Spring cleaning and a book recommendation!

'Tis the season to clean, donate and organize your home. I've been spending any spare time on the weekends trying to organize, not only my life (haha) but also my abode. As I've mentioned my house is small (it's just the kids and I) so small home = small closets. I dream of having a large walk in closet again someday. Every Spring I find it helpful and actually calming to get rid of things I don't wear or use. I de-clutter and re organize. In some cases I need to actually organize the area, like my linen closet, for example. This brings me to my next point, I found it helpful to read a book from a pro on the matter. Some people have organizing down to a science, so I was thrilled to receive a copy of Jane Stoller's book: Organizing For Your Lifestyle. Jane's book is a fun, well thought out guide to organizing all aspects of your life from your socks to your suitcase. 

A well organized life can truly transform your state of mind, stress and success level! I'm personally very organized with some things and not so much with others. I'm excited to set the inspiration I gained after reading Jane Stoller's book into action. I started with my coat closet last weekend and I'm moving onto my bedroom closet and linen closet this weekend. Next up: will be my bills and basement! Organizing For Your Lifestyle is arranged into common themes to help you organize your home. From the kitchen to the bathroom, Stoller shares ideas, advice and inspiration to help you lead a happier and healthier life. There’s also a special chapter for travel because packing properly for a once-in-a-lifetime trip will make it much more enjoyable!! Purchase the book here. 

 And now some visual inspo of how some seriously organized spaces look:

Yes, I could keep this bedroom closet organized by color very easily!!
I have changed over to mostly felt hangers, everything actually stays in place on them! 

Love how Gen organized her jewels! I only really wear what I can see!

MY DREAM BEDROOM LOOKS LIKE THIS, PAPER, SHOE COLLECTION AND ALL!!!!

I need to purge my small closet after looking at this image!!

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Shelter Loves...

Hola, I'm keeping things short and sweet around here today! I snuck in a "chill" yoga class with my friend Tammi this am! I need to do that more often. I'm feeling relaxed and colorful today. Here is what is on my radar this week. Happy Friyay!

1. It's sweater and fair isle season. I would wear this Boden version in a smaller size with skinny jeans and great flat boots.
2. I was sorry to miss Eddie's book signing last night at Hudson. I had a birthday dinner so I could not make it!
3. Ahhh, yes! Or at least throw the room off with something unexpected! 
4. I wear glasses to drive. In fact my night vision seems to be getting worse. eek. I need a new pair of glasses and am going to try the free at home trial with Warby Parker. The prices are right and I would rather not feel rushed at a store. I am kinda liking the Baxter and the Jennings. Heavy glasses over power my face, these feel a bit lighter.
5. + 6. Okay so I am slightly obsessed with team Gen + Ben's style. Their colorful and graphic designs really resonate with me. Check out the duo's amazingly creative firm here and their home feature on One King's Lane here. ONE WORD: GAH!!

Erin Gates, Elements of Style - Book release party!!

Today, I am BEYOND excited to share my dear friend Erin Gate's fabulous new interior design book, Elements of Style: Designing a Home & a Life, from Simon & Schuster. The book was released on 10.7.2014 and is available to purchase here.

Erin and I go way back. We met at our first design job in Boston, that was over ten years ago and we have been friends ever since! Over the years Erin has built a wildly successful design blog, business. and now has released her first book.

Elements of Style : Designing a Home and a Life, beautifully mixes cohesive designs, practical advice and her witty voice/stories. The looks are attainable and fabulous. Each one layered with amazing details and the perfect amount of glamour. Erin also chronicles her own home renovation which you can also read about on her blog. I highly suggest this book for yourself and as a gift for the upcoming holidays. Trust me when I say you'll gobble up every bit of it!! 

I'm so proud of you Erin, it has been a joy watching and sharing in your journey! You deserve every bit of this fame, my beautiful, talented friend....Much love, Julie (I  just teared up) xoxo

Last night I had the pleasure of attending the book release party at West Elm in Boston. Here's a peek inside Erin's book and some photographs from the event! Enjoy! 

Images 1 & 2: Elements of Style, shares both fashion and interior design tips and advice!

Erin signed over three hundred books for her friends and loyal fans!

A picture of Erin and I!

A signature Cocktail was served - Yum!

Chive of Beverly, catered the event.

This image is from left to right architect, Derek Bloom , Laura Burned of LB custom projects, my boyfriend, Matty. 

Also, I wanted to congratulate the following on their part in the book: Amazing job!

Photography: Sarah Winchester (who also takes my interior photos)
                      Michael J. Lee, Eric Roth, Danielle Moss

 Congrats to: Kathryn Beaumont Murphy (Erin's agent)
 Illustrations in the book: Anne Harwell McElhaney
 Book design: Jennifer K. Beal Davis

Book of the month

I must confess, I am a bit of a design book junkie. The more design details and images the better! I was thrilled to receive an advanced copy of designer Markham Robert's: Decorating the way I see it by The Vendome Press. I'll be displaying my edition with the cover off. How chic is the python cover? 

Markham has the ability to beautifully layer both modern and contemporary styles. The book is uniformly laid out using the step by step interior design process. Beginning with the floor plan, and each subsequent step: background, scheme, furniture, collecting, art, custom designs and finally discusses the importance of the interrelationship between the interior and exterior design of a home. Below I've shared a peek of some of the beautiful interior images. Purchase the book here. 

Enjoy! I hope you have some time to enjoy a good read this weekend! 

image via La Dolce Vita blog.

These walls? Stunning!

Book of the month - October

Wait how is it October already?? This was such an easy choice! It doesn't get much chicer then a Miles Redd interior!  I'd be over the moon if a new client asked to use his work as an inspirational starting point! Lacquer - check, Color - check, Graphics - check, Layered - Check, Glamorous - double check!! I could keep going but I won't. His book aptly titled "The Big Book of Chic" goes on sale in November. I'm getting on this pre-order list asap. You can do the same right here.

This shot is so fabulous!!

Book of the Month - Il Pellicano: Tuscan Paradise

Il Pellicano: Tuscan Paradise

Slim Aarons, John Swope and Juergen Teller Depict the Hotel’s Decadent History

June's selection is the wonderful book Il Pellicano: Tuscan Paradise. Il Pellicano, is a photo documentary of the famously beautiful resort. Images by Slim Aarons, (I will own one of his oversized photographs some day), John Swope, and Juergen Teller record the gorgeous property and jet setting clientele who have visited the resort over the years.

The Il pellicano resort is set on Italy's Monte Argentario Peninsula. A destination I one day dream of visiting. Il Pellicano was founded by Patricia and Michael Graham in 1965 the photos. 

I find photography vintage and new to be one of my greatest inspirations. Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!

Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons

Book Of The Month - Celerie Kemble, Black + White

I can't wait to admire more inspiring interiors by Celerie Kemble. her second book will be published this Fall!

June's Recommended read + a goal!

I like to cook, I actually love to cook if there is someone to cook for. I especially enjoy cooking for company. I pour a glass of wine, listen to music and work away. Sadly, I've been so busy focusing on my life, kids and business that I haven't set aside much time for cooking lately! I was always busy but some how found time to cook at least four days of the week when my husband lived with me. There is something about sharing a meal with someone that's more enjoyable then dining alone. As you know, it's just my kids and I now, so cooking hasn't been my top priority. Although, eating healthy should be. I constantly try to introduce new and fresh foods to my children but children will be children and on some days I'm lucky to get my three year old to eat anything never mind something "foreign". 

That brings me to this month's recommended read.   Gwyneth Paltrow's new cookbook "My Father's Daughter". It's currently in my Amazon cart and I will be eagerly awaiting the books arrival. I agree with Gwyneth's approach to cooking on a number of levels. I too try not to eat processed foods, I also eat fresh, and organic when possible. I love that she includes her children in the cooking process, I try my best to do the same! 

Okay, now onto my goal. No, I'm not trying to copy "Julie" from the well known book and film "Julie and Julia", but I do need some motivation to start cooking again. It's healthier, cheaper and also some what therapeutic. 

Here's my objective: To cook one meal a week from Gwyneth's cook book! I can't promise I'll finish the entire book but I'll do my best! I'll often take photos and share my results and even my son's critique when possible! Fingers crossed that this spurs my desire to cook and make cooking fun again! Happy June! xx. Julie

December - Book of the Month

This month's recommended read is a no-brainer. {i'm sure you've seen it on Blogland already}  It's Style by Lili Diallo. Lili was one of the fabulous stylists behind the beautiful pages of Domino. What better to help you with your home then secrets from the best. If I hadn't become a designer I think I would have opted to be a Shelter or Fashion magazine stylist. They create amazing moments with their creative eye and ingenious ideas. Love it! This one is on my holiday "wish list" for sure. Books are one of my favorite gifts to give and receive!

Isn't Lili's logo great?? so original!

A glimpse of Lili's work: 

{damn there's that Chesterfield again!}