A Few New Book Recommendations

 

One of my favorite blogs is The House of Edward, written by interior designer Pamela Terry.  Pamela started her blog a year after me, so she’s been at it for over four years now.  Although she is an interior designer by trade, her blog is filled with essays instead of design pictures.   The essays cover all topics – some sad, some poignant, others  wistful, or just plain funny.  Recently, Pamela collected her favorite essays and put them in book form – accompanied by illustrations of her big fluffy white dog Edward and herself – done by Amber Alexander.  

 

“From The House of Edward – Essays by Pamela Terry”

 

Pamela and her muse, Edward.  Below, please enjoy an essay from her book!  Be forewarned – after reading the essay you will be yearning to host a fall dinner party for a few dear friends:

 

After the Dinner Party

The guests are all gone and the dishes are done.  The cottage speaks only in whispers now, in the muffled tick tock tick of the old clock in the bookcase, in the now and then crackle of the diminishing blaze still slightly aglow within the stone fireplace.  Edward dozes at my feet as I sit comfortably curled like a cat, deep in the arms of the orange velvet chair, sipping a toddy that is warm and so sweet. The playful personality of the midnight wind has changed since the arrival of November.  It sounds more serious somehow, moving through the black leaves outside with a purpose, sending shadows through the window panes, muted grey dancers that silently waltz round the candlelit walls.  I watch them move and imagine the music only they can hear.  Surely, this is the essence of contentment.  It had been the best sort of day.  One spent chopping and slicing, stirring and tasting; a day decorated with antique china and pink flowers, old-fashioned music and red, red wine, happy dog snapping under the chairs of happy dinner guests.  The cottage had been redolent with the cozy fragrances of fresh apple pie, crusty bread, boeuf bourguignon simmering in a fat red pot – the menu I had promised for the first truly cold weekend of autumn. There had been spirited talk of books and of movies, music and Christmas, of Italian landscapes, bagpipes and Renaissance art.  Cooking for friends, making them welcome, is such a satisfying occupation at any season of the year, but especially just now.  When the nights become longer and the temperature drops it seems that a spirit of merriment knocks at the door, a woodland sorcerer clad in robes of crimson leaves and cardinal feathers whose talent is pure hospitality.  I am happy to serve as his apprentice.  An elegant soul, he is a bit more formal than his counterparts of summer, those alfresco fairies of barefoot spontaneity and pink champagne.  No, he seems to prefer dressier occasions - richer colours, richer foods.  He is all red roses and tapestry, mulled wine and dark chocolate - his candles are scented with chestnuts and pomegranate, and he hides the recordings of Debussy, preferring to fill the house with Mozart instead.  A most convivial fellow, I highly recommend giving him free rein in your household all season long.  I promise you shall have even more fun than your guests.

 

To order Pamela’s book of essays, please go HERE.    The beautifully styled book would make a perfect Christmas gift for that special someone who loves to read novels or poetry.   Enjoy!!

 

Next -

 

 

This book – all about Fortuny fabrics – is drop dead gorgeous.  Gorgeous!   The cover alone is to die for.  It’s filled with pictures of interiors that used Fortuny’s stunning fabrics – and one page is prettier than the next.  

 

The interiors are beautiful and luscious.

 

 

In Malibu, Fortuny is unexpectedly mixed with rough woods.  Love!

 

 

Blue and orange mixed together – one of my favorite pictures from the book.

 

 

Just a few touches of Fortuny.

 

I love this picture because it shows my favorite transferware pattern – yellow and black.   I’m lucky to have one plate of it!

 

 

Walls lined in Fortuny – what could be better?

If you are a fan of the fabric, the book is a must have!

Order by clicking below:

 

 

If you are a fan of opulence, you will love this book, the latest by the prolific Diane Dorrans Saeks.   I knew I had a lot of books by Saeks, but until I was alphabetizing my design books for the new library – I had no idea how many books of Saeks I actually owned!   She has really written a lot of great books through the years.  Her latest book captures interiors by Ann Getty – her own and those for designed for others.  The interiors are worthy of royal families – I’m not sure even they live with such beauty.  Each accessory, painting, fabric, furniture is the finest available.  It’s a real treat to immerse yourself in spaces like these where everything is just magnificent. 

 

 

A desk, made in the 1700’s for a Medici Pope, now lives in Getty’s bedroom.   This is my favorite room in the book.  It’s incredible.   

 

 

In a house designed for a young couple, a gorgeous red chinoserie desk is mixed with pink toile.  That chair!  I love how the exquisite desk is mixed with a common textured rug. 

 

 

 

Another personal favorite – that silk velvet tiger fabric was custom made.  Of course.  To die for!  The gilt shelf with oriental accessories – whoa.  Gorgeous. 

 

If you like to dream….this is for you:

 

 

AND….

 

Kathryn Ireland’s fourth and latest book is now out.  It features 8 houses that Ireland designed.

 

 

One of the eight, is this California house that reminds me a bit of her Ojai house!  Love the curtains separating the two living rooms.

 

 

Typically Kathryn:  relaxed, warm and inviting interiors.

 

 

Love this dining room she designed using two different fabrics on the chairs. 

 

 

This four poster is just amazing.

 

AND on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 – Bravo’s Million Dollar Decorators is BACK!!!  YEAH!!!  I think this is my favorite TV show EVER!!!  Everyone from the first season is back, except for poor Nathan Turner!  Awww.   I wonder why he’s not returning?  AND, it appears that Mary McDonald and Kathryn Ireland teamed up on a project with disastrous results.  I can’t imagine why they even tried – their styles are SO different.  To get a sneak peek at the new season – watch this video HERE.  Fireworks!!!!  Can NOT wait!!!!!!!

To order Kathryn’s newest book, click below:

 

Until next time!