Sunday, November 21, 2021

LIFE IN A FRENCH COUNTRY HOUSE: ENTERTAINING FOR ALL SEASONS BY CORDELIA CASTELLANE

 

LIFE IN A FRENCH COUNTRY HOME:
ENTERTAINING FOR ALL 
SEASONS
by Cordelia Castellane
forward by Natalia Vodianova
photography Matthew Salvaing
Rizzoli, $50.00
October 2021
Reviewed by Teresa Hatfield
Author, Splendid Sass


Cordelia de Castellane, creator of LIFE IN A FRENCH COUNTRY HOUSE: ENTERTAINING FOR ALL SEASONS, is the artistic director for Dior Home and Baby Dior. She is also known for her hospitality, and spends her time making life better for everyone she loves, creating beautiful tablescapes, and cooking delicious meals.

The chapters in the book are divided into seasons of the year, accompanied by the stories behind each of these seasons, and she graciously shares her recipes for the menus she serves. 

Below are several images from this lovely book.  ENJOY!








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Wednesday, November 17, 2021

 


VAUX-LE-VICOMTE:
A Private Invitation
by Guillaume Picon
foreword by Christian Lacroix
photography by Bruno Ehrs
introduction by Alexandre de Vogue
Rizzoli New York, $85.00
October 2021
Reviewed by Teresa Hatfield
Author, Splendid Sass


There are no words to describe this historical and art-filled publication. It is definitely on the top of the book tower. I can’t put it down. There are 280 color images in this 304 page treasure. I have threatened to frame quite a few of the pages. 

VAUX LE VICOMTE: A Private Invitation by Guillaume Icon, covers a period of 1641 through the present. This is a must have for your collection and a perfect gift for someone special. 

Below are several of the extraordinary and beautiful images that can be found is this publication. ENJOY!







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Sunday, November 14, 2021

INTERIOR AFFAIRS: SOFIA ASPE AND THE ART OF DESIGN BY SOFIA ASPE

      


INTERIOR AFFAIRS:
Sofia Aspe and the Art of Design 
by Sofia Aspe
Rizzoli New York, $60.00
September 2021
Reviewed by Teresa Hatfield
Author, Splendid Sass


Sofia Aspe, author of this interior design book, INTERIOR AFFAIRS: SOFIA ASPE AND THE ART OF DESIGN, has created a masterpiece. I could not put this book down, and I share, the book is huge. 300 colorful pages of creativity!  


Throughout this stunning work, Sofia shares homes in many locations with many styles. The textures, art, furnishings, colors, lighting, and her ability to bring the outdoors in is mind boggling. Her style is hers alone, with personality galore. 


Below are several images from the book. You will certainly want to add this to your gift list. ENJOY!








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Thursday, September 30, 2021

MUSEE PICASSO PARIS: ANNE BALDASSARI


MUSEE PICASSO PARIS
by ANNE BALDASSARI
FLAMMARION, $50.00
September 2021
Reviewed by Teresa Hatfield
Author, Splendid Sass 

 

In this book, there are over 500 pages of Pablo Picasso’s art along with descriptions of the pieces. From paintings, prints, and sculptures, there is something for everyone.  


I have always been intrigued with his life and his work. To say he was a character is putting it mildly, and to say he was talented is an understatement. 


I hope that you will enjoy this book as much as I have and will continue to do so. Below, I have chosen a few images to share with you! 










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Tuesday, September 28, 2021

ANREALAGE A & Z

 

ANREALAGE A & Z
by Kunihiko Morinaga
Rizzoli New York, $55.00
September 2021
Reviewed by Teresa Hatfield
Author, Splendid Sass 


In this book, you will visit light, shape, color, and perspective, to name a few. Describing the pages of this book is almost impossible.  You have to see them and study them. I am amazed at the many textures used here and the imagination that went into each piece of art, apparel, and costumes. 


There is life in action on each page, created with personality and extreme thought. Fabric, buttons, beads, metal, and form are in each creation, and I can honestly say there is something for everyone. 


Below are several of the images I have chosen to share. I hope that you will ENJOY!

 









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Thursday, July 22, 2021

THE MAINE HOUSE


THE MAINE HOUSE
by Maura McEvoy and 
Sasha Burwell
Photography by Maura McEvoy
Text by Kathleen Hackett
Vendome, $50.00
May 2021
Reviewed by Teresa Hatfield
Author, Splendid Sass


The homes in The Maine House have seen many a family and their lives and dreams. If I ever needed a place to go relax and feel close to nature, this is it. 


The creators of this book spent several years traveling through Maine, the bays and inlets, the dirt roads, and sea towns. Home renovations are last on the list, living life is first. 


I have chosen my favorite images to share with you below. Enjoy the 250 color images here, and take it all in. 








About The Creators


Maura McEvoy spends her summers on the Maine coast. Her work has been seen in House Beautiful, Town & Country, Conde Nast, Travelers, Outside magazine, and Martha Stewart Living

Basha Burrell sails her way each day. Her clients include, L.
L. Bean, Garnet Hill, and Misha & Puff. 

Kathleen Hackett spends her summers in Maine. She is the author of Brooklyn Interiors and the ghostwriter of over a dozen books on cooking and interior, contributing to Elle Decor, AD, and Veranda. 

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Friday, July 16, 2021

CINDY CANTLEY AND COMPANY: BEAUTIFUL KITCHENS

I have a special treat for you today, so grab a cup of tea or coffee and ENJOY!


I met designer Cindy Cantley several weeks ago in her lovely shop, Cantley and Company, and could not wait to share her work with you. Cyndy is an interior designer in Birmingham, AL. and she designs the projects, and her husband Keith Cantley custom makes all of the bespoke cabinetry in the company’s local shop in Adamsville, AL. I know that you will love the images below of their beautiful work.


Under each group of photographs is a description of the work.  ENJOY!








Chadwick Kitchen/Pantry:

This project consisted of original cabinetry designs in the kitchen, butler’s pantry, master bathroom, and half bath. The custom cabinetry throughout this project show that cabinets are not just for the kitchen. They can be made to for whatever lifestyle a person might have. The designs were created to show that cabinets are not just for the kitchen and with the perfect college game day in mind– being that the house is located in Tuscaloosa, AL.

• In the kitchen, the island was made to accommodate a multitude of platters and dishes of game day treats as well as a place to gather around the food and watch the game on one of the two TVs that are built in to the fridge and freezer wall cabinet systems.

• The butler’s pantry offers a plethora of prep space for game day beverages and storage for any leftovers, if there are any. It is also a nice, peaceful place to fix coffee the morning after an exciting night of cheering on your favorite team.

• The half bath provides a stylish space for guests to take a break during commercials. The curved cabinet sink base both saves space in an already smaller area of the house and proves that even a half bath can be as beautiful as the rest of the house.

• The master bathroom is an oasis after a long day of rooting for your team. The dual his-and-hers sinks–separated by a beautiful archway and elegant vanity table– give husband and wife there own space to unwind and get ready for bed.




 

Irwin Kitchen/Pantry:

The homeowners wanted to create a kitchen that accentuated the architecture of their 1920s cottage and prove that a bigger kitchen is not always better. They also wanted to create a pantry that added in more modern spunk to their historic home in the Crestline neighborhood in Birmingham, AL.

• The La Cornue oven, cabinet style, and china display shelves help give the kitchen that charming cottage feel that the rest of the house has.

• The all white color scheme helps open up the space and makes it feel bigger, which helps show the idea that a massive kitchen is not always the way to go.

• In the pantry, the navy accents from the kitchen are carried over and used as the cabinet color, which in addition with the uniquely patterned wallpaper on the ceiling, gives the space that more updated feel that the homeowners were looking for.







Nelson Kitchen/Pantry:

The homeowners wanted to create a bright, fresh French bistro style kitchen inside of their beautiful 1918 Tudor home in the Highland Park neighborhood of Birmingham, AL.

• We chose a cream and gray color palette to bring in the light rustic feel the owners desired.

• The overall neutral color palette leaves room for bright pops of color and subtle patterns to freshen up the space.

• Corbel brackets in the cased opening, leaded glass windows and natural brass hardware embrace the old charm of the house while stainless steel appliances and glass dome pendants give the kitchen a more modern, updated touch.




 Statham Bar/Pantry:

The owners wanted an update to the bar and pantry areas of their house. They desired better and more bar prep and storage space, in addition to a more organized pantry system. The owners wanted to make the space feel more cohesive with the rest of the classical, French styling of the home, which is located in beautiful Mountain Brook, AL.

• The antiqued mirrors and leaded glass give the space the older French charm the clients desired.

• The closed shelving helps keep the pantry from looking like there is too much in the space. The cabinets provide space for organization behind closed doors.

• The addition of the built-in, counter-to-ceiling cubbies in the pantry allow for dual storage and display for the owners’ wine collection. And, the ladder makes the full height of the cabinets functional, as well as nodding to the ladders that were frequently used in older stores to tie in the classical charm.




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