Rules To Live By

"John and I are like bookends. We share a love of houses, collecting, gardens, dogs, and especially a love of people." —Bunny Williams<br /> Learn more about the designing duo here.<br />

Rules To Live By

Recently, my sweet friend Mark D. Sikes wrote about the design advice of Bunny Williams and John Rosselli that is found in the latest issue of House Beautiful.  I’m a big believer in sharing joy, advice, and just plain goodness in the world, so I thought that I would pass on these words of entertaining wisdom to you!  As Mark said, Bunny Williams and John Rosselli are known as the “first couple” of decoration. As husband and wife, they call themselves “bookends” because they both love gardening, dogs, houses, collecting, and they especially love people. Love that! Love them!

Here are their 8 must-live-by style rules that we should all obey:

"Show, don't tell, what you're serving with a well-appointed bar. Guests feel more at home when they can help themselves." —Bunny Williams<br />

RULE 1: Offer hospitality, not just a drink 
“Show, don’t tell, what you’re serving with a well-appointed bar. Guests feel more  home when they can help themselves.” -Bunny Williams

"Look beyond flowers and vases and pluck an object from the mantel, scatter shells from afar, or display farmers' market fruits and vegetables." —Bunny Williams<br />

RULE 2: Rethink the centerpiece
“Look beyond flowers and vases and pluck an object from the mantel, scatter shells from afar, or display farmers’ market fruits and vegetables.” – Bunny Williams

"Tablesettings are like guest lists: Diversity is key. Try patterned tablecloths, palm leaves as placemats, and rattan chargers for layer upon layer of interest." —Bunny Williams<br />

RULE 3: For a lively table, invite interestng pieces 
“Tablesettings are like guests lists: Diversity is key. Try patterned tablecloths, palm leaves as placemats, and rattan chargers for layer upon layer of interest.” -Bunny Williams

"Buy secondhand books by the bundle so that guests can hang on to the stories they begin, even when it's time to go." —Bunny Williams<br />

RULE 4: Read, share, repeat 
“But seconhand books by the bundle so that guest can hang on to the stories they begin, even when it’s time to go.” -Bunny Williams

"Use and enjoy your antiques and unique finds, especially in a utilitarian room like the bathroom. Keep cotton swabs in a hand-painted tin or sea-grass box; hang art that can survive a splash." —Bunny Williams<br />

RULE 5: Don’t be precious about special things.
“Use and enjoy your antiques and unique finds, especially in a utilitarian room like the bathroom. Keep cotton swabs in a hand-painted tin or sea-grass box; hang art that can survive a splash.” —Bunny Williams

"For me, a mirror often does it. I have a beautiful Venetian mirror that's inlaid with tangerine- colored glass. Many of the panels are cracked, but if you're in in love, you overlook the flaws. Every time I walk in, I look at it. It's strange how good it makes me feel." —John Rosselli<br />

RULE 6: You need one good piece to anchor a room 
“For me, a mirror often does it. I have a beautiful Venetian mirror that’s inlaid with tangerine-colored glass. many of the panels are cracked, but if you’re in love, you overlook the flaws. Every time I walk in, I look at it. It’s strange how good it makes me feel.” -John Rosselli

"John and I used to entertain guests even when we had tiny apartments without room for a dining table. The point is: Don't put off enjoying your home and friends — today there are so many ways to live well without breaking the budget. CeCe Thompson, a 30-year- old associate in my firm, turned to catalogs, websites, and thrift shops to pull together this pretty apartment." —Bunny Williams<br />

RULE 7: Don’t wait to live well
“John and I used to entertain guests even when we had tiny apartments without room for a dining table. The point is: Don’t put off enjoying your home and friends — today there are so many ways to live well without breaking the budget.” -Bunny Williams

"It's not just the inside of your house that deserves stylish touches. Celebrate your arrival by rolling out the red carpet for yourself — or at least a pair of oversize planters." —Bunny Williams<br />

RULE 8: Your home begins as soon as you step out of the car
“It’s not just the inside of your house that deserves stylish touches. Celebrate your arrival by rolling out the red carpet for yourself — or at least a pair of oversized planters.” -Bunny Williams

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