Bright.Bazaar: Book review

Showing posts with label Book review. Show all posts

Friday, 9 March 2012

Book Review: Flea Market Chic

Flea Market Chic by Liz Bauwens and Alexandra Campbell, CICO Books, photography by Simon Brown | Ryland, Peters & Small

Flea Market Chic isn't just an inspirational coffee table book. Oh no! It goes way beyond pretty pictures, giving the reader accessible and useful ideas on how to add texture, colour and depth to modern spaces with flea-market finds. In her introduction, Liz Bauwens writes about how what flea markets are selling has changed. With 19th and early 20th century pieces becoming increasingly harder to find, with space being taken up with mid-to-late 20th century furniture and accessories. Once you begin to turn the pages you see how Bauwens has illustrated this through a well-edited selection of real family homes. Each space shows you how flea-market finds have been mixed in with purchases from big box stores. Also included are tips on where to look for certain items and how to negotiate when buying them (so useful!). Personally, I love how flea-market pieces let you create a home that reflects your life and personality; these pieces become interesting talking points in your home as each 'find' comes with a story attached. It's fun to read where home owners found pieces, so I've shared the spaces from the Flea Market Chic that caught my eye. The white and turquoise summerhouse? 100% dreamy, I know. Which space is talking to you? Do you have any top flea market tips?

Thursday, 23 February 2012

Book Review: A Space of My Own

For many of us a desk probably plays a prominent part in our lives. Perhaps it's your cubicle at your nine to five office job, a small writing desk in the shed at the end of the garden, a place for crafting or simply a place to house your laptop and pay the bills. Whatever 'desk' means to you, the workspace is important to all of us in some way. That's why I wanted to share with you some of the spaces that inspired me most from Caroline Clifton-Mogg's new book, A Space of My Own. These pulls from the book should give you some idea of the diverse workspaces covered in the book's 176 pages. From country to colourful and modern to homespun, there's bound to be an idea that keys in with your personal aesthetic. I don't know about you, but given the sheer volume of time we spend working I'm always happy to learn of clever ways to make daily tasks more efficient. Yes? Then dive on in, friends...

A Space of My Own is authored by Caroline Clifton-Mogg | Published by Ryland, Peters and Small | Photography by (top to bottom) Polly Wreford, Lisa Cohen, Polly Wreford, Polly Wreford, Debi Treloar, James Morris

Caroline kicks off the book by taking the reader through the elements of creating a great space. From furniture to lighting, storage to decoration and everything in between, you can consider all elements of a great workspace covered! The second half of the book focuses on inspirational workspaces, themed together in relevant groupings such as shared spaces, children's work areas or craft rooms. From my top spaces I like 'Inspiration Station' best. There's something unusual about the juxtaposition of the structured, tidy storage area behind the graphic drape against the loose and freely pinned inspiration tears above the desk. It feels like the perfect fusion for Mr. Bazaar's OCD tidy/buzzing with ideas and creatively inspired personality! Have you read this book? What are your top workspace tips?

Thursday, 27 October 2011

Sneak Peek: Sibella Court's New Book, Nomad

Nomad | Sibella Court | Murdock Books

Following up A Stylist's Guide to NYC with her latest title Nomad: Bringing Your Travels Home, Sibella Court delivers a book full of colourful and diverse inspiration in the eclectic style she has become so well known for. Having travelled to Syria, Mexico, Italy, India and Japan for inspiration you can expect to find ideas for everything from door knobs and street signs to roadside shrines and household brooms. Reinforcing her approach to decorating being about rearranging and recycling rather than recreating a whole scheme, Sibella has curated an inspired collection of photographs, vignettes and mementos from her travels to ignite ideas for the reader's own homes. I found the abundance of blue hues in the Japan and Italy chapters most inspiring, but the whole book is perfect if you are looking for colour inspiration. I also really liked Sibella's ideas for Christmas decorating: inspired by Capri she created a theme that detailed sea flotsam, sea urchins, giant starfish, sea horses and more - so unique! What's inspiring you from this peek inside Sibella Court's new book?

Friday, 1 July 2011

Jane Packer's At Home with Flowers

At Home with Flowers | Ryland, Peters & Small | Jane Packer | Photographs by Catherine Gratwicke

Jane Packer's At Home with Flowers captivated me from the turn of the first page. The floral artist has released several books, and established Jane Packer Flowers back in 1982. Since then she has gone on to open outlets in London, New York, Seoul, Tokyo and Kuwait City, as well as flower schools in London, New York and Japan. Given this impressive resume, it will come as no surprise that throughout At Home with Flowers Jane's effortless ability to create inspiring, eye catching and quirky flower arrangements is abundantly clear. Jane demonstrates ways in which flowers can add colour, variety, wit and style to every room in the home, all of which is beautifully captured by photographer Catherine Gratwicke. The book begins with the basics, including tips on buying and caring for flowers as well as tips for picking out the most suitable vases and containers. (If you're like me you'll find the this really useful!) The second half of the book takes you on a tour of flower arrangements in every room in the house. Inside At Home with Flowers you can expect to find dramatic mantelpiece displays to architectural blooms showcased on coffee tables, and even ideas for using cut flowers in outdoor entertaining. Which of these displays from the book do you like best?

Friday, 10 June 2011

BOOK REVIEW: Modern Vintage Style by Emily Chalmers

Images are © Ryland, Peters & Small | Modern Vintage Style by Emily Chalmers | Book words by Ali Hanan | Photography by Debi Treloar

Modern Vintage Style is the beautiful new book by Emily Chalmers - interior stylist and owner of London-based boutique, Caravan. Emily's passion for vintage items is evident throughout the book, as is her unique and feminine style point, which is beautifully captured by photographer Debi Treloar. The book is split into two sections: Inspirations, where you'll find a host of examples of achieving a Modern Vintage Style with furniture, textiles, lighting and more. Followed by Style, which offers practical tips for translating the earlier inspirations into a liveable home. As such, Emily's relaxed approach to decoarating is easy to adpot. Real homes are shown throughout, my favourite being the aptly titled 'American French' space of Brooklyn based couple Dean Sawyer and Steve Drum, whose home effortlessly marries quirky vintage finds alongside modern pieces. If you buy the book, be sure to check out their kitchen on page 91, with it's country-meets-urban mix, it's a real treat. Have you read Modern Vintage Style? What inspired you about the book?

Tuesday, 24 May 2011

A Stylist's Guide to NYC by Sibella Court

Given Sibella Court worked in New York City for ten years as an interior stylist for leading American magazines and brand, it is no surprise that her second book, A Stylist's Guide to NYC, is a visual treat. As well as featuring her own photography, the book shares Sibella's favourite spots in the city, told through a series of walks and journeys across NYC that focus on 'loops' of interest, such as 'Jewellery and Hardware', 'Haberdashers and Handmade' and 'Furniture and Interiors'. There's also a handy pull-out map of Manhattan, which is accompanied by lists of recommended stores, galleries and markets to visit. Next time I am lucky enough to visit this wonderful city, I'll be taking A Stylist's Guide to NYC with me to direct me towards the intriguing and inspiring places she has highlighted within the book's beautifully designed pages. Have you read the book, or used it on a recent trip to the city? What did you think of it?

Friday, 22 April 2011

Jonathan Adler: Accessorising and Colour Ideas

If you're looking for a couple of inspiring decorating reads for the Easter break, then Jonathan Adler's Happy Chic Colours and Happy Chic Accessorising are your must buys. I've been nosing through them on my Tube commutes for the past week and have on several occasions I've been so engrossed in his upbeat and exciting ideas that I've nearly missed my stop! Expect to find inspired colour themes inside 'Colours', with Benjamin Moore shades picked out for many of the colour themes so you can literally shop the looks you like. You'll also find product 'inspiration boards' that give plenty of shopping ideas whether you're looking to makeover a whole room, or just a standalone statement piece. 'Accessorising' is equally as inspiring: the collection of divine vases (seen below) made me rethink the ability to make an impact by grouping multiple vases of varying shapes. Plus, throughout the book Jonathan shares his tips and reasoning behind why he accessorised his home the way he did, giving the title an informal and accessible tone. Here are some of my favourite pages from the issue...

Book images are courtesy of Jessica Antola | Jonathan Adler | Sterling Innovation | Review layouts by Bright.Bazaar

Tuesday, 19 April 2011

Decorate Book Party and Review

Last Wednesday I had the pleasure of joining an small group of fellow journalists, writers and bloggers for an intimate private talk with Holly Becker, founder of the decor8 blog, to discuss her and Joanna Copestick's new book, Decorate. Holly spent the first thirty minutes talking candidly about her life experiences and how they had ultimately taken her full circle to the publishing of her first book. Questions from the room prompted more inspiring (and amusing!) tales from Holly, before we moved into Liberty's new Dining Room for a table demonstration. Joined by the ever-inspiring Leslie Shewring (who I was beyond excited to finally meet in person) from A Creative Mint, and Sania Pell, Holly talked to a packed out room about the creative and crafty ways they had created an original tabletop.

As for the book, well, it really is as good as you've no doubt been reading. No surprise given the calibure of talent involved in Decorate: Debi Treloar delivers inspired and original photography, whilst Holly and Joanna Copestick - author of more than ten books - provide relaxed, engaging and accessible copy. Plus, peppered throughout the book are quotes and ideas from designers and bloggers alike - it sure is fun to see names you recognise throughout the book! Split into four sections - Space Matters, Setting Your Style, Room By Room, Attention To Detail - Decorate chooses to focus on providing ideas, rather than focusing on a particular design aesthetic, making it exciting to read as eclectic styles await with every page turn. Published by Jacqui Small, Decorate is by far my favourite decorating book of the year. Have you read Decorate? What was your favourite feature of the book? Mine is the cosy and colourful dining space that I've shared below - I could move in right away!