Tuesday 4 June 2013

House Beautiful June 2013


The June issue of House Beautiful was a little bland and not very memorable either way.  If I were you and not a subscriber, 
I wouldn't go rush out and buy a copy.


I liked the animal theme on wallpapers.  I liked how it illustrated the repetition of any motif is effective and can be soothing.
I love Scalamandre and they proved how good they are by making me want ( is that octopus or a squid?) on my walls.


Apparently, instinctively humans like repetition in most things including routine and even in landscapes.  Anything new back in the cave days meant disaster so it plays into this primal need.
One cow or one giraffe would have looked odd but in a repeating pattern, it now seems perfectly doable.

I suppose one can take inspiration from anything. 
If you do match your dining area to your porcelain, then make sure they are never in the dishwasher.


I like segments when a decorator deconstruct a room and shows their "recipe" for a room. I must add that this month the iPad issues have come in a different format and it doesn't translate as well into photos as well as the print issue.

I do like Michael S Smith.  He seems to decorate in a way that is livable and not just for showrooms.


This is where you can see the different format and 
the screen gets cut off so please bear with me.


If I had my way, I would even have a slipper sofa.
I like that you are not predetermining space. I like slipper chairs especially when entertaining and flirting.  You can always ask someone to scoot over and share a chair!

The paint colors for a garden doesn't apply to me at all but I put it out there for those of you that might be interested.

I have total fountain envy. 
This is what London does to you...

Personally, I think pure white plates are a better base palette for jazzing up a table with glasses and other accouterments.
However, black does punctuate a space and give some yang energy.
But I don't feel hugely inspired.
Next time I do a dinner party, I will show you my china.

So on to the editorials.
This is a very soothing and complete vignette. 
Has a light source, books, flowers in a vase, inanimate objects sourced from both art and nature.

The chartreuse below is marmite of colors no?
As one of my friends says, chartreuse is so Nicole Kidman Oscars dress 1997. I dare not ask if that is good or bad.
The colors in this editorial are all obliquely matched it seems. 
Lots of secondary colors of a distinct shade brought together.

I need to ask Heidi of Adelaide Villa her opinion of 
the color scheme of this bedroom.
Am I being harsh when I think just go totally monochromatic with a strong black and white statement. But diffused slowly from the bed centerpiece it looks like you are a decorating chicken?  Bwok bwok!
I adore everything about the pool and the house/cabana.

I love the modern door frames next to all the wood.
This house has no wow factor but I feel like it is the type of house that in-laws have if that makes any sense at all.


I don't mind a subway tile and neither do they by the looks of it.
Maybe it is my time in New York but part of me feels like 
I am in the loo. Sorry.

You could read in this bath by resting the book on your knees 
that will never get wet.

Blogger alert.
Lily Pulitzer's daughter's house below that has already been featured in many blogs.


I gotta give her kudos for her use and mix of fabrics.
She hasn't read my blog post about scattered throws obviously.

Not wholly convinced by her fabric on the chairs, a bit heavy for the climate.  It looks like it belongs in the dining room of a suburban British accountant.




This kitchen below is a bit busy and personally I don't find myself having a restorative tea on the kitchen bench.


I do love a glossy finish to a deep color for a library.
I would love one but my builder said he would never paint anything gloss finish again as it is the so tough to finish well!


It is interesting that only this one room makes a statement
 but the rest of the house is a clean hue.




The bath and kitchen of the month were similar in that if I bought a house with them in it, I would  be on the cusp of whether or not to redecorate them...

Nice enough and classic but somehow needs just that 
little bit of sprucing.


But I would definitely keep all the fridges and other appliances.
Hope you enjoyed browsing through the June issue!

44 comments:

  1. I was crazy about the blue library, since I have a small blue library myself! I wish my husband hadn't co-opted it as his office now, as I would love a nice small settee in there!

    I always enjoy House Beautiful, though I agree - this issue was a bit underwhelming. I need the badger wallpaper, but I don't really have a spot for badger wallpaper right now. Go figure!!

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    1. I would love a proper library! I will go through your back log to find a pic. I have to say that this issue was a bit dull, they haven't been very consistent of late but I still have another year of my subscription left. I want the octopus in my bedroom and the giraffe in the loo!

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  2. I still look forward to each issue, but do agree a bit bland. Not such a fun summer cover either.
    Kelly

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    1. You're right, the summer is wintery and the inside was neither here nor there. But you are right, I too look forward to each issue!x

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  3. Thank you for viewing this magazine.
    Interior design is my passion, but the only thing " new " for me, in this magazine is the Marimekko wallpaper ( kinda cute ).
    But, the rest - not at all to my liking.
    Simply too much of everything, yet - too much of nothing.

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    1. Yes actually, there was no one theme and sometimes a theme helps tidy it all up!

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  4. I love your mag overviews - I don't need to buy it now! That blue cover had me interested as I've seen the image all over Pinterest... such a contrast as you say between that and the rest of the neutral house.
    Tablescapes.... such an American concept! I'd love to see your china though. Suspect its Hermes from the bits and pieces I've seen dotted around your place.
    The grey bedroom was very blah. I think the soft grey walls were the killing point. As you said, either go for it or it turns into a mess. xx

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    1. I saw the cover everywhere plus the Pulitzer house so I thought it might be a keeper and filer but actually it only had those two things in it...Yes, your suspicions are right! One of the few things I "collect". Re bedroom, yes, it just faded in the head of decor decisions it seems! xx

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  5. I am a huge fan of wallpaper but not sure if Im brave enough to have the animal patterns!
    Thanks so much for your advice on my lighting I really appreciate it :)

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    1. I just can't commit to wallpaper as much as I love it! No worries, it's just that pendant light thing as come to bite many later on!

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  6. I am loving that blue room! Don´t know if it would work IRL with children but looks stunning. xo Caroline

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    1. Yes, that room is fab and cozy although in fantasy land the children would be lined up calmly reading their books right? ;) x

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  7. Thank you for the overview of the magazine. I suppose I would have expected a few more summery colour schemes featured. I liked the mix of fabrics in the outdoor area and since the sun has finally made an appearance, I think it's time to put out our outdoor furniture again. However, as soon as we bought new cushions and lamps last year it rained and continued to do so!

    http://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. Me too miss b, not at all summery! I hate when that happens, every time I buy sports equipment, I stop the hobby. I dare not buy a deck chair to sit outside bc it would cause it to rain as well hehe!

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  8. I'm not ever gonna buy House Beautiful and will just wait for my free review from you! Thank you :D

    When I saw the colour palette for the garden and china, I was reminded of a makeup palette. Sorry. I guess when I look at interior design colours, I look at it like a face to be applied makeup on--my sort of canvas, then I take it from there :)

    Have a lovely day x

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    1. Yes, just flip through my review - I still have a subscription that goes on at least another year! Yes I agree - that plate is more southern belle beauty pageant isn't it?? ;p Have a lovely day too! xx

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  9. I just loooove the wallpaper! I would like to have it everyxhere in my house :-)
    Kisses

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    1. Yeah, I could do a zoo at this rate as well Gloria! x

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  10. Subway tiles! I never knew that was their name - I always just call the 'the correct tiles'. I LOVE them and am planning subway tile overkill in our renovation!!
    I love the fact that I constantly leaders new things on you (and other's blogs)
    And I love your magazine dissection each month.

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    1. That should be 'constantly learn new things' bloody iPad auto correct!

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    2. LOL- I love that - correct? Subway tiles are great and you don't get sick of them. Easy to clean and maintain. Although I am not a huge grout girl so make sure the grouting is tip top so you dont have to regrout after a few years! Yes I love learning and reading stuff on everyone's blogs as well - I love that it is usually frank and not swayed by adverts! Although J Crew could hire you easily :)

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  11. Want to comment properly tomorrow when I'm awake!!... but am very impressed in how you do your review - do you photograph the pages? Really professional xxx

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    1. Where are you?? I wish I could take credit but I have an ipad subscription to the mags as it works out much cheaper that way and then I screen shot them!! :) There's a tip for you xx

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    2. Oh you are a clever girl - in all sorts of ways!!... I am back in Australia.. day 2 of jetlag... ughgh!!
      come back a few days early as my daughter was really ill... but all on the mend now!... Well done on the review though - always interesting and funny! xx

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    3. Gosh you have been busy! But glad your daughter is better now - perhaps she was just missing her mum? Rest up as I am sure you have lots of reno things to catch up on xx

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  12. I agree about subway tile making me feel like I'm in a bathroom. Or an actual subway. I've seen it done beautifully in kitchens and elsewhere but, when it came time to make my own backsplash, I just couldn't get on board with subway tile.

    And I, too, have fountain envy. I was planning to dig up the odd little fire pit in my back yard and plant a tree there but perhaps I could cover it with gravel and plop a fountain right in the middle instead!

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    1. Yeah, the tile in the kitchen was understandable but in the dining room looked a bit odd! If I had a garden I would definitely put some sort of fountain there - I adore water in any form except for rain. I think it is partly why I love Morocco so much is that there are fountains everywhere!

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  13. I think that good wallpapers are hard to find in the States, so it's good to see a selection in HB. When I was last in the UK, I spent a few happy hours browsing the wallpaper selection at the B&Q. Almost brought home a few rolls, too!

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    1. When I lived in the States, I was still too young to be into decor so never went to Home Depot and the like. But it seems America would have the best choice of everything! It's funny because I do think they have better wallpaper choices here than paint choices. There are still so few companies who do paint here in comparison to wallpaper for sure!

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  14. we are Never reading a Magazine without you by our side again.

    it's just too good - your comments over the shoulder, tapping the page irritated by the blandness of aforementioned spread and then grabbing the glossy to point out what you would have done.

    just Delicious.

    you rock, sister.

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    1. Oh TeamGloria, too kind. Was very hard to jazz up beige! xx

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  15. A lot of the best wallpaper uses fractal patterns, just like nature.

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  16. I'd live in Lily Pulitzer's house and in my room I'd have a sleeper sofa and a giraffe printed wall. Where do I sign??:D

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    1. I could totally see you with giraffes on your walls!

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  17. I love interior design.... we have great designer of wallpapers in Italy!!!!
    Kisses

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    1. I adore Italian design - people tend to go on about French design but actually for me it is Italy! x

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  18. Your choices of design are so beautiful! I really like them. Great taste

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  19. Gorgeous porcelain dinner plate! I love the palette and would happily design around it!

    2013 Designers Series
    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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    1. Yes they are gorgeous and would match everything!

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  20. I'm not a fan of porcelain, dunno why ! However I'd definately go for a house with a tropical touch...

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    1. Oh I adore porcelain! But I would not be too picky about a house if it was in the tropics :)

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  21. Was waiting to read my issue last night so I could read your review today! I so agree on most points. The Pulitzer house was a bit crazy. I hear you on that subway tile in dining room! Totally thinking public bathroom! I think my favorite was the Grace Notes home because of the details, though the colors were a bit dull..And the bathroom and kitchen of the month...yawn! Haven't we seen this a ton already?? They really needed to make this a Summer issue and it really wasn't.

    Love reading with you! HAve a great week!

    xxKim

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Thank you for dropping by!