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Objects of Desire, by Maria Hummer-Tuttle

As always, the change of seasons brings with it many delights, not the least of which is an abundance of new design books to add to our personal collections. I happened to come across a stunning new book that is both a visual treat and an object of beauty in its own right that I’d like to share a glimpse of with you. Objects of Desire, by Maria Hummer-Tuttle, is a personal celebration of the hunt for – and the joy of – living with favorite collections and things – concepts as universal as our drives to dwell and decorate. The premise of this book is centered around the questions:

What is it in our homes that we truly value and why? What would you take when you leave in fear of fire? 

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Tips for Sewing a Pillow Cover with an Invisible Zipper Closure

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn a commission on all qualifying purchases. Thank you!

For many of us, sewing is a relaxing hobby that can prove quite useful when decorating our homes.  After sorting out some of the architectural projects at our house, I could finally ease myself into thinking about all the lovely layers that only fabric can add to a house (throw pillows, window treatments and upholstery) and being able to sew most of them myself has made all the difference. So, in an effort to bring you content that is both authentic and (hopefully) useful, I wanted to share with you my latest project – sewing pillow covers with an invisible zipper closure – with the hope that it will inspire / encourage some of you to learn a new skill that will empower you to make some lovely things for your home. For many of you experienced seamstresses, chances are sewing on an invisible zipper is a basic skill you mastered years ago. But for beginners like me, figuring this one out feels like a triumph worth celebrating, and therefore the results worth a bit of showing off 🙂 . So, if you’re interested and would like to sew some fun throw pillows of your own, with a neat invisible zipper closure, read on to see how I did it and how you can, too.

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The Collected Cottage, by Kathryn Greeley

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Here’s a book many of you will love – Kathryn Greeley ’s The Collected Cottage: Gardening, Gatherings and Collecting at Chestnut Cottage. If you’ve ever found yourself on Pinterest searching for images of cozy cottages and traditional interiors, chances are you’ve come across images of Chestnut Cottage, Kathryn Greeley ’s beloved home in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Known for her exquisite hostess skills as well as her knack for crafting homes steeped in tradition, Greeley dedicates her book to both – entertaining and design – because what’s the use of a beautiful home without the laughter of friends and family to fill its rooms? 

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Our Home | New Bamboo Shades for Our Library 

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On the market for some beautiful bamboo shades? If you are, there’s a chance today’s post might interest you. Earlier this year, when I shared glimpses of our (then) newly painted family room, several of you reached out asking about the woven roller shades we used, and I felt bad for not being able to share them. Not because I didn’t want to, but because I wasn’t sure I loved them and therefore couldn’t recommend them wholeheartedly. They were pretty, they were affordable, and shipping was quick – all sensitive points as we were coming out of a pandemic – but they weren’t perfect. Some of the slats arrived chipped / broken and, although  these imperfections didn’t bother me so much, I didn’t want to recommend them unless I truly loved them and knew you would too. 

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A House Party in Tuscany | Villa Arniano

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I recently got my hands on a new book called A House Party in Tuscany and was reminded of just how much I love the interiors and gardens of Villa Arniano, interior designer Camilla Guinness’s farmhouse in Tuscany. Have you seen it? A House Party in Tuscany – Recipes, Stories and Art from Arniano was written by Amber Guinness, Camilla’s daughter and a self-taught cook, as part memoir, part cookbook and part love letter to a family home designed around beautiful things, gracious people and delicious, Italian-inspired, cuisine. Stunning interiors and mouth-watering recipes… Does it get any better than that?

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