Several of my favorite homes ever published have belonged to interior designer, Delphine Krakoff and her husband, Reed, a fashion and accessories designer. Their homes exude a type of effortless chic that comes from a discerning eye, access to incredible art and furnishings, and a French pedigree. Delphine established her New York-based design firm, Pamplemousse in 2000 and her work has subsequently been published in Architectural Digest, ELLE DECOR, House & Garden, and Vogue. I have found Delphine’s work incredibly inspiring for many years. She has the chicest taste and an ability to create striking, beautiful spaces that transcend space and time. I am so glad to get to know her a bit better in this installment of the Style Files and am even happier to hear that she and Reed are working on a book! Enjoy!
Paloma Contreras: How would you describe your style?
Delphine Krakoff: Eclectic. I like to mix unexpected pieces – from different periods, different scales, different origins. Always an element of surprise, an element of luxury, and above all a true sense of comfort. Lastly, a genuine connection between the interior and the client’s personality, style, background.
PC: Has living in New York influenced the way you decorate?
DK: New Yorkers are discerning, knowledgeable, they’ve seen it all. They want the best, the newest, the most special… They Love custom work, so I do a lot of unique commissions with artists and designers.
PC: What does your home say about you?
DK: My Husband Reed and I have been collecting furniture and art for as long as we have been together. Our homes reflect the many successive layers of our ever-evolving taste.
PC: Where do you turn for inspiration?
DK: Literally everywhere – art, design, museums, auctions, popular culture, travel, books, movies, Pinterest…Also, every time I work with a new client, I am exposed to something unique to them – a piece, a color, a material, that otherwise wouldn’t have made it into my creative consciousness.
PC: Who are your personal style icons?
DK: Anyone who has a unique, confident, effortless style.
PC: Do you have a guilty pleasure?
DK: Bravo, ice cream, sports massages.
PC: What trait do you most admire in a person?
DK: Hard-working, authentic, generous.
PC: Who or what has been your greatest professional influence?
DK: My husband Reed – his knowledge of Design is encyclopedic.
PC: What is your idea of La Dolce Vita?
DK: An early morning run, an afternoon nap, a home-cooked dinner for friends and family.
PC: What can we look forward to next from you?
DK: I am working on a wide range of completely diverse projects at the moment, which I love: a penthouse in the new Norman Foster building on the Hudson river, in New York City; a huge sun-filled apartment at the Surf Club, the new development in Miami designed by Richard Meier, whose work I admire so much; an historic family compound in Bedford, which I am restoring all the while building an entirely contemporary guesthouse on the adjacent lot, from the ground up. On a more personal note, Reed and I are finally taking the time to work on a book of our homes together, which should come out in 2017.
Go-To Outfit: A French marinière, jeans, flats
Style Mantra: Elegance comes from confidence in your own style – it goes for fashion but also for interiors…
Scent: Hermes ”Eau de Pamplemousse Rose”, for real
Piece of Jewelry: I wear three stacked Elsa Perretti Wave bracelets from Tiffany every single day, and mix them with different cuffs from my husband Reed’s jewelry line.
Color I Never Tire Of: Navy blue for clothing, grey for interiors, white for sheets
Flower: White Peonies
Indispensable Design Element: Books throughout the house
Era for Design: The 30s to the 50s in France
Dream Project: I would love to work on a restaurant or a hotel
Fabric/Textile: Any Belgian linen from Rogers and Goffigon, I am a fan! Knit cashmere blankets. Percale sheets from Leontine Linens.
Hostess Gift: Flowers, always white. Although these days I have gotten into succulent terrariums. And vintage books.
Meal: Dinner at home with my husband Reed and our three children, at least 4 or 5 times a week.
Drink: Evian
3 Things I Love About My City: I love everything about New York, I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else even though I am originally Parisian… But if I had to pick only three things I would say Central Park for a run, Bond St for sushi, and the Met for the period rooms.
Weekend Destination: Either Lasata in East Hampton –or Clark House, our newest home in New Canaan, CT
Hotel: The Mark in New York, designed by my good friend, the amazing decorateur Jacques Grange. He incorporated unique commissions from some of my favorite designers: Mattia Bonetti, Eric Schmitt, Guy de Rougemont,…
City: Paris
Museum: The Picasso Museum in Paris, which finally reopened last year after years and years of renovation.
Artist: Picasso, Robert Motherwell, Alan McCollum, Al Held.
Prized Possession: Three huge cocktail rings that Reed made just for me, with the birth stone of each of our three kids: amethyst for Lily, peridot for Oscar, citrine for Maude.
Risk Worth Taking: Always being honest when someone asks your opinion. And trusting your instincts.
Greatest Extravagance: Fresh, pressed sheets every day.
Go-To Color Palette: Pearl grey, chalky white, soft camel.
I can never have too many… hours in the day.
{Images Courtesy of Delphine Krakoff}
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