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Book Tour: Decorate by Holly Becker and Joanna Copestick
1,000 Inspiring and Practical Design Ideas for Every Room in Your Home
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
One thousand ideas? Seriously? Well, if anyone could compile 1,000 design ideas in one easy-to-navigate tome, it's probably prolific design blogger Holly Becker, who has compiled thousands of posts on her blog, decor8, over the years. She began the blog as a way to catalog her favorite design finds, and she wound up sharing them with millions of people. Thus, it's no surprise the book is chock-full of information and inspiration.
Becker and co-author Joanna Copestick scanned the globe for inspirational spaces to illustrate their many tips, which include floor plans, furniture arrangement, and advice from top designers, stylists, design writers, event planners, florists, artists and more. Just released this year, the book is already in its third printing in the U.S. and is quickly spreading around the globe.
If you haven't picked up a copy yet, I highly recommend it. There are well-presented ideas explained in a practical way, and the photography capturing a wide range of rooms and styles is absolutely stunning. Here's a little teaser to whet your appetite.
Becker and co-author Joanna Copestick scanned the globe for inspirational spaces to illustrate their many tips, which include floor plans, furniture arrangement, and advice from top designers, stylists, design writers, event planners, florists, artists and more. Just released this year, the book is already in its third printing in the U.S. and is quickly spreading around the globe.
If you haven't picked up a copy yet, I highly recommend it. There are well-presented ideas explained in a practical way, and the photography capturing a wide range of rooms and styles is absolutely stunning. Here's a little teaser to whet your appetite.
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If you are judging this book by the cover, the disco ball on the floor of the U.S. edition cover is a big hint to all of the surprises and delights inside.
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How to begin when redecorating? One way is what the authors call "White Space Design." This refers to a blank piece of paper for a plan and "removing all the elements from your room, either physically or mentally, by drawing up an entirely new floor plan." The result in this dining room are light walls that keep the room bright and help the warm wood floors shine. Each piece in this collection of iconic mid-century modern furnishings makes a significant contribution to the overall look and feel of the room.
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However, don't let the first few pages fool you! The book quickly moves into a wide array of styles, including this vibrant explosion of roses wallpapered in a modern kitchen. "Decorating using floral motifs ... can be a great excuse to go bold," write the Becker and Copestick.
Decorate Tip: "Papering only one wall in the kitchen leaves the rest of the space dedicated to displaying objects, china and lights in a vast array of bold and cheerful colors that dance against the vivid wall."
Decorate Tip: "Papering only one wall in the kitchen leaves the rest of the space dedicated to displaying objects, china and lights in a vast array of bold and cheerful colors that dance against the vivid wall."
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More vibrancy abounds; this eclectic room makes a geometric rug and a hot pink and white Chinoiserie bedspread sing. Instead of grounding the bed with a big headboard, the homeowners opted for a bold piece of art.
Decorate Tip: "Layer textures to create a sense of opulence, such as a glossy satin bedspread topped with a mohair throw, or smart white Egyptian cotton finished off with a delicate linen fringed throw."
Decorate Tip: "Layer textures to create a sense of opulence, such as a glossy satin bedspread topped with a mohair throw, or smart white Egyptian cotton finished off with a delicate linen fringed throw."
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A seasoned work-from-homer, Becker knows how to create an inspiring and efficient workspace. She recommends having a separate or at least distinct space for work.
Decorate Tip: "Make yourself at home by displaying photos, treasured objects, and reference materials" in your workspace.
Decorate Tip: "Make yourself at home by displaying photos, treasured objects, and reference materials" in your workspace.
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Outdoor spaces take on a life of their own, whether the look of these rooms take you away to Morocco, The Greenbrier, Palm Springs or Key West. The authors recommend maximizing outdoor areas for use as outdoor rooms.
Decorate Tip: Emulate this space, where "throw rugs layered on the concrete surface warm it up the area, making it an inviting extension of the apartment."
Decorate Tip: Emulate this space, where "throw rugs layered on the concrete surface warm it up the area, making it an inviting extension of the apartment."
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When it comes to modern glamour, the authors suggest plucking items from a range of eras and styles. This room's big statement comes from the chocolate and white geometric trellis fabric, while a wide range of textures (cowhide rug, shag pillows, lacquered bench, ceramic stools, metal chandelier) add to the glamour without overwhelming the room.
Decorate Tip: Take a cue from the Palazzos, who designed this room, and "use a bold mix of colors and textures, rather than a particular style, as a starting point" in your designs.
Decorate Tip: Take a cue from the Palazzos, who designed this room, and "use a bold mix of colors and textures, rather than a particular style, as a starting point" in your designs.
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Behold the bath! The authors advocate thinking outside of the usual bathroom fixtures box. This bathroom certainly does that, with a stacking bookshelf full of reading material, eye-catching brass fixtures, a black ceiling and the fanciest shampoo stand I've ever seen. I wonder what kind of bottle is worthy of such a perch?
Decorate Tip: "Mix and match colors, styles, and size of tiles to alter the effect on the space or else go for blanket coverage for a neat, cohesive feel."
Decorate Tip: "Mix and match colors, styles, and size of tiles to alter the effect on the space or else go for blanket coverage for a neat, cohesive feel."
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The book does not miss a detail; the authors made sure to include an entire section on flower arrangement. Here, glass bottles in a variety of sizes, shapes and heights create a pleasing composition of blossoms.
Decorate Tip: "Presenting flowers in pleasing containers is as important as choosing inspiring flowers in the first place. Always keep an eye out for colorful, unusual, vintage or plain vases, pitchers, or bowls that will set off all manner of different blooms."
Decorate Tip: "Presenting flowers in pleasing containers is as important as choosing inspiring flowers in the first place. Always keep an eye out for colorful, unusual, vintage or plain vases, pitchers, or bowls that will set off all manner of different blooms."
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Currently a resident of Hanover, Germany, Becker will be flying stateside in about a week to embark on a whirlwind book tour at Anthropologie stores in Boston (8/20), Chicago (8/23), San Francisco (8/25), L.A. (8/26), Philadelphia (8/29) and New York (8/30). Check with your local stores for locations and times, and follow the link above for information about how to RSVP.
Order your own copy of Decorate: 1,000 Professional Design Ideas for Every Room in Your Home
More:
Book Tour: The Happy Home Project
Book Tour: Salvage Secrets
Order your own copy of Decorate: 1,000 Professional Design Ideas for Every Room in Your Home
More:
Book Tour: The Happy Home Project
Book Tour: Salvage Secrets
Ideabook updated on Aug. 11, 2011.
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