My sister found an old book, Ladies Home Journal Book of Decorating, last published in 1959. She thought I would enjoy it and sent it to me. When I first thumbed through the pages a few months ago, I thought it amusing as I looked at the images of what appeared to be outdated room design. Yet, today, as I carefully read the pages, I realized that classic design never becomes outdated. Indeed, if I compared images in the book with any of the current design magazines filling my shelves, I could easily find similar rooms. 

The advice in the book still holds true as well, start with the flooring, have fun with textiles, don’t be afraid of bold and exciting color, and the right lighting is essential. But, one bit of advice that I did not find relevant! “…the glass ash tray in your casual room will be quite different from the one in your formal room.” Too funny!!

I submitted my first set of drawings to a building department and they were approved on the first round. This seems like a small thing to those seasoned designers, but I was excited. I guess it is just one of those rights of passage that you cross. Just in case you don’t know what a building permit is - a permit is required in most jurisdictions for new construction, or adding on to pre-existing structures, and for major renovations.  

This made me wonder about the history of building permits and did a little research. It is believed the first building code was in the Code of Hammurabi  (really old, like 1750 BC). And it was serious stuff.

·         If a builder builds a house for someone, and does not construct it properly, and the house which he built falls in and kills its owner, then that builder shall be put to death.

·         If it kills the son of the owner, the son of that builder shall be put to death.

·         If it kills a slave of the owner, then he shall pay, slave for slave, to the owner of the house.

·         If it ruins goods, he shall make compensation for all that has been ruined, and inasmuch as he did not construct properly this house which he built and it fell, he shall re-erect the house from his own means.

·         If a builder builds a house for someone, even though he has not yet completed it; if then the walls seem toppling, the builder must make the walls solid from his own means.

Luckily, although the current rules are quite stringent, I won’t be put to death…………

Busts

My Collection

I have to admit I have a thing for busts, no not that kind, a sculpture depicting a person's head. I have a small collection of them on my bookshelf. I generally can't pass one in a thrift shop or flea market without buying it. I think it started with my Mom, she does the same thing. So I was really excited when I saw this new Jonathan Adler table lamp. The Dora Maar bust and blue lampshade are desirous.