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Book Review :: A House in the Country

October 25, 2016 · Comments { 2 }

What happens when a renowned architect and an A-list interior designer collaborate to build their dream home? The magical result is chronicled in a must have new decor book, A House in the Country which invites us in the one-of-a-kind Greek Revival-inspired house of Peter Pennoyer (architect) and Katie Ridder (designer). The creative power couple spent years searching for just the right property and in 2009 found a ranch house on six-and-a-half acres in Millbrook, New York. With more than 300 photos and illustrations, Peter and Katie invite us into their home and share the story behind the transformation. The book is simply organized into three sections – Exterior, Interior and Garden. It’s evident from just the first few page turns, that the home’s architecture and interior design are totally in sync. Don’t let the exterior traditional architecture fool you either – the home’s interior is colorful and full of modern touches. Katie’s bold use of color including pink and purple – beautifully connects and defines the spaces in Peter’s open-floor plan. In addition, the home’s garden is sensational and I love how the book dives into the smallest details including plant selection.

This home is extraordinary and the book captures it amazingly. Here is just a sampling of the stunning images.

The entire house is a feat of texture, color and personality. – A House in the Country

* photography by Eric Piasecki

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Read full story By Cristin on October 25, 2016 in Bathroom, Bedroom, book, book review, color, Features, flowers, foyers, Girl, girl's bedroom, interior design, Interiors, Kitchen, Living Room, living rooms, wallpaper

Book Review :: Home Decor Cheat Sheets

July 13, 2016 · Comments { 1 }

How high should you hang a chandelier hang above the dining table? What paint finish should you use a kid’s room? What size rug should go under your bed? When it comes to decorating the questions can be endless, but there are definitely some design dos and don’ts I adhere to. Some of these “rules” are easy to remember, but it’s always nice to have a cheat sheet or illustration to reference. Over time I have pinned, cut-out and dogeared pages in decor books, but have never had one single source. So I was thrilled to receive a copy of a newly released book, Home Decor Cheat Sheets by Jessica Probus that contains 300+ colorful, easy-to-understand images aimed at teaching you everything from furniture placement to bathroom lighting tricks, window styles to how to make a floor plan. I’m loving the practical nature of this book and is a resource I’m looking forward to using for years to come. Decor lovers, you are going to want a copy of this helpful book. It would also make a perfect housewarming gift!

Just like the completion of any home, the cheat sheets in this book are meant to be used as a process not to be tackled in one day or even one year, but consulted as needed over time to make the kind of slow, purposeful improvements that turn a few walls and some well-hung curtains into an actual home. – Jessica Probus, Author of Home Decor Cheat Sheets

Read full story By Cristin on July 13, 2016 in book, book review, decorating small spaces, Design Tips, furniture, gallery wall, interior design, lighting, pattern, Tips/Tricks

Book Review :: Patina Farm

March 8, 2016 · Comments { 5 }

When I started blogging back in 2009, there were a few hundred decor bloggers out there. Now there are thousands and it’s been really hard to keep up with all my favorites because the list just gets longer and longer. One blog that I’ve followed from the very beginning is Velvet & Linen by interior decorator, Brooke Giannetti. We quickly bonded on interior design, being moms and raising backyard chickens. At the time, Brooke and her world-renown architect husband, Steve were living in a lovely home in suburban Santa Monica, California. I’ll never forget her decision (which she shared on her blog) to leave the bustling, star-studded Los Angeles community for the quite, serene oasis of Ojai Valley – situated just south of Santa Barbara. I was inspired by her bravery to move her school aged children, build her dream home and follow her heart to spend her free time in nature.

Over the course of the last few years, I’ve watched Brooke and Steve’s dream unfold and was thrilled to hear that they were going to give us a tour in their just released book, Patina Farm . Through 150 stunning images and beautiful sketches by Steve, the book delivers a detailed account of inspirations, architectural elements, and various influences the designing couple encountered throughout the process. I found it interesting that the number one influence in their home’s footprint was sunlight. To achieve their goal of maximizing sunlight in and outside the home, they situated the house so that the back faces south. They also balanced the light in rooms by adding windows to two or three sides allowing for natural light for greater lengths of time. The connection of the indoor and outdoor spaces just flows in this house – allowing the family to reach their goal of of being surrounded by nature.

The mix of materials used throughout Patina Farm was heavily influenced by French, Spanish and Belgium design and included galvanized steel, terra-cotta roof tiles, limestone, glass steel doors, and reclaimed barn doors to name a few. The Giannettis wanted their home to feel as it was built over time this mix helps them achieve that look. The result is a home that’s stunning from every angle. It’s superbly elegant, yet inviting and unpretentious. Brooke and Steve make it look effortless.

One of the main reasons we built Patina Farm was to show our children the power of a dream. – Steve & Brooke Giannetti, Patina Farm

This one of the loveliest decor books I’ve read and I’m amazed at how intimate it is. From the first page, Brooke and Steve welcome you into their home in the most down-to-earth, personal way. I highly recommend taking a tour of Patina Farm for yourself!

*photographs by Lisa Romerein from Patina Farm by Brooke Giannetti and Steve Giannetti, reprinted by permission of Gibbs Smith

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Read full story By Cristin on March 8, 2016 in Bathroom, Bedroom, book, book review, Features, Garden, interior design, Interiors, Kitchen, Living Room, outdoor living, Uncategorized

Book Review :: Carrier & Company Positively Chic Interiors

September 22, 2015 · Comments { 3 }

Their interiors reflect a spectrum of styles from bohemian glamour to country charm. from modern luxe to elegantly traditional. Husband and wife design duo, Jesse Carrier and Mara Miller of Carrier & Company make it all look effortless too. It’s therefore no surprise that the couple’s work has caught industry and media attention as they were named to the Architectural Digest Top 100 in 2013 & 2014 and Elle Decor’s A-list for 2015. When asked if I’d like to review Carrier & Company’s new book, Positively Chic Interiors (The Vendome Press), I jumped at the chance. Released today and filled with over 200 inspiring images, readers are given an inside look into their process for creating charmingly personal, beautifully balanced and positively chic interiors. In the book’s introduction, Carrier & Company explains that they “are dedicated to creating the firm foundations of functional beauty that are necessary in order to live with ease, style, and comfort.” Their design approach resonates with me and I know this is a book I will reference and treasure for a long time. Here’s a look at a small sampling of the gorgeous images that fill the pages of this delightful book.