Home Design with Kevin Sharkey

When the new year rolls around, I like to clean up my shelves and drawers: out with old knick-knacks and clutter, and in with the new. One of the first things to go are charred, half-melted candles; it's so nice to start fresh with pretty packaging and clean scents.

My go-to candles are Vie Luxe. Owner Marjorie Gublemann has been profiled in plenty of magazines for her fabulous lifestyle -- including Elle Decor and Harper's Bazaar, which noted her one of New York's "Most Celebrated Hostesses," a fact that both Martha and I can attest to. Her company is a global fragrance empire sold in over 1500 of the world's most high end shops. Each candle is named and scented after dreamy vacation destinations such as Palm Beach, Sardinia, St. Barth's, and Buenos Aires. They're effortlessly chic and appeal to everyone. I highly recommend you get plenty of them; they are the perfect gift for any occasion -- or just to turn an ordinary day into an occasion.

(Photo via Saks Fifth Avenue)

If you have been on my blog before, you know I am an avid reader. What I may not have mentioned is that the book archive in my office is arranged by color (pictured above: my hard work!). I find it to be an enchanting presentation. If you need to cheat a little by adding more books in your collection, I just stumbled across this brilliant little store on Etsy: Decades of Vintage.

Based in New Jersey, the shop groups vintage books in bulk according to color -- something you could certainly do yourself, but also a great idea for rounding out a collection visually. For your own shelf at home, mix in a decorative accent in the same color scheme to magnify the effect, such as a vase or a frame.

This post on Apartment Therapy also made me laugh. Where do you stand in the great color-coordinating debate?

I recently came across this brilliant light fixture designed by Jonah Takagi and manufactured by Roll & Hill. I love the fusion of color with this industrial-inspired design, a combo that you don't see often. Named for Memphis, TN, it's available in three dreamy combinations of mint/red (shown here), white/brass or cream/brown. Don't you think it would be a great conversation piece for any room?

(Available at switchmodern.com, $750.)