Katherine Price Mondadori is an interior designer working on the KPM tower in Dubai. When I'm in India I always visit the Shaw brothers who are located in Windsor Place, Jarapath, New Delhi. They stock the most exquisite shawls, pashminas, silks and textiles. The store has been run by the same family for generations and I appreciate their incredible craftsmanship. In London I stay at Claridge's. Martin Ballard, their Head Concierge, has been there for 30 years and if he can't do it, no one can. He always makes my restaurant and theatre reservations.
One of my homes is in Lugano and I love the amazing 17th century village of Carona. I like to visit the Villa Carona whose garden is open from May until October. They serve the best home cooked food and it is always presented so beautifully. For me the summer season is never complete without a visit to Wainscot Beach in the Hamptons. It's on Georgica Pond and is very, very private. I love walking on the beach there as the air is amazing and it is very restorative.
When I'm in Dubai, working on the KPM Tower, I like to stay at the Residence & Spa of One&Only Royal Mirage. Their Oriental Hamman is unbeatable. For Sunday brunch in New York, I always book the trustees room at the Metropolitan Museum. It's a great setting overlooking Central Park and it serves the most wonderful food. It's a member's only venue. If you want a present for the man in your life, I don't think you can beat Marinella ties. It sounds boring, but a visit to their store in Naples is an experience you will never forget.
As for romance, I'd recommend a dinner at La Peschiera in Monopoly, Puglia in Italy. It's located on the beach and offers traditional pugliese cuisine. If you happen to be there on a night of the full moon, it's one of the most incredibly romantic places on earth. Whenever I'm in Turkey I always visit the Pandelli restaurant in Istanbul. It's located in the Egyptian (Misir) spice bazaar of Eminönü. The view is worth the effort of getting there and the bazaar is abuzz with spices and colour.
In the Caribbean, I like to visit St Barts, and when I'm there I always pick up some clothes designed by Tiziano Mazzilli, the founder of Voyage. I always think they are wonderfully simple and make the look for the winter season. I have a real thing for stationery. I love Ditta Raimondi di Pettinaroli from Milan. It's a family run business and the paper quality they use is super. If you are Italian and from Milan, you just have to get your business cards or stationery from them.
If I'm in Paris, I make sure to find time to go to Mariage Frères in the Marais for afternoon tea. It's the most amazing salon and the teas are incredible; they're sourced from all over the world and the newest and most wonderful is a blue tea from Nepal. I always recommend it for high tea and brunches. For flowers, I have Ronaldo Maia on speed dial. Based in New York, everything he does is so beautiful and his motto is definitely less is more. He has written several inspiring books and now has a new shop called Casa Maia devoted to everything house-related, except flowers. I love having a look there.
