Just In: Frette Bedding In (Mostly) Colorful Patterns

When someone from luxury linen company Frette suggested I check out its offerings, I figured it was about time I did. Although there’s a Frette boutique in Boston, right across from the Apple store in fact, I have never been in, nor have I worked with Frette for local publications, since I didn’t have a contact. Hopefully that will now change.

Of course I am familiar with Frette bedding (oh, to have crisp Italian linens), especially the Frette Hotel Classic line. I was delighted to see a selection of fun prints too.

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The cashmere feather weight fringed throw is done in a new, clear shade of blue that coordinates perfectly with the Carline Euro cushion cover. The pillow’s graphic 1950s inspired sunflower design, embroidered on cotton canvas, is an homage to the French Atlantic coastal town of Biarritz. I love the playful crisscross petal pattern embroidered on the Bayonne sheet set, and the boho pattern of the Labourd printed duvet cover has the same graphic design as the pillow. 

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The Delft Tournai Collection takes cues from the Dutch hand painted tiles. the sheets features printed borders, while the quilt and sham use this small scale pattern all over cotton jacquard. The Bayonne sheeting from above mixes in well with it too.


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I’m not really a floral print person, but have been appreciating them a lot of late, with its resurgence in fashion and home decor. Frette’s Fiorito floral is fresh and pretty without being sweet. The palette is clear and strong, incorporating 13 different colors. And what my mother-in-law would do for that new violet colored lightweight cashmere throw. So totally her color. The Traviata Fleur de Saffran scented candle in a lilac porcelain  holder with platinum trim is the perfect touch for the bedside table.

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Now we’re into my personal decor territory. I actually have a similar duvet with gray border, in fact. This Bicolore Duvet Cover is part of the Frette Essentials Collection. To add the illusion of texture without color, try  tone-on-tone pieces, like this Cap Ferrat Tressage Euro Sham, which has a jacquard cotton upper with a vintage basket weave design. The gray-on-gray Lou Lou throw is a combination of silk, cashmere and cotton jacquard, decorated with an Art Deco stylized floral pattern inspired by Jean Cocteau. 

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Lastly, since Cape Cod is on my mind (just 2 1/2 weeks until school ends and we’re out of here), I couldn’t resist sourcing a little shopping list for my summer self. This Bicolore pillowcase in hemstitch cotton sateen reminds me of my wedding invitation; I love the creamy border on white. The Kishar slippers with silver embroidered logo seems so civilized, especially in butter yellow. Brings me back to Venice. I love the subtle contrast of the skinny braided straw handles on this white leather Idra tote, and the Demetrio teal leather keychain, which can go around your neck, on a hook, or slipped through your beach tote handles. 

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Get the Look: 22 Men’s Watches

We seem to go through a lot of watches at our house. I still have my prized Cartier (thank goodness; I’d be crushed if I lost it…too expensive to replace), but oftentimes, especially in summer, I just like to throw on a Timex with a stretchy metal elastic bracelet. (I wear it to the movies too; Indiglo rocks.) Unfortunately, the batteries don’t last very long. At least mine don’t. I’ve taken to treating them as disposable, which is of course ridiculous.

My husband also favors a Timex. For him it’s a plain white face with black numbers and black (imitation?) leather strap. I’ve tried to buy him nicer watches, but he protests. I think I did finally get him to wear a similar style, slightly upgraded, but he does so begrudgingly. He loses them, which I don’t really get since he’s generally pretty organized. But whatever, not my problem. My son loses his watches too, which is my problem, but he just bought himself an expensive Swatch, so we’ll see.

I love wandering through watch stores, whether its Tourneau in Boston, Cartier in New York, or Wempe in London. (Admittedly, if there’s also jewelry I tend to get sidetracked by the diamonds.)

I did a roundup of 15 stainless steel watches for women in March, but with Father’s Day upon us, I thought it would be a good time to pull together a variety of men’s watches too. As with Mother’s Day, we don’t really observe Father’s Day either. (We’re equal opportunity holiday ignorers.) I kind of ignored my husband’s birthday this year too, which I wasn’t all that nice (but he didn’t want to go anywhere, do anything, or want anything), so he deserves some recognition. Obviously, not a watch.

Here are 22 men’s watches, from sporty to sleek from StyleCarrot partners.

 

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S H O P P I N G

1. Zeitmaster Sport Diver’s Watch

2. Uniform Wares 104 PVD Pewter Watch

3. Flud The Exchange Watch in Birch Wood

4. Skagen Ancher Three-Hand Leather Watch

5. Diesel Chronograph Red Silicone Watch

6. Tsovet Canvas Strap Watch

7. Movado Large Bold Watch

8. ASOS Stag Print Watch

9. Coach Bleeker Stainless Steel Watch

10. Jack Spade Conway Watch

11. Michael Kors Dylan Silicone Chronograph Watch

12. Skagen Ancher Three-Hand Steel Mesh Watch

13. Timex for J.Crew Andros Watch

14. Daniel Wellington Classic Warwick Watch

15. Nixon The Sentry Leather Watch

16. Adidas Originals Brisbane

17. Komono Winston Galore Watch

18. Nixon The Kensington Leather Watch

19. Boss Hugo Boss Stainless Chronograph Watch

20. Mondaine Evo Giant 

21. Invicta Signature Two Tone Dive Watch

22. Express Silver Chronograph Bracelet Watch

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Shop Mr. Porter’s for men’s style >

Marimekko Holiday Gift Guide: 20 Sensational Stocking Stuffers

Make sure those stockings are cram packed full of color and style. The final installment of the three part Marimekko Holiday Gift Guide features women’s accessories and a few choice home decor items.

 

STOCKING STUFFERS MARIMEKKO MUG SCARF JEWELRY

 

S H O P P I N

1 Puketti Mini Umbrella, $49

2 Hipaus Make-Up Bag, $42

3 Jono Hat, $59

4 Saaga Wool Bracelet, $28

5 Juova Striped Gloves, $66

6 Valtti Pencil Case, $42

7 Loistava Candleholder, $89

8 Lumimarja King Sham, $25

9 Lappuliisa Cushion, $79

10 Asema Fabric Notebook $32

11 Unikko Tin Box, $14.50

12 Räsymatto Mug, $22

13 Ujo Slippers, $49

14 Unikko Hand Towel, $32

15 Tasaraita Taimi Cosmetic Case, $75

16 Kieppi Multicolor Scarf, $139

17 Siirtolapuutarha iPhone Case, $48

18 Iltavilli Bowl, $25

19 Unikko Blanket, $259

20 Maisa Silk Scarf, $229

 

  * m o r e * 

Marimekko Gift Guide: Women’s Style
Marimekko Gift Guide: Entertaining Essentials
Shopping Trip: Marimekko Boston 

StyleCarrot’s Marimekko board on Pinterest

 

Site Spotlight: 10 Pieces from OKA Direct

Last week British home furnishings company OKA Direct got in touch about reviewing its site. Established in 1999 as an interiors mail order catalogue, OKA now has 13 shops across the U.K.  The offerings are lovely—a satisfying blend of contemporary silhouettes in French Provincial finishes with a dash of Swedish sensibility in regards to the color palette. I’ve rounded up my ten favorite pieces for you.

 

 

S H O P P I N G 

1 Lantau Dressing Table

2 Duck Egg Celadon Glaze Serving Bowl

3 Cadenet Distressed Grey Wood Cupboard

4 Adjustable Tripod Chrome Floor Lamp

5 Melrose Weatherproof Chair

6 Orb Vintage Oak Side Table

7 Chartres Weathered Oak Mirror

8 Leopard Print Linen Napkins

9 Mondrian Low Back Linen-Covered Sofa

10 Sanskrit Striped Cotton Dhurrie

Find more classic furniture from OKA Direct on their website

 

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Carrot Currency: Marimekko

StyleCarrot is thrilled to welcome Marimekko as a sponsor. Over the next few months, we’ll be posting a number of special editorials celebrating this colorful Finnish brand. 

Marimekko, established in 1951 by Armi and Viljo Ratia, is a Finnish textile and clothing design company renowned for its original prints and colors. The company designs and manufactures high-quality clothing, interior decoration textiles, bags, and other accessories.

Strong and distinctive product design is the cornerstone of Marimekko’s operations and corporate culture. The starting point for design is that each  individual Marimekko product must earn its own design value and express Marimekko’s lifestyle concept. Alongside distinctive and individual design there is a stress on the functionality and practical aspects of the products.

Marimekko introduces dozens of new fabric designs each year. Designers are not given any instructions or limitations beforehand. Instead, they are free to create and inject their own experiences and views of trends into the patterns. Marimekko’s collections thus achieve a varied and rich range of different worlds of patterns and colors.

Finland is still an important manufacturing country for Marimekko and our textile printing factory in Helsinki prints most of our fabrics, around 1.6 million yards a year. Visit a store or shop all our bold, colorful prints  and designs at http://us.marimekko.com

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