Why Not . . . Become Your Own Decorator?

In yesterday’s post This & That: No. 5, I recommended Susanna Salk’s recently released decor book Be Your Own Decorator: Taking Inspiration and Cues from Today’s Top Designers. With gorgeous images of rooms designed by top interior designers such as Mary McDonald, Nate Berkus, Kelly Wearstler, Charlotte Moss just to name a few, Susanna organizes her book as a suggestion. In other words, the images she has collected essentially beg the question, Why Not . . .? – use a bit of color, be aware of how furniture is arranged, or break a few decor rules and allow your books to be chaotically organized within a perfectly organized room.

So with her suggestions to consider when it comes to decorating a home, I began to make a list of my own tips that have served me well as I have over the years painted, remodeled or rearranged my apartments, houses, and various rooms.

Salk organizes her book into seven different chapters which focus on inspiring images in the following areas: color, mixing up styles, arrangement, balance, whimsy, accessorizing and rule-breaking.  With these chapters as the foundation for becoming your own decorator, below are a few more specific suggestions that I have found great success with as I continue to create my very own simply luxurious sanctuary:

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Parisian Chic: A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange

Parisian style radiates an air of self-assuredness, that indefinable je ne sais quoi that initially seems so elusive, and yet at the same time almost appears simple, uncontrived, perhaps effortless.

Inès de la Fressange, the premiere model for Chanel in the 80s and currently the brand ambassador for Roger Vivier, has graciously decided to share these coveted Parisian secrets of style in her new book Parisian Style: A Style Guide which is officially available Tuesday, April 5th.

I must confess, I was eagerly awaiting the opportunity to take in her tips, ideas and expertise for more than just a few months, and upon the delivery of my copy, it barely left my side until I was finished.

First of all, while the cover alone is captivating and impossible to miss with it’s scarlet red jacket and gilded font, the contents are just as creatively and vivaciously presented. With the feel of a large Moleskine journal, ribbon bookmark and all, additionally all of the photography of shops, products and destinations are by Inès, as are the drawings and hand-written lists. The the layout as well is playful, easy to read and unpretentious unlike what one might expect due to the topic at hand. 


Inès has clearly taken special care to create guide for all of us who are short on time and thus sometimes imagination, being sure to help us create a style that appears effortless, yet is full of great thought.

The Magnificent Seven are what is defined as the brilliant basics that are key to creating Parisian style in any scenario.  Modeled by Inès’ daughter Nine, each of these items are demonstrated as part of a complete outfit in order to better exhibit how to incorporate exactly what she is suggesting must be in our closet:

The Magnificent Seven:

1. A Man’s Blazer
2. The Trench
3. The Navy (cashmere) Sweater
4. The Tank
5. The Little Black Dress
6. The Perfect Jeans
7. The Leather Jacket

While this may be where many style books cease in their guidance, Inès has only just begun.  For each of the Magnificent Seven she shares more ideas on how to meld it into anyone’s wardrobe, a list of fashion faux pas, a lux celebrity style idea and a hall of fame reference which in the case of the navy sweater was Eric Bompard’s cashmere company. She is spilling the beans so to speak, sharing the secrets and letting us all in on where one can acquire the look of Parisian style.



And be sure, after sharing her tips on fashion, she continues on to accessories, the five essential bags, shoes, beauty, entertaining, and home decor.

Having lived in Paris for most of her life (although not born there, further proof that one does not need to be a born and bred Parisian to possess such style), she also takes her readers through her recommended shops, boutiques, hotels, restaurants, spas, and hot spots that would take more than a few travel guides to figure out when attempting to plan their next trip to the City of Light.




It is without reservation that I highly recommend Parisian Chic: A Style Guide as an informative, delightful and forever resourceful book that I am sure to pack for my next trip to Paris and have already begun to tweak my wardrobe accordingly – navy cashmere sweater, white jeans and ballet flats – my new go-to chic outfit. Thank you Inès!

And to view more of Inès Parisian chic style, click here.

Published by Flammarion
Pages: 240
Available for pre-order at Amazon $16.10

Emilio Cavallini – Legs As Canvas

Celine, Dior, Alexander McQueen, Gucci. These are just a few of the designers for whom Emilio Cavallini has produced his famous hosiery.

Clothed in his famous cut-out stockings, his self-titled book was just released on February 22 (2011).  Filled with more than 200 striking images of his stylishly unique designs, readers who appreciate understanding the mind of an artist will devour this book.

Edited by Benedetta Barzini, Cavallini shares his love for travel as a very young child, and how he would linger at train stations in Italy picking up tickets after the trains were bound for their destination.  Ever the dreamer, he would read the town which the boarder had been destined for and immediately run to a library to determine where such a place was. Now, having turned his dream into a reality, Cavallini travels the world with his luxury leg wear in boutiques and high end fashion boutiques around the world.

For around $25 his original designs can dazzle your legs, after all, as stated in his book, “The stocking is the garment and the leg is the pedestal . . .”. And while this book’s cover is quite the eye catcher, the creative ways in which the stockings are arranged are an artistic masterpiece of their own. What I was also very struck by was that Cavallini creates stockings for stockings sake – not to enhance a wardrobe, but to be the talking point, to be the attention grabber.  And with his amazing talents, he creates a piece of clothing that “guarantees the consumer of being unique, of being a member of an elect community, of becoming spiritual and aesthetically transfigured.”

While there is some dense discussion on color and artistic theory, an artist in any medium will find philosophical insights that will cause them to pause and contemplate, discovering in fact, that he is making a very profound statement.  For example:

“Being an artist means not being afraid to expose yourself, not being afraid to reveal what you have in your soul.”

While the book retails for $100, you can find it at Amazon for $57.78.  So if you are a lover of fashion, are looking for a bit of inspiration and what to have a book on your shelves or coffee table that will attract the eyes of your clients or guests, you will be very impressed with the contents of Emilio Cavallini’s book, as well as the cover.

(Published by Skira, distributed by Rizzoli with photos taken by Nicola Ciona from Emilio Cavallini.)

Rules Of Style – Inès de la Fressange

The first model to ever sign an exclusive contract with Chanel, still breath-takingly beautiful at the age of 53 and about to release her own book full of style secrets, Inès de la Fressange has more than earned her the label as a style icon. Living in Paris may have that effect solely on its own, but with her svelte 5’11” boyish frame and gorgeous smile, it is clear she knows her body and is confident about how to shine in each piece of clothing she wears as well as the homes she lives in, and as the French may say, 'She ignores fashion, she does her own thing.'  (Read more about her thoughts on style in the Huffington Post article.)

To view all of the photos of her interiors, click here thanks to The Selby and to read more about her current success shared in the Wall Street Journal click here.

(As seen in Domino’s March 2009 issue, Inès de la Fressange’s Paris home.)

Fantastic Flats

A beautiful pair of flats are the perfect alternative to heels when you still wish to remain feminine and stylish, but would rather stay closer to the ground.  There are so many wonderful styles, colors and designs to choose from.  While I’m a fan of Tory Burch’s Reva flats, J.Crew has some excellent designs, Vera Wang as well and at a much lower price point.  So rest assured, that even if you’d rather not wear the stiletto, a fabulous pair of ballet flats awaits to be worn by you.

A Jacket

Instead of a cardigan or a cumbersome coat, opt for a blazer or short jacket to add layers, but still exude class and appeal. Not only does it add a bit more structure and professionalism, but the variety of choices available are endless. Inès demonstrates in most of her photographs the numerous ways a jacket can be used in your wardrobe.

A Statement Bag

Inès’ customized leather Roger Vivier Cut Up handbag

As the brand ambassador for the Roger Vivier shoe company, and due this fact, it is understandable why she would have a signature bag with her name on it.  After all, she was the first supermodel to be known simply by her first name – Inès, but she shares a style secret to keep in mind.  Have a signature style accessory.  Similar to that of Carrie Bradshaw’s silk flower broach, a signature accessory doesn’t have to be worn each time you leave your house, but it should be something that you can own and something that doesn’t own you.  In my opinion, the small the better because it is something that you aren’t brazenly putting out there, but instead, subtly displaying. Something to think about.

A Simple Black Tote

Choosing a tote that can go just about anywhere during the day is a way to eliminate a bit of decision making in the morning.  Choosing a black generously sized, but not too oversized tote, is a safe bet that you will remain looking fantastic and ready for whatever the day may bring.

Keep It Simple

The French woman says so much without all of the unnecessary frosting that sometimes magnetically adorns other cultural style icons. What the French women realize is that less is more, buy quality and stick with what works. In other words let your personality, natural good looks and genuine smile do the talking, and let the clothing shine a spotlight on the amazing woman that you are.

Be Timeless

Inès de la Fressange on Jean Paul Gaultier’s Spring/Summer 2011’s runway.

In 1983, Karl Lagerfeld and la Fressange.

Lagerfeld and la Fressange at Chanel’s 2011 spring/summer runway finale.

If your interest was piqued, and you’d like to read Inès de la Fressange’s very own insights on her timeless style, stop on by Amazon and pick up your copy of The Parisian Guide To Chic: Style Secrets From Inès de la Fressange which will be released April 11, 2011. I can’t wait for mine to arrive.


Other Rules of Style shared by Style Icons:

*Lauren Hutton

*Kate Moss

*Aerin Lauder Zinterhofer

*Kate Beckinsale

*Cameron Diaz

Images: (1) Source (2) The Selby (4) Source (5) Source (6) Source (7) Source (8) Pure People (9) Source (10) Pure Trend (11) Source (12) Source (13) Source (14)  Source (15) Source (16) Source (17) Source (18) Martirio’s Way (19) Source (21) Source

Are You A Jackie Or A Marilyn?

Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando, Jack Kerouac’s On The Road, intelligent, savvy, Gone With The Wind, creators of their own image, mysterious, and of course JFK.

Jackie Kennedy Onassis and Marilyn Monroe at first glance appear to be at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to how they lived their lives, but the irony is they had quite a great deal in common. Both women dated Sinatra and Brando, both enjoyed and had in their library On The Road, each listed Gone With the Wind as one of their favorite movies, clearly both women had an air of mystery that made them all the more attractive to the public, and ultimately, this mystery is what they consciously created to cast out the image they wanted to public to see.

In Pamela Keogh’s recently released book (October 28, 2010) Are You a Jackie or A Marilyn?: Timeless Lessons On Love, Power and Style, the blending of history, style advice and tips on creating the life you yearn for is all superbly intertwined as to keep you turning each page until you’ve sadly come to the end.

Keogh (author of What Would Audrey Do?, Audrey Style, Jackie Style and Elvis Presley: The Man, The Life, The Style) has done an abundance of research that ultimately creates an intriguing biography/advice book that will inspire you to tap your inner talents. Did you know that Marilyn could have just as easily been the princess of Monaco as Grace Kelly, or that Jackie became a book editor at the age of 46 and remained in this profession for over twenty years in New York City working with such celebrities as Carly Simon and Michael Jackson as they wrote their autobiographies?

Such fascinating details are sprinkled through the 244 pages. Here’s a few more, just to whet your appetite: Jackie was a friend of Gloria Steinem’s and donated money in 1972 to help found the Ms. Magazine, while Marilyn in 1951 continued to enroll in evening courses at UCLA in “art appreciation and literature”.

But how can two women who appear to have lived such different lives, still be considered to be cut from the same cloth?

Answered in great detail, Keogh explains that while they may have on the surface presented themselves differently – Jackie the debutante and Marilyn the sex symbol, ultimately they were women who knew how to get what they wanted. 

And if nothing else, whether you admire them both or neither, it should serve as a reminder that no matter what upbringing one has, their future is theirs to create.  Jackie may have turned the other cheek regarding JFK, but was creating the life she desired – one of privilege and one of a devoted mother. Marilyn, knew she had no one to fall back on but herself, therefore, she played the role that would allow her to live the life that gave her the freedom and comfort she craved.

The lessons to be learned on style, carriage, manners, and an effective approach for creating the life you right now may only dream of,  is what continues to resonate long after putting it down.

Taking our modern world of Twitter, Blackberries and Mad Men, Keogh weaves in between the entertaining stories and histories of two iconic women, ways in which each one of us can be the star of our own lives. And no matter which woman captures your attention, or maybe a little bit of both, keep these three things in mind: find within yourself “a sense of confidence, have a sense of history and always have a library card”.

To answer the question, Are You A Jackie Or A Marilyn? take the quiz that appeared in Vanity Fair’s September 2010 issue by clicking here.  If you’re like most women (myself included), you’ll discover you have a little of both hidden within.

Pamela Clarke Keogh

Images: (1) Amazon (2) Source (3) Vanity Fair (4) Source (5) Pamela Keogh