“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God
is an everlasting rock.”
Isaiah 26:3-4
With the relentless heat here in the Deep South, chances are, we could melt really soon. Ok, not really…but I feel like we could all use a day indoors in the comforts of our home…and air conditioner! I’m thinking it’s time to put our feet up, sip a tall glass of sweet iced tea, and have something similar to thumbing through a decorating magazine! As I have often said, I love and collect books! I have a huge collection of decorating books of favorite designers! One of my favorites is Betty Lou Phillips who has a passion for French and Italian design. Not only are the photos breathtaking, but she explains the styling in the context of history. She has authored thirteen design books!
Got your tea and ottoman nearby? Let’s take a look…
(You can click on each picture for the original source)
A beautiful entrance with antique gilt-edged mirrors and a silk covered settee!
Fine craftsmanship and artfully layered color transformed an ordinary space into an 18th century chateau!
A welcoming foyer with a diverse grouping of altar sticks and an antique tapestry! 
A barrel vault ceiling with pendants cast warm light on a gallery with 19th century Italian settees!
What is not to love about this living space – warm wood walls, beamed ceiling, stone fireplace, and that red leather chair!!!
An elegant living space (salon)! As a pianist, the heirloom piano grabs my attention!
Attention to detail…pearl trim on a lamp shade, collection of sterling frames filled with family photos, a table skirt caught with rosettes combine to create a memorable setting!
A comfortable sitting area in a master bedroom!
The accessories really make a room sing! A great mix of pattern!
Hand-woven tapestries play an important role in French interiors!
Gray Venetian plaster walls, an assortment of hurricanes and candlesticks, and twin chandeliers provide ambiance for this dining room!
Formal space with spider back chairs and sparkling chandelier!
The stone archway in this Italian villa sets the stage for a unique dining room. The early 19th century dining table set with individual pizzas invites you to have a seat!
The perfectly appointed kitchen with the piece de resistance-La Cornue range!
White marble…black granite…stainless steel create timeless design!
A classic Italian kitchen with beautiful alder cabinets! I love the handcrafted Italian words adorning the backsplash!
A lovely setting to start your day!
A breakfast room awash with French influences. The chandelier and most of the accessories are very old!
Lots of light streaming in this country French breakfast space!
A guest room dressed in blue and white toile!
An iron bed dominates this spacious master suite!
Neutral shades with pattern and texture dress this calming and dreamy bedroom!
What lady would not love this perfect dressing area?
An elegant master bath dressed in white marble, matching pedestals, and crystal chandelier!
Wouldn’t you enjoy a soak in this feminine space?
A hand painted canvas adorns the ceiling of this study with its walnut paneled walls and his and her chairs! Love the animal rug!
Ok, magazine time is over…guess we can all go brave the sweltering heat now!
Linking with Pieced Pastimes, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Mod Vintage Life, Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, The Dedicated House, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage, From My Front Porch To Yours, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Charm of Home, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, My Romantic Home, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, The Enchanting Rose, Alabama Women Bloggers, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, The Turquoise Home, My Flagstaff Home, In The New House, Natasha in Oz, Vintage Refined, Karens Up On The Hill, Grammie Time
I love Betty Lou Phillips books and have quite a few of them. It is amazing how much we have in common, Pam. I especially love her kitchen with marble and black granite with the Paris clock. Wish I knew her source for the Paris clock.
Bonnie, thank you and it sounds like we have much in common! I enjoy taking the books and looking through them once again after many years, it still looks fresh!
Blessings,
Pam
What a wonderful way to spend a day! Wish I could join you.
– Alma, The Tablescaper
Alma, I wish you could, also! Have a great Thursday evening!
Another pianist in love with the music room! I also like the one above it with the red chair. We have walnut paneling in our den (a normal room, not a mansion room :^), and I could copy their thought pattern since I have mostly neutral furnishings and can make my own draperies etc.. I think my tan recliner is “fixing” to have a red slipcover :^) Thank you for the lovely pictures and ideas.
Blessings,
J
Thank you for reading and I am so glad that you got ideas! Would love to see a photo of the chair when you are finished! I enjoy books and magazines to be inspired!
Blessings,
Pam
Beautiful spaces, Pam. I love looking at decorating books. They are so inspiring! Thanks for sharing yours. 🙂
Thanks, Kim! Wishing you a joy-filled weekend!
Beautiful post and I love Isaiah 26:3. Thanks for sharing at the Weekend Blog Hop at My Flagstaff Home!
Jennifer
Thanks Jennifer for the blog hop! Always enjoy!
I think I don’t have enough huge candlesticks and I am not using what I ahve enough! Those lovely soft aqua dinging chairs. Oh lala. Loved the share. Stay cool!
Linda, I am trying to stay cool, hopefully we are getting a break in the weather. Thanks for taking time to comment!
Blessings,
Pam
Just love Betty Lou Phillips books….I looked at some of the same pictures yesterday. I love a good decorating book or magazine myself. I have so many books and magazines. A beautiful house and garden is my passion. I love seeing your house and garden. Your garden turned out BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
Nancy, thanks for your gracious comments. I love to sit with a cup of coffee and thumb through books and magazines!
Blessings,
Pam
Oh my I love that one bath! Thank you for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
Thanks, Sherry for HSH!
Blessings,
Pam
I have to admit, I love all of the gold, cream, yellow,… and GOLD (again) in most of the photos. Thanks for sharing.
Best,
Michelle from simplysantabarbara.blogspot.com
Thanks, Michelle! Have a lovely weekend!
Blessings,
Pam
Lovely photos, and always fun going thru decorating books, I get quite a kick out of that.
Recently I have been trying to reaccessorize my master bedroom with a Coastal look
so I have been enjoying Coastal Living Magazines Videos. They are amazing too.
Blessings, Nellie
Nellie, thanks so much! I love a coastal inspired look and I know your bedroom will look great! Have a beautiful weekend!
Blessings,
Pam
{{sigh}} What delightful beauty and charm, my friend. The first bath you showed took my breath away 🙂 Now I will fall asleep dreaming of these lovely rooms. Thanks for sharing with Roses of Inspiration. Hugs to you, Pam!
Sweet Stephanie, I am glad you enjoyed! Have a joy-filled week!
Blessings always,
Pam
So much inspiration…that was fun!
Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
Blessings,
Cindy
Cindy, love sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
Blessings always,
Pam
I love sitting back and enjoying décor books and magazines! These image are stunning. Absolutely gorgeous inspiration! Thanks for sharing with SYC. Hope you cool down soon.
hugs,
Jann
Jann, it has been raining since Sunday and I have loved it!