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Guest Blogger
Tuesday, December 6, 2011 2:54 PM EDT
If there's one gift that fits perfectly into the "something I want but don't want to spend my own money on," it's design books. They look good, they're full of gorgeous photos and they offer countless inspiration. But, they're often expensive. (Groceries or design book? Much-needed hair cut or design book? You get my dilemma). So for me to offer these two lovely books as a giveaway readers, well, it's a display of how much I love you all for visiting. Kisses!
Image: Chicago Home + Garden
Chicago is on our list of places to visit in 2012, so I definitely took a good peek through Chicago Spaces: Inspiring Interiors (Agate Surrey, 2011) written by editor-in-chief Jan Parr and the editors Chicago Home + Garden. The forward by Chi-town native and Oprah-sanctioned designer Nate Berkus declares: "The Midwest is the ultimate source for all things vintage, antique and wonderful...Those of us lucky enough to call Chcago home sit on the doorstep to it all." Let's get into it, shall we?
The book is divided into by room, which I appreciate -- makes for easy browsing. Mr. Berkus is right; the spaces are an amazing resource for stylish rooms with a mix of vintage, antiques and contemporary pieces. But solid design isn't just a mash-up of styles; it's all about what you love, what means something to you. These homes have that deft modern touch; they feel real and full of life -- maybe it's that Midwest heart shining through?
Image: bigeasystyle.com
Next up is dear to my heart as both a Cats-lover and a Mad Men mega-fan: actor, author, furniture shop-owner and New Orleans native Bryan Batt's Big, Easy Style. Batt has owned N'awlins furniture shop Hazelnut with his partner Tom, since 2003 and is probably known to most as Salvatore, the closeted art director on Mad Men, but he is also a talented Broadway star (yes, he was once in Cats which remains my favourite musical).
Big, Easy Style showcases Batt's love of casual, colourful spaces -- a feeling he attributes to the soul and innate style of New Orleans. His cheeky tone and genuine enthusiasm makes this book as much fun to read as it is to look at. You'll find spaces with a relaxed vibe -- still stylish, absolutely -- but accessible in a way that will inspire you.
The Giveaway: In order to have these two design books in your hot little hands before December 25, please send an email with the answer to the question below and Design Book Giveaway in the title to giveaways@hgtv.ca. Read giveaway rules.
How many gift guides do we have on our Holiday site?
Good luck! This giveaway is now closed.
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