I had hoped to post on Suzanne Rheinstein's new book, Rooms for Living: A Style for Today with Things from the Past, before Thanksgiving. Each time I've visited with Suzanne she is so gracious. Her demeanor, while lively and engaged, is soothing. It's as if nothing bad could happen to you while you were talking to someone who is so lovely and at the same time completely unstuffy. All of that is sort of how Thanksgiving feels to me and I thought they would be a good fit. Suzanne and Thanksgiving, I mean.
But the oldest boy came home and life, as they say, got in the way. So, now we gear up for the joyous, hectic, giddy rush of December, the great escalation before we slide - either gratefully or reluctantly - into the new year. Perhaps in the face of that we could use a little escape.
Rheinstein does undeniably beautiful work, and having a second collection of it gathered in one spot is a treat. This book is structured by room, so it has a different feel from the last.
As I've recently sorted (or re- and re-sorted) my living room and dining room, I've turned my attention to my bedroom, which is a jumble of cast-offs and orphans. If you're in the midst of a project like this, be it real or imaginary, the layout of Room for Living is particularly handy.
There's a deep crease in my copy at the beginning of the bedroom chapter and I've committed to painting my bed and upholstering the headboard thanks to Suzanne. (Might I paint a mirror in the style of Christian Berard as she's done as well? I might.)
If you could use a quiet escape from the rush and hurry of the next few weeks, Rooms for Living is a good place to turn.
All images courtesy of Rizzoli New York; photography Pieter Estersohn.
I first met Suzanne at church in LA about 34 years ago. She, and a neighbor, noticed my daughter, then 9, wearing a Rowes of London dress coat and came up and introduced themselves as they said that coat told them that I was "their kind of person"! We haven't lived in LA in 31 years, but we still keep in touch.
ReplyDeleteAt the time we lived there, I visited Suzanne's home many times for parties, board meetings, smocking group etc. If there is anyone whose home is for LIVING, not to be a trophy, it's Suzanne's. Her taste was much more colorful then, but her love of beautiful things and livability has not changed.
I wish everyone could experience a party at Suzanne's house!
I truly hope you tell us the story of the painted bed, as I fear my guest room will require the same thing and I'm hopeless at all of this doing things with paint.
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