Before I begin, I want to express my gratitude and thanks to all of you kindly left supportive words or shared encouraging stories and words of wisdom on my blog post yesterday, each one meant so much to both Toby and I. It feels very surreal that the day my book is officially released into the world has arrived – tonight the official UK launch for my first Bright.Bazaar book happens at west elm London! In honour of this exciting day, I thought it would be fun to kick off a new mini series on the blog! I’ll be sharing my favourite picture from each of the fourteen locations Andrew and I styled and photographed for the book. Kicking things off is the lovely home of Ingrid from Wood & Wool Stool. Ingrid and her husband Henk kindly welcomed us to their home in the Netherlands for an inspiring day (and evening; the shoot finished laaaaaaate!) of laughter, conversation and food. I loved seeing all of their amazing travel photographs and tactile introductions of colour via Ingrid’s handmade textiles. Plus, that blue dipped headboard? Hello, totes amazeballs.
Next up is the fearless home of artist and inspiring businesswoman behind the brand Mariska Meijiers Amsterdam. Mariska and I have been friends for many years and her home was the first location I secured for the book. Mariska and I both started our blogs and businesses around the same time and I have always admired Mariska’s artistic talent and love her vivacious and spirited personality; the high gloss hot pink walls of the kitchen in her Amsterdam apartment are testament to this!
It’s a real ‘pinch me’ moment when I realise that we were able to shoot Jonathan Alder and Simon Doonan’s stunning Shelter Island home for this book. If you’ve been reading Bright.Bazaar from the early days you will know how much I love Jonathan’s work and approach to design, so it certainly felt very surreal last June when Andrew and I spent the day shooting his and Simon’s home. I adore the upholstery of their Warren Platner chairs (seen here) but it was tough not to pick a shot from the incredible outdoor area that surrounds the property. Seriously, guys, you have to see it inside the Outside Living section of the book. It’s pretty much Fabulous personified via design.
This picture is from another great friend of mine, Raina Kattelson, who I have been fortunate enough to meet through blogging. We first met when I was in NYC on Blog Tour NYC about three years ago and hit off! I was excited to shoot Raina’s home because I knew from her work as a stylist that it would be full of quirky objects and styling gems, but what really struck me was what a happy, welcoming and warm home Raina and her family had created. Of course, I completely fell in love with the family dog, Charlie, (seen here on my Instagram) and I felt so sad living him at the end of the day – look out for him on page 54 of the book! Aside from the wonderful family feel of Raina’s home, the way she used strong hues throughout the property really is a lesson in how to make brights work for everyday. When I saw her front door and the corresponding light blue shade of the hallway, I knew I wanted to get a perspective shot that showed how cleverly Raina had told a colour story in this space. I love how the shot came together. Thank you, Raina, for letting us shoot just weeks before you moved house!
Javier Requejo Fernandez’s home in Northern Spain was like no place I have ever seen. For starters, it is literally in the.middle.of.nowhere in one of the most peaceful countryside locations I have been. The farmhouse has generous proportions, with a cool feeling thanks for the stone underfoot. I liked how the bright and bold painted furniture served as a juxtaposition to the rustic textures of the building that surrounded it. As for the horse, oh my goodness me, that story needs a drink in hand to be told…!
You’ve all no doubt heard of Fab.com, right? Well this home belongs to the co-founder and creative director, Bradford Shellhammer, who has such a witty and playful take on design that I just can’t get enough of – check out this sneak peek I shared last week on Instagram. The one thing I took from Bradford’s home? That place was made for parTAYing! Thank you to all the homeowner’s who kindly opened their doors for my first book. Our homes are such personal places, so I’m grateful to you all for inviting us into your lives in order to inspire people across the world to embrace colour for some make-you-smile style. Which one of these first six homes are catching your eye, friends?
If you would like to buy the book, you can do so in the following places:
UK: Amazon UK / Waterstones / The Hambledon and many more.
USA: Amazon USA / Barnes & Noble / IndieBound and more.
// Photography by Andrew Boyd
24 Comments
beautiful! i love the blue on blue! xo jillian – cornflake dreams
@Jillian – Isn’t it stunning? One of my favourite shots from the whole book! xo
I like the mix of styles across all the homes and yes that dipped headboard is incredible.
@Susan – It feels so summary and energising – I love it!
Amazing that Jonathan Alder’s home is in your book!! Wow, so exciting!
@BJ – Thank you! I still can’t quite believe it myself, it’s such an honour!
omg these are all fantastic! ordering the book right now!! so excited for yoU! 🙂 loving all the colour!
xxx
http://eleanorcos.blogspot.com/
@Eleanor – Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy the #makeyousmilestyle! x
Congrats Will – it looks great . Have already ordered the book – just waiting impatiently for it to arrive. So nice to see Ingrid and Mariska are featured in the book too – they are real design stars 🙂
@Rhiannon – I agree! So exciting that they are in the book as they both have beautiful homes and are such lovely people. Thanks for ordering a copy, I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Beautiful photos!
@Rue Marcellin – Thank you! All down to the wonderful photographer, Andrew Boyd.
congrats and all the best this evening at West Elm! I am sure you will be amazing and i can’t wait for Toronto West Elm to pick this up as part of your book tour!! I mean, you are already in NYC and Chicago, just hop on the plane for an extra stop!
I of course love JA’s space …. just so him and that’s exactly what home should be about: reflecting your own personality.
Can’t wait to read up on this fun series on Bright Bazaar!
@Tim – Thank you so much! Would love to make it to Toronto one day! xo
WOW After recently moving house I am loving the inspiration!
http://hayinaday.blogspot.co.uk
@Hayley – Thanks so much! Congratulations on your new place!
Congrats on your book! So impressed you got to have Simon and Jonathan’s. Amazing
http://www.designsbykaty.com
@Katy – Thank you!
all look stunning!
xoxo;
What Kenny Hearts a Lifestyle Blog
@Kenny – Thank you!
Congratulations on book :O)
Wow, the pink kitchen above really grabs my attention. Vivid contrasting colours in decor, be it wall paint of two toned furniture can totally change a space. Love the painted headboard what a great idea. Javiers home I think would be my top choice to reside though – very cosy and happy :O)
@ChiChi Furniture – Great picture for your favourite! I loved Javier’s rustic yet colourful farmhouse, too!
Wow these are stunning! Looking at these happy colours makes me smile. Great selection of photos.
@Ania – Thank you so much! 🙂