When someone says “Victorian design” or “Baroque style” or even “Georgian architecture”, do you wish to instinctively and visually know what each entails? (raising hand) I do! This is why I so appreciate books and workshops to educate me on each style since I do love to learn about design history. Our book selection this month, Classic Design Styles by author Henrietta Spencer-Churchill, outlines the chronology of each period in design and takes us on a tour of houses decorated within each style. She also shows how the reader can achieve the looks by explaining the methods and theories behind each design. Andrew Wood, Ianthe Ruthven and Mick Hales beautifully photographed most of the interiors.
Some of the additional design styles covered are the Renaissance style, the Baroque style and the Federal and Empire styles. In the back of the book, there is a section on details such as walls, ceilings, textiles and paint — and a very nice glossary. Hope you get a chance to check it out!
Late last week, we received our hot-off-the-press copy of Modello by Design, Volume 2.
Cover featuring the artistry of Dallas, Texas artisan Gracie Reed
Melanie Royals of Modello Designs, applicable decorative pattern designs, includes the work of 68 artisans and presents more than 175 ornamental finish images for artisans to use as inspiration for both themselves and their clients. If you recall, we profiled Volume 1 when it came out as well. At this time, Volume 2 is only available as a limited edition, so act quickly if you’d like to own one — or give out to designers and clients. I don’t want to spoil too much with a lot of images since all of the pre-ordered books go out this week and there should be an element of surprise for everyone. So here are just a few of my fave images:
Gorgeous ceiling by Anna & Scott Sadler of Phoenix, Arizona
Jennifer Reichert & Melissa Wagner of Canada’s Interiors to Inspire
Bill Bigler of Quality Custom Painting in Ventura, CA — amazing detail work on the ceiling!
Love Transitional Modellos! This beauty is by Julie Young of Vista, CA.
The design on the ceiling is just so striking. Artistry by Bill Borselli of Phoenix, Arizona.
A very cool feature of this volume is the Pattern Reference Guide that is included with the book. That was an extra effort that I’m sure will be very appreciated all around. If you are so inclined, you can see our work featured as well. [Funny story. My brother was showing the book to another artisan and couldn't find our images and so he says "Hey, I can't find our pics!" I quickly said "Pages 90 and 108." They both laughed and he says "Of course you would know that right off the bat." I gave them a big grin -- I can't help it. Proud we made it into this volume as well. :) ] Talk soon!
My friend, interior designer Lisa League, sent me a tweet a few weeks ago: “I’ve got a surprise for you!” The next time we came together, she brought out the book “Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion and Purpose” by Tony Hsieh and presented it to me. The book comes out today and in order to receive an advanced copy, you had to write in about a person you think “delivers happiness”. Lisa wrote about me (!!) and lo and behold, we each received an advanced copy. A beautiful compliment, no? (Thank you again, Lisa!)
If you’re like me, the creative gene works much better than the “I’m-a-business-guru-and-can-make-a-profit-on-anything” gene. Over the years, I’ve bought and borrowed many business books. Some I felt were too corporate (I really, really tried you, “Good to Great”), others I couldn’t embrace all the beliefs (“The 48 Laws of Power” comes to mind) and some I never even cracked the cover (I’m so sorry “Millionaire Women Next Door”). This one, however, I enjoyed and learned good insights. The book is partly his story, partly the inspirational story of Zappos and partly the reminder for all of us to ask: What is My Goal in Life?. I read it easily in a few days since Tony Hsieh wrote it as he spoke in conversation. At one point, when he was accepted into Harvard, I thought “This already puts him in a different stratosphere! C’mon!“ But, I hung on since he built two companies that within a decade were sold for 9 and 10 figures — I figured that went beyond luck and mere smarts.
Tony Hsieh
He talks about a company where the concept of “team” is embraced and customer service is paramount. The importance of having a long term vision and knowledge of a higher purpose. He also adds a component which I heartily agree upon – FUN. (Seriously. Ask my brother and sister – I find that “fun” is something to be cherished, especially in business.) He gives three insights: 1) Meet Expectations, (2) Meet Desires, and (3) Meet Unrecognized Needs. I’ve given a brief overview of it all — but even if you are a company of one, there are good points to gather for your business. At the very least, you’ll be highly inspired.
I hope you do get a chance to pick up the book or check it out of the library. There is a Delivering Happiness website and blog, a Facebook page and if you are on Twitter, you can follow Tony Hsieh on @zappos and find out more about the book on @dhbook. Have a great day!
I found our Book of the Month during my Bok Tower & Gardens excursion. My family and I stopped in the gift shop before we started and I spied Old Florida by Steve Gross and Sue Daley on the shelf. Only three copies left and scandalously on sale. I verbally acknowledged the plausible intelligence of buying the book and then hauling it throughout the whole day. Here’s what ensued:
RG: Only three copies left.
The Family: Regina. This fantasy that everyone is gunning for this book is all in your head. No one here today loves these books more than you. Do you see a stampede of finishers storming the shop?
RG: (grudgingly) No…
The Family: Then, relax. We’ll take the day, you can do your research, we’ll all have fun and at the end, you can pick up your book and then cart it to the car.
RG: (worried) I guess so…
So, off we went. You know what almost happened right? Yup. At the end of the day, I happily go into the shop and I spy ONE COPY LEFT and a woman making her way to that aisle. I went running all Bionic Woman — with the theme song and everything — and I snatched it up and gave her a glare. I might have hissed. (Yes, I admit it. I’m not proud.) But, I purchased it and I’m so glad I didn’t miss out on it.
Old Florida visits “Florida’s Magnificent Homes, Gardens and Vintage Attractions” and both Steve Gross and Sue Daly wrote and photographed the book. They visited 35 of Florida’s architectural landmarks and explored the diversity of all the interior design as well — from kooky to magnificent. Here are some images (please make sure you click on them to zoom):
(Above) On the left you’ll find the gilded baroque columns in the living room of Bonnet House in Fort Lauderdale. On the right is the lobby of the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, featuring the Mediterranean style. The hotel opened in 1926 and during the early 90s, the hotel was closed with no sign of re-opening. My friends and I would try to sneak in because it was rumored to be haunted. A $40 million dollar restoration opened its doors.
(Above) Both of these pictures are from Mar-a-Lago (Sea-to-Lake) in Palm Beach. It is a national historic landmark and renovated by Donald Trump. On the left is the living room with a ceiling height of 34 feet. There is gold leafing galore — it is said that during construction, the State of Florida ran out of gold leaf and the head gilder was forced (forced! ha!) to travel to Europe for more. On the right, is the gorgeous stairway to the Seven Windows Room. (Ya’ll know how I feel about spiral staircases…)
I was strolling along the beautiful shops in Savannah, when I spied this gorgeous book in the Mercer House gift shop. Alas, it was their only copy and not for sale. Blasphemy! I wanted to review the book before I plunked down good monies, so I came home to Orlando and had an interlibrary loan set up via my local library. (The loan arrived all the way from the University of Alabama!)
Regency Redux focuses on one of the most sophisticated moments in design history: the Regency period in England. Written by design historian Emily Evans Eerdmans and published by Rizzoli, the book also delves into modern interpretations of the Regency style, including influences brought upon by French and American designers. It starts with an introduction to the original Regency period, moves into the Neoclassical timeline and then delves into the stylized interiors of the 1930′s and also into how Hollywood made use of the style in lavish movie sets. There are sumptuous photographs in both color and black & white. Additionally, there is a foreword by designer Kelly Wearstler, herself a lover of glamour, excitement and dramatic luxury. What’s not to love?
Please be sure to click on the pictures to get a larger zoom version.
(Below) On the left, the Music Room at the Royal Pavilion in Brighton. It features 26,000 hand-gilded cockleshells applied to the domed ceiling. (Whoa…) On the right, The Platinum Room in Spain’s La Casita del Labrador.
(Below) On the left, a modern living space featuring what looks like an unusual plaster finish on the walls. (LOVE!) On the right, Eltham Palace with its strong Art Deco influence. BTW, if you’d like to read more about greek key origins, click here.
Who wouldn’t love to just be an extra alongside Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers in Roberta? Just the dresses alone…I think I’ll start posing like that daily…
(Below) On the left, Marble Hall at Kedleston Hall. Roman baths were the inspiration for the space. On the right, the inimitable work of Rex Whistler.
A peek into scenic wall drawings…
Needless to say, I’ve already ordered my own copy. (I also seriously think that the Rizzoli publishing house can just back up their trucks right to my front lawn. I just want all their books. Every single one. I’ll find space.) I hope I’ve inspired you to look into Regency Redux and plan a little glamour of your own for 2010. Also, be sure to check out the lovely design blog of the author, Emily Evans Eerdmans. Until next time!
I live in Groveland, FL — it’s near Orlando. I used to live a hop, skip and a jump from New York City and how I got here is a story for another day…but suffice it to say, I miss NYC like no one’s business. One of the best amenities there is the multitude of beautiful museums to visit. A fave was always the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Countless hours were spent just getting lost within all its treasures. Imagine my happiness to find our book of the month, Period Rooms in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and relive a bit of those magical moments.
The book was released in 1996 and through sumptuous photographs and text, gives a grand tour of thirty-four room installations. These rooms give superb examples of interior design throughout the ages — from an ancient Roman bedroom excavated near Pompeii to eighteenth-century French and English parlors to early nineteenth century American libraries. Some of the rooms have actually been taken from historic buildings and some are authentic recreations. (The recreations spark healthy debates among scholars and decorative arts experts.) According to their website, this particular wing opened up again this past spring after two years of renovations — so if you were to go today, you’d have an even more enjoyable experience. Here are some visuals, as photographed by Karin L. Willis.
(Above) The Boscoreale Room: A well-preserved Roman bedroom with fresco paintings. Timeline: 40 – 30 B.C.
(Above) On the left is the Parisian Crillon Room. To see a close-up of the decorative painting, click here. Timeline: 1777-80. On the right is the Sagredo Bedroom from the Palazzo Sagredo in Venice. Timeline: 1718. [I'm not sure I could sleep there -- way too much to look at!]
(Above) The Kirtlington Park Room: Oxfordshire Dining Room, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful Rococo rooms from England. The plasterwork was executed by artisan Thomas Roberts. Timeline: 1748.
(Above) The Gubbio Studiolo: A small study retreat from Gubbio, Italy. The fantastic realization about this gorgeous trompe l’oeil work is that it is not painted at all. It is Perspective Intarsia, a Florentine Renaissance technique that creates a continuous illusion by wooden inlays. Different colors of wood provide different shadings. [!!!!] A closeup can be seen here.
(Above) The Van Rensselaer Hall: An entrance hall built in pre-Revolutionary America. The wallcovering is wallpaper handpainted in tempera. Timeline: 1765-69.
(Above) The Nur al-Din Room: Originally from Damascus, research has not produced precise information on its provenance. It is twenty-two feet high, twenty-six feet long and sixteen feet wide and took three years to install.
I hope you’ve enjoyed the visuals — the book has so many more in addition to thorough information on each of the design styles. Truly enjoyable. I do hope you consider looking into it. Until next time, dear Readers!
Chances are you are familiar with the book, The House that Faux Built by author and activist Adrienne Van Dooren. It’s one of the must-have books to own in your design library since it showcases the transformation of a 1940’s home with over 500 pictures of beautiful finishes by some of the best artisans of today. However, this is no ordinary decorative painting book – true to it’s title, the proceeds of its sale were going towards raising enough money to build a home in New Orleans, post-Katrina. The beauty of it all? After four years, it has proven a success and the funds to build the home have been raised! Here are some pics from the project, now under construction:
The home will be a sanctuary for a young family with two children and is being built from scratch from the proceeds. During the first week in November, the house will be worked on by various artists who have volunteered their time and resources for this second “House That Faux Built” project. The second phase of this project will be included in a re-printing of the original book and this round will benefit both Habitat for Humanity as well as the SPCA. There are also other good works coming in to play. Rebecca Parsons will be on hand during the two weeks to video the project, the dedication ceremony and the artisans who selflessly are donating their time for a mini-documentary of the process. The entire project will also be professionally photographed and will receive a well-deserved amount of press.
I spoke with Asheville artisan Lyna Dawn, the Chairperson of the project, to get a little more information on this worthy endeavor. There is more information to be had at the Faux House website but here’s some good ways to get involved in this second phase:
1) SPCA (Birdhouse Auction) – The SPCA will have their annual fundraising event on Saturday, November 14th, with a Hooray for Howlywood theme. During the event, there will be a charity auction involving gorgeous birdhouses handpainted by artisans – but hurry, the deadline to send one in is Thursday, October 29th. Send the birdhouses to:
Attention: Dean Howard
Howling for Success Auction
1700 Mardi Gras Boulevard
New Orleans, LA 70114
2) Artisan Volunteers – The second phase will run the first two weeks of November. The first week is geared towards working on the actual Habitat home and both faux finishes and murals will take center stage here. The mural work will be geared towards helping the SPCA and its headquarters. Please note that great rates have been worked out to help with food and lodging costs (including the beautiful Degas House) and most materials will be donated. Jane Drew is the Project Coordinator in New Orleans and you can reach her by e-mailing Jane1478@aol.com or calling her directly at (504) 666-2609.
3) SPCA (Doghouse Challenge) – During the first week of November, doghouses will be built by an artist couple in Monroe, LA and will be painted by the volunteer artisans. These will also be auctioned off at the SPCA shindig, Hooray for Howlywood, and will be spotlighted by their special celebrity host.
4) Sponsorship – Some of the sponsors include Golden Paints, Royal Design Studio, Modern Masters and Jeff Raum Stencils. (Note to Readers: I’ll plug in more sponsors as I find out more about them.) If you’d like information on becoming a sponsor, please contact the Sponsorship Chair for the program, Laine Discepoli via e-mail Laine@misselaineous.net or via phone (513) 533-FAUX.
5) Donations – If you are not able to participate in any of the above but would love to help, please consider donating to the cause. All efforts are truly appreciated.
It’s amazing that such an incredible endeavor has come to fruition. It really is quite heartwarming that faux truly has built a home for a deserving family – and every one of us who owns the book helped make it happen. The original artisans must be so proud – as well as founder, Adrienne Van Dooren! Please tour the Faux House website, consider getting involved and by all means, purchase the book if you have not done so already. There is tons of eye candy, ideas and all for a wonderful cause! There is also a Facebook Fan Page for the originating non-for-profit organization, Artists4Others. Until next time!
Nina Campbell is a London-based designer — and one of the busiest in the world, with celebrities and royals as clients. In addition to her design firm, she also has a collection of home luxuries that include wallpapers, fabrics and even home fragrances. In a Veranda article, she describes her style as “voluptuous minimalism”. I actually said “Uhm…voluptuous minimalism?” but after acquiring her Decorating Notebook: Insider Secrets and Decorating Ideas for Your Home (published in 2004) I think I have it. It’s elegant yet simple interiors that have an incredible attention to custom and decorative details. A hand-carved piece of furniture, wall friezes, gilded leather and cornices, beautiful table decorations, striking mirrors…so, a voluptuous hand in the artisan aspects all maintained within a classic, comfortable setting. At least, that’s my take. I’m here all week, folks.
The book is Ms. Campbell’s way, through text by Alexandra Campbell, of sharing her methods and personal process for designing a commissioned space. She delves into color schemes, fabrics and lighting in addition to creating a stunning focal point in every foom. I like that she includes questionnaires and floorplans as well as insights into creating the board sketches (with visuals and swatches) with which designers use to communicate their vision for a room. Here are some of the images in the book, photographed by Jan Baldwin. I did zoom in onto the rooms that had some favorite patterns or decorative painting involved (or could inspire decorative painting, like the marbled columns) but there are plenty of other visuals to enjoy.
I do hope you like this month’s recommendation. (Speaking of the month, where did August go?!?) I hope to see you around these parts again as we welcome September — have a wonderful day!
So, I’ve been going to the library a lot. In one of my jaunts, I found the Fauxology Book-of-the-Month: Paint Alchemy by Annie Sloan. As much as I love how easily we can find paint materials nowadays, I do like the idea of traditional artisans creating their own materials in their studios. They would use the pigments and secret ingredients available to them to make durable paints and gorgeous colors. This book helps artists understand how paints are made — and provides 30 recipes (with visuals) for creating some of the materials we easily take for granted today.
The simplest of recipes: Pigment + Binder = Paint
Annie Sloan, the author, has over 20 books to her credit. She lives and works in Oxford, England. She trained as a painter and headed her own design firm. She also taught decorative painting for a time at London’s Inchbald School of Design. She now works with Chalk Paint, a handmade artisan paint. In this particular book, she goes into the history of pigments, binders (the glue that sticks the pigment to the surface), mixing your own colors and choosing the best materials for your purposes. The recipe section is divided into two sections: small quantities and large quantities. They include interesting formulas for coloured waxes and concrete, textured paint, distemper, limewashes, egg yolk & egg white paint (very interesting), fabric paints and gesso. There’s even more to discover.
The book was published in 2001 and although some of the finished surfaces have become more sophisticated, it seems like the recipes themselves would stand the test of time. I can’t wait to get around to putting some together! I hope you get a chance to view the book — whether by purchase or through your local library. Until tomorrow!
While perusing Art Fusion a few months ago, fellow artisan Erica Somers of Luxe Crete posted information about her latest book find at Barnes & Noble. The cover looked gorgeous and I’ve been looking into greener plaster alternatives, so I bought it on her recommendation. It’s been a true find and so I, in turn, have chosen it as our April Book-of-the-Month. Ladies and Gentlemen, I introduce Using Natural Finishes by Adam Weismann and Katy Bryce.
The book focuses on using natural finishes based on lime and earth. They break down the chapters into finishes that use plasters (applied internally), renders (applied externally), paints and washes. They also go into the prepwork detail and help introduce us to beautiful natural finishes from around the world, including South Africa and Japan. The book has so much information that at first, I felt overwhelmed and just looked at the pictures. Gradually, I started reading about the temperaments of each material, their ingredients, uses and attributes and finally, understanding the history of these finishes.
I thought the following history was fascinating: “The oldest known examples of lime being used in a wall plaser have been found in Jericho…dating from around 7000 BC. The Greeks and Romans, at the beginning of the first century AD, used lime as their main building binder to construct their vast empires…During the medieval period in England, after a fire destroyed London Bridge in 1212, King John passed a law that all shops along the River Thames were to be plastered and whitewashed with lime both inside and out. The lime finish was used because of its fire-resistant properties.” I knew that the Italians used natural plasters to create their famous frescoes, but the information above is key (at least for me) to understand and respect these materials more, that their history goes beyond my using it for an eco-conscious client. Here are some pics:
BELOW: I thought this was a grievous use of coffee, but then I read that it was linseed oil. (phew) On the right pic, more of the ingredients and tools used for the natural finishes.
Should you decide to fully immerse yourself in this creative field, the authors seek to fully prepare you. In fact, the President of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), states: “This highly informative and sumptuous book shows how the threat of climate change is also an opportunity to make buildings more beautiful”. The authors also have created the Natural Building Resources website to help others find even more green sources. I hope you get a chance to check it out!
