Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
Suzanis have been used a lot in Western decoration during the last decade or so but there is more to these textiles than meets the eye. I absolutely adore their vibrant colors and detailed craftsmanship, and how they can instantly awaken a space. Used as throws or pillow covers, these embroideries add something special to a room and I thought we can take a closer look at how & why suzanis were made.
View PostDisclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
A book I return to often, not just for the pictures, but for the character and spirit of its writer, Folly de Grandeur – Romance and Revival in the English Country House is a joy to read, learn from and be inspired by. Written about a historic home called The Hunting Lodge that Haslam had leased from the National Trust for over two decades, and that was prior in the care of legendary English decorator John Fowler, the book offers an intimate portrait of a house and its surrounding gardens brimming with history and charm. This is a story anglophiles will absolutely love.
View PostDisclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
Reading designer Markham Roberts’ piece on Thank-You notes and how they helped launch his successful interior design career, in the current issue of Veranda magazine, I was reminded of just how much I enjoy his two books, Decorating the Way I See It and Notes on Decorating. I already did a post on his second book, but it occurred to me that I have yet to share with you his first. Although I may be terribly late to this party, some books, just like wine, only get better with time. Markham Roberts’ first book, Decorating the Way I See It was published by Vendome Press in 2014 and remains a fabulous reference I reach for often. Not only are the rooms a treat, but the topics covered are great education to anyone interested in decorating.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
Let’s face it, sofas are a big ticket item in our home decor budget and spending a bit more on a high quality one, if we can afford it, is good investment. A timeless silhouette with great bones that is both beautiful and comfortable is really what where’re after when we buy sofas; something we can take with us from one stage of life into the next, updated, slipcovered or recovered as necessary. Here are five timeless sofa styles that I believe make great investments.
View PostBlue and white Chinese porcelain is everywhere these days and although it has all the characteristics of a trend, it is also a timeless decorative element that’s been around for centuries. The difference is that in the past it only graced the shelves of grand houses and knowledgeable collectors. Unfortunately, truly antique Chinese porcelain, and we’re talking 100+ years old pieces, are rare and therefore command a serious price tag, as witnessed by this incredible story of someone finding a $35 blue and white bowl at a yard sale, a bowl that turned out to be a fine 15th-century piece that later sold at auction for over $700,000.
View Post