Book Of The Month - Celerie Kemble, Black + White

I can't wait to admire more inspiring interiors by Celerie Kemble. her second book will be published this Fall!

June's Recommended read + a goal!

I like to cook, I actually love to cook if there is someone to cook for. I especially enjoy cooking for company. I pour a glass of wine, listen to music and work away. Sadly, I've been so busy focusing on my life, kids and business that I haven't set aside much time for cooking lately! I was always busy but some how found time to cook at least four days of the week when my husband lived with me. There is something about sharing a meal with someone that's more enjoyable then dining alone. As you know, it's just my kids and I now, so cooking hasn't been my top priority. Although, eating healthy should be. I constantly try to introduce new and fresh foods to my children but children will be children and on some days I'm lucky to get my three year old to eat anything never mind something "foreign". 

That brings me to this month's recommended read.   Gwyneth Paltrow's new cookbook "My Father's Daughter". It's currently in my Amazon cart and I will be eagerly awaiting the books arrival. I agree with Gwyneth's approach to cooking on a number of levels. I too try not to eat processed foods, I also eat fresh, and organic when possible. I love that she includes her children in the cooking process, I try my best to do the same! 

Okay, now onto my goal. No, I'm not trying to copy "Julie" from the well known book and film "Julie and Julia", but I do need some motivation to start cooking again. It's healthier, cheaper and also some what therapeutic. 

Here's my objective: To cook one meal a week from Gwyneth's cook book! I can't promise I'll finish the entire book but I'll do my best! I'll often take photos and share my results and even my son's critique when possible! Fingers crossed that this spurs my desire to cook and make cooking fun again! Happy June! xx. Julie

December - Book of the Month

This month's recommended read is a no-brainer. {i'm sure you've seen it on Blogland already}  It's Style by Lili Diallo. Lili was one of the fabulous stylists behind the beautiful pages of Domino. What better to help you with your home then secrets from the best. If I hadn't become a designer I think I would have opted to be a Shelter or Fashion magazine stylist. They create amazing moments with their creative eye and ingenious ideas. Love it! This one is on my holiday "wish list" for sure. Books are one of my favorite gifts to give and receive!

Isn't Lili's logo great?? so original!

A glimpse of Lili's work: 

{damn there's that Chesterfield again!}

November - Recommended Reading

I can never resist a beautifully set table. In honor of the upcoming holiday season, I'm recommending Alberto Pinto's Table Settings. His book is packed with inspiring ideas and tips! I would love to start a collection of mixed vintage dishes and glasses..My issue right now is storage! I'll think of something. At the moment, I'm feeling like I need to overhaul my life, get rid of unused "stuff" and refine my belongings. Big, unexpected life changes force you to sort of analyze your life and well being don't they?

Have a great day!

Of note: I wish I could go...

I wish I could jet to NYC to see Mary on the 25th...lucky you if you live near by!

September - Book Of The Month

Don't be fooled by the warm weather; scarf season is upon us. I'm sure by next week it will drop to a 55 crisp degrees in Boston. If you read my blog with any regularity then you probably know I love to layer my outfits with scarfs from time to time; that coupled with the fact that I am teaching retail design this semester, I am quite fashion store and design obsessed right now. Hence, my choice for this month's "recommended read". The Hermes Scarf, History and Mystique. It's a visual collection and history of the Hermes scarf. {plus it will make a statement on your empty coffee table, I'm especially loving the cover of the "limited" edition book pictured below}

and the limited edition version.

forget my neck, purse candy or belt option, I may have to run out and purchase a piece of silk for my wall..{it's cheaper then most of the paintings I am drawn to but still a piece of fashion history, right?}

{love the idea of framing a scarf for my bedroom wall!}

Picture Perfect - Room of the week

Often all white rooms can feel flat, the key is to vary the shades of white and texture in the space! Mary McDonald has done so beautifully with this bedroom...the gorgeous canopy bed is fit for a queen! I am anxiously awaiting the release of Mary's new book, The Allure of Style. It's set to release on October 5th! A couple of weeks before my Birthday, so this one's officially on the "wish list"

ONE WORD

Dreaming

of where I'd like to be right now.........{can you guess in which moment in time?}

Most of you have probably heard of or love {like I do} the work of photographer extraordinaire Slim Aarons. He is best known for capturing beautiful people enjoying the "good life". His use of light, attention to detail and architectural backdrops are stunning. His three books listed below are on my wish list! I'm always looking to build my design library!

Image: from the fabulous Mrs. Lillien styling house

THREE BOOKS - JUNE'S RECOMMENDED

I have a love for food, cooking and entertaining..there's something about creating food with your own ideas and hands and enjoying the outcome with friends and family that feeds the soul. I thoroughly delight in sipping a glass of wine, while planning and preparing a meal for simply my family or a party of twenty..{although I will admit that's a bit more stressful}. Besides during the holidays, I seem to entertain more throughout the summer, so I couldn't settle on one fabulously, inspirational entertaining/cook book, so I've opted to share three!

The always perfectly pulled together designer Joe Nye has taken his talents to the table this Spring with a wonderful book on table settings, flowers and amazing party planning ideas with his recently released book Flair. The divine cover is just a hint of what lies inside this jem of a book.

My second choice is from caterer extraordinaire to the stars, Lulu Powers, her simple, beautiful, straightforward creations will inspire you all year long. I love the fresh, clean ideas in this book!

{click to enlarge - yum..i love million dollar anything!}

This U.K. born former model and chef has created a brilliant {like that} mix of delicious recipes organized around the four seasons!

Enjoy, Bon Appetite + Happy Weekend!

Julie

Images: All images from the listed designer's site.

Can you imagine?

having seven children and the time for a thriving design build business in New York City and beyond? no I can't either..pretty impressive. Bob and Cortney Novogratz have just that; I've previously posted about this amazing family and the release of their book "Downtown Chic" here. Now you can follow Sixx Design undertake their design projects over the course of six months in an eight episode series. Some of the rehabbed spaces include a Hamptons farm house, an East Village townhouse and their own home. Sixx Design

9 by Design premieres on April 13 at 11 pm on Bravo and moves to 10 pm ET/pt on Tuesday April 20

here's the family and some snapshots of their own home!

A slice of boudoir heaven...

If I were Samantha the good witch and could wiggle my nose and create the ultimate boudoir for myself this pretty much would be it!

Claudia Strassers The Paris Apartment book was first published 16 years ago, but to me it NEVER gets old. I've mentioned on many occasions this book has been my bed companion for a long time and even travelled with me to Europe as I couldn't bear to part with it. Pages 74 and 75 are almost permanently open on my dressing table and often when passing I find myself wishing I could dive into those glossy pages.

(please click images to enlarge)

I love absolutely everything about this room, from the parquetry floors to the 12 foot high ceilings, The recessed shelving for books and treasures complete with pelmet framing. The sheepskin rugs, the painted Louis furniture, the tufted tub chairs, the silk sumptuous fabrics, the turquoise vases and the grand sparkling chandelier! I know swags and tails in most bedrooms can look completely over the top but in a room this grand how could you have anything less? Ok perhaps I would hide the speakers.

This room is feminine and sexy and romantic but without being sickly girly. I think a man might even enjoy sleeping there ;)

As a studio apartment it triples as a living room, bedroom and office. I adore the use of the three seperate spaces with the sumptuous inviting bed taking centre stage.

Oh I need to find me a tall set of drawers like that!

I thought I'd finish with another one of my favourite images from Claudia's book. Would you feast your eyes on this treasure trove?! You would have to call security to force me to leave such a place. It actually reminds me alot of Vintage Glamour in Enmore, Sydney. I could spend hours rummaging through that store :)

If you haven't already bought this book you are missing out! It truly is a slice of heaven :)

The Paris Apartment book

The Paris Apartment blog

p.s I received an email today from one of my idols that lifted me to new heights......Thank you so very much! :)