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.
Retro Beach It
My husband’s grandma was a dear lady and a woman we’re just now truly discovering through the journals, pictures, and letters she left behind.
Betty Boone Barler Barnhill Clark was altogether fabulous in her day- lounging around the patrician corridors of DC and Miami in the maillot of the moment, languishing poolside whilst the bulbs of Town and Country popped around her. Her journals literally say: “in Town and Country . . . again.” Like- what a draaag, Betts. (wink)
Her lifestyle got me to thinking about all things retro beach, vintage boardwalk, old Miami . . .
So here’s your background music:
Gotta love LaVern.
I imagine Betty’s afternoons were all beach blanket bingo and longboard surfing, but she watched idly from her plush perch:
I imagine her friends’ homes had fabulous Heywood Wakefield bamboo furniture:
I bet they occasionally let their hair down by visiting the boardwalks and the ferris wheels of their time . . .
From this, I think we have a ton of takeaways for wedding and event design, inspired by Betty’s meanderings and the recent glittery sunny days in Charleston.
Here, the latest “un-rules”:
1. Have a fruity drink as your signature cocktail.
Let’s not take ourselves so seriously, shall we? Ditch the overwrought for the oft-overlooked cocktail umbrella and whimsical pineapple wedge.
2. Keep it simple.
Truffles and foie gras have their place, but everyone loves retro hors d’oeuvres and PIABs are no exception. Spice it up by creating a white truffle mayo if you must.
3. Take a walk on the wild side.
Embrace color, and network with locals. Find an interior designer, antique dealer, or “junque” shop owner to rent you cool furniture for the reception. Imagine a pair of these chairs in the mix?!
4. Rhyming is your friend.
Think Havana, cabana, banana…and channel old Cuba for a throwback tropical vibe. Crusty, faded colors. Cabanas for your guests. Banana split stations for late night snacks. White dinner jackets for that Casablanca feel.
5. Pick up some party favors.
Get a little silly for your photographer . . . have your planner or your band leader break out these goodies late night for some laughs.
What vibe will you channel at your wedding?
Are your ears burning?
So we’re planning my best friend’s wedding, which is the biggest honor and incredibly fun. Aside from the unabashed lily-gilding and tomfoolery that will certainly accompany such a task, there is also quite a bit of shopping to be done- serious shopping.
She recently asked us to research sparkly baubles for her big day; namely, t0-die-for earrings. Gasp: what a draaaag. Slash not.
Our ears are burning to try these on:
Andrea Fohrman’s Lauren Earrings in White Gold with Crystal Quartz and Diamonds
Estate’s Art Deco platinum earrings with “feather” diamond tops and emerald teardrops
Other Designers’ Pave Diamond Maltese Cross and Pearl earring
Caviar taste on a Ramen noodle budget? Try Adorn, one of the neatest little websites renting drop-dead jewels to brides at a fraction of the retail costs.
So Becky : are your ears burning?
