I always appreciate the generosity of other designers and homeowners who share the knowledge they've gained during their own design projects. Having never gone to interior design school, learning from others who have been "in the design trenches" has been an invaluable resource in my "design education". So when author Susanna Salk asked me if I would be interested in sharing some of our work and design experience in her latest book, Be Your Own Decorator: Taking Inspiration and Cues from Today's Top Designers, I enthusiastically said "Yes!".
Be Your Own Decorator is filled with gorgeous images of interior spaces that have been created by 75 acclaimed designers and photographed by some of the top photographers. Each of the chapters includes practical advice from the designers that is aimed at giving all of us the confidence to design our own spaces.
In the first chapter on Color, designer Carol Bokuniewicz explains why she and her husband, John Smallwood, chose to paint the walls of this room in their antique Connecticut farm house a dark gray. How did they select the color for their floors? It was interesting to learn the design intent behind the decisions that they made in order to create this beautiful space.
photography by John Gruen
The Color chapter includes advice from some of my favorite designers, including Rose Tarlow, Peter Dunham, Betsey Burnham, and ....
photography by Thomas Loof
I thoroughly enjoyed the words of design wisdom in the next chapter, titled "Mix". It was such a treat to be able to gain insight into designer Darryl Carter's design process. How was he able to create this gorgeous space that makes both his clients happy when the wife is a modernist and the husband is a traditionalist?
photography by Gordon Beall
Nobody can mix it up better than my friend, designer/design blogger Valorie Hart (aka The Visual Vamp). I was excited to see her work included in Be Your Own Decorator.. along with other fellow designer/design bloggers, including Brad Ford, Tobi Fairley, and Eddie Ross and his partner Jaithan Kochar.
Valorie Hart's eclectic living room is a wonderful mix of colors, styles and textures.
photography by Sara Essex Bradley
Most of us realize that "Balance" is an important element in every well-designed space, but how does one go about achieving a harmonious room? Imagine getting advice from fantastic designers like Jan Showers, Charlotte Moss, Diamond Baratta, Gil Schafer, Miles Redd, and...
photography by Michael Wells.
In my opinion, a bit of "Whimsy" should be present in every room. In Be Your Own Decorator, Susanna Salk devotes an entire chapter filled with ideas from designers, like Kathryn Ireland, on how to infuse a space with a dash of the unexpected.
photography by Victoria Pearson
The final two chapters on "Accessorizing" and "Breaking the Rules" are equally informative and inspiring.
If you are a designer or a homeowner with the desire to create a beautiful home that reflects your own personality, I highly recomment Be Your Own Decorator! Please visit the Be Your Own Decorator Amazon page to order.
You may even recognize a couple of rooms :)
photography by Steve Giannetti
xo
Brooke
If you would like help creating the home of your dreams, email me about our design services. You can also purchase many items found here on Velvet and Linen as well as "to the trade" furnishings through Giannetti Home. Email Kelly about the details.
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