design resources: Pocket guide

Here's a neat idea: a small guide you can take with you when you go shopping. Clink on the link and go to interior design resources halfway down the page.

"Design inspiration (The Journal News)

Pamela Banker and Leslie Banker have come to Cross River to promote their new book. By the time the authors of 'The Pocket Decorator' have taken a spin through The Yellow Monkey, they'll have shared a few design tips."


Sounds like a good idea, although the article doesn't say if it's on bookshelves yet or where you can get it (the article could use a re-write!).

There's something else going on here though: the idea that things or products can solve your decorating problems. Things can't make you happy. I've always approached interior design from the relationship aspect; the relationship of the client to their own wants and needs ("oh, that's beautiful but I could never afford it!") and the relationship between the individual design elements themselves.

I've noticed that when I look at magazines or tv shows where everything in the picture is the best, the most expensive, the most well-done, unless the creator is vee-rrry skilled, all the expensive stuff starts to compete with each other. It's like a pretty girl who wears too much makeup-- it can be a little over the top!

Same thing with decorating showcase houses. For most designers, a showcase house is their main advertising expense for the year, so they really want to flex their muscle. I don't know about you, but a 4 foot high dining room table centerpiece with ostrich feathers might look great, but it's not very practical when you're trying to talk to your family at the dinner tale.

After 24 years in the interior design business, I'm real practical: Home decorating's always about give and take, making your good stuff stand out, and hiding the stuff that's, um, not so good but you gotta keep!

Mary Cynthia