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Book Review :: Decorating The Way I See It by Markham Roberts

Book Review // Decorating The Way I See It // Markham Roberts #design #book #interiors

New York-based interior designer, Markham Roberts is bringing a fresh and modern approach to traditional and contemporary styles alike. Known for his ability to work in any design vernacular, Roberts trained with legendary decorator Mark Hampton for six years before launching his own design firm in 1997. Since then his career has skyrocketed. His work has been described as “the very definition of chic” and published in Architectural Digest, Domino, House Beautiful, and House & Garden – just to name a few. Roberts was also named to the elite AD100 earlier this year. For these reasons you can imagine how eager I was to get me hands on his newly released book, Decorating: The Way I See It. Simply put, it’s extraordinary.

First, I love how the book is organized. Rather than dishing out decorating advice, Roberts takes us step-by-step as he would a design project – from the floor plan to the color and pattern scheme to the furnishings and accessories. The 250+ pages showcases his work ranging from New York City apartments to sprawling country homes. The diversity, sophistication and exceptional personable touch he delivers project after project is truly outstanding. With over 300 stunning images, selecting ones to share with you was the hardest part of of this review, however here are a few of my favorites:

velvet turquoise walls // formal living room // markham robertsdecorating advice // Markham Roberts #designblue bedroom // designed by markham roberts #designblue formal living room // designed by markham roberts #blueformal dining room // markham roberts #interiors #dining

Markham, with his unflinching ease, his assured eye, his natural understanding of how a house should function, and his total lack of pretense, creates rooms that age well and are timeless. – Senga Mortimer – Editor at Large at House Beautiful

family room in earth tones // beams and wood plank wallsgreen velvet sofa // library // markham robertsgreen velvet settee // great room // markham roberts #design #greendaybed reading nook // home office // design by markham roberts

 

This last image with cozy daybed in a rich velvet is perhaps my favorite. Roberts designed the colorful office for a mom with four children, three dogs and a husband that works from home. The inviting niche sits is directly across from her desk and provides a quiet place of her own. I long for such a space!

I know you will adore this book and fall in love with Roberts’ work like I have. It’s an absolute must have for any design library. Don’t pass on this one!

happy decorating,

cristin

*photo credit: Nelson Hancock and courtesy of Vendome Press

 

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Read full story By on September 30, 2014 in Bedroom, bedrooms, book, book review, bookshelves, color, dining rooms, interior design, Interiors, Living Room, living rooms, patio furniture, upholstery, wallpaper, window treatments

My Chinoiserie Reading Nook

Recently Lulu & Georgia asked me and a few bloggers to be part of their Styling Five Ways series where we selected bookends and use them in our own home. Always thinking out of the box, I believe you don’t need a bookcase to create a special place to display books. So, I selected Lulu & Georgia’s darling elephant statue in a vibrant nectarine and topped it with some of my favorite decor books and paired it with a chic chinoiserie chair. It’s a super simple reading nook, but works!

chinoiserie elephant stool with books - Simplified Beeelephant stool in orange - Simplified Bee

Be sure to check out how other bloggers’ styled their homes with bookends here:

I Heart Organizing

The Inspired Room

A Piece of Toast

Design Darling

Lulu & Georgia Blog

Also, Lulu& Georgia is offering Free Shipping on all orders now through Friday, November 8th at 11:59pm EST … simply use discount code: BOOKWORM

Thank you Lulu & Georgia for including Simplified Bee in your series!

Happy Decorating,

Cristin

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Read full story By on November 7, 2013 in book, bookshelves, chinoiserie, Features, product review

Book Review: Beyond Chic

Recently I was sent a copy of another fantastic decor book that was recently released. Vendome Press’  Beyond Chic: Fashion Designers at Home by Ivan Terestchenko (author & photographer) takes us on private home tours of some of the most iconic people in fashion including Giorgio Armani, Yves Saint Laurent, Manolo Blahnik, Azzedine Alaïa, and yes, Coco Chanel.

Beyond Chic Book Review - Simplified Bee

What struck me most about these residences was the drastic range of styles – from minimal to wildly exotic, monochromatic to fearlessly vibrant, organized to utterly chaotic. In all cases and what I love the most about the book is how each interior reflects the personal style, muses and treasures of these legendary designers. Personally I gravitated to lovely homes of Kevin Carrigan (of Calvin Klein), Reed Krakoff (of Coach) and Coco Chanel (no need to clarify!).

Here’s a peek into some of the gorgeous images…

Beyond Chic - Great Fashion Designers at Home - Book Review // Simplified BeeManolo-Blahnik-home-living-roomFranca-Sozzani-Marrakesh-homeGiorgio Armani home with stuffed polar bearStefano Pilati Paris Home

This beautiful book would make a great gift and a must for those collecting  interior design books!

 

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Read full story By on October 29, 2013 in book, book review, bookshelves, fashion, Features, interior design, Interiors, Living Room

Book Review :: Suzanne Tucker Interiors – The Romance of Design

San Francisco’s award winning interior designer, Suzanne Tucker co-founder of Tucker & Marks Design is hailed for developing elegant, enchanting and always perfectly balanced spaces. Her timeless designs are inviting and draw us in with layered art and antiques transitioning between classic and contemporary, casual and formal.

Following the huge success of her first book, Rooms to Remember, I was thrilled to learn of Suzanne’s newest publication to be released October 15th. Suzanne Tucker Interiors: The Romance of Design by Monacelli Press is truly inspiring. Suzanne offers readers a view into her design process and intimate glimpses into her clients’ luxurious homes (including Tucker’s own home). With over 280 stunning images, selecting ones to share with you was the hardest part of of this review, however here are a few of my favorites:

Marin Living Room - Suzanne Tucker InteriorsDining Area - Suzanne Tucker InteriorsSpanish chinoiserie leather screen - living room - Suzanne TuckerEntry Hall - Suzanne Tucker Designssuzanne tucker quote18th c Spanish Vargueno desk - Suzanne Tucker Designkitchen - Suzanne Tucker Interiorsformal dining room - Suzanne Tucker InteriorsElegant Entry - Suzanne Tucker Interiorsaqua-colored grasscloth wallcovering - bedroom - Suzanne Tuckercouture dressing room - Suzanne Tucker Interiors

 

I’m thrilled to add this wonderful book to my design library … it’s a must for any design aficionado and would make a lovely gift!

Cristin

*all images used with permission // Tucker & Marks

 

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Read full story By on September 30, 2013 in Bedroom, bedrooms, book, book review, chinoiserie, Closets, foyers, interior design, Interiors, Kitchen, Living Room, traditional