THE 1928 CLASSIC CHILDREN’S BOOK THE YOUNG DECORATORS IS A SOURCE OF ENDLESS INSPIRATION.
WHEN I MOVED INTO MY CURRENT apartment, the first thing I did was consult the book that has become my decorating bible. A classic of interior design, you ask? An archived issue of a favorite shelter magazine? Nope. For me, the ultimate guide will always be a 1928 children’s book, The Young Decorators.
I’m not sure where this book came from; I imagine my mother picked it up at a library sale or perhaps a thrift store. All I know is that from the first reading (I was probably eight), it was deeply formative.
The book, by Nancy McClelland, is the story of the four Baxter children, who are taught by their Aunt Anne how to decorate their respective bedrooms in the family’s brand new house. Older sister Jerry opts for a grown-up pink-hued room, complete with a fireplace and crystal light fixtures. Jim goes for a nautical theme, painting his walls with sailboats and installing a rustic lantern.
This story is from the April 2019 edition of Elle Decor.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 2019 edition of Elle Decor.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
COMPOUND INTEREST
For an exceptional family home on Long Island, designer Sandra Weingort thinks inside the box.
LOVE AT FIRST LIKE
A design-savvy couple finds their footing in a Hollywood hillside bungalow.
DOING LONG DISTANCE
With her clients on the opposite coast, designer Ashley Lavonne Walker steers a masterful renovation of a landmark house in Los Angeles.
THEY ASKED FOR DRAMA
Designer Sarah Dray oversees a sparkling transformation of a classic French city apartment.
The Story Continues
Armed with ambition and a strong point of view, Studio Dorion revisits a historic Brooklyn brownstone.
BREAKING THE FIFTH WALL
Designers are taking ceiling decor to new heights, with creative treatments that range from elevated to over-the-top.
EURO VISION
The head of one of the design industry's most prestigious brand portfolios makes a cozy nest in Milan.
GRAY ZONE
In a new exhibition at its TriBeCa showroom, Brooklyn's Egg Collective pays homage to a design icon.
CONSPIRING WITH NATURE
A retreat into gardening reminds one writer of her place in the world.
This Room Could Save the Planet
In a well-designed passive home, where elegance and insulation go hand in hand, anything is possible.