Miles’ Book Signing!

Tonight (Thursday night) I am going to Miles Redd’s Big Book of Chic book signing at Travadavi. I cannot wait to get my hands on that book. I’m supposed to go to dinner with friends after the book signing – I hope I make it because it’s going to be hard not to dive into that book for hours :)))

If you haven’t already ordered a copy, everyone should!

p.s. I love this picture of him :) [found on Mrs. Blandings]

Happy Friday! I hope everyone has a great weekend!

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Contact me by email: wheelerlewis1@gmail.com

The Great American House

Yesterday I went to ADAC to see Gil Schafer speak about his new book The Great American House.  For those who are not familiar, I encourage you to look at his work.  He is so talented.  I love that he consistently appreciates the history of architecture - whether he is working on a brand new home or a 200 year old home.  Even if the home is being built from the ground up, he designs it to look as if it were built decades ago.  And I LOVE old houses.  If I ever build a house (that’s a big IF), I will hire Gil Schafer to do the architecture.

Although he lives in New York now, his biggest inspiration was his grandmother’s home in Thomasville, Georgia – right down the road from Atlanta.  He talked about this a lot.  I thought that was very interesting.  He showed pictures of her sprawling estate that I so wish I could post on here.

He has also worked with Miles Redd on several projects.

Anyways, I can’t wait to dive into his book!  Here is a little taste of his work…

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Contact me by email:  wheelerlewis1@gmail.com

Finally!

I can’t believe I’m just now learning that Miles has written a book. Alleluia. That’s all. :)

Preorder Miles’ book through Amazon here.

Image via If the Lamp Shade Fits.

Defining Luxury: Jeffrey Bilhuber

Defining Luxury is the other book I have by Jeffrey Bilhuber.  Like I said, it’s very different from The Way Home.  The rooms are “done up” a little more for the pictures (but not too much!).   I love his use of color and details in this book.  Lacquered finishes, tape trims, high impact artwork, over the top window treatments, nailheads and layered textiles on every page.  But he is also all about function.  He designs spaces based on how the client is going to use it.

Details + Details + Details = LUXURY.  Jeffrey is a rockstar at details in this book.  And I love it.  These pictures do NOT do it justice.  Buy the book, people!  :)  Even if you don’t like it, it will look gorgeous on your coffee table.  Defining Luxury is available on Amazon for $40.95.

The above sitting area is in his son’s nursery.  He’s one lucky two year old.  Those upholstered stools and that artwork are so chic!

Check out that enormous painting in the dining room above.  Gorgeous + over the top.  LOVE it.  And those bright green dining chairs with the contrast yellow buttons and piping.  Obsessed.  Jeffrey Bilhuber is fearless and genius.

Books, Books, Books!

via The Little Green Notebook

Books are a great way to arrange table tops, bookshelves, desks… virtually any surface (even the floor, as you’ll see).  Most people have a small collection of hard back books that they’ve had for years in their attic.  Or if you’re like me, you’ve inherited way more books than you’ll ever read from your grandparents.  Let’s put those books to use!  Books = decor. 

If you don’t have any books, you can find inexpensive books at any local used book store.  I love collecting books by my favorite designers.  Here are some of my favorites:

 

  Here are some examples of how to arrange books on etageres or bookshelves.   

I love the way it looks when a piece of artwork is hung directly on a bookshelf:

Jeffrey Bilhuber

Katie Ridder

 

The Little Green Notebook

Arranging bookshelves can seem like a challenge to some people, but I assure you that anyone can do it!  Don’t over think it.  The books do not have to be color coordinated or even symmetrical.  Place the books in horizontal stacks AND vertical stacks (again, does not have to be symmetrical).  To add interest, find a few of your favorite “objects” around the house and incorporate them into the shelves with the books.  These “objects” can be anything:  baskets, candlesticks, picture frames, boxwoods.  Alternate the books with objects.  The objects can even be placed on top of a stack of books.

  

Jan Showers

Miles Redd

In the picture above, it looks like designer Miles Redd was in a hurry and tried to place 1,000 books on a shelf as quickly as possible.   Then he added a few pieces of artwork, a couple of objects, and some pink peonies.  So easy – and it looks great!  Miles Redd can do no wrong; he’s a genius.  And that is why you will be seeing a lot of him in this blog :)  

I hate it when bookshelves are perfectly arranged and symmetrical.  It just looks too “done”.  The books do not have to be a set of encyclopedias with matching binding (who uses encyclopedias anymore when we have the internet?).  It just looks like someone tried way too hard and spent way too much time and money making sure everything matched and lined up perfectly.  Why not have a functional bookshelf that you’re not scared to touch?

Lonny

You can’t go wrong with a Foo Dog as one of your “objects”.  Especially that emerald green one above.

 

Great use of objects.

 Here are some examples of books arranged on other surfaces…

 

 

via  Lonny. Obsessed with that printed fabric on the cushion and pillows.

 

 via Inspired Design

 

 

Mark D. Sikes via Habitually Chic

See?  I told you they even look good on the floor! :)

 via Color Outside the Lines

West Elm

West Elm even decided to put books in the fireplace of this bedroom.  A little strange, but I like it!

 Books make a house feel more like a home.  More “lived in”.  So if you want your house to be a little more cozy, sprinkle some books around!