For those of you in Atlanta, I'd like to invite you to a talk I'm giving tomorrow night on one of my favorite subjects- design books. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, November 11 at the Barnes & Noble at the Peach shopping center (2900 Peachtree Road). We'll start gathering around 7pm, and the talk will begin at 7:30. The proceeds from sales will benefit the Cathedral Preschool. Come support a worthy cause!

I’m so excited to share The Creative Entrepreneur book today because I spoke with my contact at Quayside Publishing Group and she has agreed to do a giveaway here on decor8 - 5 books for 5 very lucky readers (1 book per winner in other words)! I’ll tell you how to enter below, but for now here’s a little show and tell a little as this book is very, very special. I think it will appeal to MANY of you which is precisely why I wanted to approach the publisher about hosting a giveaway.

The Creative Entrepreneur: A DIY Visual Guidebook for Making Business Ideas Real by Lisa Sonora Beam (founder of The Creative Entrepreneur blog/website) takes creative types on a visual journey into their soul to dig deep, find the right path, and then once on it, how to get from point A to Z. This book just may help you to figure out “What To Do When You Don’t Know What To Do”, remember that series of posts here on decor8? If not, read them all here, they are VERY inspiring. If you found those helpful I think that you’ll just love The Creative Entrepreneur because Lisa’s words as an artist, teacher, business woman…and the journal that you’ll need to create in order to successfully ‘complete’ this book will help you get on your feet heading in the right direction.

“The Creative Entrepreneur takes readers on an inner journey of creative exploration to discover how to make their dreams of creative livelihood real… it is a visual, project-oriented, step-by-step approach to business development especially for creatives.”

Psst: If you live in the Bay area, Lisa is giving a workshop for $70 next month that you may like to attend, more information on it here. She’ll also be giving another workshop in LA this March.

Want to win a copy of this book? I thought so. I will select 5 of you who comment on this post between now and Wednesday, the winners will be posted on Wednesday afternoon at 3pm EST and each will receive one brand new copy of this book from the publisher. The book is in English.

To enter: It’s easy! Simply comment below (only one entry per household) with your thoughts on this subject: What are some constructive AND destructive aspects of your personality that are directly influencing your creative process currently? Discuss at as much length as you’d like but remember, enter only one time please.

(images: quayside publishing, lisa sonora beam, holly becker for decor8)

Douglas Little, Modern Alchemist and Purveyor of Curious Goods created a Gothic Fantasy for the pages of the November 2006 issue of House and Garden magazine. Some of you may remember it:

What I wanted to show you were the beautiful recreations that Mr. Little did for the window displays at Bergdorf Goodman:

To see the entire display click here. There are many more images to pique your imagination.

Based on an elaborate concept and a carefully planned study this unique artistic creation is a perfect combination of functionality, and the art of painting, sculpturing and design.

New, revolutionary design of unique pieces of furniture does not only pervade the space, filling it up with a soul of its own, but also creates a charismatic essence of the object of art itself. This piece is the fruit of work of two promising young artists; Klemen Benedik, painter and designer, and Toma? Erzeti?, sculptor and designer.

Elaborately planed furniture design and a tender, refined painting are the artistic soul and an added value of this unique piece of furniture, which moves one's heart by its very existence, suggesting and narrating its story.

Contributed by George Evans

• Artist: a signed piece is generally worth more than unsigned painting or piece of furniture.
• Maker: can be attributed when it?s a known form and the construction and materials are in sync.
• Period Piece: generally (a piece made in the period i.e. Queen Anne) is worth considerably more than a piece in the Queen Anne style, or a reproduction.
• Form: small occasional pieces are more desirable than oversized/out of proportion pieces.
• Pieces of Regal style are more desirable than ?grandmotherly? pieces. One does not want a room to be predictable. It has to be fun and you should be able to visualize yourself living in it.
• Function: for instance make sure an antique chair is sturdy and can be used or it should be restricted to a piece of ?Decorative Art or Sculpture?

Designer Peter Marino , Photography by Michael Moran
Courtesy Architectural Digest

Photo credit: Scott Frances. Courtesy of Architectural Digest.

Photo credit: Architectural Digest

Contributed by George Evans, Co-Founder of Bond & Bowery.
Read all of George's posts here.

Don't you just want to get your mind off of our troubles? For a few moments, don't you want a little fun and frivolity? And who better to turn to for this than Diana Vreeland and her "Why Don't You?" columns for Harper's Bazaar. After all, this monthly column was written during the Great Depression to help readers escape the uncertainty and drudgery of the times . While some of the nuggets of wisdom (or perhaps they should be called flights of fancy?) are a bit outlandish, some are actually quite doable.

As DV once said, these suggestions "were all very tried and true ideas, mind you." If that's true, then why don't you...


Tie black tulle bows on your wrists?


Black tulle ribbon from Bags and Bows Online


Pick up in Florida the prettiest shells you can find and make them into a mirror frame of a baroque scroll design?



Shells from Seashells.com, Sanibel, FL

Have a yellow satin bed entirely quilted in butterflies?


I couldn't find a comparable photo, but aren't these butterfly garlands from Pearl River charming?


Serve individual Pfirsch Bowle which is a peeled peach in a chilled glass with ice-cold Moselle or Rhine wine poured in? Marvelous at tea time.


Weingut Gottelmann Riesling

Go to Dazian, the theatrical-material shop, and get fake leopard skin for your bathroom floor and fake beige fur for your slipper chair?


Faux leopard, still available at Dazian

Design monograms with circles around them for the pockets of your children's cardigans and the sleeves of their dressing-gowns?


Nicholas monogram from Leontine Linens

Cover a big cork bulletin board in bright pink felt, banded with bamboo, and pin with colored thumb-tacks all your various enthusiasms as your life varies from week to week?



Pink felt from Hancock Fabric Store and Bamboo custom made frame from Pictureframes.com.

Michael Devine has certainly been a busy man. First, his fabric line is now being represented in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut by John Rosselli & Associates. And even better, Michael has just introduced new additions to his fabric line. I'm crazy about the new prints, especially "Dottie", seen above at the far left. (Doesn't it look like a print that Albert Hadley might use?). Michael was kind enough to send me some photos of the new fabrics, and the charming vignettes have convinced me to hop the next train to Kinderhook, NY to visit his shop in person!

(For those of you in Atlanta, Michael's fabric is available at the Jerry Pair showroom.)









Michael used his "Dottie" print on this notepad and pencil cup, available on his website.

Veranda, September, October 2006, Photo by Laura Resen

It can be quite a daunting task to find just the right thing for oneself. One must consider the size and shape of the room, and how many guests are typically around the table. Is one's lifestyle casual? Formal? And, very importantly, what can one afford? These are all of the practical considerations. But then there are the preferential considerations. What does one "like"?

I have been on the hunt for a Dining Room table for my family for a few years now. My criteria: it has to be round, or nearly so; it must seat up to 10; it can't be too formal; I prefer wood because it is more forgiving and I like the warmth; and I would love to have something unique. I can go contemporary with an antique chair or antique with a more contemporary chair.

Well...to cut the the chase, I saw this table in Veranda magazine and thought "this is it!" It's perfect! It seats eight, it's wood, it's beautiful and unique. Any sort of chair would look wonderful with it. And one thing that really matters to me: one can comfortably fit crossed legs under the "skirt" of the table. It has these wonderful Palladian arched openings. There are no sharp edges to bump a leg on. Even better: it was designed by Robsjohn-Gibbings.

The down side: it was designed by Robsjohn-Gibbings and is VERY unique. In fact I can't find another to even look at, much less purchase. ( A little help 1st dibs?)This particular table is owned by Dara Caponigro, decorating editor of Domino Magazine. You may have caught it in this new book:

Photo from Amazon Website

So Dara, if you ever want to talk. If you are planning to move into, say, a bigger place where this table just won't work anymore, could you please......just shoot me an email? I would really appreciate it. I have started a fund. Perhaps by the time I have enough in "the fund", you may have moved on to something new? Just a thought. Call me.

Photo: Associated Press

Now ... onward.

With the help of my favorite area rug distributor, Tufenkians, of Portland, Oregon, I recently filmed a segment for BETTER, with Brooke Carlson, in the home of News Anchor Natalie Marmion. We discussed the do's and don'ts and where to begin when trying to find the best area rug.

- Rugs change color based on which direction you lay them. If it looks too light, try turning it the other direction and watch how the colors in the rug completely change!

- When selecting size for the living room, a good rule of thumb is to have all of the furniture on the rug or off the rug. Obviously the coffee table can stay on the rug, but it's best not to have any of your chairs or sofas halfway on and halfway off the rug.

- When selecting size for the dining room make sure you have a minimum of 2' behind each dining chair on all sides. No teetering chairs at the dinner table allowed!

- Always try out the rug in your home prior to committing to the piece. Tufenkians will deliver your rugs, help you place them and then bring back the pieces you dont want.

Anne Harwell's Holiday Interior Cards

Usually around mid November I start to think about my Christmas theme for the year. When I say theme, for me, it's usually mostly about what wrapping paper and gift cards I am going to use and which ribbons I will use to re-thread all of my mismatched Christmas ornaments which I have been collecting since my husband and I got married.

This time each year I love pulling out my collection of Christmas decorations as they always bring back so many happy memories especially the little ornament one of my girlfriends gave me when Harry was born. I also have ornaments I have found overseas in special places like Venice, Paris, Hawaii, San Francisco etc. etc. I'm always on the lookout for special Christmas decorations!!

Bird Ornaments available from Black & Spiro

Bunny Ornament available from Black & Spiro

To keep my collection growing I like to buy 2-3 new decorations a year. We are selling these two gorgeous decorations {above} at Black & Spiro this year and I have decided to add some of these to my collection at home. One day I will pass on my collection to Harry and hopefully he will get as much joy out of it as I do and maybe he too will carry on the tradition with his children by adding a few new ornaments each year.

Our 2006 Christmas Tree

This Christmas I am challenging myself to try to be a little less extravagant and a little more creative. Therefore another way to meet this challenge is to do some baking. I thought I might look for some vintage tins and then use them to package up some home made biscuits to give to my family & friends.

What are your plans this Christmas??

From Janet:

We love workhorse utility sinks that don’t have to be hidden in the corner of the laundry room; in fact, several of these options would be great in a kitchen or bathroom.

Below: Kohler Bayview Cast-Iron Wall-Mount Utility Sink with Bayview Wood Sink Stand; $1,726 at Home Click (can also be purchased individually).

Below: American Standard All-Purpose Sink; $665 at Home Click.

Below: Kohler’s Gilford Apron Front Wall-Mount Sink; $1,097 at eFaucets.

Below: The CAB10 Utility Sink with wire shelves from Swedish maker Ifo is available in the US for approximately $750 through Andersson Kitchen and Bath.

Below: Kohler Large Harborview Utility Sink; $1,609 at Vintage Tub and Bath.

Below: Kohler Brockway 3-Foot-Long Wash Sink with two faucets; $859 at Plumbers Surplus.

Below: A sleek, wall-mounted Alia Utility Sink from Lacava for the laundry room—or anywhere, for that matter; $1,440 at Spacify.

Below: This Clarion Farmhouse Drainboard Sink is clean-lined and classic; $1,539 at Vintage Tub and Bath. The same sink in a Wall-Mounted Version is $1,329.

Below: We like the instant counter space and the price of the Udden Single Bowl Sink with Legs; $139 at Ikea.

Below L: The Whitehaus Freestanding Laundry Sink with adjustable legs is $1,089 at Home Click. Below R: Another option is the custom stainless steel table with integrated Culinary Chefhaus sink by Whitehaus; contact Whitehaus for dealer and pricing information.

Shop, shop, shop? Save, save, save. Take advantage of some pre-holiday specials:

Shop auto today, November 21, only — in-store, over the phone, or online — and get 30% off your entire purchase (excludes custom orders). Use code “FF2008″ at checkout. We like: Missoni Ian bedding.

Today only, save 20% on orders over $150 at iomoi.com — use code “stockup”. We like: colorful, kooky address labels.

Take advantage of the Hood and Company three-day sale online — enter coupon code “N192108″ and save 25% on your order. And if you’re going to be in the downtown Catskill area, click “local pickup” to save on shipping charges. We like: Endurance measuring pans.

WallCandy Arts is offering a discount on their wide collection of wall stickers. Enter code “blogsupport20″ to get 20% off any WallCandy purchase. We like: RoCoco chalkboard sticker and Small Paul Spots.

Finally, get free shipping on your favorite Marimekko purchases totaling $150 or more, now through December 25 at Always Mod. Enter promotion code “shipx3k” at checkout. Get the full details here. We like: new Marimekko tins!

Marrakech's two most charming hosts (one French, one German) ushered them to....
 

the coziest nook...

 
They couldn't wait to see what culinary delights the Japanese chef might prepare.....

Why, like this fresh fish salad..........

And this delicious leek soup.........

Followed by Marrakech's finest sushi....

And the tenderest tenderloin .......

Topped off with a little scrumptious cheese cake....

Or a desert so pretty that one might only reluctantly share....

And after dinner, a seat in the garden....

for a spot of tea from a ridiculously good looking teapot..........

Oh, the paper lanterns dancing above......

Sigh....

Bon Appetit.

*************************

Tatchibana

38 Bab Ksiba,  Kasbah, Marrakech

Tel : 024 38 71 71

A la carte or three fabulous menus:  $25, $35 or $45. 

I just found this link in my “drafts” folder from months ago. I had totally forgotten about this bizarre find at Jayson Home and Garden. Forget buying that shipping container pre-fab house or that hip vintage Airstream trailer for the backyard; apparently, a sheep shelter caravan is what it’s all about these days:

You may purchase the caravan here for $8295. Hey James, I think you need to step up your game and find Design Public some antique outhouses, igloos, arks, sweat tents or yurts made out of twigs!

I poke fun with love. I’m crazy about retail websites with rare finds. This framing model is one of the many unique objects in the Rare Finds section of Jayson Home and Garden, and it’s definitely on my wish list:

So is this Vintage Convent Photograph:

images from Jayson Home and Garden

Whoa, Nelly. The other day I got to work to find a package on my desk. I immediately ripped through the packaging (actually, I opened it tactfully) to find two treasures…I can’t wait to share!

1.) The printed version of the blog, A Year of Mornings. I have followed this blog from the beginning and thought: a.) Man alive! The images are amazing and b.) Why don’t more people do this? If you are not familiar with 3191.visualblogging.com, the premise is simple: two gals live 3191 miles apart (Portland, Maine and Portland, Oregon) and document their mornings by posting one photo to a shared blog every weekday for a year. The women have only met in person once thus their friendship is solely maintained online. The book is visual eye candy and from a design perspective, very inspiring. Take a look!

And the second book:

2.) To Each His Home. Compared to A Year of Mornings this book is a bit quirkier. You won’t see as much of an emphasis on the little details of each day but more how a home has evolved into its own entity over time. The homes in this book are not the product of magazine influences or professional interior designers. Instead, they are expressions of how a marionette maker, a retired union steamfitter, a painter, an inventor, a former Golden Gloves welterweight champion, a visual merchandiser, and a retired stay-at-home mother of seven have made their homes their own. The photography is awesome! A sneak peek:

Now to the goods! Thanks to the Princeton Architectural Press we have two sets of each book to give to you! Tell us what makes your home an extension of you? Is it a collection, a color, a favorite chair, the kitchen, the bathroom, a trinket, an art piece etc? Submit a comment to this posting and we will announce the two randomly selected winners next Tuesday, Nov 18th. If you have a photo, even better (but not required)… post it to our Fresh New Spaces Flickr group and include a link with your comment.

P.S The Princeton Architectural Press publishes so many amazing design/art/architecture-centric books…I would highly suggest picking up a copy of Catalog: The Illustrated History of Mail Order Shopping (my new favorite book). I have to share an image, this book is so good:

(RSS users, you know the drill.)