As all stories begin... Once upon a time several years ago... Erin (my daughter-in-law) was clearing out her home design magazine collection and gave me a half dozen or so of them; Southern Home, House Beautiful and my favorite Elle Décor among others.
The Elle Décor magazine particularly caught my eye was issued January/February 2006. The cover featured the upper East Side Manhattan townhouse living room of interior designer Muriel Brandolini (whom I love). She is known for her unique style (which is very much my mix of bohemian/traditional/kitsch style.
Above is Muriel's living room on the cover. Below is my kitchen/informal dining area. You can kinda see the same casual funkiness in both and why I've been so drawn to her work.
A few weeks back I was sorting through magazines. This one is one I've kept while tossing out others. But then I wondered as a designer she would have a coffee table book about the various interiors she's decorated, wouldn't she?
Well, she does as I went to Amazon and discovered. And it's quite pricey. Being the frugalista shopping girl that I am I looked at the brand new, just shy of $60 cost and then immediately went to used. I found a 'just like new' copy for $16something. Ka-ching, press order.
The book was waiting from me when I arrived home Friday. Opening it I could see it was in perfect condition and indeed could have sold for the original asking price. 300 pages set in a coffee table book. What's not to love?
And here is where the story within a story begins. Opening the book I came across a blue envelope with the name Tom handwritten. Intriguing. Below the envelope there was in the same handwriting an inscription:
As a writer my imagination took over. Who was Tom and what was he to either Lars and Buckley?
Next, I opened the card. It was a birthday card for Tom from (again) Lars and Buckley. Opening the card I burst into laughter. I so enjoyed the card that I placed it in my writing room on my idea board.
Whomever wrote this and I am assuming it was Buckley as his name is in quotation marks has a great sense of humor with equal taste in books. And Tom... the jury is out. This was a thoughtful gift and may have accompanied the card as the birthday gift. Yet he gave it away. So this is my story within a story.... evidently, Abigail who is my book critic extraordinaire agrees this is a cool book and has taken it over for herself.
