Surprise! It’s A New Segreto!!

 

I am THRILLED to introduce Leslie Sinclair’s newest book – “Segreto Style!!”

Leslie is the owner of Segreto Finishes, the Houston based company that specializes in custom paint finishes for walls, cabinetry,  floors – and furniture.  Just a few years ago, Leslie branched out and wrote her first book,  “Segreto Secrets to Finishing Beautiful Interiors,” which has been my favorite design  book.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve used that book when looking for inspiration.

 

Leslie’s First Book Cover

 

 

And, here is the cover of Leslie’s newest book:  “Segreto Style”   The cover shows the beautiful hand painted finish on the cabinetry – this paint technique is a trademark of Segreto Finishes.

 

After the huge success of her first book, Leslie set out to write her second one entitled – “Segreto Style” and I have to say it’s even better than the first.  The houses shown are a bit more varied this time out.  Besides the Houston Look, there are many other design styles such as – Georgian, Modern, French, Romantic, Spanish Revival, Louisiana Inspiration, Nantucket Style – and more.  There is also a nice variety of interior designers and builders to match the different styles.   Throughout the book you will find many examples of Segreto finishes that add more to interiors than almost anything.  I still attest that Leslie’s interior stucco finish is the diamond on the ring, the icing on the cake, the hub cap on the tire.   OK, maybe not the hub cap!! 

The book is HUGE.  It’s large and thick and heavy.  It’s full - loaded with large images after larger images.  Lately for some reason I’m noticing that design books are shrinking.   Some of the newer books are tiny. But, not this one.  It will take you weeks to get through it all.   Weeks.  And I promise you will love every minute of it.  Here are a just a few images from Segreto Style:

 

This modern entry has the surprise of a green velvet tufted sofa in the stair hall by Munger Interiors.

 

Sarah West designed this guest cottage which is used both for company and for entertaining.

 

Richard Coleman designed this dining room using beautiful Gracie wallpaper.  So pretty!

 

I love this family room by Ellie Bale with antique doors and light blue fabrics.

 

In this bar, Segreto Finishes copied the homeowners’ favorite wine label and painted it under the sink:   Cote de Beaune!!  Love that name!!

 

A young girl’s hideaway, named after her friend that passed away.  Leslie’s company painted the floor in the large pattern.  Love this French styled sitting room.

 

 

Here are the details.  The book will be coming out this November 1.  You can pre-order it now.  I would suggest you get your order in as soon as possible – it’s going to be a popular item. 

First – here is a list of places and events where you can go and get your book signed and meet Leslie.  She’s so sweet – if you have never met her, try to come out!  You will love her!!!   These are dates in Houston – more dates elsewhere will be added soon.   HERE.

Second – here is a list of stores around the country where you will be able to purchase the book after November 1.  HERE.

Third – here is where you can preorder your book now.   When you order you will have to put down where you heard about the book, so just say Cote de Texas in that space.  ORDER HERE.

 

You can also still purchase her first book AND you will see on the order form that Leslie has a THIRD book coming out next year called “Segreto Vignettes.”    Can’t wait!   Leslie is amazing.  Three books.  Wow!!

 

Reading Idea For Today: Antique Shops & Designers

My own photograph of Donna Gray’s living room.

A few months ago, I took photographs of The Gray Door’s Donna Brown’s townhouse above her shop HERE. Now, I’m not a great photographer.  Everything I know about cameras I learned from tutorials on the internet and that is not saying a lot.  For a while I thought that the better, more expensive the camera – the better, more professional my photographs would look.  But – that isn’t the case.  There’s a reason why magazines and interior designers hire professional photographers to take pictures of houses...their images just look better!

When I took the pictures of Donna’s townhouse, I knew that the magazine Antique Shops & Designers had already taken their own photographs – hiring the wonderful Jack Thompson for the story.  And though I do love taking my own pictures – I couldn’t wait for you to see Thompson’s photographs of Donna’s rooms when the magazine went online, which it just very recently did.  His photographs show off her beautiful space so much better.

The cover of the new issue of Antique Shops & Designers.  The cover shows a new house designed by the editors of the magazine - Dot & Dana Design (713-254-3458).  I can’t wait until they show more of the house – maybe the next issue?!!  It looks gorgeous!!!

Here is the magazine’s view of Donna Brown’s living room.    OK.  It might not look that much different to you than my photograph – but all I can see is the flaws in mine!  I love how you can see both chandeliers in this view.  And the fireplace is lit – something we didn’t do, but then again, it was summer.  Still – it looks so much better lit.  My favorite part of the room is the gallery wall of paintings.  I love how she included the oil in the round, gilt frame and the antique mirror and it makes me want to copy this in my house.

Donna’s bedroom – great symmetry with the four frames surrounding the four poster bed.

Another story in this issue shows the townhouse of Renea Abbott and Greg Manteris.   While, we’ve seen the living room before – the pictorial shows rooms in the townhouse never seen before.  I loved finally seeing more rooms.

Leslie Sinclair of Segreto Finishes wrote this wonderful story about the color gray, probably THE color of this decade.  Look for really exciting news about Leslie coming here soon!!

And my other favorite story in this issue –  is this one about Tim Corrigan’s French estate – Chateau du Grand-Luce.  This is the back view of the mansion which overlooks acres and acres of parkland.  The interesting thing is that the front of the estate is located right in the middle of town.  Seeing this, you would think the house is in the countryside, but – the front gates are right off the main street.   The story of this large estate’s renovation is incredible and Corrigan wrote a book about it last year. 

Here’s a photograph from the magazine showing the main living room in the mansion. 

As usual, there are many more stories on art and design in this issue. 

To read the current issue of Antique Shops & Designers – go HERE. 

Enjoy!!!

If you are interested in reading Tim Corrigan’s book about the Chateau du Grand-Luce – just press the photograph below !

NEW GIVEAWAY FROM LOVEFEAST!

I am so thrilled to announce a new giveaway – a set of pumpkins from the LoveFeast Shop!  Do you see them?  I styled the pumpkins on top of a capital on my breakfront.   I had just recently accessorized the breakfront after I took away the TV that we never watched.  The pumpkins added the perfect touch!

Here they are a bit closer – notice that the fabric is new.  It’s not velvet, instead it’s this beautiful silver linen in a mix of subtle shades.

And here is a closeup:  A set of six pumpkins- these are easily dressed up or dressed down – whichever you want. 

And – if you win the giveaway, this set can be yours!

The new linen pumpkins come in a variety of 8 gold and silver colors.  Here are a few pictures of the color and size choices:

A beautiful mix of gold and silver linens:  silver sand, golden chevron, and sand chevron.

And here:  Silver snow, crystal chevron, and sterling linen options.

The LoveFeast Shop is filled with new items – décor and gift, kitchen and jewelry.  If you haven’t shopped their online store in a while – now is the perfect time!

From LoveFeast: 

I’m in love with these wooden platters that come in large and medium sizes.  These are made from French oak wine casks.

Another great object is Le Gateaux Closure – the perfect cloche. 

 

This is stunning – a fruit stand made of SLATE!!!  LOVE!!!

And, don’t forget, there are the velvet pillows in different colors and sizes.   Along with the pumpkins are the tiny acorn nests – seen above.

THE LOVEFEAST GIVEAWAY:

NOW, to enter the giveaway – all you have to do is go to the LoveFeast Shop – and look around.

Pick out your favorite item from their shop – and come back here to Cote de Texas.   Next, leave a comment telling me what your favorite item is – and that’s all!

You have until this Saturday, September 6th, at 11:59 to enter!!  

REMEMBER TO BE SURE AND INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS ON YOUR COMMENT, otherwise we won’t be able to send you your pumpkins.

A huge thank you to the LoveFeast Shop for their generosity in hosting this giveaway!