Book Review: Spruce Upholstery & Design by Amanda Brown

One of my favorite things to do here on my blog are book reviews. I have a gazillion design books stacked all over my apartment and couldn't be more thrilled to add this one to my ever growing collection: Spruce, A Step-by-Step Guide to Upholstery & Design, written by the fabulous Amanda Brown. Amanda is the founder and owner of Spruce, a custom upholstery shop in Austin, Texas. If you love upholstery and/or want to learn more about the topic, DIY projects and design, this book is for you! This book will walk you through five advanced projects that will collectively teach you how to tackle any modern-day upholstery project, along with how to make custom pillows and more!

Book Review

Spruce, A Step-by-Step Guide to Upholstery and Design by Amanda Brown

I really enjoyed reading Amanda's personal story on how she went from knowing nothing about reupholstering a piece of furniture to quitting her day job and starting her own business that has become wildly successful. I have an obsession with wanting to makeover old thrift shop chairs and ugly old sofas, but don't have the slightest clue on how to do so. I look forward to learning more from Spruce and hopefully tackling my very own DIY upholstery project one day. Get your copy here and happy upholstering!

[All images were taken by me of the inside of my copy of the book Spruce, by Amanda Brown]

Check out the other exciting reviews by bloggers 
for the official "Spruce Blog Tour":

 Bromeliad
How About Orange
Our Humble Abode
Inside Store
HGTV's Design Happens 
Seventh House on the Left
Making It Lovely
Our Style Stories
 4 Men 1 Lady
 

Book Review: Ann Getty: Interior Style

What a fabulous book to review! Ann Getty: Interior Style, by Diane Dorrans Saeks, is a beautiful book filled with tons of inspiring images of Ann Getty's work. Ann Getty is described as an influential designer and philanthropist, as well as one of the world's leading art collectors and connoisseurs. "Fluent in classical styles and and periods and known for sourcing her vast array of objects and opulent materials from across the globe, Getty creates interiors that are steeped in historical style yet remain fresh and vibrant for today's clientele."

Now I'll be honest - at first glance of this book I thought, wow, her style is way too ornate and traditional for my taste, however after taking time to flip though each page, I was blown away! Many of her interiors are very ornate and have many, many layers - there's nothing simple about them. But after studying each space, I really developed an appreciation for the beauty and attention to detail of every space she designs. Nothing is overlooked. If you're a design enthusiast and have a passion and appreciation for all facets of design, you will love Ann Getty: Interior Style!

Here are a few snapshots I took of the book of some of my favorite images. Are you familiar with Ann Getty's work? Click here to learn more about this book and/or to purchase!

 

[IMAGE SOURCE: ANN GETTY: INTERIOR STYLE BY DIANE DORRANS SAEKS // PHOTOGRAPHED BY LISA ROMEREIN // PUBLISHER: RIZZOLI]

xoxo,

Book Review: Around Beauty by Barbara Barry

Thanks to the fabulous team at Rizzoli, I had the pleasure of reviewing Barbara Barry's very first book, Around Beauty, and absolutely loved it. Barbara Barry was one of the first designers that caught my eye and became a favorite when I was in design school. She has such a signature style. Clean, crisp, beautiful, elegant, balanced, timeless - all of these words come to mind when I see her work. Around Beauty is centered around the very thing that inspires Ms. Barry on a daily basis: beauty. The first sentence of the book she says, "when I think about what moves me most in life, it's beauty." Ms. Barry takes you on a journey through her design approach, process and all of the things that inspire her along the way. Through Barbara's eyes, you can find beauty and inspiration just about anywhere - through a blooming peony, a turning leaf, a snail's shell, a single piece of furniture in a room, watercolor - you just have to take the time to notice those small details so many of us overlook on a daily basis. Each chapter is filled with stunning photos of interiors and close-ups of the fine details that make the space so special. She walks you through some of her amazing projects, including her own home, and let's you in on the process of how everything came together, what inspired the color scheme, and much more.

In Barbara’s world, every detail is harmonious. Comprehensive and beautifully designed, this unique book is a collector’s piece for all design fans. I'm obsessed with design books and this is one just became one of my favorites. If you have a passion for design and beautiful things, you will really enjoy Around Beauty, I promise you that! Below are some snapshots I took to give you a peak inside the book. Enjoy!

[BOOK: AROUND BEAUTY BY BARBARA BARRY / PHOTOGRAPHED BY DAVID MEREDITH]

xo,

Book Review: Rhapsody by Kelly Wearstler

Happy Friday! I recently received a copy of Kelly Wearstler's brand new book, Rhapsody, and absolutely LOVE it! Her style has definitely evolved and changed over the years and I appreciate her incredibly creative eye for design and creating stunning and memorable interiors! This book is packed with breathtaking photos along with wonderful tips and notes by Kelly on her design process. Here's a snippet from the press release that best describes Rhapsody:  "Celebrated for luxurious interiors that are reminiscent of old-world Hollywood with a modern sensibility, Kelly Wearstler is known for her decadent residential designs and boutique hotels, including the Viceroys, Maison 140 and Avalon Hotel Beverly Hills. Wearstler’s ornate interiors are renowned for their layers of bold textures, patterns, and rich colors juxtaposed with lustrous surfaces, completing the whimsical and elegant look sought after. KELLY WEARSTLER: RHAPSODY, the designer’s fourth book, offers a look into Wearstler's glamorous world, profiling in detail her latest residential designs, including sumptuous new hotels along with her creative process."

Pick up your copy through Amazon! I'm still in Texas for Design Camp and look forward to getting back and sharing my trip with you! Have an amazing weekend :) xoxo - Julie

KELLY WEARSTLER: RHAPSODY 
PUBLISHED BY RIZZOLI USA
[ALL IMAGES COURTESEY OF RIZZOLI]

Book Review - Segreto:Secrets to Finishing Beautiful Interiors

I have an obsession with beautiful design books, as many of you do, and recently added a new one to my ever growing collection. I received a complimentary copy of Segreto: Secrets to Finishing Beautiful Interiors and have really enjoyed flipping through all 300 pages of inspiring spaces. Segreto Finishes is a premier decorative painting and plastering company in Houston, TX. Leslie Sinclair, the owner, self- published this book, which is filled with stunning interiors, focusing on why different finishes were chosen for different architectural and design styles.

Each chapter walks you through stunning homes that have plastered walls, stenciled ceilings, custom finished cabinetry and so much more! Although my style is usually more transitional and modern, the traditional interiors of this book are absolutely amazing and I'm left feeling inspired. It's a great reminder that there's so much more you can do with a wall than simply paint it! And custom finishes really do add that special touch to a surface. Below are some images from the book to give you an idea of what to expect. You can see more of the book and read personal notes from Leslie Sinclair on her blog  by clicking here.

Would you like to WIN a  copy of this gorgeous book? If so, please leave a comment at the end of this post! The winner will be announced next week. To purchase “Segreto: Secrets to Finishing Beautiful Interiors” from the website click here or to purchase through Amazon click here. Happy Friday and have a great weekend! xoxo - Julie

[IMAGES COURTESY OF SEGRETO FINISHES; IMAGES #4 AND #8 WERE TAKEN BY MY CAMERA OF THE BOOK ITSELF]

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Reader Giveaway: "If You Were Here" A Novel

I love getting into a good novel, although I don't do it often enough (never enough time!). When the marketing team of "If You Were Here" offered to send me an advanced copy to preview, I happily accepted! This book is an easy read, funny, exciting and easy to relate to...especially if you've ever taken on the challenge of renovating a home! Now you have the chance to win a copy for yourself. Read on for details about the book and how to enter...

"Author Jen Lancaster's long-awaited fiction debut - a novel that is as uproariously entertaining and laugh-out-loud funny as her beloved memoirs - has just launched in paperback. IF YOU WERE HERE is set in the same Chicago suburbs as John Hughes’ 80s movie classics like Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink. IF YOU WERE HERE follows Amish-zombie-teen-romance author Mia and her husband Mac (and their pets) through the alternately frustrating, exciting, terrifying - but always hilarious—process of buying and renovating their first home. Likewise, Jen and her husband have just gone through the same experience and Jen is available to talk renovations, John Hughes, and what it’s like being a city girl newly in the suburbs."

 One lucky winner will receive a paperback copy of this novel...all you have to do is leave a comment and the winner will be announced Tuesday, March 13th! Anonymous comments won't count unless you leave a name and email address. Good luck!
***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

About the Author: After a fall from designer handbags and spa visits to the unemployment line, Jen began detailing her experiences on her blog jennsylvania.com. Her acerbic wit quickly won the blog a massive following, and Bitter is the New Black, Lancaster’s first memoir, was born. Four memoirs later, Jen is a multiple New York Times bestselling author.

New Book Release: Live, Love & Decorate

Many of you may be familiar with Martyn Lawrence Bullard from the recent hit show on Bravo, Million Dollar Decorators. Martyn proved to be quite a character, often using words like "Daaaahling" (darling) and "Delicious." It was interesting to be able to take a peek into the life of an incredibly talented interior designer who has designed for top celebrities like Elton John, Cher, The Osbournes, Kid Rock, among many others. I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy of his first book, Live, Love & Decorate, which chronicles some of his most incredible projects to date and is filled with incredibly beautiful and inspiring images of his creations! "Drawn to glamour, Martyn Lawrence-Bullard, today’s Tony Duquette if you will, moved from London to Los Angeles to pursue acting, but became a star decorator instead, financing his way with a keen eye for flea market finds, which evolved into his hugely successful design business." If you're a design book junkie like myself, then you MUST get this book to add to your collection! To put it simply, it's Delicious Dahling :) Have a great weekend! xoxo - Julie

[IMAGE CREDITS: RIZZOLI; PHOTOGRAPHED BY TIM STREET-PORTER; IMAGE #2 VIA ANP; IMAGE #3 VIA JULIE THIGPEN]

Martyn Lawrence-Bullard: Live, Love, & Decorate, 
Rizzoli New York, 2011

Hardcover / 224 pages / 8½̎ x 11¾̎ / 200 color illustrations