Do I ever turn down an opportunity to review a new design book? Absolutely NOT!  Especially when the book is the newest by one of America's top 100 designers, Charles Faudree. Mr. Faudree's work has been published in Veranda, House Beautiful, Southern Accents (how we miss you!), Traditional Home to name but a few. 

This is not Mr. Faudree's first time around the book publishing block. His other books include the most recent Charles Faudree Interiors, Charles Faudree's Country French Florals and Interiors, Charles Faudree's Country French Living, and Charles Faudree's French Country Signature. For any of you that are French Country design lovers and even those of you who just like great design, click on over. He is a master. 

Charles Faudree has been creating beautiful interiors for 4 decades throughout the United States and Europe. He is even now in the process of designing a residence in Abu Dhabi. He also has created a line of fabrics for Vervain (which you can find on the Vervain website  HERE) and maintains a retail location for antiques and interior design in Tulsa Oklahoma.

So on with the new book's "Details"........

This newest book by Mr. Faudree is all about those details:

  Charles Faudree Details , by Charles Faudree with Francesanne Tucker

As he says, " Details may seem like a small subject, but these finishing accessories are by far the most important part of decorating. People's lives are expressed by the little details. They give a room its soul." Amen! The rooms I see in magazines that are the most successful in my opinion, are the rooms that above all else, show the character, interests and loves of the inhabitant. 

".....the details of a room create its identity. The accessories we display, their color and texture, abundance or restraint, similarity or variety, combine to establish a unique personality for each room. The way we put them together is art. It's what it's all about." Hitting the nail on the head, I say.

Charles Faudree Details is not only a beautifully turned out book with gorgeous full bleed photos by Jenifer Jordan, it is organized in a way that makes it a wonderful reference. Each chapter takes on another area where details can be arranged to make a room sing: Tablescapes, Wall Decorations, Mantels, Fabrics and Lighting.

In each section, Mr. Faudreee takes us by the hand and shows us why each item is chosen and placed the way it is. For Tablescapes scale, contrast, color and balance all play a part. But even then there is no particular formula. Experimentation is the key. Mr Faidree does place an emphasis on adding flowers to any tablescape. Even one bud will add a bit of life to a room. Wall Decorations include not only art and mirrors, but shelving and accessory display on the shelves. The one thing Mr. Faudree emphasizes is that pedigree is not important, but "the emotional response it creates". 

 Fabrics are as important as furniture for Mr. Faudree. "You can buy fabulous antiques, but without the magic of the right fabrics to compliment them, you've compromised their impact." Whether it is a mix of patterns or a cleaner look like the one above, Mr. Faudree creates magic. 

Mr. Faudree also gives us hints about how to light any room. From candle and firelight to the proper use of can lighting....he expresses his thoughts. Sconces, Chandeliers, table lamps and task lighting can all be functional as well as an enhancement to the decoration of a room. It is always a pleasure to learn why a designer makes the choices they do.

Mantels are also a place where character can show itself. The fireplace is always a focal point, and what's above can make or break a room. Mr. Faudree leads us through an array of beautiful rooms and explains why each mantel has been successfully composed.

To enter this 

GIVE AWAY

of

 Charles Faudree Details

Simply follow directions:

1) Hop on over to the Gibbs Smith website and take a moment to look around. See the facebook link? Go ahead and "friend" them.

2) Click on the "comment" link at the bottom of this post and leave a comment. I would love to hear your thoughts about the the snippet you have seen so far!

3) Make sure I can contact you by including an email address, or make sure your username has a link to a contact email.
4) The Cut Off date to enter is September 25th at 5:00PM PST. I will announce the winner the next day, September 26th!

Good Luck and Happy reading!