Bluffer’s Guide to Interior Decorating
Betty Barler Barnhill Clark, my husband’s paternal grandma, was a bonafide lady; we posted a bit about her here. The other day, my mother-in-law came across a funny little book while sorting through Betty’s possessions, and we thought we’d share.
Now you must know a bit about Betty’s average day. It went something like this : read love letters from suitors at the Naval Academy, have golden tresses touched up, brunch with the girls, pen dainty little dresses in sketchbook, go to a dance. Reading her journals is transcendent : it’s like Mad Men-meets-Sabrina.
Here are a few of her darling sketches:
So of course we died over finding this little book, The Bluffer’s Guide to Interior Decorating by June Flaum Singer, nestled among her things so innocently that we really don’t know if it was a joke, or something she consulted in truth. Um, and it was – drum roll – a dollar.
Either way, it is quirky/bossy/funny, and we thought we’d use some snippets from the book to inspire . . .
“To say that a room is elegant is comparable to describing a woman. The details look expensive, but never ostentatious; the colors are brilliant, but not blatant; everything is subtle, but never dull. You might even say that elegance is the epitome of refinement and grace.
Modern translation:
Try a bold red lip; refrain from pairing it with a smoky eye. Do wear a knock-out pair of earrings; don’t do the “set” of matching jewelry- eh eh. Do consider a vintage element, like a fascinator; don’t attempt the everything-i’m-wearing-is-so-heirloom-that-it’s-antiquated thang.
“When you compliment, you judge. And when you judge, you immediately place yourself up and above in the judge’s chair, higher than the others. When you put yourself above others, this makes you an authority. When they accept your compliment (and who doesn’t, gladly?) they’re accepting your authority. And there you are, you authority you.”
Cheree Berry’s wedding from Martha Stewart Weddings
Modern translation:
Be confident, be bold, be an individual – it’s your day.
“There’s a whole string of clichés concerning stripes. Narrow stripes on a large piece of furniture will make them look smaller. As on a fat lady, stripes that run horizontally on a wall or on a floor will stretch it out, make it appear wider. Stripes that run vertically will stretch that old ceiling up. We could go on and on about stripes, but why keep stretching the subject?”
Style Me Pretty featured stationery suite from Smock
From Baking Arts
Striped bouquet from Martha Stewart
Modern translation : horizontal stripes still make you look big, or like Beetlejuice. Incorporate them into your invitation suite or reception decor? For sure.
“Crystal can safely be called the diamond of interior design. This sounds very witty if you care to repeat it and it also happens to be true. The glitter and sparkle that a mass of crystal can provide to a room lends ultraglamorous enchantment.”
Modern translation: we wholly agree. Add a crystal chandelier above your escort card ensemble, or set out a dainty dessert bar on vintage crystal cake plates? Yes, please.
“Mirrors can add great magnificence to any room. Eyes are supposed to be the mirrors of our souls. You might say, mirrors are the eyes of the soul of a room. Sounds interesting anyway. Mirrors can enlarge a room visually, as we have already learned. Mirrors can bring light into a dark room if used on the wall facing the window. If the window looks out on something green and scenic, so much the better.”
Modern translation : Reflecting light is always a good idea. Using mirrors in a current way, plus tons of votive light? Always au courant.
More time to kill? Check out the modern day Bluffer’s Guides.
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