A new born, a fracture, a beautiful blog, exceptional books and a comment I was thrilled about!

Congratulations to Luciane of the blog Homebunch, her husband and family with their new born son Matthew !

Welcome to the world dear Matthew!

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As of course Luciane wasn’t blogging these days, I didn’t either!! Not for the same reason of course! No, last Friday I fell of my horse and had to go to hospital where the doctor noticed, after he had taken a CT scan, that there was a small fracture to one of my vertebrae. The past 2 days I had a lot of pain!  Fortunately I didn’t need surgery! I am at home and need to rest a lot ! I do hope that around Christmas I will feel much better and that the fracture will be repaired!! I feel so sorry to not be able to ride my horse Mango for a certain time! I really felt a bit down the days before and had not that much enthusiasm to blog as you will hopefully understand.

Anyway, life goes on and today I feel much better!

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I absolutely want to thank my friend Leslie Sinclair of the blog Segreto for the amazing post she wrote about me and the work of my company.

You can read it HERE.

Thank you so much Leslie, I feel very very honored!!

I do think that a lot among us have already heard about Leslie, the author of the blog Segreto and owner of the paint finishes company Segreto Finishes.

Leslie wrote a gorgeous book in which you will discover a lot of projects on which she has worked on!! Wonderful houses of which Leslie took care of the mural as of the cabinet finishes!

The Skirted Round Table wrote a beautiful post about Leslie and her company Segreto Finishes. And Leslie was even interviewed by the Skirted Round Table. To listen to this interview, please go here.

Source : Segreto Finishes via The Skirted Round Table

Source : Segreto Finishes

 

Leslie’s book Segreto is a must have! Please click on book cover to order it.

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Our blog colleague Diane Dorrans Saeks, founder of the most interesting blog The Style Saloniste and author of lots of publications about interior design and desigers has shared with us this week her ‘picks of exceptional books of the season’.

As this book titled Marisa Berenson A life in Pictures  

 ‘Marisa Berenson, A Life in Pictures’ by Marisa Berenson, with guest editor Steven Meisel. Introduction by Hamish Bowles and a Conversation with Diane von Furtenberg (Rizzoli)

 

Or this book,titled Intimate Chanel

‘Intimate Chanel’ by Isabelle Fiemeyer, with photography by Francis Hammond and with a foreword by Gabrielle Palasse-Labrunie (Gabrielle Chanel’s only direct descendant) (Flammarion)

 

Many more exceptional books to discover at Diane’s blog HERE.

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I want to thank everyone of you for all of your lovely comments on my latest blogpost about the finished Lefèvre Interiors project ! It means so much to me!

One of the comments came of - I still can’t believe it – the London based and famous designer John Stefanidis!!!

John Stefanidis is a designer with a prestigious, inernational clientele. His company John Stefanidis Brands Limited is specialized in the architectural and interior design of both residential properties and hotels across the globe.

John has also created original fabrics and furniture ranges. See his website HERE.

You really have to know that John Stefanidis is one of my all times favorite designers and you will have noticed his name listed on ‘my favorite designers’ list at the side bar of my blog.

I learned to know about John’s designs and work by his first book ‘ROOMS’, Design & Decoration’ (1988), I bought years ago, at the start of my career as a decorator.

This book is full of practical ideas on lighting, placing furniture, mixing styles and arranging objects and is still a wonderful resource on design.

I still have it on the shelves of my library! It is one of my favorite books! Not so long ago I passed on the title to some of my friends who were looking for design inspiration!

Can you believe how surprised and thrilled I was to see John’s comment under my blogpost !!

Thank you so much Mr Stefanidis! Your comment means a lot to me!

 

Since his first book Rooms, Design & Decoration, John Stefanidis has written another 3 books, to discover on his website HERE.

 

Some pictures of John Stefanidis’ designs.

 John Stefanidis via Architectural Digest – Photo credit Fritz Von Der Schulenburg

Every time I visit John’s website I am impressed by this hallway!! Gorgeous!

 

John Stefanidis via Architectural Digest – Photo credit Fritz Von Der Schulenburg

This mahogany-paneled library is one of my favorite rooms! Notice the Venetian mirror and the 18th century oil painting Black Hunter by John Wootton. John designed the inlaid low table.

 

 John Stefanidis via Architectural Digest – Photo credit Durston Saylor

A dining room with several mirrored panels. One of them is leading to the kitchen. A George III mahogany table.

 

  John Stefanidis via Architectural Digest – Photo credit Fritz Von Der Schulenburg

Elegant and warm room. I love the French chandeliers and the Stark carpet.

 

 John Stefanidis via Architectural Digest – Photo credit Fritz Von Der Schulenburg

A renovation of an Athens apartment.

 

John Stefanidis via Architectural Digest – Photo credit Miguel Flores-Vianna

In both of these bedrooms John used beautiful fabrics.

  John Stefanidis via Architectural Digest – Photo credit Fritz Von Der Schulenburg

 

  John Stefanidis via Architectural Digest – Photo credit Fritz Von Der Schulenburg

I am glad to hear that John is a ‘bookaholic’ as much as I am.

“Where to put my books was a priority,” says Stefanidis, who sits in the small library.(Text AD).

Well I have to say that this was a priority for me too! The library was the first room in our house that was finished! I had to store my precious books!

 

John is also the author of the blog ‘The Developed Eye’ !

 http://www.johnstefanidis.com/

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I wish you a wonderful week!

xx

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Book recommendation

Dear readers, a lot of you email me asking about my favorite interior design books and where to find them.

The book Country Chic by the Dutch Interior Designer BEATRIX KLEUVER is one of my favorite interior design publications.

Beatrix Kleuver, who lives in the countryside, is a very talented interior designer and country living is a source of inspiration for all of her gorgeous designs!

Not only nature but even history are great sources of inspiration to her work.

In the book ‘Country Chic’ she takes us along the interiors of historic and contemporary country estates.

The book counts numerous beautiful photographs by the Belgian photographer Jan Verlinde.

This book is ‘a must-have’ !  Since I bought this book , I have it on my kitchen table and I love to look inside the book over and over again.

You will love visiting the website of Beatrix Kleuver !!!

http://www.beatrixkleuver.nl

 

Cover ‘Country Chic’ by Beatrix Kleuver   Source Amazon

 

Source Wonen Landelijke Stijl Februari-Maart 2010  Photo credit Jonah Samyn

 

For a preview of the book ‘Country Chic’, please visit the website of Beatrix Kleuver HERE.

To order the book Country chic : www.beatrixkleuver.nl here   or   www.amazon.com here.

 

I really would love to hear your thoughts about the work and the book ‘Country Chic’ of Beatrix Kleuver !!!

xx

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Beta-Plus publications : the inspirational resource to all your architectural and interior design and…a book give away!

Dear readers, I am aware that a lot amongst you do know yet the wonderful publications of our Belgian publisher Beta-Plus.

Although today I wanted to write a special post about these publications to introduce my new readers to this resource, which is of an inestimable value, for all your architectural and interior design.

As my followers do know, in a lot of my earlier posts, I used several images of these publications and linked back to Beta-Plus (my apologies to Beta-Plus for any forgotten mentions or links, which I didn’t mean to omit on any purpose) in order to introduce the world to the characteristics of the Belgian architectural and interior design.

A few days ago, I received an email of the owner of Beta-Plus publishing, mentioning to me that I used too much of the Beta-Plus pictures on my blog. Although I always tried to mention the source of a picture, it seemed that I took a lot of pictures of websites which include the Beta-Plus publications’ pictures!

I really want to apologize to Beta-Plus publishing for this!! It was never my purpose to cause problems of any kind.

So in huge respect for Wim Pauwels, the owner of BETA-PLUS publishing, and for the amazing research he has done in all these passed years, it is my duty to write a special post dedicated to his inspirational books.

With an enormous respect for our Belgian ancestors, Wim Pauwels has performed a lot of research to publish about our today’s craftsmen and their projects, so that all of the publications became reference books of our cultural history and tradition. I am sure that in future they will be of a huge importance to our children and grand-children in order to go on in that same way and tradition of our ancestors.

I share with you today some of my favorite publications, which were a very important source, writing my earlier blogposts.

ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUES

This publication emphasizes the traditional craftsmanship in our modern, high-tech society, and shows us realisations with construction materials and pieces from the past, being reclaimed, restored and reintegrated into properties.

BUILDING WITH RECLAIMED MATERIALS

&

COMPENDIUM ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUES

Wonderful sources of reclaimed materials.

Image source Beta Plus publication Compendium Architectural Antiques

COUNTRY LIVING

Restored country houses as new-built projects, integrated into the country landscape.

All aspects of country living are given a chance in this publication : from the restoration of the house and the selection of materials to the interior design and the landscaping of the garden.

Image source Beta Plus publication Country Living

Image source Beta Plus publication Country Living

LIVING WITH WOOD

This book features inspiring examples of using wood in architectural projects and interiors. Homes constructed out of wood and also traditional brick buildings where wood occupies a prominent position inside the house.

Image source Beta Plus publication Living With Wood

COMPENDIUM CLASSIC LIVING

Classic living in all its aspects : from a farm house to a stately home, from a country estate to an apartment.

Image source Beta Plus publication Classic Living

Image source Beta Plus publication Classic Living

KITCHENS

&

COMPENDIUM KITCHENS

The kitchen has become one of the most important places in the home, it is not only the cooking area, but it is also used for many other activities as eating, working, receiving guests,…

In these 2 (and even in other publications about kitchens – see Beta-Plus website), you will find plenty of inspiration for your dream kitchen.

Image source Beta Plus publication Compendium Kitchens

Image source Beta Plus publication Compendium Kitchens

HANDMADE, A PASSION FOR CRAFTSMANSHIP

This book presents 20 selected craftspeople. They all argue for a recovery of our traditional cultural heritage of crafts.

Image source Beta Plus publication Handmade, A passion for craftsmanship

Image source Beta Plus publication Handmade, A passion for craftsmanship

CONTEMPORARY LIVING WITH ANTIQUES

This book presents recently constructed or restored homes where interior designers or antiques dealers show an eclectic whole of old and new.

Image source Beta Plus publication Contemporary Living With Antiques

This is a picture of my living room published in Contemporary Living With Antiques.

Image source Beta Plus publication Contemporary Living With Antiques

I am very proud to mention that my home is featured in this publication.

Discover the entire publication of my home HERE.

Besides of the thematic series, Beta-Plus publishing offers a wide range of other publications as the yearbooks about Architecture and Interiors, as this one here :

TIMELESS ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIORS – YEARBOOK 2011

These yearbooks include beautiful realisations shown by renowned architects and interior designers.

Image source Beta Plus publication Timeless architecture and interiors – Yearbook 2011

Image source Beta Plus publication Timeless architecture and interiors – Yearbook 2011

To discover more about the wide range of BETA-PLUS publications, or to see some book previews, please visit the BETA-PLUS publishing website : www.betaplus.com.

To order your favorite publications, click HERE.

MY BOOK GIVE-AWAY

Grab your chance and go over to the BETA-PLUS website HERE.

All you have to do is : take a look at the preview of ONE OF THE 4 NEWEST PUBLICATIONS

- BEST OF 500 CONTEMPORARY INTERIORS

-BEST OF 500 TIMELESS INTERIORS

-CONTEMPORARY APARTMENTS

-KITCHENS

And let me know, by commenting this post of BETA PLUS, which of these 4 books is your favorite.

You can leave your comment until Friday 25th of February, midnight central european time.

The random chosen winner will be announced on Saturday the 26th of February.

Good luck to you all!

xx

All images of this post are of the Beta-Plus website www.betaplus.com and posted with the permission of Beta-Plus publishing.

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Happy Thanksgiving !

I want to wish all of you a HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Here in Belgium, we are not used to celebrate Thanksgiving day, but blogging for a year now, made me feel so connected with all of you and that is why I wanted to wish you a warm and peaceful Thanksgiving !

And for those who are still on a doubt for a Thanksgiving gift, or a Christmas gift, I have some good news!

This week a wonderful, gorgeous new Belgian book is released, titled QUIET LIVING.

The author, Piet Swimberghe who is an art historian and the photographer, Jan Verlinde work for numerous magazines, as ‘Elle Living’, ‘Côté Quest’, ‘MTC’, ‘Weekend Knack’.

They were granted permission to have a look inside the houses of numerous designers, artists and collectors!

‘Personal Rural Interiors’. All of them warm and charming European houses.

Jan Verlinde has taken the most wonderful pictures! Top quality !

The book is a ‘must have’!!!

Oh yes! I also have to tell you this! One of the houses in this book, is the house of Céline Chollet, a blogger colleague of the blog CELINE CHOLLET AQUARELLES. Céline and her family live in Auxerre in France. She is an aquarellist, specialized in watercolour paintings of old buildings, often ruines, and interiors! If you don’t know Céline or her beautiful blog yet, please visit Céline HERE !

Céline at work!

You can order the book HERE or HERE.

I am sure that you and the one who has received the book as a gift, will so enjoy it!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !!!

xx

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