I hope you had a wonderful weekend! Ours was full and busy with church stuff – I played and sang in the band this week and worked on the painted murals (I shared about the Storybook Christmas on IG Stories a few weeks ago) and Jeff & the boys spent time at the church painting wood for the supports. I’m basically ready for a real weekend now! But, I have a full week with decorating the tree (finally), working on blog posts, and getting more paintings done to sneak in one more art sale before Christmas. I’m sure many of you are experiencing similar schedules as we approach the holidays!
Anyway, today I’m going to share the books of the week for November!
I have absolutely devoured this landscape painting book! It’s a different style than some of my other landscape painting books and I’ve enjoyed studying the loose, more abstract style. As with most art books, it has a lot of foundational information in addition to techniques, tips to improve your art, and step-by-step studies. If you’re interested in landscape painting, particularly in oils, is a great book to add to your library.
This book is an oldie and I bought it used, so my copy is not wearing the original dust jacket. is so much more than a decorating book. It teaches about French Provincial culture, colors, artisans, antiques, heritage, and more. It really is a wonderful source book and a place to find inspiration.
I wish they still made Pierre Deux fabrics! I am always drawn to them when I see them used in interiors or find listings on or
There are also photos of interiors, but most of the pictures do have that yellowy tone that you find in a lot of old decorating books. I find it inspiring nonetheless.
This book has been on my shelf for a long time and it’s still one of my faovrites. It is filled with beautiful homes decorating with antiques in a variety of styles.
Some of my favorite homes and designers are featured in and the spaces never feel dated to me. It’s a great example of timeless interiors.
This is a new book by Tsh Oxenreider and it is so good! I know we’re already into the second week of advent, but it’s not too late to get the book and read through each day with your family. I’ve been reading through it on my own and it’s been such an encouragement. It’s good to pause the business and remember why we celebrate this Christmas season with intention. I can see revisiting each year.
(PS: I haven’t even set up an advent wreath, yet! Does anyone else feel a little behind this year?!)
Well, our tree, which has just been wearing lights since we set it up over Thanksgiving, is finally going to get decorated this week, and then I’ll share it here on the blog. I think I’ve been putting it off because I really want to savor it. I want to put on some good Christmas music, sip on a dark hot chocolate, and take my time.
If you missed previous books of the week, you can find them here…
Making a Life | Martha Stewart’s Organizing | Essentialism | Slipcover Style | Daily Painting
City Farmhouse Style | A Place for Everything | Color: A Visual History | Conscious Creativity
The Life of a Bowerbird | New Americana | Making Winter | Painting Clouds & Skies in Oil
The Art of Beatrix Potter | BHG New Cookbook | Nora Murphy’s Country House Style | BHG Trade Secrets | Simply Living Well
The Art of Still Life | Cozy Minimalist Home | Creating a New Old House | Keep Going
All Along You Were Blooming | Furniture Makes the Room | On Flowers | French Country Cottage Inspired Gatherings | Get Your House Right
New Farmhouse Style | Mastering Composition | Beautiful | Spruce
The Stuff of Life | Old Home Love | Beginning Drawing Atelier | BHG Decorating Book 1961
John Singer Sargent Portraits in Charcoal | Welcome Home | Great Country French Style | Arriving Home
The Organic Artist | The Beauty of Home | Inspired You | In the Mood for Colour
One Response
I’m waaaay behind on my Holiday Hoohaw. We are under full lockdown in my state. No church going or singing allowed, so you’d think with all this time at home that I’d be way ahead of the game….maybe I’m just depressed. I’m grieving for our nation and I probably need to stop watching the news. Anyhoo, I LOVE Pierre Deux and you definitely brightened my mood, Marian, so thank you.
I cannot wait for 2020 to be over.