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Giveaway: The Art of Elegance

Marshall and The Twins

Last month, we headed down to the Greenwich Design District – Day of Design to meet interior designer Marshall Watson and were so enchanted with his stories, we had to get his book.  In The Art of Elegance, Marshall shares his finest work, from a family compound in Sweden to a refined Gramercy Park apartment and a cozy Newport Beach cottage.

Palm Beach Living Room

St. Louis Dining Room

Cultivating the art of elegance is no easy task but Marshall certainly has this art down to a tee.  Known for his meticulously researched, European inspired style, he combines texture, detail, and simple luxuries to create homes that are as unique as their owners.

St. Louis Sun Room

There are so many words we could use to describe Marshall’s work – livable, peaceful, warm, light – and of course, elegant.  And the same could be said about the designer behind the beautiful images in this book.

California Living Room

We can’t think of a better way to celebrate Diane’s birthday than to give away a signed copy of The Art of Elegance.  To enter, just leave a comment below, like today’s post on Instagram or Facebook or send us an email at TheBuzz.Giveaway@gmail.com with “The Art of Elegance” in the subject line.  You have until 11:59 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2018 to enter and we’ll announce the winner on Monday.  Good luck!

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Giveaway, Q & A

Q & A and Giveaway with Kristy Woodson Harvey

Kristy At Work

When we started our little blog nine years ago, we never knew that we’d make so many friends – some are still virtual while others we see in person as often as we can.  One such blogging bestie is Kristy Woodson Harvey from the delightful blog, Design Chic, and the new “it girl” of Southern fiction.  Kristy’s fourth novel, The Secret to Southern Charm (Book 2 of The Peachtree Bluff Series) is being released next week so we’re thrilled to share this interview and giveaway with you today.

Don’t Keep it A Secret!

Hi Carolyn, Cynthia and The Buzz readers – Thank you so, so much for having me here today.  The Buzz is one of my long-time favorite blogs, and I am so thrilled to be here today to share with all of you!

1.  What did you want to be when you were a child?  A teacher and a mom.

2.  What is your necessary luxury?  Bubble baths.  I like really great bath products and a cup of tea or glass of wine and a good book.  I try to take one three times a week if at all possible.  I get so much reading done in there.  I really have to do it.  It’s research, after all.

Books, Books, Books

3.  What is your favorite decorating accessory?  Books, books, books!  I can;t get enough of them.  I have to rotate out my coffee table books and continuously edit my bookshelves so everything still looks crisp and clean, not cluttered.  I’ve seen pictures on Pinterest of stacks of design books that serve as nightstands.  I’m nearly there…  (and so are we, Kristy!)

4.  Where do you window shop?  On Fifth Avenue when I go to New York to meet my editor.  (Depending on how well the meeting went, sometimes I “real” shop, too.)

Kristy, Will and Will Jr.

5.  What makes a house a home?  The people inside it and the memories you make there.  Plus, being surrounded by thing you love that make you feel happy.

6.  What is the most enjoyable part of your day?  Snuggling up and reading with my son before bed.

Our Pink Peonies

7.  What is your favorite flower?  It’s a hard call between hydrangeas and peonies – and ANYTHING from Diane James Home! (Aww, thanks Kristy!)

8.  If you were a cocktail, what would you be and why?  I think I’d have to say champagne since it’s my absolute favorite drink.  It’s a little bit bubbly, a little bit sweet and low carb.

Sweet Bubbles

9.  If your life were made into a movie, what would be the title and who would play your part?  Well, I definitely want Blake Lively to play me, so that’s squared away.  I’m so bad a titles…  Slightly South of Simple is the only book title I’ve come up with that’s ever actually been used so that’s kind of sad.  Maybe I can let Blake help me with a title!

10.  Name one thing from your “Bucket List”.  I really want to see the pyramids of Egypt.  I’m fortunate to have been able to travel a lot, but that’s something that I think is totally unique.

The Best Beach Read!

Thank you, Kristy, for stopping by and for your terrific work.  We’ve read The Secret to Southern Charm and loved it!  Best of all, Kristy has generously offered to sign a copy of her new book for one of our followers.  If you’d like to enter the giveaway, leave a comment below, like today’s post on Instagram or Facebook or send us an email at TheBuzz.Giveaway@gmail.com with “The Secret to Southern Charm” in the subject line.  You have until 11:59 pm on Sunday, March 31, 2018 to enter and we’ll announce the winner on Monday.  Good luck!

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Giveaway

Giveaway: House Beautiful Style Secrets

A Book That Everyone Needs!

According to House Beautiful‘s Editor in Chief, Sophie Donelson, every room needs a splash of unexpected color, glitter and glam, a “wow” moment or even something that says “touch me”…  And in her new book filled with the best and most beautiful rooms featured in the magazine, you’ll get simple and elegant advice from some of the biggest names in interior design to achieve the home of your dreams.

A Nod to The Past

For instance, in the chapter Every Room Needs a Grand Gesture, you will learn that “overscale is not the same as overdone” and that a “majestic” mirror can make a world of difference in creating space.

A “Wow” Moment

How about a lipstick red dining room to make an impact on your guests…

A Splash of Color

or adding a bit of Chinoiserie as a nod to the past?

Delightful Dogwood

Nature and flowers play a big role in bringing a room to life and this can be as easy as a large vase of spring blossoms in your living room or opening the French doors to incorporate an outdoor terrace.

Inside Out

One of the highlights of our visit to NY NOW yesterday was meeting Sophie in person and having her sign her book.  And just in time for Valentine’s Day, this beauty can be yours in this Giveaway!  If you’d like to win this signed book, leave a comment below, like today’s post on Instagram or Facebook or send us an email at TheBuzz.Giveaway@gmail.com with “House Beautiful Style Secrets” in the subject line.  You have until 11:59 pm on Sunday, February 11, 2018 to enter and we’ll announce the winner on Monday.  Good luck!

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Giveaway

GIVEAWAY: HOME: THE WAY WE LIVE NOW

Home: The Way We Live Now

When you’re the editor of The New York Times Home section, you get to see a lot of homes…  From small apartments and studios that make creative use of compact spaces to cottages and cabins that connect with their often remote surroundings, and everything in between.  So it makes complete sense that these editors would come together and create a book chock full of beautiful photographs and compelling stories from the newspaper’s vast home-design archive.

Photograph by Jane Beiles

Photograph by Tony Cenicola

Edited by Noel Millea and published by Rizzoli New York, this gorgeous tome offers a look at how today’s homeowners make the most of their living spaces and do it with style.  Unique and inviting, these homes are exemplary studies of living at its most seductive and creative… And each one is appealing in its own way.

Photograph by Bruce Buck

Portraits and interiors of Debra Heighten and Clay Caudy at their vacation home, designed by Rain Houser of Pearson Design Group, located at 2520 Trader Road, Jackson, WY 83001

Photograph by Trevor Tondro

As huge fans of the NYT Home section, we were thrilled when our talented friend Jane Beiles (one of the photographers featured in this book) reached out to us and offered it up as a giveaway.  Better yet, she will inscribe it for the lucky winner!

June 19, 2014. Home of Phil and Lucy Suarez on Fire Island, Fair Harbor, NY. The home was designed by the architect, Richard Meier

Photography by Trevor Tondro

So if you’d like to enter the giveaway, leave a comment below, like today’s post on Instagram or Facebook or email us at TheBuzz.Giveaway@gmail.com with “Home: The Way We Live Now” in the subject line.  You have until 11:59 pm on Sunday, October 15, 2017 to enter and we’ll announce the winner on Monday.  Good luck!

Note: Photographs may not be reproduced in any way without written permission from the publisher.  For information, please contact Pam Sommers at 212-387-3465 or psommers@rizzoliusa.com.

Giveaway

Giveaway: Surf Shack || Laid Back Living by The Water

Surf Shack Stack

It’s mid-summer and we have beaches on our mind so what better way to share our love of sand and surf than with a giveaway!  We had the pleasure of meeting Nina, author of Surf Shack: Laid Back Living by The Water, last month at Serena & Lily in Westport and loved everything about her vibe.

Ojai, California

Living in Venice, California would turn even the most die hard city girl into a laid back, flip-flop wearing beach explorer and that’s what happened to Nina when she moved there from New York City.  She met a lot of surfers in the neighborhood and as an interior designer, became endlessly intrigued by their way of life.

Malibu, California

Malibu, California

After traveling to eighteen cities in four countries and hanging out with a lot of surfers, Nina wrote Surf Shack and gets to the heart of what makes this way of life so charming.  “A surf shack is not built around what you think you need, so much as it is about understanding all the things you don’t.”

Montauk, New York

Filled with beautiful images shot by Brittany Ambridge, this book urges us to find magic in life’s little imperfections and create a home around something you love doing.  A perfect sentiment for all of us to aspire to!

Sayulita, Mexico

If you’d like to win a signed copy of the book, leave a comment below, like today’s post on Instagram or Facebook or email us at TheBuzz.Giveaway@gmail.com with “Surf Shack” in the subject line.  You have until 11:59 pm on Sunday, July 30, 2017 to enter and we’ll announce the winner on Monday.

photos and yours truly

Giveaway

Special Post + Giveaway: Petoji Designer Dog Beds

Read to Hybern8?

What do you get when you cross two ambitious lifelong friends (Jenny and Jackie) with a dream to build a better dog brand that makes high quality products in the USA?  Petoji, of course!  As dog lovers ourselves, we were excited when these young entrepreneurs reached out and introduced us to their new dog bed, Hybern8, inspired by interior design.  Now we all know that most dog beds out there aren’t very pretty and it’s hard to find one that not only coordinates with your decor and is also well made.

Mini Bed in Bloom

But the Hybern8 bed is different – it’s fully customizable!  Not only can you choose the fabric for the top piece, you can also choose the fabric for the the bottom piece and corners as well as for the piping.  That means there are thousands of different combinations, making every bed unique to you.  And since the cover is removable, you can switch up the look any time you want.

Pretty Patterns

Cloud9 vs. Others

Filled with Cloud9, a billowy, hyper-allergenic synthetic down, the Hybern8 will become your dog’s favorite place to hang (finally letting you have the couch!)  And the Active Breath Shield Water Resistant Liner keeps moisture out while it lets the bed breathe.  Best of all, you can throw everything in the washing machine and dryer.

Supreme Bed in Water Color

Manufacturing in the US is expensive (we can vouch for that!) so Jackie and Jenny need your help to expand their studio space, buy the right machines and materials, and hire some awesome people.  The girls are launching a Kickstarter campaign today and we’d love it if you would become an early investor.  All you need to do is check out their campaign here and purchase a Hybern8 bed custom made for your dog (they come in four sizes) at the discounted early bird price.  Don’t have a dog?  Then please forward this to someone who does!  100% of the funds will be invested back into the company and the more Jenny and Jackie can raise, the more fabric combinations they can offer.

Custom Toy Basket

And for your support, we’re giving away a custom toy basket to coordinate with your bed!  All you need to do is leave a comment below, email us at thebuzz.giveaway@gmail.com with “Hybern8” in the subject line or like the story on Instragram or Facebook.  You have until Sunday, April 9 at 11:59 pm to enter and we’ll pick the lucky winner on Monday.

Please help us help Jenny and Jackie reach their goal and support female owned businesses making a difference!

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Giveaway

Giveaway: In Bloom

In Bloom

Spring is finally here!  Not that you would know it with temperatures in the 30’s today and still mounds of snow on the ground.  We’re eager to see our bulbs blooming and the bright green of newborn leaves on the trees…

Carmen Almon

It may take a bit longer for Mother Nature to cooperate so we’ll have to rely on a bevy of new flower books to keep our spirits up.  In Bloom: Creating and Living with Flowers  is one of our favorites and we were lucky enough to meet author and photographer Ngoc Minh Ngo last year at a book signing.

Oberto Gili

Livia Cetti

This book, much like her first Bringing Flowers Home, is more than just about flowers – it’s as much a decorating tome in which artists, designers and tastemakers celebrate the essence of blooms in unique and inspiring ways.

Claire Bassler

From the painted blossoms of Claire Bassler, to the graceful gardens of Miranda Brooks and the luxurious textiles of Neisha Crosland, Ngoc’s camera captures the beauty of these flower-filled homes while the text inspires the reader to connect with each of the owners on a personal level.

Miranda Brooks

Lucky for you, we made sure we grabbed an extra autographed copy of In Bloom to give away today along with a paper wild rose stem created by Livia Cetti (who is also featured in the book).  To enter, just leave us a comment below, like the post on Instagram or Facebook or email us at TheBuzz.Giveaway@gmail.com with “In Bloom” in the subject line.  You have until 11:59 pm on Sunday, March 26, 2017 to enter and we’ll announce the winner on Monday.  Happy Spring!

all photos

Giveaway

Giveaway: Beachside Bohemian

Beachside Bohemian

Our week in Atlanta was essentially all work and no play but we did get to slip out of the booth one day to see a wonderful presentation by the delightful husband and wife duo, Cortney and Robert Novogratz, hosted by Rue Magazine.  Longtime readers of this little blog might remember a gushing Thursday Thank You we wrote back in 2011 about their Downtown Chic style and their seven beautiful children.

Novogratz Family Portraits and Lifestyle Photography

The Novogratz Family

This Way to Fun!

These days, the Novogratz’s split their time between a “castle” in the Hollywood Hills, a country house in the Berkshires and an amazing home in Trancoso, Brazil.  Their business has grown to include not only one of a kind homes, but boutique hotels and iconic retail stores.  They’ve even designed products for the likes of CB2 and Shutterfly and in fact, were introducing a fun and colorful collection of rugs for Momeni while at the show.

At Home in Trancoso

Dining with a View

After their presentation, Cortney and Bob graciously took the time to meet their fans and sign their new book, Beachside Bohemian, and of course, we had to get two.  One for the office, which is already slightly dogeared as we’ve spent quite a bit of time soaking up the practical tips for easy living by the sea.  And a second to give away!

Brazilian Bed & Bath

If you’d like to win a signed copy of the book, leave a comment below, like the post on Instagram or Facebook or email us at TheBuzz.Giveaway@gmail.com with “Beachside Bohemian” in the subject line.  You have until 11:59 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2017 to enter and we’ll announce the winner on Monday.

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Giveaway

12 Days of Giveaways!

You Could Win These!

You Could Win These!

Join us for 12 Days of Giveaways starting next Monday…  All you need to do is like an image we’ve posted on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter and a winner will be randomly selected every day.  Good luck!

Book Report, Giveaway, The Latest Buzz

Celebrating Dear Carolina Day

Dear Carolina

Dear Carolina

While many were celebrating yesterday’s date with magaritas and Mexican fare, we were celebrating the launch of Dear Carolina, the first novel by North Carolina native and beautiful blogger, Kristy Woodson Harvey.  Having had a regatta-free weekend (woohoo!), we spent two days reveling in the Southern charm of this story – two strong but very real women who come together for the sake of a baby girl.  Kristy’s writing career began at UNC where she studied journalism and mass communications and was perfected through her blog, Design Chic, a family affair with her mother, Beth.

The Lovely Kristy

Kristy Woodson Harvey

Dear Carolina‘s richly developed characters (à la Steel Magnolias) live in a world where family comes first and colorful Southern idioms are as abundant as crepe myrtle.  You can’t help but be transported by the two female narrators and the tale they weave for baby Carolina.  So grab a copy, hop on a porch swing with a glass of sweet tea sangria, and prepare to be enchanted…

Porch Swing

Porch Swing

Should you wish to join the celebration and add a little Southern style and comfort to your home and kitchen, Kristy is offering a $1,000 Shop Design Chic Shopping Spree to one lucky winner.  The Design Chic shop is chock full of divine home accessories and furniture, curated with a designer’s expert eye.

Halie Pillow

Halie Pillow

Shopping Spree

Shopping Spree

To enter the shopping spree, send proof of purchase of Dear Carolina (photos are fine!) to readdearcarolina@gmail.com.  And just for entering, you’ll also receive a free e-copy of the Dear Carolina Companion Cookbook, full of Southern recipes from renowned bloggers and family members, and Dear Carolina printable quotes.  Everyone’s a winner in this giveaway!

Photos: book, author, porch, pillow and giveaway