JAM Session: Jeffrey Alan Marks and a GIVE AWAY!

All photography by the talented Douglas Friedman .

Fall is definitely one of my favorite seasons. There are many reasons, not the least of which is that there is a flurry of fantastic new Design books on the horizon! What better way to kick off the Autumn Season when the evenings get longer, the air crisper, the fireplace comes out of summer retirement....so why not curl up with a cup of tea and a good book?!

The folks at Rizzoli just sent me a new book which I am very excited to add to my design library. AND they have graciously offered to send a copy to one of my lucky readers! Many of you have seen the Bravo TV show, Million Dollar Decorators (one of my guilty pleasures, I admit! And Bravo...when is the next season starting?) If so, then you have heard of the oh-so-talented Jeffrey Alan Marks. Mr. Marks has made it onto my personal TOP TEN List of designers with his creative, fun, beautiful, and (perhaps most important) relaxed and livable aesthetic. I could live in practically any of the spaces he has designed, and love every minute of it.

So here's what I'm, talking about....this is the cover of Jeffery Alan Marks: The Meaning of Home by Jeffrey Alan Marks, Rizzoli New York, 2013.......

I am trying to pin point exactly what appeals to me so much about Mr. Marks' work. Could it be because Jeffrey (can I call you Jeffrey?) uses my favorite wall color....white....to sharpen the focus on the great finds he selects for his spaces? Maybe it is the seemingly devil-may-care arrangement of the accessories that make the spaces more personal .....

It could be the fresh take on contrast and art, or the architectural details like the board and baton siding in this Living Room.....

It could be his creative accents on things like drapery panels, his flair with deep colors (there is that contrast again!) or his use of fantastic light fixtures.....but I know it has to do with the mix of modern and vintage, texture and scale, refined and relaxed. He just "knows".....

Even when I might question a choice (what is up with the table and chair combo in that kitchen nook? How would anyone get their legs under there?) I still can't get over how great it feels....so who cares? I would just sit sideways and make it work.....(In fact, that could be my own kitchen)....

As Jeffrey explains in his book, he spent a good deal of time living abroad. His design aesthetic was formed by what he learned there: "I learned about subtlety from the French, color in Spain, comfort in England, and craftsmanship in Italy. Still, my love of California always tugged at my heart".....and so he came home. Jeffrey now lives in Santa Monica Canyon.

Jeffrey showcases his own home, which he shares with partner Ross Cassidy, as well as fourteen other homes in this book photographed beautifully top to bottom. He has divided the homes into categories organized by chapters aptly titled: Breezy, Tailored, Steady, Brave and At Ease. Each section has its own flavor..."Breezy" is relaxed with an open quality..."Tailored" is described as being cut to fit the personality of the client, whether they be from Texas or from San Francisco..."Steady" is comfortable and cozy, a place to count on...."Brave" are the homes of the adventurous in spirit who want to take a chance... and "At Ease" describes the homes where his clients go to unwind, a getaway home.

I wanted to show you a smattering of spaces that particularly appealed to me and show Jeffrey's breadth of design acumen. Some designers fit into a bit of a niche....but Jeffrey can do it all......brilliantly. No particular order, just great stuff.... Like the Living Room above from a home in Malibu which sports a John Dickinson footed coffee table.

And I could spend hours in this garden with the fire pit....if it gets a little breezy, there is an Hermes throw to toss over your knees....OK!....

Jeffrey does have a way with excellent Kitchen and Bath design as well.... Can't you just take a deep breath in here?....

This little Bath just says "home" to me. I may just be using some ideas for a bath remodel around my own homestead..... You know what they say, imitation is the sincerest form of getting a well designed space....

Jeffrey is perfection when it comes to that relaxed feel, but he is certainly at ease when "puttin' on the Ritz" as well. Here is just a peek at a home in Newport Beach, (It appears that there are plenty of housewives in the OC who know who to call for design advice!)....

This next Los Angeles home gets a makeover after a young couple visited Tavern Restaurant and fell in love with it. They wanted the look and feel, so Jeffrey obliged them, making a custom version to perfectly fit their lifestyle....

These two bedrooms are from a home in Nantucket ( as is the cute bathroom above) and it just goes to show, my favorite homes tend to have a beach-y vibe to them. Go figure. My favorite memories just happen to be running around barefoot all summer on the Balboa Peninsula beaching it with my two brothers and four cousins...we were the "Ferrier bunch" with no TV and nothing but time for sailing, body surfing, and eating chocolate covered Frozen Bananas at the Fun Zone. (We just got back from a vacation last week where my family ended up doing just that! But I digress...) The point is.....Jeffrey Alan has a way with "Breezy" and "At Ease" that makes all of the stress just melt away, and I am on vacation again...

So there you have it. What do you think so far? There is plennntyyy more where that came from......there are Indian inspired digs in London, Retro pads in Santa Monica still to be seen!

Now on to the REALLY good stuff:

If you are game, just leave a comment and you will be entered in

a Rizzoli GIVE AWAY:

a copy of

Jeffrey Alan Marks: The Meaning of Home.

I will randomly pick a winner and announce the lucky one by the end of September!

(Easy right? Well....one more very important thing. I have to be able to contact you. So make sure to check the box that lets me contact you via email located under the comment box so I can get your mailing address! Don't forget or I will have to pick a new winner!)

Just in time for you to start off your October by that fire cuddled up with a cuppa tea like I was talking about.....