The Art of Dilly-Dallying out East
with Nikki Kule
“Out East” or "the Hamptons” is synonymous with summer for a lot of New Yorkers. You may think of all the shopping, beaches, and restaurants/bars when you think of Long Island’s South Fork, but for Nikki Kule, it’s mostly a place to stay home and shuffle around, rearranging furniture, re-designing, organizing, and reading/catching up on books and her overflowing magazine stack she’s meant to read. We’re heading out East to dilly-dally.
Take it away, Nikki!
Home Things
I recently renovated my home — well, it’s an ongoing process. I spend a lot of my time rearranging and changing even the smallest details and nooks. A blank wall turned into a basket display. A freshly stripped pergola, ready for new growth. A reupholstered chair from my mom with fabric I adore from Lisa Corti. Tinkering around with each room on my weekends out East is how much of my time is spent. I love it.
I am drawn to raffia of all kinds: hats and bags (and furniture). I wanted to bring it into my home à la Bunny Mellon. For my guest bedroom, I decided to create a basket wall composed of woven raffia pieces I acquired through travel, local artists, and some of my friends. These include vintage bags and hats, as well as bags by Underwater Weaving Studio and Bembien (hi, Erin and Yi-Mei!).
The overgrown pergola needed a haircut. It is now freshly groomed and ready for growth. There are even grapes growing on it now!
I inherited this chair from my mother, and I reupholstered it with Lisa Corti fabric. It’s now sitting in my guest bedroom.
The dining room is complete (for now 😉) with just a little swapping out of the art, which can make all the difference. The “after” includes art by NYC-based artist Janaina Tschäpe, whose work I originally saw at Art Basel in 2022. It is composed of 12 separate panels and took quite some time to install.
I like to call this room my “personal store” filled with knick-knacks I have collected from travels, friends, and even from my very first store on Lexington Avenue (the portrait of the man), which I purchased from Chairish back in the day. The design was inspired by this 19th-century Sagaponack residence designed by Jonathan Sheffer and Jack Ceglic. The reference is one of my favorite homes, and I wanted something that felt similar.
When I Do Leave the House…
… It’s mostly to bring stuff back home. A new book. Fresh flowers with which to decorate. Warm pastries or fresh produce to eat.
I also enjoy seeing art, mostly as inspiration.
And sometimes, to add to my home.
But Still, I Always Get Dressed :)
If you follow me on Instagram, this backdrop is probably familiar. My designated selfie spot! I prefer easy, breezy linens and cottons, pareos, and having fun with my footwear and accessories.
I’m doing my best version of layering for summer with a lightweight blazer over this KULE drapey, thin tee, which I wear all the time. It’s so light and perfect for summer or layering anytime of the year. And the “hat” is actually a bag.
My favorite summer shirt, KULE’s “Blanca,” is featherweight and breezy, making it perfect for the hottest days of summer. My pants and shoes are a thrilling cobalt blue match. I like to add something fun to my outfits, so I incorporated color into this one.
I got this shirt on a recent trip to London. There’s almost always a stripe at all times :)
I love wearing pareos; they are easy but still stylized. And, I told you I like woven bags!
I don’t wear florals often, but when I do, they’re usually in light cottons, like this shirt, which I got in Comporta, Portugal. I made the KULE City Pants, which I’m wearing here, as pants to wear at any time of the year. They’re light enough for even hot summer days.
And now, the dreaded drive back to the city….
See you next time!
xo,
Nikki
Love your style obvs, but can we also talk about that Lisa Corti covered chair?! Brilliant.
The best style ever!