Kat Burki Boutique Blossoms in Westport

Acclaimed interior designer Kat Burki welcomed party goers to the grand opening of her new boutique and showroom located at 175 Post Road W. last week. The eponymously named store captures Burki’s stylish and sophisticated style and serves as a showcase for her collection of organic body and bath products, which includes scented candles, soaps, body crèmes, home accessories, lighting, upholstery pieces and bedding.

Burki, a Westport resident, previously had a small boutique in Southport, but relocated the store to Westport in late December. “I live in Westport, so it just made sense for me to be here. I also wanted to be in a place where there was more foot traffic, Southport is a little slow in that area,” explains Burki.  “We also have a lot of clients in Westport, so it made sense,” she adds.

The space reflects Burki’s design sensibility, marrying traditional elegance with modern luxury. From the trompe d’oleil cherry tree blooming along one wall to the stacks of plush towels piled high on wrought iron shelving, the designer’s vision of the home as an oasis of comfort and style is realized. 

Burki began to develop her own line of products while designing for her clients, “Our clients have high expectations for quality, authenticity, and a sophisticated sense of style,” says Burki.  

To develop the look she was after, she found that customizing her own pieces was often necessary.  As a result, she developed relationships with artisans and manufacturers from around the world, including craftsmen in Paris, and fabric mills in Italy, Belgium and the United States. “It’s just the way my brain works,” she explains. “If I want something, it’s just in me to make it. This way, you get what you want. From there it just made sense to package it into a brand.”

One of Burki’s unique offerings is her Cosmos Collection of scented soy-wax candles that are inspired by the Zodiac. “I’ve studied astrology for a long time, and found that people are drawn towards different scents based on their sign,” she explains. 

She theorizes that air signs (Gemini, Libra and Aquarius) tend to be drawn towards scents that are light, clean and simple.  Water signs (Scorpio, Cancer and Pisces) are attracted to fresh and invigorating fragrances. Fire signs such as Leo, Sagittarius and Aries, like bold, strong and vibrant fragrances, and Earth signs (Capricorn, Taurus and Virgo) typically like floral, fruity and herbal scents.  Burki’s Cosmos collection features one candle blended specifically for each Zodiac sign.

Burki, formerly an attorney, established herself as an interior designer in 2002.  Her designs have been featured in Traditional Home, Elle Décor and Haute Living Magazine. Burki has served as co-chair of the Near & Far Designer House Tour and participated in legendary designer Albert Hadley’s Rooms with a View, where she received kudos from the master himself on the design of her white lacquer dressing room. In addition to her consulting and retail store, Burki’s brand consists of a line of to-the-trade fabrics sold through Stark locations in the United States and in London, England. 

Kat Burki 175 Post Road W., 203-222-1700 www.katburki.com