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Through the Looking Glass

Lately we have noticed a real perk in the weather, business and our general attitude—perhaps it is because we have found a highly addictive coffee spot in San Francisco but nonetheless we are excited about it. Sightglass coffee is a gorgeous light-soaked, loft-like space in the SOMA district. Two local brothers own the company that makes wonderful coffee sourced from around the world, with a very artful approach to the craft. Don’t expect a quick hello and goodbye at the place, watch the barista lovingly prepare your coffee, perch at the mezzanine level and take few moments for yourself.

Take Me to Turbeville

Ralph Pucci has always been an inspiration to us here at K2–to visit his NYC gallery and penthouse loft showroom is to be transported into a fantasy factory of genius. Known for mixing art and decoration on a major scale, Pucci’s wall installations are legendary. We recall being swept away by the uber-romantic fashion photography of Deborah Turbeville–her dreamy, intimate scenes were blown up to epic proportions and mounted on aluminum panels for the perfect contrast of hard and soft. With the release of her new book, The Fashion Pictures, Turbeville returns to the fashion world, giving us a fresh look at the secret universe she created with lighting and color that makes you want to melt into every image.  Check out this great interview with Turbeville at Style.com.

Pozos, Mexico – Valentino, 2011

Krakow, Poland – W magazine, 1998

Paris, Mirabella – 1989

A Room of One’s Own

We love the fresh spirit of the year, sparking us to reflect on what we truly want to create and inspiring us to soften the boundaries of what is possible.  The K2 team is excited about this new beginning and we all expect this year to be the best. One wish for 2012 that we feel is more of a necessity is, as Virginia Woolf so eloquently put it, a room of one’s own. Whether it be a place to write, sing, sleep or simply be—we are fully behind this soul-restoring concept. Rooms of one’s own may come in many different shapes, locations and sizes but here at K2 we’re digging T Magazine’s recent compilation of “Man Caves”. From the article, pictured below, is an amazing shed designed by Jack Stewart, a retired carpenter. It is a blessing that men have carved out their own getaway spaces, free to decorate (or not), and use as they please. We think this is the year for EVERYONE to create his or her own cave—a place where you and you alone can let your hair down and your flag fly. Send us pics of your spaces and we’ll post our faves! (Image courtesy of The New York Times)

Frances Elkins

As a follow up to our last post on the amazing California Design exhibit at the LACMA it made us think about which California designers have influenced the contemporaries that we work with and respect today. Immediately Frances Elkins came to mind as a formidable female designer whose work is beautifully covered in the  book Frances Elkins: Interior Design by Stephen M. Salny. One of the first to promote artists such as Alberto Giacometti and Jean-Michel Frank in California, Elkins was also known for integrating many diverse styles in the homes she designed with her architect and brother David Adler. From decorating a French provincial manner in a monochrome palette to her famous Casa Amesti, perusing the works of Frances Elkins shows a woman who’s taste remains timeless and who’s work continues to inspire.

Image courtesy of Katherine and David Boyd

Setting Your Sights Local

Here are K2 we are interested in all things beautiful, made with a great purpose and a soul to them. While most of the time that interest lends itself the to the international design world, we sometimes forget to step back and appreciate what is wonderful about our own backyard.  While recently in San Francisco’s Ferry building we fell back in love with one of nature’s finest pleasures—cheese. That gooey, earthy delight that when done well is unlike anything else.

Our current favorite is local producer Cowgirl Creamery—started in a barn in Point Reyes and now shipping worldwide. Their signature triple cream, Mt. Tamalpais cheese is out of this world and much like a fine wine, the cheese is made from a small-scale farm that respects the process, the animals and the surrounding local agriculture. Here’s our recommendation: Visit their shop at the Ferry Building, buy a round of your favorite cheese, pick up a fresh baguette at the Acme Bakery next door for the perfect afternoon.

Pour Some Vinegar On Me

When a fantastic seasonal menu combines with a transporting ambiance on a small cobble street near the Brooklyn Bridge, New Yorkers take notice.  This weekend K2 took a short train ride to DUMBO in Brooklyn to check out the celebrated restaurant that is Vinegar Hill House.

Placed on a captivating, quiet street, Vinegar Hill House has an antiqued hip charm that evokes a mom and pop feel. A wood burning oven, exposed copper pipes and a killer streamlined menu hit all the high points. We noshed on a fluffy sourdough, ricotta and blueberry pancake with caramelized banana and coconut water right out of the nut itself. Do yourself a favor and slow down for a few minutes to enjoy this undeniably charming spot.

(Image courtesy of Hannah Whitaker/New York Magazine)