Year: 2009

Renowned fragrance expert Francis Kurkdjian was in town last week at Neiman Marcus to promote the debut of his new line of home fragrances, Maison Francis Kurkdjian. The recently knighted but entirely unassuming Kurkdjian, who has created more than 20 of the world’s bestselling scents (for Christian Lacroix, Giorgio Armani, YSL, and others), talked about and passed around samples of his candles, perfumed incense papers, and laundry detergent, as well as perfumed bubbles inspired by his six-year-old niece (the bubbles were floating outside the store as we arrived). Besides Neiman Marcus Chicago, the collection is available only at Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills, as well as his new boutique, Maison Francis Kurkdjian in Paris. By the end of lunch, I was convinced that my home should smell wonderful, and that Kurkdjian was the man to help me.

-JAN PARR

It’s no secret that a whole lot of people who love home design also love their pets. Interior designers Todd Haley, Susan Fredman, and the owners of Hudson Home are all gaga about their dogs; I just came across this interview with Nate Berkus about living with furry friends in Tails magazine. Seems like the pros don’t worry too much about dog hair on their furniture or paw marks on their floors. (Cats are a different story… if you’ve got clawing kitties, we’ve got tips here. If you truly love your pet, then perhaps you need a plaque made in its honor. Made by local artist Kristen Romaniszak (out of gouache and ink on paper, glued to wood) these quirky portraits are available through Asrai Garden ($60 for 4-by-4 inch size; $140 for 5-by-7). All you need do is provide a photo of your beloved; delivery time is about two weeks.

—GINA BAZER