburst (above) was approved ages ago...the mill sent me samples which i loved and posted, made postcards (also above)...but when the pre-production samples arrived (samples that show you what you will receive once the full ordered amount arrives) they were awful..blotchy, scratchy and just not up to LULU DK par. So I requested that they re-do them, which they did, but this time even worse. These things drive me crazy crazy crazy. We are onto the 6th rejected strike off...a disaster, but to make matters worse, I have 3 other designs i the works that they can't begin because they entail the same technique, which for whatever reason the mill and screen printers "suddenly" are unable to duplicate....SO i wait and wait until they can figure it out....but in the meantime, my fun new line is taking forever!!! These are the frustrations of creation...no matter what business, I imagine it strikes everyone....but argh and deep breath. Should have trial 7 by next week...Fingers crossed.

A little gem for the artist within

2010-11-13T09:44:00.000-08:00

I just did a posting on my new rugs with Diane Elson and Elson & Co., which is why I was so thrilled when I came upon this great company called Carpetzz. I always find it a tad frustrating when I read about others doing something that I wouldn't really know how to do myself (if I wanted to). So here is a great way to be your own creator...Perhaps you want to fulfill your own creative urge or perhaps you need the perfect gift, or perhaps (like me) you think your children are creative genius' and want to cement their talents beyond a piece of paper. Here is the perfect way....turn their (or your) art into a rug. Carpetzz will turn any design into a hand-tufted wool rug! Gotta love it! Above are a few samples of my twins work (with a little help)...One of them is our 3 year anniversary wrapping paper we made for my husband's present...He loves it so much we may just turn it into a rug for his office...(did someone say, Merry Christmas!)

Hotel Chic

2010-11-12T09:35:00.000-08:00

Here is a great new blog I love. Hotel Chic by Sara Bliss. She just did a little post on my favorite getaway, so I thought I would share it. Ras Kutani Lodge on the coast of Tanzania is a truly deserted getaway. You need to take a little propeller plane that lands in the back yard to get there. (Safe to say I actually fell in love with my husband there...it can do that to you). We were recommended to stay there by Peter Beard's wife, as a stop over/ recovery from a long wild safari we took into the middle of nowhere...which was fantastic. So fantastic that my book LULU got a whole inspiration chapter devoted to it. I haven't been back to Africa since then, but must say I am quite chuffed, as I was asked to go there by Traditional Home in March for a story they are doing on the newly done tented resort, Sanctuary Swala (I will write more about this closer to the time). Until then, pack your suitcase and go fall in love!

Inspiration from my Tanzania trip. Journal and artwork in my book LULU

Did you know?

2010-11-08T07:09:00.000-08:00

That I do rugs with Diane Elson, founder of Elson & Company rugs. The first image are a samples of new rugs we just completed and the below rug is one that is already available. We are also working on broadlooms which will be great. Elson & Co. works with great designers, such as Oscar de la Renta, Cathrine Ireland and many more. Please go to http://www.elsoncompany.com/ for more info.

Lyford Cay

2010-10-28T10:04:00.000-07:00

This is the Main Club at Lyford Cay in the Bahamas, just all redone by the interior designer, Tom Sheerer. He did a wonderful job keeping the "old school" flair. I actually had my wedding ceremony in this exact room. The french doors open up to a lawn that meets the ocean. There are many other rooms also redone by Tom Sheerer that are equally wonderful which I will try and post in the next few days.

Above is the backgammon room, equally chic and just another taste of Tom's great style.

Here is the pool bar (lots of bars and backgammon in Lyford). With a little LULU DK Fruit Punch fabric on the ceiling

And some fabulous yellow stripes at the beach (with 2 little beach muffins ;-)

Bahamas

2010-10-24T09:12:00.000-07:00

This is my family home in Lyford Cay, Bahamas where I spent my youth. It is one of my largest sources of inspiration; a place that elicits memories, family history, and emotion so strong, I can see and feel them in every creation I make. There is a chapter devoted to the Bahamas in my book LULU, each fabric, wallpaper, bedlinen or piece of artwork I paint has a feeling, whether in color or style, that blossoms from this island retreat. My parents' home and a childs' Paradise Island....a paradise that at the age of 38 I still revel in as if it were the first and last time I will ever appreciate it again. Seven years ago we buried my father here, four years ago I was married here, 2 years ago I baptised my children here and now I am here with my family and siblings enjoying my last travelling moments before I give birth to my 3rd son. Here are a few images of the house...originally decorated by Sister Parish and then David Klienburg and now continually spruced up a little by me and a little by my sister. Available for rental through Sotheby's http://www.serendipcove.com/

Lonny Magazine

2010-10-11T11:02:00.000-07:00

Here are a few images of my home in Los Angeles, published in Lonny Magazine.

Also, a reader asked about the photo of my husband and his nephew from image 1. This was taken with an underwater disposable Kodak camera and blown up onto Plexi glass by Duggal Photo in NYC.

A few answers to some of the questions I've been asked: The Ark in my babies room is a Paul Smith Design from The Rug Company. The bedding is all LULU DK for Matouk. And I will take a shot of my kitchen for you all! Keep the comments and questions coming!

A Few Details on Working Materials

2010-10-08T10:07:00.000-07:00

I have had a few comments asking about the process of how I paint, mediums I use etc...So I thought I would take a picture of my actual work space. I most often use Liquitex soft body acrylics for the colors and Benjamin Moore Super White flat interior house paint as my white. Water based paint almost all of the time. My palette is a plastic plate...easy to throw away and since acrylic dries very quickly, it is not worth trying to save what has been mixed. I often also paint with coffee...regular coffee with milk in it, as it makes a beautiful beige hue. For my textiles, I paint on raw canvas, not the expensive type from the art store but rather drop cloth from the paint store....as it holds the paint well and allows me to control the designs I am painting. For wallpaper designs, I usually use paper...either drawing with pencil or cutting with paper. To get an idea of this, my LULU DK Sunshine wallpaper design is all hand drawn and shaded with pencil. You can see it on my website. HERE. The collages from the book are a whole different story...I use every medium possible with the exception of oil based paints...I rarely use oil based products, I used them so much in Tromp L'oiel school in Paris that I think the mess and scent of it started to kill me. (literally and figuratively). The only remnant of toxic paints I use are white-out pens, which I love to use as the negative space and Elmer's Glue and Liquitex Matte Medium with I use on all my cut outs and collages. I also use every type of pen and pencil imaginable...that is pretty much it!

Designing a Cushion for The Pink Wishbone Project to Benefit Breast Cancer

2010-09-29T08:57:00.000-07:00

I couldn't have been more pleased when SUITE New York asked me to design a seat cushion for an event they are doing to benefit Breast Cancer Research. As many of you know, my mother passed away from breast cancer almost a year ago Christmas Eve...So the project was personal. Suite New York Furniture has created a pink Wishbone chair for the first time ever and requested to have 20 designers create cushion covers. A hundred percent of the proceeds will go to benefit Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Kelly Behun, Sheila Bridges, Alexandra Champalimaud, Neisha Crosland, Tori Golub, Alexa Hampton, Allegra Hicks, Julie Hillman, Annie Kelly, Celerie Kemble, Kit Kemp, Laura Kirar, Amy Lau, Katie Lydon, Emma Jane Pilkington, Sara Rotman, Ruthie Sommers, Kelly Wearstler, Bunny Williams, and me. The auction begins at the event on October 7th but will continue through October 28th taking place at Barneys Chelsea Passage in New York City. For more info about the auction, go here. The above images are of my cushion, the 2 below are some samples of a few others cushions I love.

Above cushion by Emma Jane Pilkington

Pin Cushion by Kelly Wearstler

P.S if you want to bid on my cushion go to the lnk: http://www.charitybuzz.com/auctions/bcrffurniture/catalog_items/215414

Voila! My new print "Colors" has arrived.

2010-09-25T13:06:00.000-07:00

Personally I love them...Very pleased with how they turned. This new print is called "Colors" appropriately so and they mimic the torn colored pieces collages that I have been working on for the last 2 years...You can see samples in earlier postings. I have about 7 colorways picked out from this collection, which is about 2 to 3 too many...So as soon as I pick my ultimate favorites they will be off to the printers and ready to have in your home within 3 weeks ;-) Call 212-223-4234 for more information.

Thank you Apartment Therapy and CLIC Gallery!

2010-09-23T11:36:00.000-07:00

If you want to keep updated about the gallery that will be showing my collages from my book LULU then log onto CLIC Gallery for all the info. Today the great Blog Apartment Therapy has a great feature on my collages and also those of Tony Caramanico's work, which if you love anything surfing (which most people do) then you will love his collages too! Check it out! Just FYI, I will be showing at CLIC Gallery in St Barth's over Christmas and will then have a big show of all my work at their Broome Street NY Gallery during the Spring time. Will keep you all posted.

LULU DK at One King's Lane!

2010-09-21T09:14:00.000-07:00

Come shopping with us on One King's Lane! All LULU DK products will be 50% off. Items include pillows and tabletop; placemats, dinner napkins, table cloths, cocktail napkins, runners, and many different size decorative pillows. Get your home Thanksgiving and Christmas ready! From Tuesday Evening September 21st at 6pm until Friday evening September 24th at 6 pm...Yippee!

A New LULU DK Fabric in The Works

2010-09-18T12:01:00.000-07:00

A new LULU DK fabric in the works. The front image is the original artwork and the back image is the CAD that the printer sends for approval. I have already sent in all my different colorways to the printers, so I am just waiting for all the samples to arrive....Very exciting, with that said, summer is the worst time to try and get these things done, as all the mills take long European vacations....Which unfortunately forces me to get very impatient.... This is to come, along with a very large shell, shapes and plant design I just approved along with the Batik little shells I posted a few months ago. The color strike offs of these just arrived in a huge box, so once I pick the colorways I like, I will post them.....and then they will go to print!

Coming Shopping With Me!

2010-09-11T10:24:00.000-07:00

Come shopping with me on 1stdibs today! One of my favorite, most inspirational, sophisticated and by far best furniture, painting, jewelery and everything websites.

A Touch of House Envy

2010-09-08T09:45:00.000-07:00

I am always ripping and tearing inspirational moments out of magazines; a color here, a pattern there, a beautiful terrace or enticing living room...They all find there way into a drawer beneath my desk that subliminally says "hope to see you soon". But when I came upon this fabulous London home belonging to Christine D'Ornano I thought, as my 2 year old twins say...."Wooow, I love you"....And, that is kind of how I feel about these rooms, so I couldn't resist sharing.

Lighten Up!

2010-08-27T11:24:00.000-07:00

Last time I was pregnant, I wanted everything to be pale blue, white and earthy-beachy-driftwood colors. I could barely tolerate the color red or any other fire color. Oddly enough, this time seems to be the opposite. I can't get enough of color and everything needs to be just a little brighter then usual. I started with my hallway, where I hung my LULU DK Bloomsbury fabric in tourmaline. It was pretty enough, but for me I needed more fruity festivity, so I took on the task of painting over all the flowers in bright edible colors. Needless to say, this hunger for sorbet has seeped into the LULU DK fabric line and I have decided to recolor many a fabrics and wallpaper...As I have already mentioned, we have a ton of new designs coming out soooon (mills are never quick enough for me) and they seem to be taking some time with these new prints. So in the meantime, I have recolored many already existing LULU DK fabrics and wallpapers...below is a sample of my Sunshine wallpaper/ fabric in a new green colorway ;-)

Here is our original blue Sunshine wallpaper in a room by Jeff Lincoln...It will also be available in a paler blue.

A Little Gem

2010-08-22T06:11:00.000-07:00

Funny, I actually wrote this post some time ago, but never posted it...but since many of you have asked about the rug in my foyer from my post last week, here you go!

The rug makes the room! (and hush hush, it is from L.L Bean!) This is my entrance room in my apartment in NY...It took me forever to get right. It drove me crazy- then I found the red woven rug and it all came together. These rugs are great quality, arrive in about a week, come in a ton of colors and are returnable (and very well priced!). They come in 9 colors, mine is Vintage Red. Happy shopping!

Home Sweet Home

2010-08-20T07:12:00.000-07:00

I am heading back to LA today! Alas, home sweet home and a little normality. Three months away from home is a long time. In any case, I have decided to put my NY apartment on the market. So it is for sale...I couldn't help but promote it on my blog ;-) So here I go...Great doorman building on 64th Street between Park and Lexington. Two bedrooms, huge kitchen, terrace and loft-like living room all re-constructed by me. Asking 1.999. I have lived and grown, developed my company, painted every collage on the floor of my kitchen here in this apartment for the last 14 years. I loved every day of wonderful solitude in this magical space. I leave only good vibes, which is oh so important in a home. In any case, feel free to contact me if you are truly interested.

God Bless America

2010-08-06T08:24:00.000-07:00

At long last we have touched down onto American soil, and oh how nice it is to be home. No matter how magical, mystical, romantic, or delicious Europe may be, there is no place like home. Big breath. I met with a great company yesterday to do dinnerware, china, etc. and will have a meeting with another company this week about doing a line a children's fabrics and wallpapers....So this will be a fun year of new and exciting projects. Can't wait to share them all with you, but until then if you are out in Southampton this week, save the day Wednesday to swing by Hildreth where we will be having a LULU DK for Matouk event. I will be there showing a bunch of original artwork and you will receive a gift with purchase, prizes or just come to say hi and rub my 5 month pregnant belly ;-) I will post an invite this weekend.

In the Mountains

2010-07-27T05:54:00.000-07:00

Oh...the mountains, fresh air, mooing cows and rolling hills. Pollone is about an hours drive from Turin, an hour and a half from Milan. It is really in the middle of nowhere and quite beautiful because of it. It is a painter's paradise and my husband's great grandmother was an incredible one, so the house is filled with inspirational painting after inspirational painting. Pollone is an especialy formidable place as my husband's great uncle, Pier Giorgio Frassati was beatified by Pope John Paul II and this was the home he loved. Every morning we wake up infront of the same mountains he adored to climb until he died at the young age of 24. His bedroom is all in tact, with his relics beautifully but modestly displayed. Mass is often held in the adjoining room. It is a very spiritual and special month. I will put a little bio of Pier Giorgio below if you are interested in reading about him.

"Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati is a saint for the modern world, and especially for the young people of our time. Born in 1901 in Turin, Italy, his time on earth was short-only 24 years-but he filled it passionately with holy living. Pier Giorgio was a model of virtue, a "man of the beatitudes," as Pope John Paul II called him at the saint's beatification ceremony in Rome on May 20, 1990. He was described by friends as "an explosion of joy." As Pier Giorgio's sister, Luciana, says of her brother in her biography of him, "He represented the finest in Christian youth: pure, happy, enthusiastic about everything that is good and beautiful."

Because of the heavy rains in Europe this year everything is very green and lush...fortunately for me all the flowers are bursting with color, and Pollone is known for them. Every season brings a different explosion of flowers and colors. While we are here the Hydrangeas are out in full glory. (You can notice my assistant pointing them out ;-)

The leaves are amazing too, look at these tie-dye ones I found....crazy beautiful!

I am still working on the Spring Matouk line. Sadly I cant post anything yet, as until it is in production...I don't want Target to beat me to my own designs...

Once again Happy Summer to all.

Greetings from Italy

2010-07-09T05:03:00.000-07:00

Oh my oh my, it has been a very long time since I have touched base. I apologize. I am in a little port town about an hour and a half from Rome called Porto Ercole. Porto Ercole is a boat place, meaning instead of running to the beach, the italians hop on their boat and head to sea. We have a little apartment on the port with our boat docked below and each morning we pop on the boat and anchor by some large cliff or rock for long swims.

This is returning to the port for siesta time.

And if you happen to make it to the beach, which often happens if you have young children, then this is where we go...a little place called Il Tremonto....Since I am working on the next bedding collection for Matouk which is appropriately titled "travel" ...these are some of the places in which I pull my inspiration.

and then a little sample of my post siesta blondies...

Today is our last day by the sea, tonight we are driving up to the mountains to a place called Pollone next to Turin. I will keep you posted. Happy summer to all!

One Kings Lane

2010-07-05T02:22:00.000-07:00

LULU DK fabrics are being sold on One Kings Lane for only 2 more days...Great prints, like the one above. Get them before they all run out!

Happy shopping ;-)

It Is Official!

2010-06-09T10:06:00.000-07:00

I will be having a show of all my collages from my book LULU at Clic Gallery on 225 Centre Street November 16, 2010 (save the date!). Clic is an amazing gallery owned by Christiane Celle, the former everything behind Calypso. They will be beautiful reproduction prints on high quality fine art matte Hahnemuele paper in a few sizes. She will also have a few of the more beachy collages (like the one above) in her Clic Easthampton Gallery this summer (if you just can't wait ;-)

La Vacanza

2010-06-05T10:09:00.000-07:00

Being my husband is Italian and he wants to make sure our children get their full exposure to everything Italian, we head over there every year for 2 months to meet up with him and his family. So off we go today. One month by the sea in a small port town called Porto Ercole and the next month up in the mountains by Turin in a place called Pollone. Nothing to do but read and relax. A great luxury I am looking forward to....but fret not, camera and journal in hand, I will be sharing my experience as much as Internet access permits. So for now...ciao ciao

The Bazaar is Up and Running!

2010-06-02T12:46:00.000-07:00

We are making room for our oh-so-exciting, fresh and vibrant new line of fabrics and colorways. Soooo, for the first time ever we have decided to start a bazaar section where for a limited time some of our earlier fabrics will be on sale to everyone for over 60-70% off. Please visit our website at http://www.luludk.com/ and tap on the very cute "bazaar image" of my sister, on the opening page. Or call the office at 212-223-4234 to order.

p.s: in a few weeks we will have a huge star print coming out like the one above (in different colors).

Memorial Day

2010-05-30T07:18:00.000-07:00

For this we can never say thank you enough. Courageous men and woman who have given up their lives for our ability to live freely. God Bless you all. My father fought in WW II and lost his 7 siblings and parents to the war. So as a child, I was not unfamiliar with stories of fighting, surviving and being grateful to those who have done so. Yet, as I get older and possibly wiser these sacrifices seem to hold a deeper appreciation and importance. I love this poem, written in 1915 by a very inspirational woman, Moina Michaels. Ms Micheals started a movement for making and wearing red poppies in honor of the fallen soldiers.

We cherish too, the Poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led,

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies.

Did You Know?

2010-05-25T15:42:00.000-07:00

...That I make pillows with Matouk, the company that I do all my bedding with. We also have a wonderful collection of embroidered throw cushions in classic LULU DK style: Shells, flowers, birds, script, geometrics etc. There are a few published in past posts if you want to browse. I love the first image of the criss-cross tape pillows, I have them in great colors all over my house. To see where these pillows are sold in your neighborhood, go HERE. If you still can't find what you are looking for, you can ask me and I will try and direct you ;-)

Wowowow and Thank You Mucho!

2010-05-24T18:12:00.000-07:00

I must say I got slightly damp paws when I awoke to notice that Barbara Mangini from the blog My Dog Eared Pages had selected me as one of her 7 magnificent blogs. What flattery, thank you!!! Can not remember the last time I received a reward. Chuffed. The tricky thing is that in return I am now meant to mention my 7 favorite blogs, which again makes my paws a little sweaty. I think Ivan Terestchenko said it best, I love you all and continue to received endless pieces of inspiration from all my fellow bloggers...I couldn't possibly limit it to 7....

Here's What I am Takin' About!

2010-05-17T08:03:00.000-07:00

I should have lived in the 60's. I need to wear pants like this everyday (and.... roll around in the grass a lot more often)! I actually just took some LULU DK Fabrics along with some other linen-type fabrics that I recently bought at Michael Levine, downtown at the Los Angeles fabric market and had my local tailor make me a ton of custom printed pants and shirts....I didn't go this bright, but after seeing these must-have orange paisleys....I am going to tromp back to the fabric market and see what look-a-like fabric I can come up with. I don't know about any of you, but I have a very difficult time finding the perfect pants for me. My tailor told me here in LA that he could copy anything I want...I thought, reeeeally? It is safe to say, I am awaiting my new wardrobe from him. If any one is interested, we are about to start a "bazaar" section on http://www.luludk.com/ where we will be selling fabrics for 70% off to the public, so as to make room for a whole new line I am working on right now...The Bazaar should be up soon (and I will post it when it is), so feel free to shop away and get some great funky pant, shorts or shirt (or sofa and curtain) making fabrics!

Need Your Help on the Batik Shells!

2010-05-11T09:15:00.000-07:00

I have 5 new prints that are about to come out. They are all quite large in scale...All vibrant, fresh and washy yummy colors (like the Sunburst below...the first of the new arrivals to come). The above shell print is a much smaller scale and could make a great coordinate to the larger scaled prints...But I am just a smidgen on the fence about it. Thoughts? To make or not to make? I don't usually put un-developed works online...Although I would LOVE to, but sadly there are just too many rip-off artists that potentially can beat me to it.

Happy Mothers Day....

2010-05-09T08:04:00.000-07:00

Happy Mothers Day to all the beautiful mothers out there! Giving birth almost 2 years ago really made me realize how incredibly strong and able women are. I am so grateful that in this lifetime, I have been able to share in the joy and privilege of motherhood and feel so blessed to have had such an inspiring role model.

And So The Story Goes...

2010-05-05T08:26:00.000-07:00

The next (and most exciting) stage of fabric making! The colorways arrive! Here is a sampling of our Sunburst fabric which I have written about in past post (so if you haven't been following "the making of a fabric", you can scroll down). I always make a ton of color samples...mainly because I don't want to go back to the mill to have others made and also because I am so particular and in love with color, so I want to see every option. This season it is all about bright pastels for me...We are even about to have a bazaar section on http://www.luludk.com/ to sell a ton of our earlier fabrics for cheap (for both designers and public)- to make room for our newer color ways and prints. I have 5 great fun festive bright prints in the works right now, which is so much fun...We usually pick 3-6 colorways per print and I think the ones that dominate the photo are my general picks from the 20 options that came. Feel free to let me know which colorways are your favorite!

Happy Birthday Mama

2010-05-02T08:07:00.000-07:00

Today is my mother's birthday. She would have been turning 71. As I have said many times, she is and was a true inspiration to me. Since she passed away four months ago, I have never been so creative and inspired to work, see and live....She must be beside me each day because the last time I have been this creative and inspired was when I was doing the collages for my book LULU, which was right after my father died... I felt him beside every single moment that I sat on my kitchen floor cutting, pasting and painting the entire body of collages. I feel my mother beside me now in a similar way....She is definitely pushing me along. I did the above collage 5 years ago when my mother was first diagnosed with breast cancer (it is called Into the Womb-meaning if she didn't survive, she would run beautifully through the tunnel and be reincarnated into my womb)...She survived for another 5 years until the cancer spread to her brain and took her this Christmas Eve. My only words of wisdom are to remember to love and appreciate your parents everyday. (even though sometimes a little challenging ;-)

Inspiration-Ooh-La-La

2010-04-27T07:22:00.000-07:00

These works by textile designer and artist Andre Lanskey took my breath away when I first came upon them at the Cora Ginsburg antique textile, costume and needlework gallery in NYC . I found them while researching for my book, LULU before the focus of LULU became only about my collages...Previously I had the idea to do a book called appropriately... Trail of Inspiration, which tooted the horn of all things, people, places, memories etc. that touched, moved and inspired me visually...I was going through the non published pages the other day and noticed these little gens after not looking at them for about 5 years. I realized that subconsciously they must have inspired my ripped paper works.

Andre Lanskey created 24 electrically colorful designs for the poet, Pierre Lecuire in a masterpiece collection of art and poetry combined, called Cortege, 1959 France.

If you are a lover of antique textiles, Cora Ginsburg Gallery can not be missed; specializing in museum quality antique costume of the 18th and 19th centuries and in European embroideries, silks, and printed textiles of the 17th - 20th centuries.

Mother Nature Still wins My Award!

2010-04-24T10:45:00.000-07:00

Spring is in the air and it is time to dust off your outside table and do a little entertaining! So as always I say...let nature rein! I love collecting objects from nature, and this is why...there is nothing cooler and more elegant then taking found rocks or shells and using them in your place settings. Guests' are always surprised by the touch of creativity and it is also a great little party gift for them to take home! If you can't make it out to the great outdoors then you can find great shells on eBay or also Evolution in Soho has a great variety (although a tad expensive)....But even if you live in the city, rocks can be found in most parks...Get a white-out pen and voila!

Imagine My Surpirse.....

2010-04-18T12:02:00.000-07:00

When I stumbled across this colorful splendor! The other day while driving to Santa Anita Racetrack (my family is deeply invloved in the horse-racing industry and my sister and I were headed over there to do a little work)...I must say reluctantly, until we came upon a world of endless peacocks grazing, mating and just kicking back all over the lawns, roof-tops, and garden of all the private homes down a little road in Arcadia, LA.

Arcadia is the home of the LA County Arboretum that house 200 peacocks. This 127 acres of land was originally purchased by Elias Baldwin in 1875 as a ranch. The area is so lush and tropical that in the 30's the TV series Tarzan and Paradise Island were filmed here. Baldwin brought over a pair of peacocks from India to mate and now the areas if filled with peacocks everywhere...And I mean everywhere. Nobody is allowed to touch them so they wander freely through the streets and all over the private homes. It is hilarious, totally inspiring and a complete surprise. Their colors are so electric that they appear almost surreal and even more so because they are just strolling around freely...imagine opening your front door and being greeted by 6 mating peacocks!

A Few More Moments of Color Love

2010-04-09T11:11:00.000-07:00

I just sent a similar design (in a smaller scale) to be made into fabric....will keep everyone abreast of its progress ;-)

St Tropez Meets the Hamptons!

2010-04-06T14:01:00.000-07:00

That is what inspired me when creating these totally great woven outdoor fabrics, called Margarita. A little Long Island and a little French Riviera. This picture was actually taken by my father at the beach we grew up on in Westhampton Beach, Long Island. Everyone loves using these stripes indoors becuase they are so soft, beautifully woven and oh-so-very durable, but they are made for outdoors weather conditions...so go ahead and drag those chairs a little inside, a little outside, by the pool, or tub, or sea...or whatever floats your sunshinny summer boat ;-)

Take an Inspiration Fabric Walk!

2010-04-01T12:17:00.000-07:00

When I founded LULU DK 10 years ago, I was all alone in a world of stodgy traditional chintz fabrics. I think it is safe to say that the Interior Design market had fallen slightly to sleep. It wasn't until the Internet boom of the Clinton era when things started to change. A younger generation of Internet hipsters started to make a lot of money, leading them to move out of their parents' garage and into their 7000 sq foot mega lofts in NYC and elsewhere. Clearly they were looking for a little more then a floral chintz or chinoiserie coffee table. The shift was so sudden that I literally remember walking down the streets in Soho, NY and the entire neighborhood being about fashion boutiques and then walking downtown not long after and it being all about Interior/home design stores. I don't want to pat myself on the back...but hmm, here I go ;-) Me (and Muriel Brandolini) were the only fabric designers at that time doing anything that appealed to the young fresh at heart (now mega-rich internet youths). I must say it was a really exciting time to watch and be apart of a blossoming industry. I loved how all my interior design friends stuck together, encouraging each others growth and creativity.

During West Week in Los Angeles last week, I went to an event in the beautiful "back of the shop" gardens of Nate Turner's shop and Harbinger-Lucas Studios. It was, as is always the case of the events thrown in their secret garden... fun, festive with a twist of the magical....but mostly it was fabric, fabric, fabric everywhere. If you haven't noticed...Everyone has suddenly created their own interiors fabric line...fashion designers, interior designers, painters etc. My favorite line (besides my own, of course) is Peter Dunham's over at his new and improved store, Hollywood at Home (on the other super street of antique stores on La Cienaga). I think it would be great fun for all fabric designers to get together, spread out an enormous piece of white fabric and each paint a little something on it. Like a joint piece of work that we can hang somewhere and then auction off, proceeds going to Charity...just a thought. Here is a little list for your LA fabric walking tour (or interneting tour, as the case may be)

1. LULU DK at Donghia 1st floor- Pacific Design Center 8687 Melrose Avenue

2. Schumacher also at the Pacific Design Center- representing Kelly Wearstler, Celerie Kemble, Trina Turk, Jamie Drake, and Matthew Patrick Smyth

3. Quick drive around the corner will bring you to Hollywood at Home: Where you will find Peter Dunham, Carolina Irving, Jed Johnson, Lisa Fine and Martyn Lawrence-Bullard

4. Another quick little drive will bring you to Harbinger on Almont Drive where you will find Katie Ridder, Idarica Gazzoni, John Stefanidis and Pintura Studio.

Happy shopping!

(p.s fabric above is my LULU DK Plumes)

A Simple but Perfect Gem. My Favorite Gift to Give-

2010-03-30T08:54:00.000-07:00

I just love these cube frames, and friends and family love receiving them. All it takes is 5 photos of the recipient's friends and family, and a little note. I print my photos on Epson photo paper straight from my computer, hand write a note and cut them to size...wrap with a bow and voila. The perfect gift ever for house-warming, Easter, birthday, thank you, or whatever you feel. You can find these frames in a lot of places, but Sam Flax is simple and you can buy them on line. Personal gifts are REALLY the best, and friends and family should always be reminded that they are loved and appreciated!

Bahamian Life

2010-03-28T11:02:00.000-07:00

It is impossible to grow up in the Bahamas and not be influenced by Amos Ferguson's incredibly joyful and colorful paintings. Sadly Amos Ferguson passed away last October, but fortunately for us he left behind a body of work that reads like a visual day-by-day diary of the island he lived in and loved... Nassau, Bahamas. I remember when I was a child growing up in the Bahamas, I would just stare at all the little dots and colors meticulously placed on the canvas, recounting the moments when I new exactly where and what he was painting. The Bahamas has a very distinct flavor and he was certainly able to capture it in its purest form. My mother had a beautiful floral painting of Amos' given to her by my brother for her 70th birthday. It soon will be hanging over my bed (a beautiful memory). To learn more about Amos Ferguson, go to Galerie Bonheur or Princess Street Gallery.

Appreciation Again!

2010-03-25T13:48:00.000-07:00

Stylebeat Covers Lulu!

Thank you Marisa of Stylebeat for your great LULU DK coverage. She is a much more thorough writer then me, so if you just can't get enought ;-) tap your fingers over to http://www.stylebeat.blogspot.com/

Wallpaper above is my Palm Springs design.

Oh Yes I Will...

2010-03-21T20:58:00.000-07:00

...make custom fabrics with your monogram on it! And any other fabric idea you may want me to imagine up. Check out our custom capabilities on our website, LULU DK

Appreciation.

2010-03-18T09:41:00.000-07:00

I truly believe you can never say THANK YOU enough...So thank you fellow blogger from My Dog-Eared Pages for your wonderful spread on my book LULU.

Petals Petals Everywhere

2010-03-16T13:56:00.000-07:00

Spring is definitely coming to Los Angeles and the flowers are blooming everywhere...It is really, in my opinion, the best and most inspiring part of living here. There are mountains bursting in purple, yellow, blues, greens and every other color in the rainbow. I went to the flower market with my twins this weekend and they are truly captivated by the colors and shapes of all the different flowers and petal pieces. We collected a few fallen petals in a basket which later found themselves scattered all over my studio floor. The designs above were inspired by the petal trail left behind ;-) Not sure what they will become, but was feeling springy and thought I would share a blooming moment.

I LOVE flower shops and these are a few of my favorite ones in LA...The new Rolling Greens Florist on Beverly Blvd 323-934-4500 (the main nursery is in Culver City) but they just opened a florist on Beverly Blvd. with not only flowers but also everything else home (bird cages, candles, bedding etc). It is great and worth a walk-about. Lily Lodge on Robertson which specializes in organic flowers and also has a great gallery/ gift area that sells amazing things. And Moe's on Melrose which is visually delicious.