The Decorative Arts Society puts together an annual series of lectures on interior design, fabulous gardens, and various subjects on the arts. The speakers are highly regarded and informative and I’ve been inspired by and learned something from each one.

One of the highlights this year is interior designer Suzanne Rheinstein. She’s speaking next week, but unfortunately for me, I will be travelling and will miss her presentation.  I’ve followed her work from as far back as I can remember and can’t resist studying her artfully arranged rooms. She masterfully combines styles and objects with a unique sense of color and precise attention to detail resulting in elegant yet relaxed interiors.

The title of her lecture is “Rooms for Today: Easy Living with Antiques”. Interestingly, this subject is a discussion I’ve recently had with several friends. Many homes look the same these days and lack the individuality antiques bring to the space. Perhaps because antiques can be difficult to source, readily available furniture and decorative pieces from showrooms have replaced them. Personally, I love a little history sprinkled throughout the house with collected objects from life and travel that have a story. They add personality and give both a classic or contemporary home a curated quality. I’ve collected things forever and am a firm believer if you buy what you love, no matter the style, you’ll find a place for it in your home.

I’m missing her lecture but am adding Rheinstein’s book, Rooms for Living: A Style for Today with Things from the Past to my annual holiday wish list of design books. Somehow it slipped past me when it was released last year. I can’t wait to delve into the book and take a field trip to her lovely store, Hollyhock, when I return.

photos: Suzanne Rheinstein

I follow @hollyhockinc for design inspiration.