Design Books: The Perfectly Imperfect Home & This Side of Paradise

It was a good mail day.

I received BOTH 

THE PERFECTLY IMPERFECT HOME

&

THIS SIDE OF PARADISE

(the stunning Penguin Classics version).

They came just in time, 'cause I've been under the weather the past few days and needed something to curl up with (well, besides my hubby and dog.  They are pretty fun to curl up with...).

My favorite quote thus far from "The Perfectly Imperfect Home" is from the ever fabulous

Elsie de Wolfe:

"What is the goal?  A house that is like the life that goes with it, 

a house that gives us beauty as we understand it-- 

and beauty of a nobler kind that we may grow to understand."

What books are you digging lately?

Best. Movie. Ever.: Midnight in Paris

If you haven't seen Midnight in Paris yet, drop whatever you are doing and go see it NOW.  It is in the running for my absolute favorite movie of all time (it may even beat out Amelie).

Remember past posts when I said I was in love with F. Scott Fitzgerald, Art Deco, and most of all Paris? Well this movie has it all... and then some!!   Add in a dash of Versailles, Montmartre, Degas, Monet, Picasso, Hemingway... breath.... the list goes on and on (oh and staring at Owen Wilson doesn't hurt either!).

My darling friend told me the leading lady's style reminds her of my style, which made me quite happy.

"I like to by thought of that way."

I won't give too much more away but if you like Paris, architecture, art, fashion, design, literature, or, at the very least, a charming story, RUN to the your nearest Cinemark.  You won't regret it.

{images via IMDB}

F. Scott Fitzgerald Hardback Classics by Coraline Bickford-Smith

My favorite book of all time is F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby."  It was a required read in my high school and I remember being absolutely swept away by the glamorous ambiance of Gatsby's garden parties, the suspense of love triangles and the beautiful words that filled the pages.  I even based the style of my wedding around motifs I read about in this American classic (minus Gatsby's pink suit, of course.  I don't think my husband would have been too keen on that...).

I know these books have traveled around the design blog world for the past few years, but they are so stunning, I couldn't help myself.  I have confessed it before and I'll confess again, I TOTALLY buy books for their covers (and pictures!) and this is one book that is just as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside, if not more so!  If you are someone who likes the option to take the cover off, don't worry, the hardback is just as marvelous:

Did you enjoy that little book cover strip tease?  I know I did.

You don't have to stop at Gatsby either.  Coraline Bickford-Smith has a whole collection of Fitzgerald's novels depicting the Art Deco Era (which has been and will always be my favorite design period):

Of all the covers, I find this one to be the most fabulous.  It's not out until the end of October but you can pre-order it on Amazon.  As if I needed another reason to look forward to October...

{images via Amazon}

Desk Lust List

I'm on the lookout for the perfect white desk for my living room and while a white Parsons desk is perfect in every way (clean, timeless, functional, plays well with others, etc.) I can't help but have a roaming eye for some other beauties on the market.  I may have more than a slight crush over these pieces.  Here is my lust list of hottie-patatty desks (there no budget in my dreams!!):

5. Lilly Pulizter for Horchow

 Polish with a little glam glitz.

4. Barbara Barry for Henredon

Tradition with an Art Deco vibe.

3. Jonathan Adler's Channing Desk

Retro-chic personified in a desk.

2. Milo Baughman Vintage 1960-70s Desk

Milo Baughman. 'Nuff said.

1. Vintage 1960's Campaign Desk

The definition of high style and design.

Sigh.... one day....

{images via Horchow, Barbara Barry, Jonathan Adler & 1st Dibs}

Look for Less: Urban Home

Are you like me and have champagne tastes on a root beer budget? Well we are not alone. Though I always stress "buy the best quality you can afford," sometimes the budget calls for some compromises (ok, EVERYONE'S budget calls for compromises, even the rich and famous, I've come to learn).  That's why I was so happy to come across this amazing source!  Check out these looks for less from Urban Home. 

 {Urban Home's Lauren Chair vs. Crate&Barrel's Colette Chair}

A savings of $350 a chair!

{Urban Home's Devonshire Day Bed vs. Crate&Barrel's Simone Daybed}

A savings of $620!

 {Urban Home's Entice Mist Ottoman vs. Global Views' Poof Ottoman}

A savings of $600!

{Urban Home's Entice Mist Sofa vs. Z Gallerie's Pauline Sofa}

A savings of $400! 

I would actually recommend the Z Gallerie version, if you could afford it.  Upholstery is not an area you want to cut corners.  But then again, if you have to, Urban's Home's version isn't too bad!  Just change those pillows. Please.

{Urban Home's Chesapeake Side Table vs. Pottery Barn's Stratton Bedside Table}
A savings of $110!

{ Urban Homes' Ray Table vs. West Elm's Parson's Table}
A savings of $200!

{Urban Home's Havana Bed vs. Restoration Hardware's Camden Arch Bed}

Choosing the bed on the the left would save you a wopping $1500!!!

Not to shabby, if I do say so myself.  There really are many more "copy cat" pieces at Urban Home, but instead of having an endless post, just know, if you like something on this site, there is probably a more expensive version out there and you are getting a steal!  

Can This Be Made Into A Room? Victoria Bojarskaja

I love this girl. The Lithuanian model, Victoria Bojarskaja, is just so gosh-darn beautiful!  You know me, I had to turn my favorite pic of her into a room!
 

{via FGR}

I started this room by finding the sofa equivalent of Victoria's top. The Celia sofa from MG+BW is the prefect match.  Then for that fabulous necklace- it's such a gorgeous piece!  I interpreted the long antiqued bronze chains as a heavily antiqued mirror and a statement chandelier made entirely of antiqued bronze chains (both from Arteriors).  So fabulous, if I do say so myself!

I was going to turn this room into a living room, but then I thought, why not go crazy and make it a dining room?  I have always wanted to use a full-length sofa in a dining space and where better to test it out than here?  I would add a stunning Art Deco table circa 1940 (1stDibs).  I know I say every style is my favorite style, but Art Deco is my first and foremost love, especially French Art Deco.  It's the perfect transition between traditional and contemporary.  Adore.  For the other seating around the table I would add some upholstered chairs in a linen (Overstock). If you need dining chairs I HIGHLY recommend these.  Amazing quality, amazing price! They are what I have around my own dining table, actually.  Add a sideboard  (Baker) in a parchment finish under the mirror, accessorize with some vintage Dorothy Thorpe glassware (Etsy) and a funky bronze sculpture (Arteriors), and you have a completed statement formal dining room.  Tre Chic!