From the keyboard of Peggy Pardo…

I have an addiction – to decorating books. When one calls out to me from a bookstore shelf or an Amazon.com page, I have to respond by looking through it. Should I spy even one picture that inspires me, into my basket it goes. That’s how I’ve amassed a gazillion decorating books. Okay. That may be a slight exaggeration, but I do have 3 Ikea Billy bookcases filled to the brim. ‘Nuff said.

Naturally when someone I admire comes out with a decorating book, I get very excited about it. That’s how I felt when I first heard about Decorate: 1,000 Professional Ideas for Every Room in Your Home. It was written by Holly Becker, creator of one of the most popular (and one of the first) decorating blogs Decor8, and Joanna Copestick with photography by Debi Treloar. This one I didn’t even peruse before buying; just added to my cart and awaited its arrival.

Thanks to Amazon Prime, Decorate was here in 2 days. Did it pass the “at least one picture I like, so I’ll buy it” test? Did it ever! The first time I go through a design book or magazine, I stick strips of post-its with brief notes on the pages that have something to which I want to refer back. By the time I finished going through Decorate, it had so many pieces of paper sticking out of the top it looked like a craft project. That’s a good thing -  a really good thing.

My post today originally started out as a book review. Why not? I think the book is wonderful. However, there are so many fantastic reviews of Decorate that are already out there – like this one from Apartment Therapy, this one at Mango Juiced and here is another at Living In. Rather than do a review, Regina and I thought we’d take it one step further and do a GIVEAWAY! So instead of just telling you how great the book is, one lucky reader will receive a complimentary copy of Decorate and be able to see for themselves!!

Here are a couple of pictures to whet your appetite…

G I V E A W A Y

For your chance to win…

Leave a comment on this post letting us know how we could improve Fauxology, tell us about your favorite post or share your suggestions for post ideas.

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Each time you do one of these, leave us a comment on this blog post letting us know you did.  [If you're already a fan, just let us know!   ] So, you can leave up to seven comments on this blog post to enhance your chances of winning — please note that comments left on Facebook, Twitter or other sites will not count.

The Giveaway is open to everyone and one winner will be chosen at random from the comments.  Deadline: Midnight on Wednesday, May 9, 2012.

Good luck to all,

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Straight from Regina’s laptop — Happy Monday!

I don’t know what it is, but I looooooove the idea and look of lining a wall or ceiling.  In fact, I’ve written about it before in a 2010 post called Drawing the Line.  I remember when I played with my coloring books as a kid, out would come my full set of color markers and 64-set of crayons.  I’d first use a color marker to line the pattern perfectly and finish coloring in with a crayon matching the marker.  To my eye, it gave a more polished look.  (There’s a method to my madness even as a kid, I guess.)

Here’s a few more images to share on the lined look…

Room designed by Amy Carman for the 2011 Wisconsin Breast Cancer Showhouse. It’s listed as black ribbon but one could easily sub black paint instead.

You can take the bright colors and really go wild, as in this Roy Lichtenstein-inspired space by designer Jeffrey Miller.  Here’s a close-up.

This striking bedroom (below) was featured in Elle Decor.  See the red edging right above the harlequin diamonds? Great splash of color and extra drama.

One can also do this in a hue tying in the designated accent color, like the blue below.  It’s the Berlin home of art historian Samuel Wittmer, featured in sköna hem.

This last one was part of a MoMA exhibition.  I like how the pattern is edged out with lining to give it a finished look.

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It wouldn’t be too hard to do lining on a surface since it really only involves extra taping and a bit of measuring.  I have to find a place in my home to do it or remember to suggest it to the right potential clients.  Do you like the look?

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Straight from Regina’s sleep-deprived laptop!

So here’s my life so far.  Last week I was oohing and ahhing over the snow-capped mountains of Utah and this week I’m at the sunny beaches of Miami.  All for the love of decorative painting, of course.  (More on Utah and Miami soon – pinky swear).  I do need some sleep though.  Soon.  But what am I doing in my can’t-fall-asleep moments?  Looking at images, of course!

I thought we’d take a fashion trip and end up at fashionable spaces.  Here’s a few runway designs that could have been the inspiration for a few roomway surfaces…

From bridal fashion company, Pronovias. I’d definitely ditch the white for this one. Now, if you’d like to see a variation on a wall…

Voila!  Isn’t this a beauty?  It’s the Moroccan Lace stencil from Royal Design Studio.

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Silk Beaded Dress by Elijah (above) and now…

GORGEOUS! Those are Swarovski crystals in the Italian Silven wallcoverings.

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An artistic watercolor-y loveliness above by Vera Wang and an artistic watercolor-y loveliness below by Black Crow Studios.

So, sometimes you don’t have to go further than your closet for inspiration, right?  Off to sleep now, gorgeous ones.  A big Mwah! for reading the ramblings!

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From the keyboard of Peggy Pardo…

Beautiful design doesn’t have to cost a fortune. I truly believe this. Having had Champagne tastes all my life and at times with a public water fountain pocket book, I know how to make every design dollar (and cent) count.

One of my go-to sources for quality pieces at affordable prices is Target. I could literally spend hours in their online store! They collaborate with top designers in various industries to bring us the latest trends. Their style expert for home is Sabrina Soto, who I had a chance to see last month at the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival.

Since summer is just around the corner, I thought a gorgeous vacation spot would be the perfect inspiration. And did I find one for you!

Inspiration Photo: St. Regis Princeville Resort on the island of Kauai, Hawaii – Designed by Trina Turk
Paint Colors: Benjamin Moore
Design Finds: Target

Now you’ll have to excuse me, I’m going to try to find a place for that chair. I love it!

Cheers to all,

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From the keyboard of Peggy Pardo…

Happy Monday! What better way to start the week that with some color inspiration! Music for your eyes to dance to.

Spinning the color wheel, we land on the color PURPLE! And a lovely color it is. I’ve found some purple objects and a few rooms that could easily have been inspired by them. Enjoy!

Inspiration Sources: Eggplant – Fruits R Us; Jewelry – Morning Glory Antiques & Jewelry;
Dress – The Dessy Group
Realized Sources: Top left, top right, bottom right – HGTV; bottom left – Curbly

Inspiration comes in all sizes, shapes, places and colors. Keep your eyes and mind open and you’ll be surprised at what you can see!

Cheers to all,

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From the keyboard of Peggy Pardo…

Ready for your mind to be blown? So, I was purusing the internet and I found these incredible wall installations. Take a look at this one…

You’re probably thinking, yes – they’re beautiful. But so what? Now take a CLOSER look…

Yes – That’s GLASS MOSAIC TILE. They’re the remarkable work of a Spanish company that manufactures wide format images on glass mosaic. To learn more about it, check out their website.

Cheers to all!

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From the keyboard of Peggy Pardo…

Happy day! My copy of Elle Decor magazine arrived several days ago and I finally had a chance to read it – well, at least most of it. One article that caught my attention is about a Tudor house in Beverly Hills that was completely updated by the creator of Will & Grace, Max Mutchnick and his partner, lawyer Erik Hyman.

Here are a few of the fabulous rooms that were photographed by William Abranowicz…

Master Bathroom (my favorite!)

Master Bedroom

Dining Room

Sunroom (I love sunrooms!)

Library

Living Room

The article dishes details on the home’s background and shares details on what went into the redesign.  And there are more great photos!

Enjoy!

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