reader request: what design books inspire you?

Abby, this one's for you....

Basically, as a former English teacher, the question is what do I not read.  I am a reader.  My mema is a reader and I guess I get that from her...really no one else in my family is a "reader".  

I define a "reader" as one who has a kindle, books by the bed, book in stacks in every place imaginable, books in the basement, books in boxes and books loaned out to people you can't remember.  A reader takes a separate bag on trips for reading material.  Your favorite Christmas or birthday gift is a B & N gift card, and there are times you have chosen to eat on the cheap so you can afford lunch and a magazine.  

You either are or your aren't.  It is a blessing and a curse.

So here is just a sampling of design material that inspires me.  I have more where this came from...but I really learn a lot from design blogs.  I read many that are my aesthetic, but I really learn more when I read those that stretch me....push me beyond my style.  No one I decorate for will have my exact style, so I need to learn about all types of furniture, lighting, room arrangements, you name it.

Liam is modeling above the new Coastal Living "bookazine"  ($11 people, not a magazine!  Be careful when you pick up one of those for they are not $5)  This is a no-brainer for me.  Many Cottage Living folk moved their offices' location to this publication, so I easily love almost every page.  It inspires me, but because it is my style I don't learn too much.  I already live in white rooms with vertical boards!!

Okay, long post, but let's go in order, shall we?

If you are a design-lover and you don't own this, then you may be telling a little white lie when you say you love design.  Yes, it is the ubiquitous book you see on every coffee table and styled vignette, but it is popular for a reason.  It kicks butt!  

(above you see I got mine from Anthropologie years ago when it promised a Domino subscription upon purchase.  So sad that I received Lucky instead when it folded.  But of course I already has a Domino subscription, anyway!)

I love its illustrations and wallpapered pages....

I love the design schemes with paint colors and fabric included

I love this kitchen!

There is not a better one!  Do you see that CHUNK of marble and the glossy subway tile with white grout everywhere!!!  And those stools and the wood chairs.  Just perfection.

I guarantee you Gwyneth used this picture as inspiration here.  I just know it.

See her chunky countertop and subway tiles everywhere (but, yeah, because she is loaded why not make the subway tiles marble, too...who needs ceramic?)

And the wallpaper and colors.  Just phenomenal! 

intermission of cuteness

This book is not French country like your neighbor's rooster sitting above her cherry-stained counters.  This is real country homes in France full of rustic goodness and industrical chic.  But not trying to be chic--just utilitarian-like greatness.

And if you have read this blog at all, you know I love stylist/designer Atlanta Bartlett.

If you love neutral, white, and a relaxed sensibility, you will love her, too.

Along this same, no-brainer theme is Thrifty Chic.  If you like repurposing Good Will finds and using "junk" in a beautiful new context....this book is for you.

(man, I wish I got a little kick back for these positive reviews I'm giving)

These are not "catalog" rooms.  If you like not looking like your neighbor's home--you will dig these images.

more big brother cuteness.  We're all happy on this pretty October morning.

This next book inspires me as much for the text as for the images.  I don't think I can say that for any other book.

The Novogratz' Downtown Chic is chock full of inspiring quotes and stories.  They make me think, "Yeah, I can do it, too.  And I don't have 7 kids!!!"

And I know I have said this before, but I am particularly fond of Cortney because she is from Columbus, GA and has kept her southern drawl.

How great is this quote from John Lennon?  The best.  And those caned-back white chairs with blue leather, vinyl or oil-cloth just knocks me sideways.  They continue to be imaginative.

Okay, I think I'll leave you with the above quote from Ms. Joplin.  I'll do a Part II with my remaining favorite books...I gotta go pay some bills and play outside!

Julie

light on the top and dark on the bottom

I didn't realize how much I loved this....not just black & white mind you (I do love that, too), but particularly when a room is mostly white and then contrasting black or dark brown on the bottom.

I remember reading years ago (I think Gwyneth said it) that she always went darker as she went down in her outfits.  She did so because it gave an elongated look.  I have found myself following this rule (except for nude shoes...especially great nude heels) and it rings true for me.

I didn't realize how much I love this in interiors.  I find it all over my home and throughout my files.

image and design from Tracery Interiors, Rosemary Beach home

I find myself thinking about this kitchen all the time!

I find it so spectacular in its simplicity.  And the stools

make this space.  I really am not a fan of these stools alone

but any other type of seating would take away from this seamless

brown bottom and seamless white top of the room.  The ceilings, albeit

high already, just look crazy high now with the all white (minus the awesome,

singular beam).

another example:

oh, I love the white & black & brown!

Here are more images that speak to me:

Emily Followill Photography

Cottage Living Magazine

MFAMB

how fun is this one?

unknown source

This is the kitchen from Cottage Living's Idea House (2008?)

Again, I love the dark green bottom with dark countertop, contrasting

with the all white wall paint, open shelving and white bowls and serving

dishes.  If the shelves or the bowls were any other color, I don't think

they could pull this off.  Wooden or iron shelving would have

stolen the show from the backsplash.

This image from Country Living really needs no explanation.  Do you 

find it as beautiful as I do?  One of the top 5 all-time images in my files, for sure.

You take away the white uniformity, the brown chairs or the black cloth....and it

wouldn't work for me.   They all need each other to balance.  Even with all

this white, I still find this room playful, timeless and striking.  I know I have said this

before, but truly monochrome collections and backdrops act as canvases for 

the rest of the room.  

I am basing the inspiration for my downstairs office on this image.  I'll take some befores

and hopefully afters this month!!

An inspiration photo for the downstairs bath's

renovation had this theme as well:

myhomeideas.com

I kept coming back to this one. 

 Here is the translation:

Boy, it is tough to shoot a bathroom shot!  I need to get

someone to take a good one of this room.

I find the same light-to-dark in our guest bedroom

(which has already changed since this photo)

I am realizing how much I love black...but I do

love it tempered with white.

in bathrooms...

(myhomeideas)

in hallways...

Elle Decor

And finally, I see this throughout the stylings of Atlanta Bartlett's

spaces....she is sooo good.

I have a fun week planned for y'all!  Some guest

posts later in the week...

I hope Monday is kind to you.  Julie

More of Gwyneth's kitchen

So I imagine most of you have seen her spread in August's Vogue issue

  (the pictures I used from there I got from Style Chronicle  The source of the other images I don't remember.)

Please just check out a few more images of her kitchen without her in it....almost still as beautiful!  Have you ever seen so much marble?  And I remember (I think from her interview with Oprah) that her favorite appliance is a steamer.  I believe that is what you see on the right of the picture.  So smart to steam leftovers instead of microwave!

Wouldn't you love to see the view from here?  I found these pictures months ago when I was renovating and looking for some inspiration from my style guru.  She hired some set designers to do her family's Manhattan apartment.  (No, I don't remember the duo's name. Please email me if you have it and I will give them due credit!)  I do remember this space is 4,400 square feet...in NY!  Can you imagine?

(update:  thank you, Lissa!  The designers are Roman & Williams)

The designers used this vintage door to create a swing in her living room.  I wish I could find more of the apartment mansion.  She wallpapered everything.

Where do you think this kitchen is?  (via Goop)  She can make simple square tile look amazing.

A marble-covered vent.  Too lovely.

I do love her!

On a personal note, little Wyatt is doing great!  Here he is playing ball in his little hospital gown.  Thanks to Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta...the best hospital for kids.  They are so loving and comforting.  Thanks for your prayers....Julie

(Oh, and just looked at my Vogue again...seems that appliance is on the other end of the spectrum...deep fat fryer instead of steamer!)