Beautiful New American Design Books And More

This week for my recap of favorite things with Cindy and Annie, I wanted to share some beautiful American design books that were recently published, The First Coast Design Show that I attended (and amazing tablescapes there), and some simple Christmas decor in my home.

The First Coast Design Show in Jacksonville, FL

The First Coast Design Show is put on by the Women’s Board of Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital, (a volunteer organization with significant fundraising support). I really wanted to go because a.) Mark Sikes was speaking and b.) I thought I might make some new local friends with similar interests. And everyone was so friendly. I had a great time!

Mark Sikes’ Presentation

Mark started out as a blogger in Los Angeles using his own home to feature (which is how I started) and now he decorates residences around the world. He stays true to classic American decorating. Mark is simply “nice” and stresses the importance of a smile and direct eye contact. Talent, kindness and humility: what’s not to like?

He did Jill Biden’s White House office in Washington and Blair House (official residence for visiting dignitaries). Below is the third book of the Beautiful trilogy.

Designer’s Tastemakers Tablescapes

Lauren Leonard Interiors (Lauren was at the show and it was nice to sit with her) • Mrs. Howard • Stephanie Jarvis

Beautiful New American Design Books

Coffee table books are a great gift (easy to wrap or send quickly with Amazon). Here are all of my favorites. And below are new design books for inspiration to check out.

Forever Beautiful By Mark Sikes

“Mark D. Sikes celebrates a full year of beautiful interiors inspired by nature. Forever Beautiful showcases twelve homes — one for every month of the year.” American style all year long!

I bought his new book full of great photography. He signed it for me at the Design Show. I am going to curl up with it this afternoon.

photo from Vogue Magazine

Classic By Design By Micheal S. Smith

Published in October, it’s on my wish list: “This book is a celebration of Smith’s design aesthetic, a flawless blend of European classicism and American modernism. The projects range from a contemporary beach house in East Hampton to a Moroccan-influenced Mallorca escape, as well as two of Michael’s own homes, including his extraordinary apartment in a nineteenth-century palace in Madrid.”

Home at Last: Enduring Design for the New American House by Gil Schafer III 

Another book with great photographs on my wish list that was published earlier this year: “The work of Gil Schafer—one of the world’s leading experts on contemporary traditional architecture—is beloved for its elegance, charm, and strong sense of history and place.”

Island Dreaming By Amanda Lindroth Design

“Island Dreaming features 20 recent projects, one more enticing than the next. Lindroth brings her signature style of boldly colored fabrics, rattan and cane seating, canopied beds, and straw matting to homes ranging from cozy cottages to grand houses in Lyford Cay in the Bahamas; Manhattan; and Palm Beach, Florida.” This book looks like fun, too! She was a speaker at the Design Show but I missed it.

Some Simple Decorating At Our Home For The Holidays

I mix up the decor from year to year using the same things in different ways. Like that Santa was in a guest room last year.

The garland on the window was on the mantel last year and the wreath was on the front of our golf cart.

Why Not?

On Friday, after I told our friends, Mark and Mercedes how much fun I had at the First Coast Design Show that day, Mark said his company had a couple of extra tickets for the Gala that night. He asked if Howard and I would like to go.

I said sure, just give me an hour to wash my hair and fix my makeup!

It’s good to be spontaneous!

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Let’s see what my friends have discovered this week:

Most Lovely Things

Cindy Hattersley Design