Recently, a question was asked on an internet decorating message board as to whether or not wallpaper was back in style. With the influx of home makeover shows filling TV airtime, one might be led to believe wallpaper was a monumental faux pas since its removal is first on the “must eliminate” now list. [...]

Do you consider chaise longues old fashioned? Some people might but we don’t. Neither does megawatt designer Michael S. Smith, a British-trained Californian. Smith decorates some of the most glamorous homes in Hollywood and has his own line of furniture plus elegant branded plumbing fixtures for Kallista. We were pleased to learn of his pro-chaise [...]

A Holiday wouldn’t feel complete without featuring the wonderful hooked rug patterns of our friend Barb Carroll at Woolley Fox. Patterns are available for purchase (you get to do the fun part of hooking) and can be found on her website. Thanks Barb for allowing me to share these fabulous completed rug images [...]

When I was a child, part of the thrill of Christmastime was a trip downtown to see the various department store windows all dressed up for the holidays. From the looks of these next images, I’d say those windows are still as magical as ever.

Smart department stores know how to attract the older audience [...]

Look closely to see how an old grand piano was cut down for use as the base of the marble-topped island in the Greystone Court mansion kitchen in Yonkers, N.Y. While it may look authentic, the kitchen actually was a gut job (the house is rented out for movies and photo shoots). The marble [...]

“What do I want for Christmas?” If you thought diamonds were a girl’s best friend, you haven’t met the gals from Atticmag. We’ve been known to fight over a certain blue sarouk. Here are three rugs I’d be happy to wake up to on Christmas morning. These beauties are [...]

A soft spot in my heart goes to salvaged house fixtures and this powder room shows the totally unique result they can provide. Sinks like this French 18th century brown marble basin are being copied in other materials today so finding one is a real coup. Rather than go with a conventional wood vanity, this [...]

Twelve Days of Christmas Rug – a timely reminder for all of us last minute shoppers…there are 12 days left until Christmas Day!

How much do styles really change? You tell me. This set of photos of a home in Southern California have been in my files forever. My reason for clipping them was the vivid colors picked up from the color field paintings — especially the amazing Morris Louis in the dining room (above) where a big [...]

Artist Stephen Huneck’s whimsical dogs are featured on these 100% wool hooked rugs. Check his site for more of his artwork and gift items.

Choose your favorite breed! 100% wool hooked rugs from dogstuff.com

Ivette reviews 20 more decorating books from her extensive library.
For previous reviews, see her Home Decorating Books page.
A to D
At Home with White
Ryland, Peters & Small. Bartlett, Atlanta 2007
While not a particularly informative book for those with some design knowledge already, this book is as clear in its instruction as its rooms are clean, [...]

No. 1 Beeswax Candles $16

We love candlelight at sunset and throughout the evening, especially around the holidays. So it was great to find 9-inch tapers ($7.75 per pair) in eleven colors at the Beeswax Candle Company. I am pleased with how slowly and neatly these candles burn and how long they last. I would [...]