inspiration

A must have book for collectors, Mary Randolph Carter's A Perfectly Kept House is the Sign of A Misspent Life focuses on living well with everything that makes a house a home. If you have been influenced by the picturesquely cluttered studios of Pablo Picasso or Alexander Calder, or by the art- and book-filled house of Vanessa Bell, this unique style book will stimulate you with its creative ideas. The volume explores how real-life tastemakers (photographers, textile designers, fashion designers, writers, artists) integrate their life and interiors to live well with their passions, histories, conveniences, and inconveniences. In inspiring essays, Mary Randolph Carter muses on such key housekeeping concerns as clutter versus mess; open windows; and unmade beds. Combining practical tips with liberating philosophy—"Don’t scrub the soul out of your home"; "Make room for what you love"—this volume celebrates living beautifully and happily, not messily. Lavishly illustrated with intimate photographs of different living spaces, Carter exalts in the beauty of imperfection and in living perfectly in our "imperfect" homes. Life isn’t perfect—why should your house be? (overview from Rizzoli Press)

newsflash

New Sarah L. Jones Interiors cards have arrived! Find the secret floor plan cleverly hidden on the back.

I must admit these cards rock, so if you would like me to post you one, I'd be more than happy to. Just shoot me an email at info@sarahljones.com with your name and address.

collection

Ethereal hand carved ceramics by Isabelle Abramson - collect them all here.

influence

All too often I'll see design magazines featuring Asian inspired rooms that are more kitsch than sophistication. Because Asian Art is my true love, I'd like to share some of my favorite antique and contemporary pieces.

Classical Chinese furniture has always been my weakness. If you are looking to invest in a custom or reproduction chair, study up and make sure the proportions of the piece you want are true to the original designs. The Minneapolis Institute of Arts has a world-renowned collection of Chinese hardwood furniture, and the interactive website is a great resource. Custom horseshoe armchair from P.A. Larkin.

Hand painted wall coverings from Gracie Studio - available at Holly Hunt Ltd. in Minneapolis (to the trade).

Traditional brass ring pulls from Chinese Brass Hardware would look great on a simple end table like the Mondo from Room and Board.

And no Asian inspired room is complete without some antique accessories. Green glazed ginger jar, Laotian Buddha and Negoro Wan bowl all from LAMONT.

Want more ideas for creating an Asian inspired space? Email me at info@sarahljones.com

shop

*COOL SHOP ALERT*

Located across from the Pacific Design center in heavenly Los Angeles, The Melrose Project looks like a divine place to collect all your interior needs. Next time I hit California... I'm there!

Find out more here and read some reviews from other designers here.

color

Looking to revamp a tired powder room or create a relaxing master bath? Try white... yes, good ole' white! I love a crisp, clean white for bathrooms. You cannot go wrong with it. Combine a Benjamin Moore paint - White Dove - with stony greys, blues, natural textures (like hemp or linen fabrics) and interesting details and you'll be happy with the results.

All products above are available to the trade (and some retail) for product information contact me at info@sarahljones.com

collection

Six months ago, the best and brightest of the design world headed to Italy for the Salone Internazionale del Mobile, better known as Milan Design Week. A privileged few (around 300,000 to be exact) were lucky enough to visit over 2,250 exhibitors and rub elbows with such design-gods as Philippe Starck. But, for those of us who couldn't jet to the land of The Leaning Tower... we can now pick up any September design publication to see what was hot.

Here is my favorite pick from the whole show - new items from Belgian company - When Objects Work. These bowls and platters would look stunning placed on a rustic, hand scraped table, in an ultra-contemporary interior.

Find more objects here.

collection

Romanesque "Scavo" glasses, designed in the 1950s and 60s by Antonio da Ros, blown in the foundries of Gino Cenedese, and available at the absolutely amazing Petersham Nurseries (love their logo!).