Hamptons style icon Lulu deKwiatkowski [above] lives her life immersed in creativity. The textile designer, artist, founder & head designer of LULU DK was born and raised in New York City, spending her childhood “between the electric streets of Manhattan, and the colorful and sun-drenched beaches of the Hamptons and Bahamas.” Now, a Los Angeles resident in the off-season, Lulu returns to the Hamptons for summers with her husband Alfredo Gilardini and their towheaded twin boys. “First and foremost…I am always inspired by Mother Nature,” says Lulu, “All mothers and all nature, and all together: Mother Nature. Eternally beautiful and unique in every way.” The designer shares more musings and inspirations for her new LULU DK for Matouk bedding collection in this NEW KDHamptons Style Diary, below:

KDHamptons: How would you describe your work to our readers?

Lulu: Because of my love for geometry and graphics, travel and color, my work always takes on a kind of graphic meets ethnic vibe. Usually the color plays the most important part. I love how certain colors sit side by side, and I play with that a lot in my paintings and designs.

KDHamptons:  What does your design process look like?

Lulu: I have a visual, photographic memory and literally remember beautiful things in nature that I see. I take a personal snap shot in my head and then try and repeat whatever inspiration was absorbed from that moment. That is always how I paint. I am not a still-lifer with a vase of flowers in front of me and then reproducing. It always comes from my head.

KDHamptons: How do your bedding designs for Matouk differ from your paintings?

Lulu: I always feel like the pattern has a to be a little softer and gentler, so they really mimic my love for pastels and my love for the perfect pale blue men’s shirt − don’t you just love a man in perfect pale blue button down? Crisp and the perfect blend and shade of pale blue and white, soft pink and beige, that’s how I like my bedding to be. I love how all the bedding looks in my home. It makes the whole room come alive (if I do say so myself ;-).  I throw a little more POP with the towels and throw pillows…because we all love a splash of POP in the summer!

KDHamptons: How long have you been coming to the Hamptons and what does a typical day look like for you?

Lulu: I grew up in the Hamptons. From the time I was born, my family had a house in Quogue. Growing up, we came out every weekend, some holidays and the whole summer. My husband is Italian, so now we are also between Italy and Southampton, where we have a house now. I always stay home for breakfast and get my emails and painting completed before hitting Little Plains beach with friends, or drive to Quiogue where we are members of the beach club, and spend the day with my extended family. In the afternoon, I usually play tennis, swim, nap, or water ski if I’m feeling adventurous! Evenings are usually spent at a friend’s house or on our back porch which has an amazing sunset….

* To shop the new collections please visit LuluDK.com  or visit Hildreth’s Home Store in Southampton at 51 Main Street, Southampton; or at 109 Pantigo Road, East Hampton. Be sure to follow Lulu on Instagram @lulu_dk  

*Images vial Lulu DK