Talk Shop: Caroline Foster // Design Center, Chelsea Harbour
Courtesy of Instagram
ABOUT CAROLINE
Caroline Foster is the incredibly chic Associate Director of the Designer Centre in Chelsea Harbour in London. We quickly became fans of hers on Instagram, and immediately thought of her when the idea for Talk Shop came about.
Caroline’s career is long standing in the design world: With almost a decade under her belt at Condé Nast, the design maven was one of the first to work at the Design Centre when it opened.
“I took the job, thinking I would stay for a year – and here I am 15 years later!”, she says. As Associate Director, Foster is involved in all kinds of varied and unique projects around the Centre. A visual person who is naturally curious and obsessed with details, Foster says this is the perfect role for her. “I can be creative, obsess over details and get to meet and work with incredibly interesting people – which are still my favourite elements of the work I do today.”
Hear more about Caroline Foster’s favorites below in this edition of Talk Shop.
Describe your style in three words or less:
Understated and personal.
Favourite fashion brands:
Bamford, Ralph Lauren, Club Monaco, Me + Em.
Favourite beauty brands:
Chanel, Votary, Sarah Chapman.
What have been the two biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
Travel, and aesthetics have the ability to enrich our lives. I am drawn to things that make me smile and feed my soul.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
I have a few! Helen Fifield and Claire German—they gave me so many opportunities when I first knocked on the door at Conde Nast in the 1990’s straight out of school and continue to do so. I am very grateful to both of them.
My husband and father. My father taught me my work ethic, as he is a brilliant entrepreneur and still works today. My husband always gives me incredible advice. He is my best friend who is bright, level headed, strategic, smart, creative, funny and kind.
What does your home say about you:
Relaxed living which is reflective of our lifestyle. However busy I am at work, the fridge is always stocked, and our home is full of flowers from my favourite florist Rob Van Helden.
Where do you find inspiration:
Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, Museums (V&A and The Met are my favourites), Japan House, Travel, Nature, Bali, Japan and watching Artisans create.
Who are your style icons:
Tory Burch, Aerin Lauder, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, Grace Kelly, Carole Bamford, Megan Hess and my Mama.
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Being super organised—timing is critical for a seamless event. Guests should be made to feel super welcome from the moment they arrive; you really want them to enjoy every moment.
The details: great food, flowers, music, bar, entertainment and energy mixed in with fun people. Fun little touches that make people smile and leave happy.
Do you collect anything:
Yes, quite a lot and mainly during my travels. Paper, baskets, cookery books, journals, tea, beach stones, scarves, Ganesh, books on Japanese culture and zen meditation plus anything in cornflower blue! I also love a monogram!
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
@arielokin, @osborninteriors, @daylesfordfarm, @bamford, @littlelondonwhispers, @goop, @velvetandlinen, @japanhouseldn, @robinsharma, @condenastproperty, @meganhess
What are you working on right now:
Focus in September at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour.
Wardrobe staples:
My wardrobe has fairly limited colours—white, caramel, grey, blue, navy and black. I like to buy few investment pieces each year rather than multiple disposable pieces.
Summer: jeans, white shirts, Papouelli, Chanel or Chloe flats
Winter: jeans, Bamford button cuffs, and trainers
And always with a scarf and good handbag!
Best interior advice you ever received:
Stay true to your own style and buy timeless investment pieces that you love and that stand the test of time.
Best career advice:
“What is done with love is done well.” -Van Gogh
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
Invest in key pieces if you can—kitchen, bathrooms, fabrics, furniture and lighting. I love to support local artisans when I travel. There is nothing to touch the work of the human hand! Also small pieces that uplifts your space like accessories, books, cushions, details, and candles.
And my dearest friends’ company Etalage, whose company sources beautiful prints and paintings for your home. My secret weapon to finish off a room!
Your greatest extravagance:
Travel.
Favorite places to shop for home:
Design Centre - the best brands all under one roof
Smaller pieces for entertaining etc - Daylesford, Summerlil & Bishop and Petersham Nurseries.
Most prized possession and why:
Family first, always. Object wise, a large stone Ganesh in our garden. I am a very Spiritual person and Ganesh is a big part of my life.
Your interiors motto:
“Luxury is in each detail.” Hubert de Givenchy.
Your life motto:
“Keep looking up, thats the secret of life.” Snoopy. I have it inscribed on my beloved Anya Hindmarch bespoke journals.
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
Don’t worry about trends. Choose what you love, what will last, and what makes you happy.
Greatest achievement :
The two loves of my life: Isabella and Jemima, my 19 and 17 year old daughters.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: Everything, I adore food and cooking!
Winter - curry, pasta, tagines and pies
Summer - Coronation chicken, BBQ, salads and home made ice cream
Drink: Ralph Laurens Rose Royale Cocktail from Ralphs in Paris. During my last visit they kindly gave me the recipe! Also watermelon juice and tea
Film: Anything by Nancy Meyers, especially It’s Complicated and Something’s Gotta Give
Hotel: Aman, The Wild Rabbit in Cotswolds.
City: London, Paris, New York and Singapore
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Tea, always. I start my day with fresh ginger tea and then drink a variety of herbal teas throughout my day. I collect tea, especially during my travels, it momentarily transports me back to a happy place
Playlist: ColdPlay, Ellie Goulding, Ed Sheerhan, David Bowie, Buddha Bar, Japanese Meditation music, Balinese wood music
Weekend Activity: Culture and cocktails
Design Book: Anouska Hempel, Spencer Fung, Kit Kemp, Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen, Veere Grenney, Nina Campbell, Mark D Sikes
