The World at Your Table

There’s nothing as wonderful as getting an unexpected package in the mail… especially if it’s a book, particularly a beautiful design book. The World at Your Table: Inspiring Tabletop Designs, is just that. For those of you who love design, or entertaining or simply love stunning coffee table books this is one to add to your collection.

Well- known interior designer, consummate hostess, and world traveler Stephanie Stokes presents inspiring tables set with irresistible items accumulated on her far-flung journeys that will inspire you create your own imaginative tabletops.

She is joined by Judith Nasatir photographer Mark Roskams for her second Rizzoli book. Melissa Biggs Bradley has written the forward.

The World at Your Table features transporting tablescapes set with evocative, eye-catching, and exotic items this adventurous spirit has gathered over the years. To enliven her tabletops, Stokes creates experiences in miniature using china, glassware, linens, candlesticks, and cutlery from such widely different destinations as Japan, Cartagena, Budapest, and London.

A little armchair travel, a little design inspiration, a little history, each chapter conjures the spirit of a particular place: Palm Beach's tropical lushness, Provence's remarkable charm, Portugal's artisanal refinement, and so much more. By pairing her travel photography with the featured tables, she illustrates how incorporating the treasures collected on one's travels can capture, express, and spark fresh memories at home.

Throughout, Stokes discusses the design principles that inform her choices — from color palettes to indigenous materials. You’ll also find a helpful section on storage. This stunning tabletop survey is ideal for all who love design, entertaining, and travel. I’ve always been one to incorporate unique items from travel into my home to make it uniquely personal. Why not incorporate them into your table decor to create table settings that are as wondrous as the places we have traveled to?

About The Authors:

Stephanie Stokes, a former photojournalist, created Architectural Digest's column "Designer Travels." In the 1980s Stokes started her interior design company; many projects have been published in published in AD, Traditional Home, and House Beautiful. She also authored Elegant Rooms That Work. Judith Nasatir is a lifestyle writer. Foreword writer Melissa Biggs Bradley is the founder of Indagare, a members-only, boutique travel company, and the author of Safari Style. Mark Roskams specializes in photographing architecture and design.

Thank you Rizzoli for this stunning book!

Publisher: Rizzoli
Publish Date: March 14, 2023
Format: Hardcover
Category: Cooking - Table Setting
US Price: $55.00
CDN Price: $75.00
ISBN: 978-0-8478-9905-0

At Home in the English Countryside: Designers and their Dogs

Newly released At Home in the English Countryside: Designers and their Dogs is the eagerly anticipated follow-up to the American edition, At Home with Dogs and their Designers. This time we visit with designers across the pond and and celebrate the English Country life. You’ll be taken on a beautiful journey into and through the English countryside, featuring some of the loveliest homes and gardens, including those belonging to Kit Kemp, Veere Grenney, and Anouska Hempel. At Home in the English Countryside is both inspirational and informative. Yes, it is possible to live stylishly with dogs! Whether featuring rooms that are glamorously bohemian or casually aristocratic, the constant theme is always a devotion to dogs, from pedigreed pugs to rescue terriers.

You will see that even the most elegant, stylish, and well-appointed house is nothing but a shell without its inhabitants, especially the canine kind. At Home in the English Countryside features over 200 pages of beautiful images offering readers a personal, guided tour into some of England’s most spectacular homes and grounds. While we’re all grounded and sheltering in place in our homes, there’s never been a better time to get lost in a gorgeous book such as this.

At Home in the English Countryside: Designers and their Dogs

“Whether living in a castle or cottage, these designers are as devoted to their beloved dogs as they are to the sumptuous interiors that have created for themselves at home. Living with dogs in the country after all, is as quintessentially English as chintz, Wellies, and roses.”

— Susanna Salk

At Home in the English Countryside: Designers and their Dogs

At Home in the English Countryside: Designers and their Dogs

At Home in the English Countryside: Designers and their Dogs

At Home in the English Countryside: Designers and their Dogs

At Home in the English Countryside: Designers and their Dogs

At Home in the English Countryside: Designers and their Dogs

About The Author

Lifestyle and design author, Susanna Salk has written many books, including the successful Be Your Own Decorator and The Power of Pattern. She also hosts (and co-produces) the "At Home With" video series featuring visits with leading tastemakers. Photographer Stacey Bewkes is the founder of Quintessence, a lifestyle blog and the co-producer of the "At Home With" series. Foreword writer Nina Campbell is the doyenne of English interior design today.

Published by Rizzoli International, March 2020
AT HOME IN THE ENGLISH COUNTRYSIDE: DESIGNERS AND THEIR DOGS By Susanna Salk, Photography by Stacey Bewkes, Foreword by Nina Campbell

Hardcover / 8.5” x 11” / 224 pages / 200 color photographs $50.00 US / ISBN: 978-0-8478-6478-2 / Rizzoli New York ON SALE: April 2020 www.rizzoliusa.com

Note: This was written in partnership with Rizzoli New York, and I received a complimentary copy of At Home in the English Countryside.

Decorate Happy: Bold Colorful Interiors by Anthony Baratta

Perhaps you’ve been meaning to tackle the rest of your home… or perhaps you’ve been meaning to refresh those areas that suddenly seem dated and stale. You simply haven’t had the time. Well now you do, and I have just the inspiration to get you on your way! Anthony Baratta’s Decorate Happy is a perfect way to start.

Decorate Happy: Bold Colorful Interiors by Anthony Baratta

DECORATE HAPPY is a delicious pattern-filled guide showcasing Baratta’s noted preppy-chic decorating style. His happy, maximalist rooms are guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Whether you live in the country or the big city, there is plenty of inspiration to draw from. As you soak in the pages you’ll delight in his classic high-color, high-pattern all-American style that encompasses both the historic and the modern .

Featured are twelve homes of varying scale, location, and purpose, each with BOLD, COLORFUL INTERIORS that will bring a sense of joy to all who experience them. Among them are:

Decorate Happy: Bold Colorful Interiors by Anthony Baratta

• A Deer Valley, Utah ski home takes inspiration from the backdrop of its majestic mountains.

• Nautical influences in a Rye, NY home on the LI Sound feel like a sea captain’s home.

• Mid-century modern glam in Ft Lauderdale is an exercise in bold restraint to create drama.

• A nature photographer’s retreat in NY’s Adirondack Mountains is full of rustic, historical charm.

• A country house in Connecticut, originally a carriage house, is elevated by a fearless use of the traditional blue and white palette.

• With a home that could be called a little bit of Provence in Los Angeles, this splendid respite from a city that skews modern is regal yet inviting. 

• A Vermont condo is an unexpected ski retreat that is not only functional/durable but supercool.

• Cotton candy pink makes the fantasy of a Manhattan apartment complete, with a nod towards the ever-chic Dorothy Draper.

• A Shingle-style Hamptons home one block from the ocean allows for the light to be front and center in the home’s décor.

• Baratta’s own home in the Hamptons is a laboratory for risk taking among the things he loves most, while his Manhattan high-rise apartment is whimsical, but doesn’t compete against his floor-to-ceiling views of the Hudson River.

• Baratta’s undertaking of Colonial Williamsburg’s Palmer House as designer-in-residence is best summed up by Baratta: “I love this house because it shows how we live today—inspired by the past, influenced by the future, and impacted by the world around us.”

“People’s lives are like colorful quilts—all of the crazy pieces eventually come together to form one amazing, beautiful whole. No one’s life story is a simple beige blanket...To decorate happy, let your home be an extension of yourself and look for things that bring you joy.” –Anthony Baratta

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Throughout the book Baratta shares his Four Fearless Decorating Ideas, some of which I have shared with you.

1. Industrial pieces fill large spaces
2. Heavily patterned rooms need balance
3. Stone is a forgiving material
4. Juxtapose rustic with formal

When working with dynamic patterns, there must never be chaos. Everything in a house needs to stay within a consistent palette.

1. Embrace the old
2. Paint your floors
3. Find one thing that becomes your signature style
4. Tasteful touches can go anywhere

1. Defy conventions
2. Spread the wealth
3. Celebrate screened porches
4. Crewel Rules (Crewelwork is a type of embroidery)

Decor can be dialed up or down, such as a quiet houndstooth, a bold stripe, a muted solid, or a vibrant hue.

1. When in doubt, keep it
2. Choose colors that look good on yu
3. Even designers need designers
4. Repeat motifs or themes you like throughout your decorating

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Anthony Baratta, the king of East Coast chic, is one of the most celebrated and respected interior designers of the day with a global following of loyal fans. Formerly half of the iconic design dream team Diamond Baratta, Baratta has been named one of Traditional Home's 20 Design Icons, honored by the Cooper-Hewitt, awarded Benjamin Moore's coveted Hue Award for lifetime achievement in design, and named the inaugural designer in residence in Colonial Williamsburg. The author of two previous books, All-American: The Exuberant Style of William Diamond and Anthony Baratta
and Diamond Baratta Design, Baratta opened his own firm in 2011.

DECORATE HAPPY: BOLD, COLORFUL INTERIORS
By Anthony Baratta with Antonia van der Meer
Hardcover / 8¾”x 11”/ 240 pages / 150 color photographs
$45.00 US / ISBN: 978-08478-6682-3 / Rizzoli New York
PUBLICATION DATE: March 2020
www.rizzoliusa.com

A Renter's Guide to Decorating Beautifully

The Renter’s Guide to Decorating Beautifully - Image

More and more are opting to rent instead of purchase their home. At midlife changes from divorce, to death, to empty nests, have many refocusing as they move forward. Some simply want to downsize and simplify.

In the Northeast, and many other parts of the country where real estate is at a premium, homeownership packs with it a great deal of responsibility from maintenance and repairs, not to mention incomprehensible taxes.

There’s an ease of living and peace of mind that comes along with renting. After decades of homeownership many are pleased to be released from these responsibilities yet want their living spaces to be as personal as their own.

I have been renting for nearly 8 years now. As a single mother of 3 I didn’t want the headaches that come with homeownership, but it’s important that my home feels like my own.

How far you’ll want to go, and how much you’ll want to invest will depend on your budget and how long you plan on residing at your new location - whether you’re just starting out in the world or you’ve watch your babies safely fly away from the nest.

Yesterday I met with a friend of mine who is a Realtor. She told me that one of her clients recently sold her home and is renting until she can find and renovate her next home. They found a rental that no one wanted because it needed a little bit of TLC. So her client decided to change out the front door (curb appeal is everything!) and add some shiplap to the walls. She did have to seek the owners’ permission to do this and initially they thought she was a little crazy, but they saw how this added to the value of the property and, when the changes were made, everyone was happy. The out of pocket cost to the renter was about $3500. While many renters can’t do this, for this woman it was a small step to making a rental feel like her own.

For more on moving, head on over to my piece The Single Mom’s guide to moving: Tips and tricks to save time and money.

Below I offer some tips and guidelines to help you transition seamlessly from homeowner to renter.

First things first. Let’s talk about walls…

Decorating your walls in a rental home or apartment - image

Decorating your walls in a rental home or apartment

We’ll hope that all walls are in satisfactory shape. This means that they’re newly (or almost newly) painted and that all dings and holes have already been sealed and repaired.

Consider the accent wall. Image

To paint or not to paint? That is the question.

You’ll want to find out, first and foremost, if you are allowed to paint, and if so will you be required to return the walls to their original colors? For those interested in painting you’ll need to ask yourselves if it’ll be worth your time and money, and ask yourselves how long you plan on residing in your rental. If you’re really all about color, and trust me I get it, consider an accent wall.

Decorating your rental with removable wallpaper - Image

Removable Wallpaper

Removable wallpaper is a great alternative to paint. Wallpaper is tres en vogue at the moment and there are some terrific options out there at the moment as this sector continues to grow and evolve. For paper sources consider, Chasing Paper, Spoonflower, Anthropologie, Hygge & West, Mayflower Paper.

Decorating your rental with art - Image

Hanging Art

Art is always a good idea. From oil to watercolor to pen and ink to photography, I say leave no wall bare! Adding art to your walls adds warmth, color and dimension. It’s also the easiest way to personalize your space. For ideas on hanging art (gallery walls) read here, where to hang your art, read here, and hanging your children’s art, read here.

Are you looking to purchase or supplement your existing art?

Some of the best places to buy are consignment and antique shops, local boutiques, art galleries and art shows. Don’t rule out yard sales, flea markets and moving sales. I’ve found some amazing pieces just by getting creative in my search. Headed out on holiday or vacation?

Artwork doesn’t have to be a painting or a photograph. Some other ideas to consider are:
Maps, both new and old
Flags of varying sizes and colors
Old Photographs
Children’s artwork
Old Magazine covers
Movie Posters

Decorating with mirrors. Imavia via Domaine, MORGAN LEVY ; DESIGN: SHELBY GIRARD FOR HAVENLY

Decorating with Mirrors

Mirror, Mirror on the wall….

I love, love, love, love incorporating mirrors into my decor. Mirrors, when placed strategically, can make a room seem brighter and larger. I recently created a gallery by installing mirrors of various sizes on a large, empty space. Two of the larger mirrors stand on the floor and lean against the wall, the rest are hanging. More mirror design inspo here, and here.

Choosing the right furniture for your rental - Image

Furniture

I’m going to assume that most of you will be bringing a fair amount of your furniture with you and therefore not starting over completely from scratch. But even if you are the following may be helpful.

You may find that some of your pieces are old and outdated and you may not want to move them. Or that their size and style won’t suit your new home. If this is the case try not to dump them, see if you can sell or donate them instead.

I’m a firm believer that you should buy the absolute best that you can afford. Whether this means a bespoke purchase or one that is second hand, that is completely up to you. Likely you’ll fall somewhere in the middle. There’s a time and a place for Ikea. It is not all the time or all over the place. It’s a great temporary fix - perhaps you want to outfit a child’s bedroom that won’t be used all that often. Or you need some bookcases in a child’s room or study. Looking to add a couch to a casual den and don’t want to worry about spills and stains? Then Ikea might be your choice. And you can walk up the furniture ladder until you find the style, size and price that best matches your budget and taste.

As with the artwork I’ve found some gorgeous pieces at consignment shops and second hand stores. I love the bones and structure of the older pieces. If you’re handy you may want to paint or recover furniture yourself. Look for classic styles that you can personalize.

You may not need any or much in the way of furniture, but have an empty space begging for something to occupy it.

Image courtesy of Doris Leslie Blau

Rugs and Carpeting

Lie like a rug…

Whether your rental has hardwood, tile or wall to wall carpeting, the addition of area rugs will elevate your living space. In open floor plans area rugs can create designated areas that otherwise wouldn’t exist. Area rugs add color, texture and help to absorb sound which is particularly important if kids are residing with you.

Selecting the right rugs for your rental - Image via Domaine MORGAN LEVY ; DESIGN: SHELBY GIRARD FOR HAVENLY

Freshly Cut Flowers

I mean, need I say more?

Accessorizing your home - Image via The Pink Dream

Assorted Accessories

Other ways to add decorative touches:
Coffee table books
Candles votives as well as candle sticks
Trays
Pillows
Blankets
Plants
Vases
Ornamental Dishes
Sculptures of varying sizes
Bowls of fruit
Oversized shells (especially when collected from a trip)
Bowls filled with matchbooks
Collectibles

but most importantly…

Lighting your rental home. Image via etsy

Lighting

Talk to any interior designer and they will stress the importance of good lighting. Not only does it set the room’s tone, but it sets functionality. You may find that some older homes (prevalent in New England) don’t have much in terms of built in lighting. You may find that some rooms do while others do not. It will be up to you to add lighting that will not only enhance your home’s functionality, but will serve as a focal point. Luckily there’s some fabulous lighting options out there!

Your rental is indeed your home and It is indeed possible to decorate a rental beautifully so that it seems like your own.

Inspired Interiors :: Adding Art to the Home

One of the things I’m really looking forward to doing when I move is the decorating. I have so much art to hang and there’s so much gorgeous empty wall space for me to work with. Lately I’ve been obsessed with gallery walls, their compilation of collections; an amalgamation of sizes, shapes, and mediums and I long to create one in the main living area. In my opinion, art is the personal touch that makes a house a home.

Art is perhaps the single most reflection of one's self in a home. Highly personal, whether paint, photography, or mixed media, a piece of art can serve as an accessory or a focal point.  Art adds color, personality, sophistication, even whimsy. It completes a space and is the perfect solution for those who want to add color but are afraid of bold paint or don't want the hassle of wallpaper.  A wall filled with art, whether a large painting or a gallery, is a wall that tells a great story. But this takes time. It takes a while to grow one's art collection - piece by piece. 

Many are intimidated by the process, worried that they'll buy the wrong thing, or haven't a clue where to start. Art shouldn’t be complicated. It should speak to you, whether it’s a photography, oil painting, watercolor or sketch. And art isn’t limited to just those items. You can add flags, old maps, posters, lithographs. You can frame old magazine covers and children’s art. I’m a huge fan of the latter!

Art needn't be expensive. But it should come from the heart. There's no right or wrong piece to purchase; beauty, after all, is in the eye of the beholder. The best places to start are by visiting craft fairs, art exhibits, tag, yard and garage sales, flea markets and antique shows. Galleries, even coffee shops, boutiques and salons have pieces for sale, often done by locals. Don't worry about whether you're making a good investment or not - if something speaks to you and you like it, it's a good investment!

Look for pieces that fit in with your existing decor. It's also ok to separate the two. Garage sales and consignment shops are great places to start, so are local design stores and boutiques. Another great way to source art is when you travel. I love picking up pieces from places I've been to. Not only do they make the best souvenirs but they're perfect reflections of one's lifestyle. If you have children, you have a budding collection right at your disposal! (Read here about displaying children's art elegantly in your home.)

Don't just focus on the main living areas - the dining, living and bedrooms, think about every room including kitchen and bathrooms, even hallways. Below are some examples of ways to hang and display art throughout your home. (Hover over each image to enlarge.) 

I’ll be sharing the process of adding art to my new home… so stay tuned!

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Some tips on hanging and displaying art:

• A large piece is a great way to accent a room. It can anchor or fill a wall. That said, don't hang a small piece on a large wall unless there are others that will be hung with it. 

• Consider hanging artwork on bookcases, or placing them on the shelves.  

• To create a gallery wall work from the middle on out. If you don't have a lot to work with center what you do have in the middle of a wall, so that the room doesn't look off center or unbalanced.

• Group by frames

• Group by color

• Group by black and white

• Group by subject matter

• Mix frames and art

• Do include children's art

• If you're coming up short, think of printing one of your own images. We all have phones and they all have images on them. Have fun. You could curate your own in-home gallery!

• Shelves are a great way to display art either neatly lined up side by side, or layers by size

• Places art on mantels

• Install shelves specifically for showing art and photography

• Do use caution when placing art in kitchens and bathrooms, the steam from both could ruin the artwork. Best sticking with framed images in these rooms, as opposed to images on canvas. Wipe down your frames from time to time.

• Use particular caution in kitchens that aren't well vented - grease is carried in the steam and can place a film on everything. When hanging art in these rooms, be sure to show those that can easily be wiped down.

Image credits: Architectural Digest,. Bre Purposed, Country Living, Design Hunter, Domino, Elle Espagna, Home Edit, Life on Virginia Street, Luxe, New York Magazine, Sniply,. Style Curator, The Cut

An evening with Gray Malin at Serena & Lily in Westport

Gray Malin was just in Westport, Connecticut, on a book tour. My friend Nicole and I decided to head on over and check out his newly released book, Italy. What we didn’t expect were the masses of people standing on line to get a copy. And we certainly didn’t expect them to announce that the books indeed have been all sold out. The store received 160 copies. And I was thrilled to get mine, and get it signed

I’ve been a fan of his for quite a while. Gray Malin is known for images that are vibrant, playful, whimsical, and wanderlust-inspiring. Dubbed as an Escapism photographer, his images quite literally pull you out of your immediate reality. Although known for his signature aerial beach photography, he magnificently captures, animals in the most whimsical of images and ordinary people dotted throughout the landscape. Although he may immediately remind you of Slim Aarons, he’s not a society photographer. Though his travels take him to some of the most exclusive and beautiful destinations in the world, the people captured - those who are visible, are as ordinary as you an I. Malin’s photographic style is meant to be inclusive - to appeal to those who know all about photographer and fine art as well as those who do not.

Gray Malin.
Image property of Gray Maline

In Italy , his third book, Malin tells us that the images are a compilations of a series shot over the course of six years. We are taken to the Amalfi Coast by boat, to Capri with its rocky beaches and blue and white umbrellas. In Cinque Terre he focuses almost exclusively on his retro-vintage umbrellas. At Lake Como his focus shifts to the architectural details of the region’s historic villas. In Puglia we are taken to the sun-bleached beaches and white-washed buildings, to the white cliffs of Limestone in Sicily, to the beaches of Tuscany and lastly to Portofino, with its picturesque harbor and colorful homes. Italy is a magnificent vacation to the country’s magnificent coastline.

We caught Gray at the beginning of his Book Tour at Serena & Lily in Westport, Connecticut. Below is his schedule. If he comes to your neck of the woods, be sure to get there right on time. Our event sold out before everyone could grab a copy.

Malin is gracious, charming and affable. He took time to pose with every person there for photos. He is kind, affable, and incredibly talented. Below is a photo of myself, Gray and my friend Nicole from NS Lifestyles. Look at his smile, isn’t he just darling?!

For more on Gray Malin, his books and photography, hop on over to his website.

Join me at the Fairfield County Antiques & Design Center for an evening of Style and Conversation

Please join me at the Fairfield County Antique & Design Center for a cocktail party, panel and conversation filled with style and design tips.

I’m so honored to be joined by the talents of Sue de Chiara, Lisa Ehrlich and Nicole Steinthal to discuss all things related to style and decor. Geoffrey Walsky of Iconic Modern will moderate the evening’s discussions. The event will also feature a special pop up with some of the fabulous finds from Fete Home.

How we got here

Long before the term “influencer” became part of the modern day vernacular, many of us were blogging, sharing our ideas and inspirations on decor and lifestyle. We didn’t do so for “fame,” notoriety, or money. We did so because we genuinely wanted to create good content to share, to inspire, engage and entertain. When we first entered the blogosphere, over 10 years ago, the term blogging was all so new and not entirely understood. Gradually it became a respected form of communication and people started to take note. We “influenced” without understanding (or really caring about) the power it had, without wanting or expecting anything in return. We were focused on creating good content.

As brands began to take note of the power that bloggers had relationships developed. (Over the years I have partnered with some great brands and names from Rizzoli, to Tiffany & Co., to Warby Parker, Philips Saeco and so on.) These relationships happened organically. And we certainly weren’t blogging for the sake of paid sponsorships.

As these partnered posts became more popular, the quality of blogging started to deteriorate. It means nothing to talk about products you’re constantly promoting, selling and nothing else. This self promotion began to occur more and more and many took to social media, forfeiting the blogs altogether. Those who didn’t used their blogs primarily for revenue. While there’s nothing wrong with wanting to earn a buck or two, today the blogosphere is comprised of a sea of “influencers” pushing their wares, wanting free product. As a result there’s so little good and unique content left. Whether a traditional blog, or Instagram feeds are being flooded with self promotions, many from pyramid schemes.

Nicole and I had been talking about the need for good and original content and when she asked me to help facilitate this event, I couldn’t have been happier. When she asked Lisa and Sue to join in I was thrilled. I never anticipated that the folks at the Fairfield County Antiques & Design Center would so wholeheartedly support this endeavour. I am so happy that this “old school “ event is taking place. By that I mean we aren’t getting paid, and we aren’t promoting anything. We are simply sharing ideas about those things that appeal to us, those things that make our homes prettier, and our lives simpler. It’s going to be an evening of information and entertainment. We hope you’ll learn some, and we hope you’ll laugh some!

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About Sue de Chiara, founder, the zhush

Sue De Chiara is an entrepreneur, artist and seasoned interior design blogger who loves to provide her readers with up-to-date home decor and fashion advice. 
An “avid observer of all things stylish.” – Sue has been blogging at The Zhush since 2009. What started out as a personal outlet for showcasing Sue’s style and home renovation projects,eventually grew into a large international following.

Originally hailing from New York City, Sue has been surrounded by creativity all her life. Growing up in New York with a graphic designer / fine artist as a father, it was no surprise that aesthetics and design would spark Sue’s interest early on.

During her free time, you can find Sue creating abstract paintings or spending quality time with her family and sweet Havanese pup in Connecticut.

About Lisa Ehrlich, Principal Lisa Ehrlich Designs

I am a interior designer living in the NYC Metro area. My passion for interior design is insatiable! My route to becoming an interior designer was a circuitous one. Years ago, in the midst of pursuing another path, I came to the realization that I needed to pursue a career doing what I was passionate about...now, when I'm creating beautiful interiors I'm living my dream!

About Nicole Steinthal

Nicole Steinthal is a blogger in the Westchester NY area.  She writes the blog NS Lifestyles for women of all ages looking for the latest and greatest finds!!  Her blog focuses on fashion, family and fun.  

At Home with Dogs and their Designers, Sharing a Stylish Life

There are two things I have a weakness for, design books and dogs. And so when I received an advance copy of At Home with Dogs and their Designers, Sharing a Stylish Life, from Rizzoli, it was akin to getting an early Christmas gift. It's the time of year I start to take note of those gifts worth giving, and books are always at the top of my list of favorite items to give. As soon as I pulled this gorgeous book out of the bubble-wrap-lined manila envelope, I knew immediately who must have copies of these stunning pages filled with fun photographs, with snapshots into the lives of these vivacious dogs and their designers, with tips for dogs on living stylishly, and tips for humans on living with their 4-legged friends. As whimsical as it is stunning, this is a must for those designing dog-lovers in your life. 

I remember, about 4 years ago, when fellow blogger Stacey Bewkes and designer Susanna Salk got together to create a series of short videos bearing the same name. Stacey was the talent behind the scenes while Susannah was in front of the camera conducting the interviews. Perhaps Stephen Gambrel summed it up best when he said "I thought that houses were all about dinner parties and decorating but then I realized that you have to have a dog to really make it come to life." 

Inside the glossy pages 22 A-list designers offer us glimpses into the lives with their pets who tend to (more often than not) rule the roost.  In these homes no room is off-limits, no piece of furniture banned. Here clothing is optional and accessories are as chic as their surroundings. And as such as dogs will be dogs, accidents do happen - sometimes on vintage rugs, and antiques can sometimes be mistaken for chew toys.  

Each dog and his (or her) human has his own chapter and we are invited along to watch as they frolic around their stunning homes and gardens. At Home with Dogs and their Designers is as much an inspirational design book as it is a resource. Featured are such renowned decorators as: Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Nathan Turner and Eric Hughes, Jeffrey Alan Marks, Mary McDonald, Betsy Burnham, Kelly Wearstler, Schuyler Samperton, Brooke Giannetti, Hutton Wilkinson, Windsor Smith, Mark D. Sikes, Jonathan Adler, Steven Gambrel, Katie Ridder, Alex Papachristidis, Robert Couturier, Charlotte Moss, Bunny Williams, Carolyne Roehm, Brian J. McCarthy and Michelle Nussbaumer.

ABOUT  THE  AUTHOR:  Lifestyle  author Susanna  Salk has  written  many  books,  including Room  for  Children,  Decorate Fearlessly, and Be Your Own Decorator, all published by Rizzoli. She also hosts (and co-produces) the At Home  With video series  featuring  visits  with  leading tastemakers.  Interior  designer  and  architect Robert Couturier is  the  author  of Designing Paradises,  also  published by  Rizzoli, and an ASPCA  supporter.

Stacey Bewkes is the founder of Quintessence, a lifestyle blog and the co-producer of the At Home With video series, which really must be seen!

AT HOME WITH DOGS AND THEIR DESIGNERS: Sharing a Stylish Life By Susanna Salk Principal Photography by Stacey Bewkes, Foreword by Robert Couturier
Hardcover / 7¼" x 9⅛" / 176 pages/ 235 color photographs $35.00 US  
ISBN: 978-0-8478-6090-6/ Rizzoli New York  
October 2017 www.rizzoliusa.com

© At Home with Dogs and Their Designers by Susanna Salk, Rizzoli New York, 2017.  All  photography by Stacey Bewkes, unless otherwise  specified. 

© At Home with Dogs and Their Designers by Susanna Salk, Rizzoli New York, 2017.  All  photography by Stacey Bewkes, unless otherwise  specified. 

© At Home with Dogs and Their Designers by Susanna Salk, Rizzoli New York, 2017. All photography by Stacey Bewkes, unless otherwise specified.

© At Home with Dogs and Their Designers by Susanna Salk, Rizzoli New York, 2017. All photography by Stacey Bewkes, unless otherwise specified.

© At Home with Dogs and Their Designers by Susanna Salk, Rizzoli New York, 2017.  All  photography by Stacey Bewkes, unless otherwise  specified. 

Book Review - The Decorated Home, Living with Style and Joy

It's a sunny 85 degree day in June and I finally have some time to sit down and savor THE DECORATED HOME: LIVING WITH STYLE AND JOY. As I recline on the couch on my 3-season porch, the leaves on the branches sway in the gentle breeze - I glance up to spy a couple of gigantic yellow butterflies fluttering in the distance and a couple of squirrels chasing each other up a tree. I have a lemonade on the ground next to me (the coffee table is too far a reach!) and Meg Braff's book on my lap.

The images in THE DECORATED HOME: LIVING WITH STYLE AND JOY are as refreshing as a cold bowl sherbet on a hot summer day. Her use of vibrant pastels, bright blues, yellows, greens, pinks and corals not only evoke a sense of calm, but instill a sense of understated sophistication. Her designs are all elegant, are approachable, friendly, liveable and without pretension. 

Everyone wants a house filled with grace and charm. Throughout the book Braff shares her inspirations and advice on creating spaces that are livable and attractive, maintaining both form and function. She explores the key elements of her look—color and pattern—and how to employ them for maximum impact.

Known for her use of color, especially those "offbeat enough to catch your eye" Braff has an affinity for layering several hues together, as we see throughout the many pages. Of the belief that all variations needn't match exactly, she often pairs unexpected colors together to create a great impact. She considers green a neutral - a color with which all others can be paired, like a garden in full bloom, but admits to favoring one color in particular.

“However, if I had to align with one color, it would be blue. I am captivated by many shades of blue, from the soothing, expressive Prussian blues in Henri Matisse paintings to the intriguing, muted tones of the French artist Roger Muhl...

Blues evoke the ocean and air; similar to green, it takes on a neutral quality because it works so well with other colors.”

— Living with Style and Joy, Meg Braff

Braff is a huge fan of pattern, which she infuses with her love of color, often layering and marrying several patterns together to create rich and storied spaces. 

“While there is no exact formula, layers of pattern work best when you mix scales. A small ikat on a lampshade next to a chair covered in a larger pattern creates a mix that’s visually intriguing. Aim for interest at different heights in the room; don’t concentrate all the pattern at eye level or on the the floor.””

— The Decorated Room, Meg Braff

Throughout the book she shares her inspirations - her love for detail, antiques, pattern, texture, Chinoiserie, as well as tips for selecting paint color, shopping, styling, and organization.  She also shares the essential elements to creating stylish bedrooms, inviting baths and breakfast rooms, and offers up suggestions for creating chic outdoor spaces.  She also shares with us the importance of finishing touches - the little extras that elevate a room’s decor from good to great.

“Coco Chanel once advised, ‘before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.’ You should do the same when decorating with pattern. Like fashion, pattern benefits from a good edit.”

— Living with Style and Joy, Meg Braff

All of her advice comes together in an overall theme of gracious living that will be warmly welcomed by readers looking to impart polish, color, and grace to their home. Lushly illustrated with vivid images of Braff’s lively work, THE DECORATED HOME: LIVING WITH STYLE AND JOY is an inspiring, idea-filled resource for both novices and experts alike.

Born and raised in Mississippi, interior designer Meg Braff has been praised extensively for her ingenious use of color and pattern. Now based on Long Island, Meg Braff Interiors is known for its work intop resort locations including Bermuda, Palm Beach, the Hamptons, and Newport. Braff also owns her own design shop in Locust Valley.

THE DECORATED HOME: LIVING WITH STYLE AND JOY
Rizzoli International Publications, Inc.
300 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010
Tel. (212) 387-3400 Telefax (212) 387-3535

Decorating Like Dorothy Draper :: A new furniture line is revealed

When one thinks about the iconic designers who not only left their imprint on the history of interior design, but a legacy so rich and colorful that they continue to inspire today a select few come to mind. Among these legends we remember fondly Nancy Lancaster, Sister Parish, Albert Hadley, Elsie de Wolfe, and Dorothy Draper. 

Dorothy Draper is best remembered for her use of bold prints and bright colors, her dramatic interior color schemes, and trademark cabbage-rose chintz. She offered shiny black ceilings, acid-green woodwork and cherry-red floors. Her style was dramatic, edgy, choosing to work with contrasting color schemes, and combining varying fabrics and patterns such as stripes and floral often anchored by oversized details and numerous mirrors. Her work was sought after for homes, hotels, restaurants, theaters, and department stores, much of which survives today, in the lobbies of apartment buildings, hotels including The Carlyle in New York City, and the Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

Founded in 1923, the first interior design company in the United States, Dorothy Draper & Company is still in operations today under the guise of legendary Carleton Varney who has headed the company for 50 years. The firm has several locations internationally including New York, Palm Beach, London, and White Sulphur Springs.  

“Be bold, go vibrant, and think happy colors!” says Carleton Varney. To showcase the newest items, Mr. Varney designed a room based on Draper’s actual bedroom at The Carlyle Hotel in New York. The Collection reflects the classic Dorothy Draper style featuring her signature Neo Baroque design and over scale elements.

For the past two decades Kindel Furniture has been recreating the iconic designs from Dorothy Draper’s extensive volume of work which includes dining, bedroom and occasional furniture and a complete upholstery collection of chairs and sofas. The collection speaks to the high style, customization and quality that has become synonymous with the Kindel brand. The newest collection debuting most recently at High Point maintains Draper’s penchant for the bold and colorful. Kindel offers over 25 painted lacquer color choices to honor the Dorothy Draper aesthetic, in addition to customizable colors.

Mrs. Draper believed “You may concentrate on appearances all through the rest of your house, but in the bedroom comfort should be supreme.” The Tuxedo Park Poster Bed, designed in the style of Mrs. Draper’s personal bed, is the highlight of the room which also includes new additions to the Dorothy Draper Collection: The Carlyle Desk in Rosewood, Dorotheum Love Seat, Mark Drinks Table and the Camellia Double Bench. The room also features Dorothy Draper Fabrics & Wallcoverings as well as Mr. Varney’s lighting designs from Dr. Livingstone, I Presume. Custom colors are available on the Dorothy Draper Collection and Mr. Varney selected a custom green lacquer for the iconic Pinwheel Chest. The color matches his Braziliance fabric originally made famous in 1942 by Dorothy Draper in her decoration of The Quintandinha Resort in Brazil. (All images shown below)

The Collection can be viewed at Kindel’s New York showroom at the New York Design Center, 200 Lexington Avenue, Suite 801.

The Dorotheum Love Seat by Kindel Grand Rapids. Decorating like Dorothy Draper

Espagna Bunching Chest, Robins Egg Blue, Gilt. Decorating like Dorothy Draper. 

Pinwheel Chest in Brilliance with glazed gold accent. Decorating like Dorothy Draper 

Lilly Chair. Decorating like Dorothy Draper

Trellis Screen White, Robins Egg Blue  - Decorating like Dorothy Parker

Floral side chairs. Decorating like Dorothy Draper

Arrowhead Chinoi chair, Windsor Stripe. Decorating like Dorothy Draper.

Channel Back Lounge. Decorating like Dorothy Draper.

Cafe side chair - Decorating like Dorothy Parker

Camilla Double Bench, White Summer Daisy, Aqua. Decorating like Dorothy Draper

About Kindel Grand Rapids: Kindel Grand Rapids is an American, luxury furniture brand that includes Kindel, Karges, and Councill. Based in Grand Rapids, MI, these companies are committed to bench-made methods and hand craftsmanship and today are uniquely positioned as the preeminent source for luxury furniture made in the United States. The Kindel Furniture brand, known for 100% American-made furniture, has been in operation since 1901 and in Grand Rapids since 1912. The company enjoys a reputation for superior execution, hand craftsmanship and timeless design. The brand’s many partnerships and collaborations include furniture collections with Dorothy Draper and Company, The Winterthur Museum, Robert A.M. Stern Architects, Tudor Place and multiple interior designers in their Designer Artist Series.