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BEHIND THE SCENES WITH CAITLIN BURKE

Creative master & fashion inspiration, Caitlin Burke's impeccable style transcends from her fashion to her home. She talks to us about her inspiration, registry advice, and the way she curates the pieces that decorate her home.

“I have loved interiors for as long as I can remember really. I grew up watching this show “Interior Motives with Christopher Lowell”, it was this super budget interior design/DIY show on the Discovery Channel but it really inspired me," says Caitlin Burke, Moda Operandi's Style & Content Director. Our conversation with Caitlin reinforced the concept behind the deep connection that exists between the fashion and homeware worlds. “I think overall most people have a certain taste/aesthetic and that spans across home, wardrobe, taste in art, everything. For me, that’s minimalism with a twist—organic lines and textures and a neutral palette, with some element of surprise or intrigue."

We have come to realize that curating your home is very much like curating your closet. It is a process that takes time and requires patience. "I like interiors that feel collected and built over time, rather than those that look straight out of a furniture catalogue," Caitlin says. One of her favorite home accessories is an antique brass fly ashtray that she noticed in a flea market in Colombia almost 10 years ago. Anyone else would have walked straight past it. It is Caitlin's impeccable taste and eye for design that empower her to unlock her creative genius in fashion and at home.

 

At this point in my life, I want to invest in timeless pieces I’ll have forever 

“I have loved interiors for as long as I can remember really. I grew up watching this show “Interior Motives with Christopher Lowell”, it was this super budget interior design/DIY show on the Discovery Channel but it really inspired me," says Caitlin Burke, Moda Operandi's Style & Content Director. Our conversation with Caitlin reinforced the concept behind the deep connection that exists between the fashion and homeware worlds. “I think overall most people have a certain taste/aesthetic and that spans across home, wardrobe, taste in art, everything. For me, that’s minimalism with a twist—organic lines and textures and a neutral palette, with some element of surprise or intrigue."

We have come to realize that curating your home is very much like curating your closet. It is a process that takes time and requires patience. "I like interiors that feel collected and built over time, rather than those that look straight out of a furniture catalogue," Caitlin says. One of her favorite home accessories is an antique brass fly ashtray that she noticed in a flea market in Colombia almost 10 years ago. Anyone else would have walked straight past it. It is Caitlin's impeccable taste and eye for design that empower her to unlock her creative genius in fashion and at home.

 

At this point in my life, I want to invest in timeless pieces I’ll have forever 

    1. Caitlin and Federika met while working together at Moda Operandi almost six years ago. They caught up to discuss everything home - from finding inspiration for their moodboards, to favorite dinnerware and tablescaping ideas.
    2.  
    3. Describe your dream home…
    4.  

    Modern organic style, minimal, open and warm with great light. Ideally with a pool and garden...and a GIGANTIC closet.


    1. How have your aesthetics in fashion influenced the aesthetics of your home?
    2.  

    I think overall most people have a certain taste/aesthetic and that spans across home, wardrobe, taste in art, everything. For me, that’s minimalism with a twist—organic lines and textures and a neutral palette, with some element of surprise or intrigue. My favorite artists are Cy Twombly, Jean Arp and Brancusi, and you can very much see themes from their works threaded throughout my home and closet.


    1. Is your selection of accent pieces as fabulous as your closet!
    2.  

    I hope eventually! Right now my closet is definitely more robust. When we moved to our new house, I sold most of my furniture and started from scratch. My favorite accents that I kept are the pieces I’ve bought while traveling. About 10 years ago in Colombia I found an antique brass fly ash tray in a flea market and it’s one of my favorite pieces in my home. After that I made a point to collect art or objects from every place I visited—a beautiful wooden water jug from Mexico, a brass sculpture from Greece, Picasso pottery from Paris and so on. Those are by far my favorite accent pieces.

 

  1. When it comes to interior design, who or what is consistently on your moodboard?
  2.  

Kelly Wearstler is a designer I’ve followed and loved for years. It’s interesting because her style has changed so much, but mine has as well, so I guess that’s probably why I’ve remained inspired by her and a fan of hers for so long. I also really love Fredrik Karlsson and Colin King (who does Athena Calderone’s dreamy homes that are always on my moodboard)

  1. My favorite artists are Cy Twombly, Jean Arp and Brancusi, and you can very much see themes from their works threaded throughout my home and closet.

    1. How do you find inspiration? What’s inspiring you right now?
  1.  
  2. Literally everywhere! I’m constantly adding to my library of fashion, art and photography books, so those are always a place I turn to, especially when working on a specific project. RuPaul’s Drag Race is a big source of inspiration, especially now in quarantine when I’m missing the theatrics of dressing and costumery. All fashion really is is drag anyway, and this season’s queens are some of the most creative yet.


    1. Any favorite color schemes / palette? Does it change between fashion and homeware?

     

  3.  
  4. It’s pretty consistent throughout both. Mostly neutrals—cream, tan, black, brown, colors found in nature mixed with pops of shiney gold… basically anything that could live in Brancusi’s studio.


    1. As details play a more important role in the world of interiors, how do you curate the pieces that will decorate your home?

     

  5.  
  6. I’m taking my time! It feels painfully slow now, but I know it will pay off in the long run. I like interiors that feel collected and built over time, rather than those that look straight out of a furniture catalogue. At this point in my life, I also want to invest in timeless pieces I’ll have forever. So I take time to research, do virtual mockups and really think about each piece before deciding if it fits who I am now and who I’ll be in 20 years.

     

    1. What piece of advice would you give couples when it comes to curating their registry?

     

  7.  
  8. Focus less on practical things you “need” and more on special things you’ll treasure. You’ll probably barely use that generic waffle maker everyone registers for, but you’ll delight in taking out special dinnerware for an evening with friends for years to come. Buy your own blender and let your guests treat you to the really magical things that make a house feel like home.

     

    1. What is your favorite dinnerware set these days?

     

  9.  
  10. I am in love with everything that Dinosaur Designs creates. I love the organic feel to them and the depth of color, even in the most neutral pieces. They mix and match so well and fit perfectly with my aesthetic.


    1. What is your secret to setting an impeccable table?

     

  11.  
  12. As Diana Vreeland said, “The eye has to travel”. I think that applies to tablescapes as well. I love using food as decor to add a pop of color (and a snack), like mandarin oranges with the leaves attached, fresh grape bunches or pomegranates split open. I drape whatever I can find alongside mixed-height taper candles and fresh flowers for a look that’s elegant and eclectic.

     

Caitlin's Picks

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