Friday, November 06, 2009

Sister Parish Design





Yesterday I stopped by Mrs. Howard to pick up a copy of the newly released Sister Parish Design: On Decorating and was lucky enough to meet the authors, Susan Bartlett Crater and Libby Cameron, as well as the illustrator of the book, Mita Corsini Bland. I'm sure most of you are familiar with Susan and Libby; Susan is Sister Parish's granddaughter, while Libby was a protégé of Mrs. Parish. The two joined forces a few years ago and founded Sister Parish Design, one of my favorite fabric and wallpaper lines (and I'm sure a favorite for many of you, too.) And Mita is recognized as a leading watercolorist and illustrator. All three are not only very talented, but immensely likable too.

I just started to read the book last night, and from what I've read thus far, I'm completely charmed. The text is engaging, and I am enjoying the interviews with prominent decorators as well (Miles Redd and Todd Romano, anyone?). And Bland's illustrations are simply perfection! I can already tell that this will be a favorite book in my library.

Crater and Cameron also brought a few samples of their line's new linen prints as well as a cotton print, "Bolero", which I'm absolutely taken with. Definitely check out the new prints on their website, or visit one of the showrooms which carries the line. Grizzel and Mann in Atlanta has a great selection of Sister Parish Design fabric and wallpaper. (I also want to note that the fabrics and wallpaper are hand screened in Great Barrington, Massachusetts and Westerly, Rhode Island, which only adds to their appeal.)


From bottom to top: "Desmond" linen; "Sunswick" linen; "Burmese" linen; "Dolly" linen.


"Bolero". I love the colors- brown, coral, shrimp, navy, and pale aqua.

(Images at top courtesy of Sister Parish Design; bottom two by me.)

16 comments:

  1. Thanks for the heads-up on this book. I hadn't heard about it, but of course have heard of Sister Parrish. I'm certain the new little bookshop here in Carmel will have it.

    Happy Weekend reading,

    Marjorie

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  2. Desmond has long been my favourite pattern, for years and years. I have a scrap of it in a file, printed in gold on cream, given me by Gary Hager, the late decorator who worked at Parish Hadley. One day I shall have a room papered with Desmond. Which room? I do not know. But it is my goal.

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  3. Marjorie- I think you'll enjoy it.

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  4. Wonderful post! On an amazing woman.
    I was fortunate to interveiw Sister Parish, for
    a shelter magazine. She spoke, of about design.
    I was pleasantly surprised, that she spent most
    of our time together... Chatting about her travels,
    and lovingly of her children. It's wonderful to see
    her brillance & vision...Still will live on for us all
    to enjoy. I look forward to reading the book.

    Have a great weekend!

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  5. Aesthete- Well then you must paper a room in it! Is the gold on cream in the current line? It must be spectacular in that colorway.

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  6. I have been eagerly awaiting a return to Sister Parish inspired designs to return to the current design stage--so rich, yet humble, never over-bearing. Can't wait to order the book for Christmas. Thanks for the tip.

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  7. Love that you posted about this. I just got mine yesterday and began reading last night. I love the dialog among the designers and the watercolors are completely charming!

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  8. I think the gold-on-cream colourway was leftover from a client's house.

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  9. John Tackett2:21 PM

    Thanks for the peek at the new book! I can't wait to see it!

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  10. The book looks really terrific, and without undervaluing Sister Parish's work in any way as the subject, nor the work of the book's two authors, the biggest surprise for me came from following the link to Mita Corsini Bland's website. Her watercolors are beautiful, and are executed with great skill.

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  11. I had the pleasure of attending the New York event at Todd Romano's showroom and have my very own book signed! Mita was wonderful. I always enjoy connecting with other artists. She gave some great advice to me!
    pve

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  12. Gorgeous book! I have to get my hands on this. Wonderful wallpaper below too.

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  13. Anonymous2:37 AM

    HI THERE! I WENT TO THE AUCTION OF SISTER PARRISH'S EXTRAS IN NEW YORK! SOTHEBY'S HAD A FEW LITTLE "SEMINARS" (12 PEOPLE EACH)

    HER DAUGHTERS (MOTHER OF ONE OF THESE AUTHORS) SPOKE AT ONE.....ALBERT HADLEY ALSO.... BEFORE THE AUCTION! I CAME FROM CALIFORNIA. BRILLIANT...I AM SO LUCKY I COULD COME!
    !
    THIS BOOK IS SIMPLY WONDERFUL.
    THESE DIVINE WOMEN (THE AUTHORS AND THE ARTIST) CAME TO SANTA BARBARA AND I WAS LUCKY TO MEET THEM!

    LOVELY, LOVELY, AND WAY TALENTED. AND SUCH AN UNUSUAL AND RARE AND (IN MY VIEW )TRUE VIEW OF TASTE AND TALENT.
    NO MCMANSIONS; NO BRAGGADOCCIO; NO PRETENSION; NO "GLITZ"!!! "NO 'PUTTIN ON THE RITZ'"!!!

    REMEMBER? LORDY!!!

    NANCY LANCASTER WITH THE DOG BED AND HATS AND THE WAY PEOPLE REALLY LIVED IN THE HOUSE SHOWED IN THE ENTRY HALL AT HASELY?

    THANG GOD THESE 3 LOVELY WOMEN HAVE REMINDED EVERYONE WHAT REALLY MATTERS IN LOVELY HOUSES!!

    BRAVO!!!!

    PS A FEW YEARS AGO I WAS SO LUCKY TO HAVE LUNCH IN NANCY LANCASTERS OLD HOUSE.....HASELY.....THE GARDEN IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC....BUT I WAS SO SO LUCKY TO BE ON A TOUR WITH SOTHEBY'S 10 OF US HAD LUNCH IN THE DINING ROOM! (A WONDER I DIDN'T DIE OF A HEART ATTACK!) MY FAVORITE WAS THE DUCKS (MANY GENERATIONS HAVE HATCHED THERE..WILD MALLARDS) WANTED TO COME IN THE FRONT DOOR!

    I, OF COURSE, WAS ENCOURAGING THEM! AND THE LOVELY HOSTESS; THE LADY OF THE MANOR.....SCOLDED ME!! "NO NO NO!" THEY CAME IN THE DOOR OF THE BREAKFAST ROOM LAST WEEK-END AND WERE EATING THE CEREAL RIGHT FROM MY HOUSEGUEST'S BOWL!"

    MY DREAM COME TRUE!

    WE HAVE THE SAME MALLARDS COME TO OUR POND EVERY YEAR....ONLY 10 YEARS.......THEY ARE TAME AND LET ME FEED THEM....THEY HAVE A DUCK HOUSE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE POND....BUT PROBABLY IN 40 YEARS THEY MIGHT COME IN AND HAVE CEREAL. I HOPE TO BE ALIVE TO SEE IT!
    BRAVO TO THESE YOUNG WOMEN FOR KEEPING THESE VALUES ALIVE!!

    WONDERFUL BOOK....BEAUTIFUL PAINTINGS......WHAT A TREAT!

    PENELOPE

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  14. I have lived in the same apartment building as Mita Bland for over 12 years. She is a stylish talented woman (her children's portraits are to die for!) so glad she was a part of this fantastic book.

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  15. i really like the green walls. i think green is an underused colour. A friend has a room walled in green baize, which is nice but fragile.

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  16. Hi Peak of Chic!
    I wanted to share my blog post with you about Sister Parish designs. I used her fabrics in my nursery. It's not just for adults!
    http://littlewillow.com/2010/01/14/the-nursery-finally/
    Have a fantastic day!

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