The City Sage

Book Review: Room for Children

In the world of interiors books, the subject of decorating for children has been sorely neglected. Until now! Renowned author and editor Susanna Salk has released Room for Children: Stylish Spaces for Sleep and Play, and I'm rolling on a serious sugar high from all the sweet, sweet eye candy!

Whether you have kids in your life or not, this book is chock full of splendid images and ideas. The colors, the patterns, the fun and vivacious mix of styles and sensibilities--everything comes together to create a smorgasbord of design inspiration. Doesn't that mural just slay you?

This volume also offers some seriously helpful advice. When my day comes to decorate a nursery, I've wondered how I could combine my love of sophisticated, glamorous pieces with my preference for modern-looking cribs. This photo is proof positive that it's not only doable but strikingly chic!

Um, really? Are you kidding me? This is only the coolest boy's room I've ever seen. Heck, want this bedroom for myself! It's so unbelievably sophisticated without feeling too grown-up, and I'm geeking out for the trim on the headboard, that awesome bedside lamp, and the funky wall installation.

This room belongs to the sister of our orange bedroom boy. Not only do I adore this space in and of itself (that color scheme!) I appreciate the feeling of consistency between the two rooms. Designer Amanda Nisbet--mom to these kids--is known for her eye for detail, and it shines brilliantly here!

It was so hard to choose just a few of the incredible images in this book--and I simply had to include this one. When I was little I dreamed of having a Swiss Family Robinson tree house, and I would have wanted it to look exactly like this. A little bit girly, a little outlandish, and 100% guaranteed to induce envy in all my friends!

P.S. Speaking of envy inducing: for all you lucky Los Angeles folks, Susanna will be greeting fans and signing copies of her book this evening at Hollywood at Home. I wish I could teleport myself there!

All images courtesy of Room for Children: Stylish Spaces for Sleep and Play by Susanna Salk.

Book Review: Italian Country Living

As I mentioned this morning, there are no official travel plans on my horizon. However, the Huz and I are daydreaming about renting a house in Italy for two weeks. Do you think my new copy of 'Italian Country Living' by Caroline Clifton-Mogg might have a little something to do with that fantasy?

The French often get all the credit for their gorgeous historical homes, but the sun-drenched rooms and eclectic mix of antiques in this book have me longing for a sojourn in la bella Italia. I think some long, lazy days in the countryside--punctuated by trips into a bustling city for shopping and museums--would suit me just fine!

The view on your computer screen does not do this shot justice. Honestly, the book is worth buying for this image along. The painted armoire is the exact color of a seashell I had when I was a child: not quite pink, not quite orange, a glowing, elusive hue that conjures the vibrant heat of the Mediterranean.

I dare all the white-tile-purists out there to dislike this bathroom. A wall of mosaic green seems like the only way to go! Though let's talk about the odd bathroom fixtures in Europe, shall we? I recall being thoroughly confused by the showers and toilets in France. Has anyone else encountered that problem while travelling the continent?

A top-secret project I'm working on has me obsessed with stripes, so you can imagine my squeals of glee upon seeing this wall! I'm even considering a similar treatment in my own bathroom--and while I originally thought I would do tone-on-tone whites or greys, this space has me thinking I might leap beyond my safety zone of neutrals.

Of course the most scrumptious images in Italian Country Living are those of bedrooms---because let's be honest, nothing appeals more than endless afternoon naps when you're on vacation. Gauzy netting captures warm breezes and bright white light makes for some delicious moments drifting in and out of dreams.

Tell me: have you ever been to Italy? Any recommendations for sights to see and places to stay? And if you haven't been, are you like me and wishing you could go right now?!

All images courtesy of Italian Country Living by Caroline Clifton-Mogg, photography by Chris Tubbs.

Book Review: Serena and Lily Nursery Style

I can't have a week devoted to babies and children without mentioning Serena and Lily! Hands down, this mom-run company wins the prize for best classic children's decor. Their book 'Nursery Style' is a must-have not only if you're planning a baby's room, but also if you're in the market for colorful interiors inspiration and some good solid design advice.

Seriously, folks. Get a load of this room. The soothing tone-on-tone palette, the sumptuous layered textures, the mix of the classic French chair with the global poofs and iconic American Jenny Lind crib--it simply doesn't get better than this!

I don't often see gender neutral nurseries worth writing home about--I'm not ashamed to admit that I ascribe to the pink for girls, blue for boys approach to decorating--but this charming vignette has me reaching for my monogrammed social stationery. The punchy crib and quiet rug feel fresh, and I love the garland trim on the crisply tailored dust ruffle.

Let's count the brilliant ideas in this single photo: 1. Paper lanterns replace the typical crib mobile and would look fabulous even in an older child's room. 2. An open wood screen adds color and architectural interest to an otherwise start white space. 3. The cuteness! The cuteness! I can't get over the cuteness!

While we're talking Serena and Lily, shall we oggle some images from the latest catalogue? When I spotted this subdued take on traditional Mexican embroidery, my womb trembled--and the Huz felt fear strike deep in his belly. Boy or girl, this is the nursery ensemble that I would buy if I were having a baby right now.

Don't forget about Serena and Lily's vast collection of decor items for girls and boys of tween years and beyond! My 10-year-old self would have gone ga-ga for this hot pink and lime green duvet cover. And check out the terrific selection of desks, shelves and storage--including the bright nesting tables in this shot. Swoon!

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Lucky for us big kids, Serena and Lily also offers grown-up bedding and furniture. I'm lusting after this petite tufted chair, and when I happened upon the Fillmore bed, I began to wonder: is my long search for the perfect upholstered bed finally over?

Image Credits: 1-4. Nursery Style. 5-7. Serena and Lily.

Interview Part 2: Annette Tatum & The Well-Dressed Home

As promised on Tuesday, here's more terrific advice from Annette Tatum, author of The Well-Dressed Home and founder of the decor company Annette Tatum Home. Of course I've also included a few more sneak peaks of the images from Annette's book, but what you see here is only a tiny sampling of the eye-popping visuals in this must-have resource!

With all the gorgeous blogs, books, and mags out there, I'm on inspiration overload. Help! I have the same problem: too many choices! But just because I like something doesn't mean it's going to work for me. Our homes and wardrobes are influenced by our lifestyle. For example, I would love to live in an all white modern glass house. But it’s just not practical for my mode of operation right now.

So how do I get a little of everything I like in my home and make it all work? My style for fashion and home decor has changed over the years, but I have always grounded my home with classics. An English style sofa in a dark blue; lots of small antiques that have been collected; and other elements that make up layers of time and style choices. The decor that has worked through the years has stayed. It has not been weeded out when my style and design choices have changed.

Tell me more about building a foundation with the classics. Well, I call them classics because they have stood the test of time in my home. Just like my favorite black Gucci dress---it still works and probably always will. Layer a brocade jacket and it is more bohemian. Add a little black pump and it is very Audrey Hepburn. The same goes for my sofa. Right now it is in the living room mixed with a classic couture style. But two years ago it was covered in cotton toile and sat in my daughter’s room. Mixing and moving furniture brings the drama of the runway to your home.

I sometimes cannot resist the lure of trends and fads. What to do? Trends are fun but they can fade so I always proceed with caution. I tend not to invest as much in a trend with my clothing and the same is true in my home. That’s not to say that trends in moderation cannot be fun. They're a great way to pop things in for a season. For example, set up a summery bohemian/resort canopy in the backyard by purchasing fun pillows and throws from a big retailer, without spending too much.

What's a recent trend that you love? I like using trendy ideas that are practical as well. I hang my children’s art from a clothesline--an idea which seemed to come out of nowhere in many catalogs--and it has proven to look great and save space! Just remember: a little infusion of a trend goes a long way and allows us to experiment and have fun. Trends are a reminder to keep our minds open to new ideas and to be adventurous from time to time.

Isn't Annette awesome? Don't you want her to be your new best friend? Well, you'll have to get in line behind me. While I'm waiting for her to show up at my door and solve all my fashion and decorating dilemmas, I'll be identifying my style personality according to the descriptors in The Well-Dressed Home. So far I think I'm 'Romantic Haute Bohemian Modern', or 'RoHoBoHoMo' for short. But perhaps I could narrow it down just a little more, ya think?

All images courtesy of The Well-Dressed Home by Annette Tatum. Buy it here!

Interview: Annette Tatum and The Well-Dressed Home

If you know me, you know I'm obsessed with the point at which fashion and interiors intersect. So when I learned that decor guru Annette Tatum had written The Well-Dressed Home--an entire book devoted to the subject--I had to get my hands on it. And when Annette kindly offered to answer questions for readers of The City Sage, I knew I had a kindred spirit in my midst!

Designer, entrepreneur, and now author! Any advice for those of us who, like you, want to do it all? Although I attended design school, most of what I have learned I have learned on the job. For example, I knew nothing about furniture manufacturing so when I started a company making furniture I just jumped right in, learned as I went along. The root of it lies in knowing how to work and knowing how to get things done. I think those two elements can get you far in life.

Writing this book must have been such a journey of discovery! Yes, there were lots of suprises, like a title change at the last minute! Putting the project together was very similar to putting a new fabric collection together; there are many steps between the initial idea and the final output. And of course it was always fun to open the closet of a homeowner and see how close their fashion choices were to their home décor.

Lately I've been in a style rut, staying safe with neutrals and solids. How can I get out of it? The key to stepping out in fashion or in your home is in small experimental moves. Simply start with accessories. The tiniest details can transform a room or a little black dress. The core of our style in fashion and home decor need not jump off a cliff to change.

   

Of course sometimes there's nothing wrong with safe neutrals, right? I live in a home with white slip covered sofas. They are easy to clean and great with four kids. Being adventurous and switching to my dream pale pink sofa would probably not work out too well. But small accent pillows added to the sofa will allow for my other choices to co-exist. It is the dose you administer to your home and fashion choices that counts.

Tell me about your latest style experiment! I just wallpapered a small bathroom in my house with a Tricia Guild print in turquoise and gold; a very bold and different move for me. But confined to a special occasion or small space it works. Just like the ball gown I might wear once a year to the opera. The dress code we determine for ourselves in our home and in our wardrobe allows for more freedom to take risks.

Aren't these images from The Well-Dressed Home breathtaking? And couldn't you just plumb the depths of Annette's knowledge all day? Not to worry--I've got more eye candy and more great advice from Annette coming up later this week, so stay tuned. And in the meantime, be sure to visit Annette's terrific blog!

P.S. Speaking of 'fashion meets interiors', one of my favorite blogs on the topic is having a gorgeous jewelry giveaway. It's must-enter!

All images courtesy of The Well-Dressed Home, by Annette Tatum. Buy the book here!

Book Review: Great Renovations and Restorations

Do not let the title of this book fool you. Though it is called 'Great Renovations and Restorations: A New Life for Older Homes', it would be of little help in an actual renovation. However, it does come very much in handy for daydreams about abandoning one's harried urban existence in favor of life on a crumbling estate in the English countryside.

The usual suspects are all here: fainting couches and aged trunks, rambling arrangements of wildflowers, nonchalantly tossed blankets. However special focus is also given to the architectural elements of old homes; soaring ceilings, grand archways, and weathered plank floors abound. All the better for painting a full mental picture, of course!

No charming cottage is complete without a collection of antique serving platters. After all, while combing salvage lots for period building supplies, how could you resist the fantastically priced tablewares you'd surely encounter?

I have been avidly following Katy Elliot's adventures in green paint. I initially voted that she paint the walls green and the moldings cream--a decision at which Katy herself has arrived--but this image makes me waver. I very much enjoy the green mantle, mirror and shelves against the white ceiling.

Is there any sight more appealing than a bundt cake under domed glass, waiting patiently to be devoured? Place it atop a rustic kitchen island, flank it with mismatched chairs, hang a disapproving ancestral portrait, and the cake looks almost too good to eat--though you'll note that I said almost...

I talk a big talk about loving colorful interiors, but when push comes to shove I'll take this spartan white set-up. Lock the doors, put on a crisp shirt, and lounge the day away. Bonus: you might lose weight in a room like this, simply because you'd be terrified to eat anything that might stain.

I told you this book featured awesome floors, didn't I? This little vignette feels very Atonement to me. Perhaps it's the spare yet elegant furnishings, perhaps it's the romantic swirls of marble, and perhaps it's just wishful thinking, but I'm positive that James McAvoy is going to come nuzzle my neck.

Speaking of Mr. McAvoy, I'd push my twin bed next to his any day! Those windows are a perfect size: small enough to block off the outside world, but big enough to let the light brighten James' twinkling blue eyes. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some daydreaming to do.

All images courtesy of Great Renovations and Restorations: A New Life for Older Homes by Mary Gilliatt. Sponsored Links: Best quality 1z0-042 study pack to help you pass 642-145 exam on first try. Download JN0-532 practice questions for fail-safe exam preparation.

Elle Decor So Chic: The Softer Side

The book Elle Decor So Chic isn't all glitz and glamour as I suggested last week. There's plenty of eye candy for the neutrals lover in each of us. A single shot of blue from a butterfly's wings adds a striking counterpoint to this quiet workspace.

The library of my dreams! Positioning this sofa in front of the shelves is an unusual choice, but one that creates a cozy, intimate sensibility that appeals to the bibliophile in me.

Ceilings and windows and floors, oh my! The combination of stainless steel appliances with open shelves and broad pine planks makes for a kitchen that feels both functional yet warm and inviting.

I've seen so many Suzani textiles in vibrant colors, but the softer shades in this bedspread are equally alluring. And generally I'm a high-ceilings kinda girl, but I could be persuaded by the low, rustic vibe of these wooden beams.

A shot from the home of John Derian, master of faded elegance. The peeling paint, the spotty mirror, the ratty upholstery: I'm not sure I could live with it myself, but it's so seductive to look at!

Butterflies again--though in a different house! This cabinet on wheels is a brilliant way to create storage space in the absence of a bathroom vanity.

I am just a little obsessed with the industrial note that this space strikes. Something about those old factory stools gets my imagination racing. And wall-mounted lighting isn't on my radar, but after admiring this task lamp, perhaps it should be!

You know I love me some Bertoia chairs, especially when juxtaposed with organic materials like wood and stone. This dining vignette seems to have been hollowed out of the earth. Simply sublime!

All images courtesy of Elle Decor So Chic: Glamorous Lives, Stylish Spaces.

Book Review: Elle Decor So Chic

Elle Decor So Chic: Glamorous Lives, Stylish Spaces is the grand dame of decorating books! It's everything you'd expect from Elle Decor and more: glitz, glamour, over-the-top opulence, and a dash of celebrity thrown in for good measure. But for every lavish antique there is a solid design idea too, so travel through the pages with me as we separate fantasy from reality!

The Fantasy: Could you ever relax in this swank seating area? What if you forgot to use a coaster?
The Reality: Inject an unexpected shot of color with a bold painting, then add toss pillows in the same juicy hues for continuity.

The Fantasy: A velvet and lucite chair? Maybe in my past life as a pin-up girl!
The Reality: Get saucy with window treatments. Stripes in a sunset palette look brilliant peeking from behind staid velvet curtains.

The Fantasy: I swear, that couch looks about a hundred feet long. Who has that kind of space?
The Reality: When you find light fixtures you love (a rare occurrence indeed!) use them as a repeating element. Sometimes more really is more!

The Fantasy: Sure, I'd use a fur rug. If I were the set designer for Dr. Zhivago!
The Reality: No matter what your style or budget, a big vase of leafy branches adds a welcome breath of life to any space.

The Fantasy: Even my English professors in college would be intimidated by this wall (100 points to anyone who can identify some of the authors quoted here!)
The Reality: Do incorporate meaningful books and phrases into your decor; maybe just tone it down a bit, mmmkay?

The Fantasy: I've been wondering if it's kosher to pair my gilt Rococo mirror with my ancient African artifacts, but the proof is in the pudding!
The Reality: A big, bold rug an easy and budget friendly way to inject pattern into a space. I love this one and this one from Ikea.

The Fantasy: Pink and purple are divine--if you're five and your panties say 'Tuesday' on them.
The Reality: Pink and purple really are divine--and what's wrong with Day of the Week panties?!

All images courtesy of Elle Decor So Chic: Glamorous Lives, Stylish Spaces

Tabletop Inspiration from The Find

This morning I woke up to a delightful email from Stan Williams, the author of The Find. Not only was I happy to hear that he enjoyed yesterday's review of his book, I was thrilled to learn that Stan has a blog of his own! Called The Elegant Thrifter, it follows Stan's adventures in decorating, entertaining, and of course thrifting! So be sure to say hello to Stan, and in the meantime enjoy more proof of his talent from his breathtaking book The Find!

I love to comb through antique tableware at the flea market, so I definitely appreciate Stan's ideas on how to put my growing collection to work. One way to give focus to a collection of vintage items is to select a color scheme and stick to it; doing so will give your shopping trips focus and decrease your odds of feeling overwhelmed.

Above and below, a blue and white palette unites dishes of various styles and eras. And you don't have to host a fancy party to bring out your special pieces. Tea for two turns a mid-week afternoon into a special treat!

This book really is a must for any design lover's library. So many interiors books are pretty to look at--but the tips and information in The Find are equally as valuable as the visuals. Don't you want to know the story behind the magazine editor who collects objets with a numbers theme?

Vintage glassware isn't just for grown-ups. I adore this vignette for a child's birthday party. Not only does each place setting have its own compass, but they've been lined with the same polka dot paper used to make the sailboats. Talk about attention to detail!

Of course antique tableware can serve a purpose beyond food service. Use mismatched bowls and plates to display jewelry on your vanity, to catch coins on your nightstand, and to give your kittens something to knock over. (Okay, maybe you want to avoid that last one. My kittens have been on a warpath with my knickknacks lately!)

I've saved my favourite photo for last, because frankly your vintage pieces don't have to have a function beyond looking beautiful. A simple grouping of glassware, splashes of pink and coral in the background: I could stare at this image all day!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone! Maybe I'll see you at the flea market? ;)

All images courtesy of The Find: The Housing Works Book of Decorating with Thrift Shop Treasures, Flea Market Objects, and Vintage Details, by Stan Williams. Published by Clarkson Potter, May 2009.

Book Review: Perfect English by Ros Byam Shaw

Perfect English by Ros Byam Shaw is one of those books: one for which you'll want to set aside a whole afternoon, turn off your phone, brew a big pot of tea, and spend hours immersed in the engaging text and delectable photos. Like that other great English institution Mary Poppins, it is practically perfect in every way.**

It has everything you'd expect from a book about English interiors: plump tufted chesterfields, sumptuous chinoiserie wallcoverings, and antiques galore! I'm pretty much convinced that every house in the British Isles has a hidden attic filled with glorious remnants from times passed...

But there's so much more to this book than manor houses and country estates. An entire chapter is devoted to that weathered, spare aesthetic that the English do so well. Modern furnishings mix with rustic architecture to create rooms that seem to stand still in time.

When it comes to interiors, 'shaggy' isn't usually a desirable adjective. However, this bright and cozy living room takes shaggy to unseen heights of splendour!

Perhaps I've read one too many Regency-era romance novels, but I picture all English children playing with charming and wholesome toys like rolling hoops and spinning tops. This vignette is proof of that, right? Right? (Please don't burst my bubble on this one, folks!)

Apparently the owner of this home wanted her living room to 'look like Biba'. Hence the
madcap mix of ethnic textiles, boho granny florals, and riotous color. As Austin Powers would
say, 'Very grrrr, baby!'

Where do I even begin with this spectacular dining room? The marble floor, the classic lines of the chairs paired with the playful farmhouse linens, the botanical folding screen? Oh, and shouldn't every home worth its salt should have a giant framed butterfly collection?

Of course if minimalism is more your scene, there's nothing like a pure white room with
some carefully edited vintage tableware. Don't you love the unexpected presence of those
red leather chairs?

Reason No. 459 to start a teacup collection? To have a breakfast nook as sunny and cheerful as this one! (Better not ask me what the other 458 reasons are; I'm sure I could come up with them, and that would just be frightening for us all.)

And speaking of collections, Eddie Ross eat your heart out! Have you ever seen so many
ironstone vessels in once place? I have a feeling that woman above the mantel has heard the rumours about my propensity for breaking delicate objects. The expression on her face screams, 'Look but don't touch, Anne!'

All images courtesy of Perfect English by Ros Byam Shaw, photography by Chris Tubbs. A huge thanks to Chelsea from Frolic for the find---she too is 'practically perfect in every way'. Have a beautiful weekend everyone!

**With most sincere apologies for dredging up every British stereotype under the sun!