{ KAREN BARTOLOMEI }  
founder & creative director

Designer, artist and author, Karen Bartolomei, is the Founder and Creative Director of her eponymous design studios located in Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Miami's South Beach and historic Boston. 

An expert and tastemaker in the world of custom invitations and entertaining, Karen’s work has been continually praised and featured in the national and international media. Her designs are treasured keepsakes that evoke wonderful memories long after the celebrations have passed. 

She is at home working with every client, whether she is creatively conceptualizing and flawlessly executing designs for an intimate beachside gathering with a handful of guests, a highly publicized restaurant opening for an established restaurateur, or a grand, circus-themed, debutant ball for thousands in a public park.

Hailed as the “Sky’s the Limit Stationer” by Brides.com and Modern Bride, Karen was recognized as the Trendsetter of the Year for Invitation Design. Crowned the “Queen of Paper” by the Boston Globe, and “Paper Perfection” by Elegant Bride, she has created exclusive designs for Rosanne Cash, John Henry, Giuliana Rancic, Luis Tiant, Glenn Gordon Caron, Al Harrington, Nick Varano, Sam Huntington, Vanessa Britting and David Krumholtz, The Bissell Family, LisaRaye McCoy, Brides Magazine, Country Living, Style Me Pretty, The Knot and In Style Magazine.

As author, creative director and visual stylist of her book “Paperie for Inspired Living” Karen is a regular guest on NBC Local’s fashion and travel segment, and has been featured on Martha Stewart Radio, The CBS Early Show, NECN, Chronicle, The WE Channel’s Ultimate Wedding Guide and InStyle.com.

Karen spends her time between Manhattan, Boston, Miami and Cape Cod with her husband and their three little rescue dogs, Teddy, Max and Peanut. Her beautifully designed homes speak volumes of her love of antiques, fine art, travel and fashion, and have been featured in the Style segments of the Boston Globe and NBC News.

Whether she is commissioned for couture invitations, graphic design, fine art, visual styling or interior decorating, Karen collaborates one-on-one with her clients to personalize each design and create their unique signature style. With her creative vision, meticulous selection of materials and attention to detail, she puts her heart and soul into every project.

{ PAPERIE FOR INSPIRED LIVING }
stationery and decorations for weddings, parties and other special occasions

In her first monograph, Karen combines her expertise creating stunning personalized interiors with her signature paperie style for parties, holidays and special occasions, offering accessible ideas for every budget.

Pulling from Karen's 23 years of hands-on experience, Paperie for Inspired Living features designs, decor and gifts created exclusively for her clients. Luxuriously photographed by renowned still life photographer, Melina Vanderpile, and packed with step-by-step instructions, expert advice and gorgeous imagery on every page, it is more than a design monograph, it is a resource and reference book that is a must-have for everyone who wishes to warmly entertain their friends and loved ones with style.

© 2009 Karen Bartolomei. All Rights Reserved.
Photography © MelinaVanderpile.com. All Rights Reserved.
Published in the United States by Crown Publishing Group
(A division of Random House, Inc., New York)