Homeward Bound: Why Women are Embracing the New Domesticity

Don't let the title of this post scare you. It's not my own, but the title of a book I received for Christmas and recently finished. Its topic--the resurgence of the DIY lifestyle among Millennials--generated a lot of ideas that I've been dying to discuss with you, my dear readers.

So, let's talk a little about this book; but, really, I'd love to chat about the larger topic at hand: the revival of all things domestic and what it means for women in our society.

Book Report: Martha Stewart's Decorating Details

My posts this week are taking on a certain autumnal theme, aren't they? And because this is the perfect season to curl up on a cozy sofa with a blanket and book, I thought I'd recommend one.

As we turn our focus towards nesting once again, I've found the perfect book to help inspire all those projects we'll each be taking on when the weather turns chilly: Martha Stewart's Decorating Details. The best part? It was published 1998, so you can buy it for only a few dollars!

Book Report: Design*Sponge at Home

I know this is a little later than expected, but I wanted to share with you all a bit about the Design*Sponge & Terrain event that I attended last Friday evening. The event marked the release of the Design*Sponge at Home book, which I'm sure many of you already own!

I was a total dunce and forgot my camera. Alas, there are no pictures of the event. 

However, I did manage to get my copy of the book signed by Grace:

 Like the blog itself, Design*Sponge at Home features some of the most popular, eye-catching house tours (called "Sneak Peaks" in D*S lingo), including the former digs of Lonny EiC Michelle Adams (Lonny fans know she's since moved to another space, complete with a video house tour!)

 and Amy Merrick's Brooklyn abode, which seems to be a perfect extension of herself.

 Most, if not all, of the house tours included in the book should look familiar. If the tours aren't, you at least recognize the characters, including D*S team members Amy Azzarito and Grace Bonney herself. I enjoyed revisiting much of the content I was familiar with, but I think I prefer visiting the D*S site daily for new features, especially new "Sneak Peaks".

 The next section of the book should also look familiar to regular D*S readers: "DIY Projects". I really enjoyed flipping through and celebrating the creativity of others, even if I won't be tackling many of these DIYs on my own. Two of my favorite DIYs featured: applique pillows and Grace's oft-copied upholstered Otomi headboard.

 One of the most refreshing elements of this book was the section dedicated to never-before-seen floral arrangements. This section, surprisingly, was my favorite of the whole book. Nothing here was a rehash of the blog's content, and each arrangement felt like a natural extension of the homes that came pages earlier.

Now I just wish I could get my hands on some of these unique flowers!

 The final section of the book focuses on my favorite weekly feature from the blog, "Before and After," which appears every Thursday. Many of these are new, and that was very exciting to see.

All in all, I think Design*Sponge at Home is a quality read with lots of ideas and inspiration (390 in all!); however, I think it will never replace the medium that was its basis: the blog. The book does a good job at encapsulating the D*S world, but will never replace the original and always inspiring Design*Sponge.

For those that already purchased the book, what did you think?

Book Report: The New York Times Book of Interior Design & Decoration

 It's been far too long since I've shared with you a new addition to my somewhat irregular feature called "Book Report" (for more of my reports, see here, here, or here), so I'll correct that today by sharing a review of a new-to-me book: The New York Times Book of Interior Design & Decorating by Norma Skura.

This treasure of a book was published in 1978 and it exemplifies the phrase 'an oldie but goodie'. It is a dense book with a lot of information and guidance on decorating that is broken down in useful bits (i.e., investing in quality furniture, using color confidently, determining your direction/style).

Some of the topic areas included:

For as much text as is in the book, there is also a substantial amount of images that cover a breadth of styles. Many, even 30+ years later, provide inspiration for our modern spaces. 

If these images were cut and pasted into next month's issue of Elle Decor, Veranda or House Beautiful, I wouldn't bat an eye.

All told, the book represents styles across the spectrum--from traditional to sleek. Many of the rooms are attributed to designers that we all know and love (think Albert Hadley, Sister Parish, David Hicks, Mario Buatta), and there is a reason why these designs have staying power.

But enough of that...what you want to see are the pictures, am I right?

How do I get my hands on that rug?

The footed tables (below) has Kathy's name all over it!

Antlers are an accessory that seem to be timeless...and don't even get me started on that floor!

I could easily see this Tory Burch moving into this room. Moire wallpaper? Are you serious?!

I'm dying for someone to recreate this canopy bed that appears to be constructed of pipe fittings:

The blend of prints in this room make me very, very happy, even if the fabric canopy is a bit dowdy.

Who wouldn't appreciate the brazen use of pink in this room?

If I've piqued your interest in this book, it can be yours for practically pennies. There are many used copies available across the web, and definitely worth checking out. I bought my copy for $3 on Saturday at an estate sale and am very pleased with my investment. 

...but, I really must run...more advice to absorb from this book...

Book Report: Sister Parish Design: On Decorating

Today, I'm continuing my monthly "Book Report" feature, where I focus on a book I've recently purchased and offer you some details and opinions on it. Up this month is Sister Parish Design: On Decorating, by Susan Bartlett Crater and Libby Cameron.

You may be familiar with the gorgeous illustrations (courtesy of the immensely talented Mita Corsini Bland), but what struck me the most was the format of this book. 

Sister Parish Design: On Decorating reads like a transcript of some great lunch where nearly all the interior design greats (i.e., Miles Redd, Bunny Williams, Peter Dunham) have gotten together to discuss the influence of Mrs. Parish on their personal and professional lives. 

As such, the book operates like an extended conversation. These giants of the design industry offer their sage advice, all through the lens of Sister Parish's influence. 

The book is broken down into sections, such as "Mastering the Mix," "Dressing the Window," "The Power of Color," and "Decorating on a Shoestring," which is particularly useful for the budget-conscious among us.

Sister Parish Design: On Decorating also serves as a good primer on the Parish aesthetic and includes some anecdotes on a few of noteable Parish-Hadley clients.

But really, I couldn't offer a quality report of this book without highlighting the spectacular illustrations. Without further ado...

(all illustrations by Mita Corsini Bland photographed by me)

I delayed buying this book for months until I found an inexpensive copy. My only regret is not having bought this book sooner.

My favorite quote from the book:

"[Sister Parish] used to say, 'We are not decorating--we are making places to live.'"--William Hodges

Amen, Sister, amen.

Book Report: Restoring a House in the City

Last month, I shared my first entry in my new "Book Report" feature, where I'll review a home decor book and offer my comments and critiques. The first installment of "Book Report" took a look at "Home from the Hardware Store"--if you haven't checked out my write-up, find it here.

Today, I'll share my thoughts on Ingrid Abramovitch's "Restoring a Home in the City," a book I just recently purchased. I anxiously awaited the arrival of my copy and, when it did, I quickly consumed all of the visual delights inside.

Here are a few of my favorite images:

 (via Katy Elliott)

The first urban home presented in the book is that of Robert Duffy, the president of Marc Jacobs. His home in New York's West Village is chic and understated. 

Duffy's environment is masterfully curated (for more on Duffy, 

check out his Provinctown vacation home featured in Elle Decor).

 (Robert Duffy's West Village home via Salvaged Grace)

Lest you think the book is all about classical takes on historic city homes, Abramovitch divides her time equally amongst traditional and more modern renovations. Most homes were thoughtfully styled and would have seemed appropriate to be featured in any issue of Elle Decor.

Here, Brooklyn homeowners utilized great architectural detail in their pocket doors,

 (via Casa Cara)

while a Philadelphia couple reinvented their Society Hill home (so close to me!) into a modern mansion:

(Philadelphia represent! via Salvaged Grace)

(via Inhabitat--notice the foyer designed by Ellen Hamilton)

I was in awe of Darryl Carter's kitchen (which is enormous and drenched in sunlight),

 (Darryl Carter's kitchen via Urban Turf)

and totally smitten with this playful fireplace from Brooklyn.

 (via The Homely Place)

But as this is an honest review, I felt the book was, at times, a bit disconnected from reality. I found myself skipping the homes that boasted over 10,000 sq. feet in liveable space. 

I mean, c'mon. 

Most of us urban dwellers are lucky to have 1/10th of that space in the city!

I also found that the Beacon Hill home featured seemed out of place from the other renovations included in the book. The home was more Architectural Digest than Elle Decor, if you know what I mean. I could practically smell the mothball scent emanating off the page.

(via Little Green Notebook)

Having said all that, I thought that "Restoring a House in the City" was worth a look, but overall it lacked resonance with me. The homes featured required multi-million dollar renovations, and many more millions to furnish. I simply couldn't relate. Don't get me wrong: there's nothing wrong with a little aspirational decor every now and then. Most of the spreads just seemed completely unattainable, in every sense of the word.

Instead, I find myself more compelled to check out the work budget-conscious bloggers are doing on their own homes (a la Katy Elliott or Anna Dorfman of Door Sixteen) than those with an endless supply of capital.