Chaletmomma

Friends if you follow along on Instagram than you will have seen I added a book to the permanent collection here at the Chalet. The book is a reprint of the 1961 Better Homes and Gardens DECORATING BOOK.

I was chatting with a friend Lynn Byrne who is lucky enough to have her mothers’ original 1961 wire bound edition and during this chat I decided it would be a fun to take a bit of a dive and share with you.

The wire bound workbooks editions were published in 1956, 1961, 1968 and 1975. A hardcover edition of Better Homes and Gardens DECORATING IDEAS in 1960 and Better Homes and Gardens CREATIVE DECORATING on a Budget in 1970.

Who better than Better Homes and Gardens which was founded in 1922 by Edwin Meredith under the title Fruit, Garden and Home to assist young homeowners. The books were guides to decorating with confidence and included schematics.

1956

Images from the 1956 edition.

1956 page 3 (possibly used again later but, doubtful).JPG

1961

Images from the 1961 edition.

1968

Images from the 1968 edition.

1975

Images from the 1975 edition.

Here is an earlier hardcover edition.

1960

This 1970 hard cover is a title I’ve only seen here.

1970

Better Homes and Gardens NEW DECORATING BOOK offered readers design guidelines and reflected modern mixing of styles organized in two sections. The first filled with room by room decorating guides. The second organized by topic: color, furniture arrangement, flooring, lighting, etc. Like it’s predecessors it included workbook style illustrations to assist in completing any space and was published in 1981, 1990, 1997, 2003, 2007 and 2011.

1981

1990

1997

2003

2007

2011

I hope you’ve enjoyed this peek into these wonderful books from the past. What edition most intrigues you?

Til next time see you over on Instagram.

Images: Bing, Etsy, Ebay

I finished 48 titles in 2022 so it was definitely a challenge to only pick 5! But, I like a good challenge... so here goes 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1!

Fly Girl: A Memoir: When Ann Hood was young her family would pile into the car and visit the construction site of what became Washington Dulles International Airport which opened in 1962. Ann decided planes and travel were where she wanted to be. Graduating from college in 1978 Ann began the interview process and landed a coveted spot with TWA. She survived TWA’s rigorous Breech Training Academy where she learned to evacuate seven kinds of aircraft, deliver a baby, mix proper cocktails, administer oxygen and stay calm no matter what the situation.

I loved listening to Ann read her memoir of the skies… my first plane ride was in 1978 on TWA with my parents heading to California to visit Disneyland. It was a great flight!

Family of Liars: I didn’t expect this is one of my top reads. It’s the prequel to We Were Liars which I read last year. You must read WWL before reading this. This second visit to the Sinclair family and their private Massachusetts island is illuminating. The story is shared by Caroline Lennox Taft Sinclair. Being a Sinclair means acting and never showing weakness. Welcome back to the Sinclair family. They were always liars.

The Other Bennet Sister: Mary, the bookish ugly duckling of Pride and Prejudice’s five Bennet sisters, emerges from the shadows and transforms into a woman with choices of her own. What if Mary Bennet’s life took a different path from that laid out for her in Pride and Prejudice? What if the frustrated intellectual of the Bennet family, the marginalized middle daughter, the plain girl who takes refuge in her books, eventually found the fulfillment enjoyed by her prettier, more confident sisters?

Little Fires Everywhere: This story is about mothers—their relationships with their children and the choices they make to balance motherhood with the rest of their lives. Some choices are for good - some for bad and their stories are surprising.

The Midnight Library: Is any life perfect? That is the theme of this amazing book. I loved the sadness and the thought provoking possibilities that are laid out by Matt Haig. I plan on reading more works by him.

My favorite book of the year. The concept is unique and when you read as much as I do - that’s a definite plus. I loved how it made me think.

Only 5? What was I thinking ?!?

Honorable Mentions

I continue to enjoy the Hoopla and Libby apps very much! I am always listening to a book and reading an actual one at the same time. I highly recommend it.

My favorite listen of all time is Daisy Jones & The Six: The actors brought this incredible novel about the meteoric rise of an iconic 1970s rock group and their beautiful lead singer to life - I saw the entire film in my head - and I don’t think I will ever watch the actual film for this reason.

Friends I could go on and on about books and in particular audio books… I will also share I have turned off audio versions when the voice just didn’t work for me. You can read my complete list of my favorites here.

What was the best thing you read last year?

Til next time be well.