no longer on my wishlist {restoring a house in the city}

I bought this book over the weekend and I'm OBSESSED. I'm taking my time to read it front to back, but here are a few of my favorites so far. Abramovitch did a really nice job providing great info and resources, and the imagery and interiors (as you can imagine) are stunning. She tells the story behind each home and how the architects and designers preserved the integrity and period details of each. I'm fascinated by older, historical homes and how they reflect the ways in which people lived so many years ago. It's a dream of mine to restore an old home (or many!) and this book is definitely inspiring.

on my wishlist...

...Restoring a House in the City by Ingrid Abramovitch. A compilation of 21 town house, brownstone and row house renovations from across the U.S. and Canada, this book looks like it would make a beautiful gift for someone who loves the architecture and history of an older home. Via Casey's recent post and this cute little blog that I'm loving... Katy Elliott.

where I'd like to live today

more gorgeousness via velvet & linen

'past perfect'

Decorator Jeffrey Bilhuber discovered this beautiful 17th-century house on Long Island and immediately fell for its charm. In desperate need of an overhaul, he restored every element of the home - floorboards, bathtubs, tiles - carefully, to preserve its original architecture. Then he decorated it using bold fabrics and colors, creating a country house that is anything but country in style. "It was just the right time to find a house like this, and to breath life into it," he says.

It's my absolute dream to work as a designer and restore homes like this one. For more pictures and to read the full story (featured in the August issue of Vogue) click here.

images from Vogue