Invest in Your Nest with Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams
By www.lightaslife.com On October 31st, 2009
This week marks the release of Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams’ new book Comfortable Home How to Invest in your Nest and Live Well for Less. A timely book that is sure to add value to your home and decor with photos and step by step instructions to help you enhance your home.
Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams believe that, in any economy, your home is an incredibly smart investment. Its value goes well beyond what current real estate prices may say. A beautiful, serene, and organized house truly has the power to change your life. And investments can be made on any budget. 
The table of contents give you a good peek into what looks like an interesting mix of styles applicable to many different decors. Throughout the book, fabulous original photography provides stimulating tours of real homes, including Mitchell and Bob’s New York City apartment, a country cottage, a revitalized ranch, and a Federal-style home in the city.
The table of contents give you a good peek into what looks like an interesting mix of styles applicable to many different decors. Throughout the book, fabulous original photography provides stimulating tours of real homes, including Mitchell and Bob’s New York City apartment, a country cottage, a revitalized ranch, and a Federal-style home in the city. 
Using Mitchell and Bob’s great ideas for working with color, you’ll learn the art of furnishing small spaces, creating room to-room flow, and more. The book gives step by step instructions – wonderfully staged so anyone achieve their classic looks..
Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams were kind enough to provide a copy of their new book to Willow Decor for a giveaway. If you are interested in winning this fabulous new design book just leave a comment. As always, followers and subscribers of Willow Decor are automatically entered. Special thanks to Mindy Drucker co writer of the book!
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You can purchase the Comfortable Home How to Invest in your Nest and Live Well for Less here and learn more about Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams here. Winner will be announced Friday, November 6th.
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Happy Halloween!!!
xx- Gina
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(BTW, Willow Decor is just a fan of Mitchell Gold, their products and design philosophy.
No services or compensation have been received in exchange for this post.)
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I always love hearing from designers directly about their designs because they usually let you in on the process of how long it can take from idea to conception and in this case it was two years! Michael said he only uses Samuel & Sons trims as do most of us in New York since their selection is endless so it was a natural partnership. If you can’t find it at Samuel & Sons, it probably doesn’t exist!
The Grotto Collection is clearly elegant but also casual and that was Michael’s intention. “In this collection, I wanted to make something that is natural and tailored, but that also feels comfortable,” he said. The trims that are made in France on special looms that only produce 10 meters a day have a subtle color palette but a lot of depth and dimension. Michael asked the mills to create trims with variation but a perfect variation.
Trims are definitely making a comeback and Michael suggested that they are what separate “real decorating from retail options.” They have the ability to take a take a sofa and make it something much more special. I think clients appreciate that you can create a combination of fabrics and trims for them that is special and unique. I keep hearing that in the fashion world that people are willing to pay more for clothing and accessories that is more embellished and special and I also see that happening in the interior design world.
Samuel & Sons noticed that Greek Key tapes have been very popular to finish off a design and Michael thinks his less hard line tapes seem like the next evolution of that concept. He is a big collector of antique textiles and especially loves Indian and African that have a patina and softness to them and that was another inspiration for his collection.
The tapes, cords and tie backs are also made with raffia and linen so that also helps to bridge the informal and formal in a room. Michael thinks they would help to tone down an overly fancy room just as his favorite straw carpet from the South of France does as well. The fibers capture the light and the raffia helps pull out the design.
The color combinations are very inspiring and I’m already trying to think of where I can use them! Michael joked that many of them would look great as ribbon on a Christmas present especially with brown kraft paper but that would be a very expensive ribbon!
It was such a pleasure to finally meet Michael Smith and see his beautiful collection. He said he was very excited since he had not yet seen them in such large quantities. I can also imagine that it must feel very good to see all his hard work come to fruition! If you don’t live in New York, the collection is also available in quite a few other cities and I know Samuel & Sons would be happy to help you find them.
I just had to take a photo of Michael’s striped socks that were peeking out from under his pant leg! Love that detail! I also asked him if we will ever see his work at the White House published. He said the Bush family waited seven years to let cameras in and of course it’s not up to him to make that decision. I completely understand the family not wanting it photographed since it’s their private quarters but I hope the Obamas will give us a glimpse. I can already picture Michelle leading a tour like Jackie Kennedy! More importantly, if she can do for the interior design industry what she’s done for the fashion industry (and sleeveless dresses), then I definitely hope she will let the cameras in! 
And lastly, a few photos of the 
Oh, and if you’re not sick of Michael Smith yet, Stefan of 
