28Apr

Designing A: Pool House Design

I can’t think of a more fitting time than now to start this new series: Designing A, and what is more appealing than starting with a pool house…? As some States are slowly opening up for business, I would think or hope that many people are still maintaining their social distancing outside of their workplace and not going out to public places for a while. In such a case, a pool house beautifully and comfortably designed to escape to would be a real treat.

Like every other part of a house, when it comes to designing it, the process should start like this, addressing the homeowner’s needs aka function, Architecture aka adaptation and sense of belonging, and lifestyle aka style. Of course, in the end, it will all depend on the budget. For the obvious reasons which are fun and creative freedom, we’ll not consider a budget. I’ll design this pool house for a Tuscan style Architecture.

20Apr

5 Favorites Of Belle Vivir: From The Last Bottle To Art On Sale

The Last Bottle

On our last trip to the South of France -God I can’t wait for this whole Corona catastrophe to be over- encouraged by my husband, we visited The Chateauneuf-du-Pope region and ended up buying a couple of cases of wine and getting them shipped back to our home. A couple of years later and we were able to buy the same wine for the same price and without having to pay shipping and duties. All thanks to The Last Bottle. I’m not a great wine drinker, I’m more of a cocktail girl, but when I do I always go for Riesling since I feel it is easier on my stomach. The Last Bottle “is a daily purveyor of fine wines. [they] offer you one hand-picked wine per day until it sells out… Always at incredible prices (30%-70% off retail)…”

26Sep

Fall Must-Have Design 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.

15Jul

5 Books To Read Before Visiting Charleston and Savannah

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.

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.

15Apr

10 Stylish Coffee Table Books To Inspire

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

24Jan

5 Books To Read When A Loved One Is Passing

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.

Category: Books

Designing A: Pool House Design

5 Favorites Of Belle Vivir: From The Last Bottle To Art On Sale

The Last Bottle

Fall Must-Have Design Books

5 Books To Read Before Visiting Charleston and Savannah

10 Stylish Coffee Table Books To Inspire

5 Books To Read When A Loved One Is Passing

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