Lulu deKwiatkowski [above] lives her life immersed in creativity. The textile designer, artist, founder & head designer of LULU DK, and Hamptons style icon 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 twin boys, Francesco and Matteo, 5, and Pier Giorgio 2.5. You will rarely find yourself in a stylish Hamptons home that does not boast LULU DK designs [including mine!]. Lulu shares style tips and news about the recent launch of lulukd.com in this NEW KDHamptons Design Diary, below:

KDHamptons: How long have you been coming to the Hamptons?

Lulu: I grew up in the Hamptons.  From the time I was born, my family had a house in Quogue and we lived in NYC. 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.

KDHamptons: How would you describe your perfect Hamptons day?

Lulu: I always stay home for breakfast and get my emails and painting completed before venturing out to the world.…We usually hit 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.

KDHamptons: What has been the most exciting part about launching your gorgeous new on-line shop, luludk.com?

Lulu: When we were doing the photography for the online store, I was literally bubbling up thinking this is not only a dream come true, but also soooo much fun! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE what I do and feel absolutely gifted to be a creative person doing what I love most. The store is great because now we get to share all my things with our retail clients, rather than only fabrics which are usually limited to the design industry.

Above, pillows & ottomans in LULU DK fabrics (from top): Rose, Plantation Sky. Colors: Apple, Martini, Plantation Sky

A gorgeous antique Suzani collected from Lulu’s travels available on luludk.com now

KDHamptons: How would you describe your Hamptons home, and decorating style?

Lulu: Fresh….It has a fresh feeling, maybe because the ceilings are very high and it is painted all white, or maybe because the fabrics are pastel, soft, and subtle with signature pops of color. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like an all white / beige house. Ours definitely has color and is cozy, but still feels fresh — maybe because everything is so new and clean!

KDHamptons:  Do you have a Hamptons fashion “uniform” ? How would you describe your look?

Lulu: Actually, I do. I wear straight leg blue jeans and a white shirt, with my straw hat…..voila! It rarely changes.

KDHamptons: Which are your two favorite fall products from your line that are perfect for a Hamptons home?

Lulu: I love, love, love our X-Benches and thinks there is never enough seating for all the house guests around the table. So “extra-special” X-Benches are a necessity [pictured below]. Also, I love all of our matching lamp shades — they are so great for the Hamptons.

KDHamptons: What are your plans for the holidays? Traveling? Will you be spending time in the Hamptons?

Lulu: We go to our family home in the Bahamas where I also grew up. I know, tough life :)

KDHamptons: Who would you say is your greatest home design inspiration?

Lulu: I really love Jeffrey Bilhuber and Tom Sheerer as designers. I actually used to intern for them when I was younger. They worked together as a team. David Hicks is always a great inspiration as well.

KDHamptons: How would you describe a quintessential “LULU DK” home?

Lulu: I have always searched and shopped for things that make a statement – a statement that is a little earthy, a little colorful, a little personal, and most importantly, a statement that elicits happiness and memories.  A home should be filled with a wonderful array of found objects, living flowers, colors, paintings, and fabrics and furniture that let you kick back from a long day, jump around with your children [without fear of breaking the china], and be inspired.  So, if you are feeling like your life needs a little soul, spunk, and originality, I am sure you will find it with LULU DK.

A day bed in Lulu’s Los Angeles home covered in fabrics [from left]: Bloomsbury Navy, Plantation Royal, Ocean Navy, and Plantation Navy

KDHamptons: If you could design a home for any dream client, whom would you choose?

Lulu: Probably Drew Barrymore. I don’t really know why, but I think we are similar. So it would be fun. I don’t really design homes for a living, but for Drew I would make an exception!

***For more information and to shop Lulu’s full collection please go to: www.luludk.com