I am a total sucker for a good decorating book. I know there is Pinterest and blogs and all sorts of online goodness when it comes to decor inspiration, but there’s just something different about having a book in your hands, turning the pages and taking in the scenery. My husband and I used to go to bookstores and go our separate ways to browse and put together wish lists of the books we wanted to buy or receive as gifts. There’s almost always a decorating book under the Christmas tree for me.
So, when French Charmed, one of my sponsors, asked if I was interested in receiving the new book, Vintage by Nina, well…yeah! And this book didn’t disappoint in the inspiration department. It’s an expensive book, but it’s big and thick and filled with beautiful pictures.
I don’t look at decorating books to copy them exactly, but to get inspiration with colors, textures, arrangements, finishes and potential projects. I have been thinking about framing some old family documents to make a gallery and seeing this made me want to do it even more.
…and I got lots of ideas for vignettes and arrangements.
…and even upholstery projects. See the sofa arm in the bottom right corner of the picture below? I love the play of burlap against linen.
That’s just a little preview of this gorgeous book. We’ve spent a lot of time together.
The ladies at French Charmed also sent me a pair of Jeanne d Arc Living Pillow Slips. The designs are based on old flour sacks and are printed on flax-colored linen. They are well made with an envelope closure and ties. So far, I’ve used them in my family room…
…and on my bed…
…and, of course, they go perfectly in my home. I can’t decide where I like them more.
If you like the look, but the slips are too expensive for you, there are tea towels available in the same print and you could make a pillow out of those!
Here are some of my other favorites from their shop…
French Charmed also carries some genuine French antiques and lots of other lovely things.
PS – The book I have is bi-lingual, so it does have all of the text in English.
Disclosure: This is a feature post that was exchanged for the pillow slips and book. I love both products and my words, opinions and promotion of these items and French Charmed is genuine.
20 Responses
It’s so cool to see some blue rugs, etc., so many bloggers have the same exact colors and pretty much same deor. All prety yes, but quite the same. Love your ideas.
I just checked Amazon earlier today to try to get this book in english. It indicated that they did not have any available. 🙁
I think it would definably be worth the price, it is pricey.
The wrapping paper is from Jeanne d’ Arc Living, one of the BEST magazines and the books are wonderful as well. If you like French Nordic Country style and lots of white, you really need to check out the magazines and books! Love it!
The book on Amazon is Vintage by Nina. She has 2 books and this one is Vintage by Nina- Among vintage and friends. They have one listed on eBay for $95
I love a good decorating book too. I always get a couple for Christmas. Those pillows are great, and that wrapping paper, gorgeous. I’ve been tossing around the idea of using framed documents to make an enclosure for my TV. These are all lovely things Marian, I think I’ll go to the web site and drool some more.
i just purchased this book this weekend at a show as it isn’t readily available anywhere and yes it is expensive but the parts i have had time to look through are gorgeous. your living room looks great with all the patterns.
Pricey book — would be good to know if it is in English.
I love decorating books as well and one of the first books I purchased was “The Shabby Chic Home” by Rachel Ashwell. I use to be a decorating magazine junkie but so many of my favorites such as “Cottage Living” have gone out of publication.
Yes I really miss the cottage magazine and many others that are no longer in print.
I miss Country Home magazine, as well.
Lovely images and inspiration. LOVE the pillow cases.
As always, LOVE your blog! I also love your home’s look with pale backgrounds and all the blue patterns.
Whenever you tire of that roll pillow on your bed, please let me know and I will quickly buy it from you………….. It’s so difficult to find my initials!
Ana Maria
Those pillow slips look good wherever you put them! Sounds like a fun place to shop. I really like the script wrapping paper too…
Cindy
I just ordered this from Amazon. They indicated they had 11 new, 4 used. Mine is in English, $35 plus shipping! Can’t wait to receive it.
I hope you got the one that is Vintage Nina- Among Vintage and friends, because the one on Amazon is her 1st book and not the new one that she is talking about that one is on eBay for $95
You never listed the whole title to her book and she has 2 books and the 1st one is Vintage-Nina and the newest one is Vintage Nina- Among Vintage and friends.
If you click on the words “gorgeous book” under the picture with the cat in it, it will send you to the site with the name of the book. 🙂
Blessings
Must get hold of that wrapping paper!!
Oh Marian I can’t thank you enough for this lovely post! I saw that wrapping paper on someone’s Pinterest board but it didn’t have the origin, and my scouring the internet left me with no results. Now I read this gorgeous post of yours and there is the paper! I have already ordered the tea towel and the wrapping paper and something else that I can’t recall because I am SO excited!!! The pillows look so great in your living room!!
Thank you so much for the lovely post, your decorating is always so lovely. I may invest in some decorating books myself because of you! 🙂
I love books too! I have a Nook, but there’s nothing that feels as good as holding a book in your hand. I have some old decorating books from the 1940s that are fun to look at.
I think the best designers don’t copy what they see in a picture exactly. They use it for inspiration and then make a room of their own using similar elements.