Jennifer Beeman’s spring 2012 line is practically engineered for summer fun: think bike-ride-ready tanks and shirtdresses that’ll get you that much closer to an outdoor brunch. But a Hound getup requires some super-bold digits, as Jennifer sees things, and she’s paired some of her favorite polish shades with pieces from her new collection to show us how it’s done. —catherine kast Canoe Camp Top + Essie Tart Deco “I did Tart Deco with this top because the combination of the bright teal with the bright coral is just really great in my book. I’ve been obsessed with this color for two years now—I never get tired of it!” Alder Shirtdress + Essie Turquoise & Caicos “This color is on my toes at all times. It feels almost gel-like—it has a lot of depth. I think the blue sets off the brightness of the coral spots against the darkness of the dress itself. It’s the reverse of the Canoe Camp Top duo.” Lakeside Tank + Butter Cheeky Chops “Cheeky Chops is a clean, funny yellow, but it’s not neon. So it works with my pale, pinkish skin tone a lot better. It also works with the Lakeside Tank because it matches the citron-yellow spots perfectly. When you have a crazy print, why not make it crazier with your nails?” Finch Reversible Blouse + Butter Blagger “The dark blue color, Blagger, has a nice shine to it that goes well with the sheen of the peach silk. This combo is definitely more unusual.” Sparrow Dress + Essie A Crewed Interest and Essie Olé Caliente “Sometimes I like to paint most of my nails one color and one or two nails a different color. You can get more color in that way! It’s hard to tell in photos, but in-person, this dress has a peachy undertone, and I think A Crewed Interest picks that up. It’s a nice contrast to the really bright Olé Caliente, which really stands out against the print.” Score Jennifer’s polish-ready edition: This two-tone chambray shirt would look killer with a pop of coral.

It’s always exciting to discover that a line is, er, aligned with the space where it’s made, and Jennifer Beeman produces Hound in an apartment-slash-studio in Chicago’s West Loop that’s just as sunny and comfortable as her clothes themselves. Before you dive into Jennifer’s tour, prepare yourself for a little life envy. —catherine kast Now’s your chance to scoop up the latest creation to come out of Hound HQ! It’s a chambray-on-chambray tank you’ll wear all year round. “I have an inspiration board where I hang my ideas while I’m working. As I’m thinking of new silhouettes, I tack them up there so I can look at them next to the fabrics I’m working with. It’s where I keep everything I’m working with so I can just look at it and digest it and mull it all over.” [Ed: The fabrics and drawing on the far left may or may not be the makings on her Of a Kind edition. Get it here!] “I have a huge tea addiction. I pretty much have a pot going constantly. Right now I’m addicted to Davids Tea—that’s what the green tin is in the background.” “My parents made that orange bulletin board for me! They did a craft project together. They’re not artists by trade. But my mom is really into sewing, and my dad is just a handy fellow.” “My cat, Roamy, and pug, Sister, are on me like glue all day long! Roamy sits on my desk because it’s right in front of the window—hunting pigeons and meow-ing. When I’m sewing, my pug will go under my machine table and try to lay on my presser foot. So she’s not super helpful, but I love her.” “My mom’s garden is going crazy now, and she’s always sending me home with flowers, like these peonies. It’s hard to find places to put them because the cat knocks them over.”