dual personalities

I have been following the Madcap Cottage gents for years it seems, long before they were even on Instagram.

I love their vibe. They like elephants and needlepoint and chinoiserie. They like to reupholster vintage furniture with good bones in jazzy fabric. They love a good estate sale or flea market find. They like collections.

Last week I finally bought their book which was released last fall.

I like wiling away an hour or two looking at a decorating book full of lovely photographs of beautiful rooms, don’t you?

This book is full of good advice as well as pretty pictures, advice from the gents and from their style icons: Sister Parrish, Dorothy Draper, David Hicks, etc.

Dip your toe into the world of pattern mixing and throw caution to the wind by setting your dining table with mismatched china. Not only is this an easy way to explore the power of pattern, it also will give your dining room a fresh look without a makeover.

Haven’t I been saying this for years?

Anyway, I think the gents would approve of my recent decorating choices, especially my dining room wallpaper:

and my newest estate sale renovation:

So take this as a reminder to do what pleases you when it comes to decorating your home. You live there. Outside of work, it is where you spend most of your time, right?

Right. Have fun feathering your nest. “Be brave, be bold, be gutsy!” The gents would approve.