101 Things I Hate About Your House

Californian interior designer James Swan recently came out with a new design book entitled “101 Things I Hate About Your House.”

If you have been an avid blog reader for a few years, you may remember that two years ago Swan teamed up with Ballard Design, the premier home décor catalogue, to design a houseful of rooms using all Ballard design products. Above is the dining room he designed using only Ballard products.

Several blogs, including Cote de Texas, did stories about the collaboration – one of the first that Ballard Design had done with an interior decorator. My story from 2009 is HERE.   Above is the living room Swan designed using all Ballard merchandise.

And, the bedroom, done by James and Ballard Design.

When I saw the title of James' new book, I was so excited to read it. Boy, that title alone was such a draw! I had no idea what the book would be like – and I have to say it was a complete surprise.

One of the book’s many illustrations.

First, the book is illustrated, much in the way that Charlotte Moss’ earliest books were.    Also, at the end of each chapter there is a photograph, but otherwise the book is all printed word. Each chapter is a separate room, like Entry Way, Powder Room, Kitchen, Bedroom.   It’s a textbook on how to furnish your house properly. It gives tips and ideas for every room and truthfully, who doesn’t need help or a refresher course on how to make your house more beautiful, more functional, and more welcoming. I loved it.   Plain and simple. I got so many great ideas from it.   The chapters are short and easy to read but there is so much to learn here, AND so much to giggle at too.

Of course, we thought James would be a perfect guest for the Skirted Roundtable and he was. After we talked for a little while, he got down to business and took a few chapters from the book to explain how to make those rooms better.   We had a great time listening to James. I think you will too! Try it – on the Skirted Roundtable, HERE.

To order James Swan’s book, double click on the title below:

101 Things I Hate About Your House: A Premier Designer Takes You on a Room-by-Room Tour to Transform Your Home from Faux Pas to Fabulous

AND IN OTHER NEWS:

Velvet & Linen’s Brooke and Steve Giannetti’s book Patina Style is now AVAILABLE! To order, click on the title below:

Patina Style

AND FINALLY:

The five winners have been picked for The Bella Cottage giveaway of Tara Shaw Maison’s hotel silver. If you won, you will be getting an email announcement! Thanks again to all who entered!