Sister Parish Design: On Decorating

I was in High Point this past October when Sister Parish Design: On Decorating was released so I missed the fun launch party at Gerald Bland Antiques. I did stop by after though to pick up a copy and I am enjoying it immensely! The premise is similar to Mark Hampton On Decorating which was the inspiration but in this case, other interior designers, many of whom worked at Parish-Hadley, give the decorating advice. I'm often asked for recommendations for books that give good practical design advice and I can say that this one is now at the top of my list! I loved reading anecdotes from Mario Buatta, Albert Hadley, Bunny Williams, and Miles Redd, among others!

As I mentioned in my previous post, Gerald Bland's wife, Mita Corsini Bland painted the beautiful watercolor interiors for the book and they are just gorgeous! They were actually displayed for sale at the book party and if you're lucky, they might actually have a few left!

Sister Parish's Living Room

Albert Hadley's Bedroom

Todd Romano's Living Room

Mrs. Astor's Library Designed by Albert Hadley

Room Designed by Paul Wiseman

Room Designed by Bunny Williams

Room Designed by Miles Redd

Watercolors by Mita Corsini Bland for Sister Parish Design: On Decorating

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

House Proud

I finally had a chance to see House Proud: Nineteenth-century Watercolor Interiors from the Thaw Collection at the Cooper Hewitt this past weekend and was so glad that I made it before it closed Sunday. The watercolors were amazing and so were the stories of surrounding each of them and the rooms they depicted. It was such a wonderful insight not only into interior design of the times but the history and purpose of the different rooms in a home. I was also struck by the intricate detail of the watercolors and beautiful furnishings and patterns in so many of them. I purchased the accompanying book House Proud and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning more about these stunning interiors.

Rudolf Von Alt, The Japanese Salon, Villa Hugel, Heitzing, Vienna, 1855

James Roberts, Salon Particulier de la Reine au Palais de Buckingham (The Queen's Sitting Room at Buckingham Palace), August 1848

Henry Robert Robertson, The Interior of Hall Place at Leigh, near Tonbridge, Kent, 1879

Carl Friedrich Wilhelm Klose, The Red Room, Schloss Fischbach, c. 1846

Matthaus Kern, A Study at St. Polten, 1837

Edouard Gaertner, The Chinese Room at the Royal Palace, Berlin, 1850

Julie Bayer, An Artist's Studio, c. 1850

Bouilhet, A French Restoration Bedroom, 1823

Renderings

One of the things I love about The Book of Decorating from Domino is that there is a beautiful watercolor rendering of an interior on the title page to each chapter. I collect vintage watercolors and am always in awe of anyone who has mastered the techniques, especially John Gibson. John creates renderings for many top designers and architects so that they can show their clients what their space will look like when it's finished. Most non-creative types have a hard time visualizing which is why they hired a designer in the first place!

He will also create watercolors of finished interiors which he said is much easier. I have been thinking about commissioning him to paint a view of the bachelor pad since it's a rental and at some point will cease to exist. It would be nice to have a lasting memory that is much more special than just a photograph. Check out John's website for more beautiful watercolors!