Take a moment, really an hour!, to listen to this week’s Skirted Roundtable interview with interior design maven, Phoebe Howard. Mrs. Howard joins Linda, Megan and me to discuss design, business, and her new book – The Joy of Decorating. She has a most unusual story to tell about how she ended up in the business – it might surprise you to learn how long she’s been an designer. I was, for sure!
One thing I’ve learned since we’ve been interviewing these power house designers is just how driven, Type A personalities, they all are. Mrs. Howard is no exception. Her schedule is back breaking – I have no idea how she finds time to brush her teeth in the morning, she is that busy. And, on top of that – her husband is also an interior designer, so she truly lives the life 24/7.
Besides all her duties, somehow Mrs. Howard found time to write a beautiful design book. It isn’t just pretty pictures, the words are worth reading. Still, the images are some of the prettiest in the industry. No one does pretty as well as Mrs. Howard does. Page after page, each room is more beautiful than the next and this is no exaggeration.
I especially love this room because I have one of those rare yellow and black transferware plates (that’s all I could find!)
Although the cover of her book is navy and white, Phoebe tells us she prefers this type of color scheme the best – light creams, blues and greens all blended together.
I love how she usually adds one printed fabric in a sea of solids.
Her bedrooms are especially soothing.
Mrs. Howard discusses how her decorating style is different than her husband’s. There’s a bit of a rivalry between them and it’s fun to hear her talk about their two aesthetics.
The book is available here and on the Skirted Roundtable web site. NOTE: While the book is cheaper on Amazon, it does NOT include Mrs. Howard’s paint chart!! The paint chart is only available when you order the book from our web sites or from Mrs. Howard’s web site. The paint chart is really an invaluable tool. It includes all her favorite colors and which company they come from. It’s a handy addition for the decorator or the homeowner. For me – the paint chart has been worth the price of the book! I find myself referring to it over and over again.
To listen to the Skirted Roundtable interview with Phoebe Howard, please go HERE. As always, we truly appreciate you taking time out of your busy day to listen.
THE SKIRTED ROUNDTABLE INTERVIEW
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The one things I most enjoy about Phoebe's stores is the fact that you can shop there without being pestered by over zealous sales personnel. They are beautifully appointed and inspiring places to spend an afternoon. I could not help but notice Phoebe's aversion to slipcovers because of wrinkles and improper fit. Silence. . . .pause. . . Max may be for the younger set, but it exudes sophistication and high end style. Mrs. Howards offers shoppers the opportunity to mix two great looks. There is one downside, however, which may be helped with her new line of furnishings. Nothing ever seems to change at the stores. They sell from the floor, but immediately replace sold items with the exact item. I hear this complaint constantly. You have to assume when shopping there, that those lovely lamps, artwork, sconces, etc., have been sold multiple times unless they are true antiques.
ReplyDeletethat was one thing i didn't agree with her at all. i could never put white or cream sofas in a family room unless it was leather or slipped. period. i can't imagine. my sofa gets dirty just from people sitting on it in their clothes. you wash your pants... that really surprised me. the linen wrinkle issue is an issue though for some people. cotton is a good alternative if that bothers you.
DeleteI wish this podcast had been 2 hours long - Phoebe is so interesting and inspiring. I love her ethereal, soothing interiors.
ReplyDeleteI have followed Mrs. Howard for years, too. Each time I see new rooms/homes that she has designed, in a magazine, I just drink it in ... slowly. You put it right, Joni, her bedrooms are soothing and my favorite colors are "sea glass colors", so I'm drawn to her color palette. I read in a recent article that she designs the bedroom for the lady of the house. Just beautiful. I'm looking forward to getting her book and thank you for the direction to get the book from her so that we get the paint chart. Can't wait to listen to "The Skirted Roundtable" today.
ReplyDeleteJoni I am so excited to read her book. Each image is gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteThe first image and the bedroom are calling out to me.
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Her rooms are so peacefully beautiful...timeless as they say. Thanks for the clarification about ordering the book / paint colors. I would have missed out on that if I had not read this. VIP info.
ReplyDeleteI love her work! Can't wait to read the book!
ReplyDeleteHer rooms are always gorgeous and if I remember correctly she's a self taught designer. Just goes to prove some people are born to design. I can't wait to have a listen tonight and I need to order that book!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your day!
XX
Debra~
Hi Joni,
ReplyDeleteI am listening to SRT as I write this, it is very enjoyable and I LOVE her rooms. This lady is a design genius. I love the soft colors that she has used in the photos that you have here. I for one love the softer neutral colors, too. Thank you for the SRT.
Hugs, Cindy
I just ADORE Phoebe Howard. I wish I lived in the south and I would beg her to work in her store for free. :)
ReplyDeleteI bought the book from Phoebe. To get it to Canada, it was $40 plus $20 shipping and then when the damn thing arrived, I had to pay $32 to Canada (bloody) Customs. So I got her book - for $92. Thank God it had the paint chart in it.
I am listening to the podcast in my car today, on the way to work. I almost went off the road visualizing her rooms while I was driving. Happy....
:)
xo Terri
Couldn't a friend ship it to you for cheaper?
DeleteTerri = I think you might need to just move here. that's absurd!!!!! oy!
DeleteTerri, I'm in Toronto and my US client had a drapery panel sent to by UPS and she had assigned a $200 insurance value to it which tripped off a $36 customs charge on it. The second time my client shipped, I asked her just to put a nominal insurance value on it and I wasn't charged any custom fee at all.
DeleteI was also told I could apply back for the original charge. Try it.
Cheers!
Bianca
This is a really great blogs....stinking love it!!!!
ReplyDeleteWow I just Pinned some of her work this morning. Bravo Phoebe. I enjoy everyone of your rooms. My greatroom was so close to her work I had to call my daughter to see it... Love her work.
ReplyDeleteI bought the book through your website, so thank you for the discount. Her work is gorgeous and understated...a lovely mix of colors and textures. Swoon-worthy.
ReplyDeleteBut one quibble...I opened her paint chart and was astonished to see that some of the colors she uses do NOT match up to my Benjamin Moore Paint deck colors...not even close on a couple of them. Could be mighty confusing to an unsuspecting user?? Otherwise, a lovely book and I'm grateful to you, Joni, for showcasing her talent. Thanks!
don'tknow what to say. could be a difference in printing techniques? I think I would go with the BM paint sample. for instance, if she says she uses a BM chip - then check the color against BM's chart. not sure what else you could do. I haven't noticed that issue.
DeleteIn the podcast, Phoebe said she mixed her own colors some time. Is it possible that the chip is her color and not necessarily one from the BM fan deck.
DeleteOften painters will ask, "do you want the chip matched or do you want the formula". If you like the chip, match it.
DeleteWonderful! She is one of my favorites, cannot wait for book signing in NYC!!Love the post!!
ReplyDeleteThe interview was wonderful Joni! I missed the part about the paint chart only coming with books from her shop when you initially posted on it, and sadly missed out on that. Linen slips literally being sewn in the next room as I type!! And, I must say that for me, the "wrinkles" are part of the appeal!
ReplyDeleteI left this comment over on TSR, but no reply so I'll ask here. I'm trying to get my two fav interviews (Brooke and Stephen Drucker) back on my ipod, but can't find them over at itunes to download. Are they not available for downloading any longer? I like to listen to y'all in the car- y'all make car trips go by faster;)
hope you are well!
xojoan
I bought Phoebe's book a while ago from her website...plus one for my friend and had it autographed. Just such lovely work. She is awesome.
ReplyDeleteI am familiar with one of the houses in the book. It is a lovely property designed by Bobby McAlpine. It came together prior to occupancy in a dust storm of landscaping, moving and installation. One of the contractors on the job (drapery), was not paid for several months and when pressure was applied to Phoebe for payment, the payment was sent post haste and the costs of postage was subtracted from the initial billing. Not very professional or ethical from my point of view. Her reputation for lovely rooms is well deserved, but her reputation for high handed dealings with both clients and vendors is also legendary.
ReplyDeleteLovely home! I love the neutral colors in the house. It is indeed a very nice post.
ReplyDeleteVery nice elements,I loved the stone wall with the huge arched window. I happen to prefer bookshelves which reflect a balance its collections; both side to side as well as up and down,allowing the objects to speak to one another without rehearsed mimicking.
ReplyDeleteSomewhat parallels selling a piece of furniture then replacing it with the identical article...consistent.
Symmetry is beautiful when done effectively as in the picture you reference above, anon.
DeleteSelling the same pieces of furniture over and over in the same fabrics, the same accessories, lamps, etc., is not consistent, it's bad business. People who shop for their homes on a regular basis soon get it figured out.
One of my very favorite homes on your blog. Loved what she does. And that bedroom is heavenly!
ReplyDelete