Tag: Books

I love books.  I’m guilty of simultaneously reading two and three books at once.  Although I’m quite diverse in my choices- my bookcases are filled with anything from books about adaptogens to the Zohar.  As a designer, I have, of course, a preference for design books, and Autumn is the month when many design books are released.  So October is essentially Christmas for style and design aficionados.  I already have received a couple of these books, and each one of them is more inspiring than the last one.

Near and Far: Interiors I love by Lisa Fine

Near & Far: Interiors I Love by Lisa Fine. If you like textiles and beautiful patterns and chintz, then this book should be a must-be in your bookshelf.  Lisa Fine introduces us into the places and people who have been her greatest sources of inspiration.

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how to style your bookcases, Julie Paulino Design

Live Beautifully:  10 Tips On How To Style Your Bookcases.

There is nothing better than the feel of a real book.  There is no kindle or electronic device that can be compared to a bookshelf full of books or to the sensory experience of holding a book in our hands.  One of my favorite rooms in a home is the library because it’s cozy as well as stylish.  Styling your bookcases can be tricky but has never been easier.  Whether you want to use your bookshelves for storage or for displaying books, these ten tips will help you get there.

how to style your bookcases, Julie Paulino Design

Julie Paulino Design

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The Lowcountry: From Charleston to Savannah

While we are still down south- as I write this, I’m in my balcony in Palm Beach overlooking the ocean breaking waves in front of me.  I can get used to this.  I’ll be posting a guide to these three cities I’ve been visiting, Charleston, Savannah and Palm Beach soon.  In the meantime I want to share with you 5 books about Charleston and Savannah which give us a glimpse into the socio-political, architectural, and economic history of these historical cities.

5 books to read before visiting Charleston and Savannah.

Charleston! Charleston! : The History of a Southern City by Walter J. Fraser, Jr.

Charleston Charlston: the history of a southern city

This book covers Charleston’s development from its founding in 1670 to Hurricane Hugo in 1989, diving into the towns history from wars, slavery and racial issues, natural disasters as well as its art and architecture.

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I love receiving coffee table books as gifts as well as gifting them myself.  Not only do they help us expand our horizons and give us endless inspiration but they also fill us with knowledge and new perspectives.  Some of them are so beautifully designed that they end up enhancing the overall decor in the room.  Whether you are looking to grow your collection or for the right gift for a host, we’ve assembled a good selection of our favorite and latest coffee table books for everyone from avid travelers to design lovers.

For Design Lovers

Cabana Anthology, coffee table book

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Losing a loved one is soul crushing.  We recently lost my mother-in-law to cancer.  Her funeral was last Tuesday, and even when we were expecting it, it’s excruciating when it happens.  When she was put under hospice care at her home about three months ago, I purchased a couple of books about near-death experiences to find some spiritual comfort.  I have always been fascinated by spiritual subjects and have read these types of books since I was a teenager, maybe as an attempt to find answers to something that is so mysterious.

Many, if not all, of the NDE books I’ve read, share many similarities and all point to the source of light and joy and how our souls eventually become one with it.  Many who have experienced it say they didn’t want to leave that perfect peaceful state, but they had to return because their time on earth wasn’t complete.  The stories are compelling, hopeful and give certainty of life after death and not any life, but one full of joy and light.  A perfect state that most of these individuals can’t find the right human words to describe.  If you are dealing with a lost of a loved one, give yourself a chance and try reading one of these books below.  They may be more comforting than you think.

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out east book via belle vivir blog

You might have seen images of a very Global Chic cottage called Woody House in the Hamptons featured in the current  Architectural Digest issue.  The home, designed by Peter Marino is one of the more than 25 houses, cottages, and pool houses appearing in the soon to be published book Out East: Houses and Gardens of the Hamptons by Jennifer Ash Rudick with photos by Tria Giovan.  I got a copy of the book over the weekend and had a great time looking at the pictures of beautiful, meticulously designed gardens.  Now that summer is here, I can’t think of anything more appealing than gardens and outdoor spaces.  Below, some of the images released by Vendome publisher.

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