The Art of Removing

Katie Lee Joel's beautiful home, decorated by Nate Berkus is shown here styled two ways. The first, the chairs are upholstered in a chocolate brown so as to not distract from the bookshelf vignette. The built in bookshelves shine with color, blues, books and interesting arranging.

On the second style, the same exact room has chairs with a geometric pattern, that contrasts beautifully with the stark white items (and a few soft pastels) styled on the shelves.

I would love to know your preference. Do you change colors throughout the year (and not just because of holidays)... do you remove color and stuff for a clean and white palate and then add it back when you get bored? I do.

Books, Glorious Books!

elle decor so chic

grant k gibson's presidio height's apartment

 When I lived in Utah, I had to move home to Texas in a hurry when my father died to come and take care of my mom. Meaning, I had to SHIP everything I owned. There went my meager savings... as well as over half of my shoes/clothes and most sadly, my books... all went to Goodwill.

Californication Set

high fashion home, book table

I did manage to save a few, and though that was nearly 8 years ago, my books have multiplied again! Much to my husband's chagrin, who states... occasionally, "No more books." But really, I love to read. I love getting books on education, science, history, classic works, education, decorating, cooking... and now that I have children, I gets books for them.

 

in the fun lane 

 

in the fun lane

I know the age old decor idea of turning the books around so you only see the pages, or covering each book in pretty or neutral paper and I love that, I do... but I also love the colors and age of old hard back book spines. (I don't own many though, mostly paperbacks and modern glossy covers, boo!)

book side table

 

san francisco style book by diane dorran saeks

 

elle decor so chic

I love to stack my books. Create little vignettes and keep my favorites out to reference, though the hubby isn't a fan of that either. So, this post is dedicated to what I would do, if given a chance.

enchanted cottage

Modern Glamour in Black and White

 

The good thing about moving is packing. Not that it is fun, or uneventful, but it does allow you to see your space without all of the "stuff", so you can see the possibilities without all of those things that you are so artificially tied to. Moving into a new place, also gives one the opportunity to nest a bit. Different layouts, different windows, different flooring, can either stress you out, or give you a chance to be creative without spending too much.

So, I ordered my white Pottery Barn slipcovers (mine are white and no longer on pottery barn, I got them on ebay for way less, so I linked to the 'natural' color). As a brave soul ordering white with 2 toddler boys, I decided I will try it and bleach those babies if I need to. Especially after reading Holly's advice in living with an all white home in her Life in the Fun Lane blog. She has some great slipcover advice here and here. And This Stylish House has great advice as well.

With all of this white, I am thinking charcoal gray and black for the next place. So, when I came upon this home featured in Domino, of J.Crew's creative director, Jenna Lyons, it made me realize that a dark and elegant place with touches of stark white, can still have warmth and uniqueness.