Dusting, Cleaning and Re-discovering Favorites

 About this time each year, I clean out my shelves, closets and over loaded drawers.

I donate the items that have lost their usefulness (at least to me)

But books are sometimes the hardest to part with.

Book lovers would say that a good book never looses its value to the reader and I suppose that is true... but decor and lifestyle books are as bit different.

 Like all book lovers, there are the old decorating classics that I can't seem to part with even though they seem outdated today.

But looking through these older books (I found a few from the 80's...yikes) gives me an opportunity to re-discover things I really like.  

And what is really  interesting is how my taste has come full circle... from when I was young and a new wife and mom and loved really modern contemporary design...

then fully immersed myself into folk art and antiques 

and finally here I am today...

back to those more modern and spare rooms which are really appealing again

 The blurry definition of what is a "country" look 

is really at the center of my decorating style...and I suppose my dilemma.

I like to think today it is more about what is left "undone"

 than what is clearly "overdone"

 I have been a huge fan of Tricia Foley for many years and find her style to be so wonderfully pure and admire how effortlessly she masters the modern country vernacular 

In her book:  At Home With Wedgwood

She writes about about the history and design of this most beautiful and popular 

pottery and china

and shows the reader the beauty 

of the simple well set table

I love how the flowers are not in the center of the table 

and the lantern is placed at the very end

The history of Wedgwood is actually really fascinating 

and the variety of china amazing

Wedgwood is really beautiful!!! 

and all of the settings photographed in this book seem so natural 

The fork and knife on the napkin and the spoon on the far right...love that

 what is more beautiful than this drab ware with the silver chargers!

 Her style is somewhat Wabi Sabi in the true definition:

finding beauty in the most basic natural objects and perfection in the imperfect

everything is set a bit off kilter 

but perfect none the less...

perfectly imperfect

She seems very comfortable styling photos that are both formal and rich in texture and layers but manages to find that balance of simplicity and natural beauty in

what are very detailed, formal objects like the Wedgwood lamp

I love this mix of antique with modern 

and simplicity with formality...very Wabi Sabi

 Much of her design work features utilitarian furniture and basic shapes

 Tricia uses a very narrow color pallet too 

 A beautiful spare house in the country

 the trim detail on the back wall 

with the sliding doors is just enough...a bit un-done

 A loft space in Soho

 A penthouse in Atlanta

those chairs!!! and look at the collection of china!!!

and a romanic day bed...simple linen bedding with very formal furniture...

so pretty

you can find more about Tricia 

here

Thanks for hanging in there on my 

very much needed

blogging hiatus 

I've been a busy girl...but we all are really busy right?!

Cheers dear friends.....xo

kelley