book worm

Over Christmas my book collection grew (which I always love) however my space for these books has sadly grown sparse. However, I don't that would be a problem if I had these lovely book storage solutions.


(chicago home and garden and House and Leisure)

6:45 AM by beemagnet · 0

eye candy {contemporary country}

This past weekend I decided it was finally time to get a library card and see what the local library had stocked in the interior design section. I was thoroughly impressed and came home with many lovely hardbacks but was most impressed with Contemporary Country--especially these lovely masterfully mixed style dining areas on its pages.


Are you a fan of this cozy yet sophisticated style?

6:15 PM by beemagnet · 0

feeling bookish

This has been a long week and I could not be more excited that it is Friday. One thing that I have not done in a while that I am determined to do this weekend is read a book! So, when I was thinking about which book to buy I also started thinking of where and how I should store my new book purchase and these are the images I looked to for ideas...




(via elle decoration, flickr, stephen shubel, jordan ferney, {this is glamorous}, micheal del piero)
Do you have a unique place that you store books? Hope that you have a lovely and relaxing weekend!

6:35 AM by beemagnet · 0

for the love of horses

I am a horse lover to the core and was lucky enough to actually own two horses, Bentley and Tango, when I was younger. The book, Horses, by Kelley Klein just brought all the memories of horses and riding back. It contains the most stunning horse photographs--perfectly showing their strength as well as their warmth. This is definitely being added to my constantly growing wish list.






(all photos of book via 1st dibs)

2:20 PM by beemagnet · 0

A MUST-HAVE FOR THE GARDEN LIBRARY

I COULD KICK MYSELF: HOW COULD I HAVE MISSED
THIS BOOK FOR TWO YEARS ?

Experienced gardeners and garden designers are jaded when it comes to collecting books on gardening. Just when I thought there was nothing left to say on perennials, two professional passionate garden designers create a masterpiece that is a joy to read for both the novice and experienced gardener. It's down-to-earth advice, puns, quips and catchy phrases also appeal to the Taurus in me.

The writers, Stephanie Cohen and Nancy Ondra are , and I quote, " Obsessed with everything about gardens and gardening-with digging, planting, designing, and creating great canvases of living color and textures." Those are my sentiments exactly.

Along with design basics, they present 20 garden plans, as well as the before-and-after stories of gardens they've created for family and friends.

The contents of DESIGN PRIMER are simplicity itself : PART ONE : PERENNIAL DESIGN DEMYSTIFIED : 1. Getting Started 2. Selecting your Perennials 3. Exploring Perennial Partners 4. From Dream to Reality and 5 . It's all in the Details.

PART TWO : PUTTING PERENNIALS TO WORK: 6. Problem-Solving with Perennials. 7. Creative Color Effects. 8 . A Year of Perennials and 9. Gardens for Special Effects.

PART THREE : FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE: 10. Building a Border from Scratch., 11. Expanding an Existing Garden and 12. Reworking an Old Garden.

In its almost 300 pages are beautiful photos, designer "checklists" with helpful pointers, a very useful planning chart and the notebooks of both writers filled with their personal opinions.

Design Primer is available from Amazon.com. It was recommended as one of 2005's best by FINE GARDENING MAGAZINE.

12:50 PM by beemagnet · 0

WINTER IS THE ONLY TIME I HAVE FOR READING AND PAINTING

The UFO on the left is a digitally altered photo I did of a persimmon ripening on my window sill. Got a lot of time on my hands.


Garden Quote : What a desolate place would be a world without flowers ! It would be a face without a smile, a feast without a welcome. -Clara Balfour

I grow very nostalgic for the sunny South in Winter and turn to books to relieve my yearnings . I'm a big fan of Fannie Flagg, author of Fried Green Tomatoes and have just read her book, Standing in the Rainbow. It's very entertaining and I highly recommend it.

I have another book that I am re-visiting because I liked it so much when I was younger : A Member of the Wedding by Carson McCullers. Fantastic book that was made into a movie . And for goodness sake if you've never read To Kill a Mockingbird by my fellow Alabamian, Harper Lee, well then , you must because it is proclaimed far and wide as one of the best novels of all time. Plus, the character Scout reminds me of myself .

So there Oprah, you've got your book club and I've got mine. Think I'll call it Carolyn's Choice.

4:11 PM by beemagnet · 0