Favorite Coffee Table Books

The Art of Gracie

 

There is nothing I enjoy more than interior design books. Amazon is currently having a sale with select books buy 2 get 1 free on top of their already excellent discounted prices.

Mark D. Sikes New Book

Forever Beautiful by Mark D. Sikes

 

His new book Forever Beautiful will be released on September 3rd and I can't wait.

New Southern Interior Design Book

I am excited about this newly released book from Veranda At Home in the South. 

Shelter Magazines

MILIEU

 

I use to subscribe to many shelter (interior design, home furnishings, gardening) magazines and alas! so many of my favorites are gone, most recently Martha Stewart Living. So on my To Do list is to add some new magazine subscriptions.

Fuchsia & Apricot

Gary McBournie - Veranda

 

I love the color palette of this breakfast banquette space in a Victorian London townhouse. The fruit watercolors are 19th century Chinese. The banquette is covered in a fuchsia and orange ikat by Manuel Canovas called Boheme in colorway Rose and Orange. Ikat and chinoiserie is a wonderful combination as is pink and orange.

Manuel Canovas Boheme

Animal Print in Decor & Dress

CCC

 I love animal print and especially leopard in my home and in my wardrobe, but there are few things that can go south faster if not used with a sophisticated and light hand. Less is definitely more. Mixing and matching animal print is a no-no as is wearing it head to toe. Done right, it is an elegant and timeless choice.

 Leopard and chinoiserie are an absolutely wonderful pairing. I have several leopard pieces sprinkled throughout by home and many in my closet. Animal print looks especially good in the fall.

CCC

Do Your Home and Closet Match?

CCC

 A great way to design a color palette for your home (and for your garden) is to start in your closet. What colors are dominant? My closet and my home are largely blue and pink. More specifically, navy blue, coral pink, hot pink, and blush pink. And stripes in both - especially blue and white stripes. Since moving to Florida, there are also more tropical colors in both my home and wardrobe. 

 

Windsor Smith's Room in a Box

Windsor Smith has launched an online interior design service called Windsor Smith Room In A Box. With service fees ranging from $900-$4800 per room, you provide a completed questionnaire, room photos and dimensions, and inspirational images, and receive back a complete bespoke plan. Here are examples of her beautiful work and the masterful way she incorporates Chinoiserie.

Style Quiz

In case you haven't heard about the style quiz on Sproost.com, it's really quite fun. I came out 100% French Eclectic. The picture it selected for my style with its soft green walls and upholstery, antiques, gold, black and pink accents, fresh flowers, and gilt mirrors, is all spot on. In fact, add a few pieces of Chinoiserie and you have my home. It describes my style as formal but casual, classy but unassuming, filled with antiques from flea markets, garage sales, and hours of eBay hunting. Spooky! Please go take the quiz and report back on whether you agree with your results. P.S. The results are slow to load-take the quiz and give it a few minutes!