I've always been rather frugal in my spending, but when it comes to books on decorating, I am a sucker.
What's great about working in KLCC is that Kinokuniya is nearby, and you can find design books that you would not find anywhere else in the country.
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| Just in case you don't know where KLCC is. It's the best place to work. So they say. Source unknown. |
Two weeks ago, I had been scouring the shelves of Kinokuniya for a book titled The Business of Design by Keith Granet, a book that was recommended by my favourite blogger, Brooke Giannetti, in her blog Velvet & Linen.
As I was searching, I literally gasped when my sight fell on Patina Style! The book that I had sought and thought would never reach our shores! The book written by Brooke Giannetti and her equally-talented husband, Steve Giannetti!
Note: People who know me well would know that it is not easy to get me excited over anything.
I grabbed the book over to the counter and asked them to open the plastic cover for me. They told me there was only one copy in the store, and I believe the only... one... copy... in the entire NATION. And it would take a few weeks to replenish if this one was sold out.
With no cash in hand, I walked out, and several days later, I made a beeline to the store again and bought not one, not two, but three different books.
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| My bedtime books. |
Patina Style, The Business of Design and Design Sponge at Home. Okay, the third book was on a 30% discount with another purchase. And who knew when I would be buying a book again, right?
Design Sponge at Home is also a spin-off from the Design Sponge blog which is a hit, too.
I literally devoured Patina Style in just one night. It is truly a feast for the eyes. As they say, a picture speaks a thousand words. I love the cover.
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| Finished in one night! |
I am not sure if non-readers of the Velvet & Linen blog would enjoy it as much, but it makes a great coffee-table book with generously large, beautiful pictures and simple text. There are a few tips here and there for those who would like to emulate their design aesthetic of decorating with aged and antique pieces.
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| One of my favourite pictures in the book. |
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| The authors also talk about decorating your bathroom as you would any other room in the house. Like this one for example. You would never know it was a bathroom from this shot. |
What I also love about it is that they celebrate the beauty of imperfections - linens that look better over time, unfinished wood revealing a facade of its history. It's a wonderful liberation from being fussy over scratches and dents and faded fabrics.
So now I'm a quarter through The Business of Design. And I've not started Design Sponge at Home yet. I'll tell you if they're good with a review in my future post. Promise!
Salam Maal Hijrah and happy holidays!
