Hi All . . .
This entire post is dedicated to my constant obsession . . Lulu de Kwiatkowski. Artist, mother, wife, business owner, Parsons grad, textiles / wall paper / designer, world traveler, style icon, overall amazing. My obsession started about a year ago with the purchase of her book lulu - which I must say I bought it for the sheer fact I loved the cover and knew it would look pretty on my coffee table - and it does! That was how it started. Ashamed to say my knowledge stopped there, but that didn't last long. I often curl up on that sofa and study each page. While our differences are vast, our look, likes, and thought process are somewhat similar.
What I learned and what spoke to me the most was the mirror image of our backgrounds - not quite ! But what we did have in common was an art background, love of creating something from nothing as a child, starting our professional journey as wall artists before getting immersed in the design business, as well as building a business.
Lulu DK grew up in New York and the Bahamas. Daughter of the larger-than-life tycoon, art collector, polo player, Henryk de Kwiatkowski. Her mother, she described as stylish herself - filling their home with color and encouraging all of her 6 children to think outside the box. She received her fine arts degree from Parsons and spent 5 years studying trompe l'oeil abroad. A huge world traveler finding inspiration and celebrating the images of Peru, Tanzania, Myanmar, Morocco, India, Bolivia and New Zealand in her work of sumptuous collages. In the late 1990's was anointed as the "it" girl by Vanity Fair, which makes her laugh - but knowing it's necessary and helpful when starting a business ! While being an "it" girl always fades, her dedication to the business paid off - successful and sold world wide - but she admits to a lot of sleepless nights in the early days.
Read more in the The New York Social Diary featuring Lulu DK and her New York Apartment, background and start of her business. The interview took place about a year ago prior to her move to LA.
But here are a few images of her NY Apartment.
The Frank Gehry "Power Play" club chair she found on a nearby sidewalk and carried home - totally something I would do - and what a find !
And what kind of cyber-stalker would I be without showing a glimpse into her current home in LA
featured in the Oct / Nov 2010 issue of Lonny
Her artwork is my love . . . being a bit of a collage junkie in some of the artwork I dabble in - it speaks to me.
Her new Fabric line being offered come this March. While reading her blog, came across these images. Of course, love. Inspired by the birds, which are called "Dancers." Lulu is showing us conception through collage to actual fabrics!
Take a look at other favorites of mine . . .
Mixed in with the fabrics are small interior drawings, which were sold on One Kings Lane.
Afternoon Delight, limited edition print on canvas 39 x 60
Hello Minerva, limited edition print on canvas 42 x 56
Summersault, giclee print on matte 32 x 24
Sensation, Giclee print on matte 32 x 24
Not too long ago Clic (in NYC) had a nice showing of her work. Giclee prints available on their website. Great bookstore and gallery in Soho (also East Hampton NY, Cannes.. that would be France and St. Barthelemy, FWI)
And take a mouse drive over the Neiman's site . . . for those salad plates to mix in with your good china, to make that table setting a little more special! They would look pretty fab with my Wedgewood Colonnade Black.
So . . in closing . . a quote from Lulu DK (re-typed by me) printed by Lonny . . . .
Gotta say . . . kind-a what's going on this this house . .
- Beth
