Mar

27

Living Life Beautifully Book Review & Giveaway

28 Comments 

Living Life Beautifully by Christina Strutt Book Cover

I’m so delighted to be a part of the blog book tour for Living Life Beautifully by Christina Strutt. Every couple dreams about planning not only a memorable wedding day, but of creating a home that reflects their mutual sense of style and provides a comfortable haven for the two of them. This lovely book provides inspiration for doing just that!

Christina Strutt founded the iconic lifestyle brand Cabbages & Roses in 2008 and her new book shares the keen sense of beauty and simplicity that infuses her shop and the places she calls home. Christina graciously answered some questions for me, and I would love to share that interview along with some of the beautiful images from her book with all of you. I am also thrilled to be offering a giveaway of Living Life Beautifully as well! For your chance to win a copy, please leave a comment on this post before midnight CST on Wednesday, April 2nd, 2014. Best wishes to all to enter! In the meantime, please enjoy the interview and glimpse into the book.

Living Life Beautifully by Christina Strutt Heart-Shaped Tree Stump

Hello Christina! I am so honored to be a part of the blog tour for your latest book. I’ve been poring over the beautiful images, and I see something new and lovely every time I look. Congratulations on your book and best wishes for its success!

THANK YOU SO MUCH! 

Here a few questions I would love to ask you:

What do you think are the key elements for living a beautiful life?

IT SOUNDS TRITE AND MATERIALISTIC BUT I WOULD SAY FIRSTLY SURROUND YOURSELF WITH LOVELY THINGS. IT IS NOT DIFFICULT TO MAKE ANYWHERE BEAUTIFUL AND IF YOU FEEL THAT LACK OF FUNDS WOULD PREVENT THIS, THEN I SUGGEST PAINT THE WALLS WHITE, REMOVE ANYTHING THAT IS NOT BEAUTIFUL AND LOOK AT THINGS THAT MAKE YOU HAPPY. EVEN AN OLD TIN TUB – LIKE THE ONE ON THE COVER OF THE BOOK – WOULD MAKE A WHITE ROOM INTO A WORK OF ART. I WOULD RATHER LOOK AT THE TUB WITH A FLOWER IN IT THAN A STATE OF THE ART TELEVISION! 

SERENITY – MAKE ROOM FOR SERENITY IN YOU LIFE – MY THERAPY IS RE-ARRANGING A ROOM OR PLANTING A PACKET OF SEEDS. SIMPLE THINGS MAKE LIFE BEAUTIFUL! AND OF COURSE FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

Living Life Beautifully by Christina Strutt Cabbages and Roses Shop

 

In your book you mention that the decor in your shop is continually changing with the seasons. Is the same true for your home? Can you give us some examples of how you manage to refresh your home as the calendar changes?

AS SPRING APPROACHES I START FURNISHING THE OUTSIDE PAVILLION – RUGS ARE STOLEN FROM ONE ROOM AND INSTALLED IN THE PAVILLION – FURNITURE AND CHAIRS ARE SWAPPED AROUND TO MAKE GOOD THE HOLES LEFT BY THE REMOVAL OF ALL THE LOVELY PIECES FOR THE OUTSIDE ROOM. IF I FIND A BEAUTIFUL PAINTING OR OBJECT – THAT TOO CAN CAUSE CHAOS WHILE IT BECOMES THE FOCAL POINT AND AGAIN – ALL CHANGE!

Living Life Beautifully by Christina Strutt Compartmented Shelves

Setting up a new home can be a challenge for a newlywed couple who may have disparate styles and tastes in home decor. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be planning their first home together?

MARRY SOMEONE WITH THE SAME TASTE AS YOU!! I CANNOT IMAGINE HAVING TO ARGUE ABOUT THE INTERIORS OF YOUR FIRST JOINT HOME! I HAVE BEEN SO LUCKY THAT MY HUSBAND AND I AGREE ON NEARLY EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THE HOUSE. 

IF YOU CANNOT AGREE – SEEK OUTSIDE HELP – CABBAGES & ROSES OFFER AN INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICE – IT IS LESS LIKELY TO CAUSE FRICTION IF SUGGESTIONS ARE MADE BY A COMPLETE STRANGER!

Living Life Beautifully by Christina Strutt Pretty Fabrics

Are there any design trends currently grabbing your attention?

I LOVE OUR NEW STRIPES WHICH CO ORDINATE WITH OUR FLORAL FABRICS AND WE ARE WORKING ON A NEW RANGE WHICH WILL BE HOPEFULLY READY BY SEPTEMBER. I HAVE BEEN SO BUSY LATELY I HAVE ACTUALLY, NOT EVEN READ A MAGAZINE FOR AGES NOR LOOKED AT THE SHOPS! SO I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE DESIGN TRENDS ARE!

What do you do when you need to find inspiration for your shop or your home?

I GO TO AN ANTIQUE FAIR/MARKET. I DO FLICK THROUGH MAGAZINES OR HAVE A MEETING WITH THE STAFF AND ALL BRAINSTORM.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions! I look forward to sharing your book with my readers at DIY Weddings.

IT WAS SUCH A PLEASURE

Living Life Beautifully by Christina Strutt is published by CICO Books and is available from rylandpeters.com 

By Kimberly Jones




Comments

28 Comments so far

  1. Lesly on March 27, 2014 7:46 am

    The previews look beautiful. Have a beautiful day!

  2. Rosie McLain on March 27, 2014 8:10 am

    Simple sounds peaceful in this chaotic world. The book looks wonderful.

  3. kathy on March 27, 2014 8:28 am

    Looks like a delightful book that I could really enjoy reading!

  4. Tina S on March 27, 2014 9:18 am

    This book looks lovely! I want those cubbies and the stump heart is simply charming! Thanks for the opportunity to own it.

  5. Linda Taylor on March 27, 2014 9:35 am

    I think a beautiful life is simplicity. Things are placed with care and they give you joy to look at them.

  6. Anne Marie on March 27, 2014 9:53 am

    This looks like a lovely book.

  7. Marilyn (Merry) Fenton on March 27, 2014 10:44 am

    What a gorgeous book! If only my house looked like that. : )

  8. Jaan L on March 27, 2014 11:11 am

    I’m always interested in doing something different when it comes to making my home really ours.

  9. Andrea B on March 27, 2014 11:40 am

    Beautiful book!

  10. lexi on March 27, 2014 11:50 am

    How lovely! What a beautiful looking book- Thanks for the chance to win, but if I don’t I will look for it for sale! :)

  11. Jeannette Olton on March 27, 2014 11:57 am

    This looks like a wonderful book and I would love to win a copy!

  12. Michelle Miller on March 27, 2014 12:50 pm

    I am always changing things around my home, it makes me happy and keeps my husband on his toes.

  13. ChrisTea on March 27, 2014 1:08 pm

    I would LOVE to own this book – it’s beautiful! Thank you so much for the chance.

  14. Suzan Daugherty on March 27, 2014 1:08 pm

    I would love to have a copy of this book. It looks like a very inspiring book. I always enjoy looking and reading which inspires me.

  15. Susan Samuel on March 27, 2014 1:18 pm

    My daughter is due to get married soon and is always changing things – so perhaps this book would be a good surprise for her if I was lucky enough to win.

  16. Theresa on March 27, 2014 1:37 pm

    Sounds like a great book. I am constantly changing what I have on my walls and tables. Thanks for the chance to win.

  17. Rose :: finecraftguild.com on March 27, 2014 4:39 pm

    would love a copy of the book. thank you for the giveaway! love the article about it. i think it will be a great book for me.

  18. Mary Helene on March 27, 2014 6:44 pm

    Such a stunning book. Would love to read.

  19. Cheri Oggy on March 27, 2014 8:40 pm

    Wow, terrific looking tome!

  20. Alice C. on March 28, 2014 6:10 am

    Serenity is the key word . . . beautiful, simple, happy are the elements. What a lovely book!

  21. J9 on March 28, 2014 7:02 am

    I love her style. The book looks wonderful.

  22. Shari Harniss on March 28, 2014 7:09 am

    Please enter me to win this lovely book!

  23. kim j on March 28, 2014 2:21 pm

    Thank you for the chance to own this beautiful book!

  24. Michelle Mathey - POMI on March 28, 2014 8:16 pm

    Great interview, Kim!! Loving that shoe storage – how cool!

  25. Jowyn Jenson on March 30, 2014 9:00 am

    Great interview and looks like an great book.

  26. lyn lewis on March 30, 2014 12:01 pm

    I love the idea that living with such lovely things around you brings serenity into your life………..Im game for that please! : )
    Lyn

  27. Elaine on March 30, 2014 5:07 pm

    Looks like a great book, thanks for the chance to win.

  28. thia beniash on March 30, 2014 7:21 pm

    oh this book looks absolutely fabulous! love so many of the ideas. Raw, natural and beautiful!

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