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Don’t you just love old decorating books, especially those on cottage style? Even if some of them are dated and feature rooms that may seem irrelevant for the way we live today, they can serve as excellent guides on the short life of trends vs. the staying power of good design. Perusing old bookstores and finding hidden treasures is one of my favorite pastimes and although I rarely get the chance anymore, I do enjoy browsing the shelves of local antiquarians and make up for lost time when I do. On my way home from the dentist the other day (ouch!), I stopped by one of my favorite booksellers in town and was rewarded with a little gem I’d love to share with you today. It’s an old decorating book that perhaps many of you already have, or know about – Putting the Heart in Your Home – Decorating That Nurtures Your Soul by Jean LemMon, published in 2004.
How can anyone resist a title like that? I couldn’t, especially after a glimpse of what was inside, so I took it home and read it almost in one sitting. If a book could feel like a comfortable old sweater or a hug, it would be this one. Although some of the decorating is a bit dated, every room pictured is warm and pretty, and carries with it decorating lessons that are applicable today, eloquently presented by LemMon.
I loved her writing so much that I wanted to find out more about who she was, and I’m glad I did. An award-winning design journalist and editor-at-large for Better Homes & Gardens during that golden age of design magazines in the early 90s, she was also an accomplished interior designer with decades of experience creating, writing and presenting beautiful homes. She passed away in 2018.
When all is said and done, Jean LemMon’s book strikes a cord not because of the interiors (which are lovely) but because of its philosophy, which is long-lasting and touching. It highlights the importance of charm in decorating, that elusive quality that can turn even the humblest of dwellings into a beautiful, interesting and welcoming space. With a conversational tone that draws you in and keeps you hooked, LemMon highlights something that I’m sure many of you have discovered on your own: that it’s not necessarily about how a room looks like, or how much it costs to put together, but how it makes us feel. Truly inspiring rooms make us feel a certain way – at home, at ease, inspired and protected – and appeal to all our senses combined. And the good news is that this kind of decorating has only one rule – surround yourself with things you love and find beautiful, no matter their value.
Anyway, I hope you give this book a try. It seems to be out of print but if you’re interested, you can find used copies on Amazon here. (And if you do purchase it, let me know how you like it! )
Happy Wednesday!
I couldn’t agree more! So warm and inviting and reminds me of your own little cottage. What a great find!
Author
Thank you so much, Laurie! xo, Eva
Hi Eva!
Well, I DO have that book, and have always gravitated to it when in need of some ‘comfort’ reading. It’s everything you described. I bought it when first published, as I happened to already be familiar with Jean LemMon from her role as Editor of “Better Homes and Gardens.” Her monthly Editor pages were always a joy to read and set the tone for the content that followed. I loved her style then, and now. I was not aware she had passed. Thank you for this most relatable post…going to go pull my copy off the bookshelf right now!
Author
Thank you so much, Jo Ann! I am happy to hear you can relate to this post and are familiar with the book, and LemMom’s work. It is ‘comfort’ reading at it’s best, as you put it so well.
xo, Eva
You’re right — those were the golden years! I am very familiar with her work from BHG and other books and always found it so warm and welcoming and accessible. I just picked up a book from 1997 the other day, and there is still TONS of inspiration that is applicable today.
Great post – again!
I can’t tell you how much I look forward to these, Eva.
Linda
Author
Aww!Thank you so much for that, Linda! Your words are much appreciated!
And I told you this before – I love your new garden shed and woodland garden, they look beautiful together!
xo, Eva
I totally agree, there’s always something more to learn. And I remember Jean LemMon from those shelter magazine days. You may lso0 want t0o take a look at Mary Emerging, who was making a name for herself then and continues to lay a role now. I wrote a blog abut here here: https://ivyandironstone.com/2016/06/12/my-first-design-crush/
Thanks for sharing your design book choices. They really feed my creativity.
Author
Thank you so much for the reference, Janet! I love to discover new designers and authors to learn from and I noticed she has several books on country style decorating. Do you have a favorite book by her? Which ones would you recommend ordering?
Thank you! xo, Eva
I recently got that out of the library, and your remarks are exactly right. Thanks for sharing it.
Author
Thank you for letting me know, Yarrow! Happy to hear it! xo, Eva
Oh my gosh! I have never heard of LemMon, but I recognized some of the images you shared from tear sheets that I still have today. I agree with everything you said about the coziness of her rooms. I’m definitely going to get her book. Thank you for sharing!
Author
Hi, Sheena! Thank you so much for your comment, I’m happy to hear that some of the rooms in this book are familiar to you! Let me know how you like the book!
xo, Eva
My sister bought this book for me as a birthday gift when it was first published, and I have never been able to bring myself to let it go even though it isn’t exactly current. I’m so glad you featured it and pointed out all of the great looks that are still what some of us love!
Author
Thank you for sharing that, Paula! How wonderful that you still have this book and that it was gift from your sister. I would never part with it either… xo, Eva