Travel - The Fife Arms

As a huge Outlander fan, a fly fisherwoman, and someone with Scottish blood — I have been dying to go to Scotland.

I had read about The Fife Arms a while ago, and then it reemerged on my Instagram and I was totally captivated. The inn re-opened in late 2018, transformed by art world power couple Iwan and Manuela Wirth (founders of the Hauser & Wirth gallery). The Fife Arms is a Victorian-era inn two hours north of Edinburgh in Braemar.

As you would expect, the inn features standout art pieces - such as the Lucien Freud painting in the lobby, and the Louise Bourgeouis spider in the courtyard. Learn more about the art featured throughout the hotel on Hauser & Wirth’s website here.

One of my favorite design elements, is the ceiling mural in the drawing room, by contemporary artist Zhang Enli, who according to this Town & Country article, was “inspired by the swirls seen in a certain kind of Scottish quartz.”

To my mother’s chagrin - I really love taxidermy and antlers. How fun is the “Flying Stag” restaurant?

I am ready to check in!

Travel - Bar Palladio

Like a lot of people, I am sitting here in quarantine, feeling very day-dreamy about traveling. A few places come to mind — mostly those with vibrant colors and an inherent sense of adventure. On my list - scuba diving in Raja Ampat, a culinary tour of Oaxaca, and - a total dream, to travel to India with the designer Grand K. Gibson. Learn more about Grant’s India itinerary here.

I am constantly floored when I see images of Bar Palladio in Jaipur, India…. Here is a bit of fodder for your blue and white day dreams !

If you still need more - check out Schumacher’s blog for an edited collection of some of their favorites.

Sourcing Ikats in Indonesia

Locally made ikats for sale at Nihi on the island of Sumba.

On the subject of textiles, whenever a client tells me that they don’t love florals but want some sort of pattern - ikats often come to mind. I love ikats because they give a space a sense of personality, without being too stuffy or preppy.

My husband’s grandmother was a prolific textile collector, and it was not until I came upon her vast collection of ikat books, that I realized how much I really had to learn on the subject.

The word “ikat” is Indonesian, and it means “to tie.” Ikat is one of the oldest forms of textile decoration. As a designer, the thing that really lights me up are textiles. My mother likes to say that “thread is in my blood” - but that is a story for another time. Anyhow, you can imagine my excitement to be going to the islands of Bali and Sumba for our honeymoon — home of textiles galore.

While we were in Sumba (at the fabulous Nihi resort), they had a little market on the property where local women would come to demonstrate the weaving technique and sell their wares. We also had the treat of visiting a local village, and stopping by a roadside store to source directly from the artisans. We ended up purchasing one there, and another from our favorite staff member at Nihi.

Me, holding the ikat that we purchased from a local market.

Trying to make decisions!

If you can’t make it all the way to Indonesia, here is a link to buy Sumbanese Ikats on Etsy ! If you are wondering what to do with them, the main lodge at Nihi provides a lot of inspiration.

Ikat inspiration in the main lodge at Nihi