FABULOUS FALL

I don't know about you, but I absolutely love fall---cooler weather, leaves turning, birds flying south, fires in the fire place, grown up movies returning to the screen, fall clothes - always my favorites - and, most especially, doing a little redecorating. Something about the cool air and fall colors simply makes me want to change things indoors.

Flowers are the first thing that I think about changing in the fall. I love white flowers in the summer and as long as it's warm outside, but with the cooler temperatures, other colors and flowers come to mind. Oak Leaf Hydrangeas with branches from oak trees come to mind as do branches with berries.

Pillows that looked perfect in summer may suddenly look too light and there is nothing like new pillows to freshen a room.

Displays of glass are another great way to change things this time of the year. Ambers and aubergines as they remind me of fall. Greens are wonderful anytime of the year as are blues, but the deeper they are, the better.

If you are thinking of replacing lamps anyway, consider certain colors to freshen your room. Of course, I think white ceramic or glass are great year round, but you might consider other colors to work with a fall scheme that will still look right when spring/summer roll around next year.

And, if you are thinking of reupholstering a chair or sofa, there are some stunning fabrics that you will love for fall and all year. Silk velvets---so luxurious and great visually. A few of my favorites......

Paint is one of the least expensive ways to change a room....we have just painted a room a wonderful carmel color in the showroom. In the aubergine family there is a very subtle color that looks great in the fall/winter or in spring/summer.

Click on each color chip for more information.

CELEBRATING FABULOUS FALL AT JAN SHOWERS

We have been redesigning our showroom in the Dallas Design District for the past couple of months in order to get ready for fall. If you live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, please come by and take a look at new paint colors as well as lots of wonderful new antiques----chairs, lamps, rugs, mirrors and chandeliers.

GLAMOROUS ROOMS

Another great way to get ready for fall----pick up your copy of Glamorous Rooms. Lots of great ideas for any time of the year!!

Please visit my Facebook & Twitter pages to see where book signings will be held across the US...

GLAMOROUS ROOMS Glamorous Rooms has been released!! After working on this project for almost 2 years, it's finally here. Of course, I have really been working on it for the past 25 years as you will see when you look at all of the images in the book. Here are three of my favorite images from GR...... For the rest of the 170+ images taken over the past 20 years including more than 75 new ones, you'll need to buy the book! There were over 100 images that were not included---maybe some of them will be in the next one..... The name of the book is what it's all about......ROOMS......most design books over the past few years have been formatted project by project. One of my favorite books from the past was a book Conde Nast published about living rooms that had appeared in House and Garden over 25 years ago. The entire book was just living rooms and I loved it. So, if you are designing or redecorating a bedroom, then turn to that chapter in Glamorous Rooms and read what I have to say about how to start - what to do and what not to do, etc. Then take a look at the images that show examples. I got an advance copy at the end of May and I was so happy to see my daughter, Elizabeth, looking at it and getting ideas for her guest room. The book is very accessible and I hope, inspiring. Here are a couple of examples: "Beds should envelop, feel warm and cozy, and have the best linens one can afford." "Make the living room into a place where people want to spend time. Imagine ways to seduce and lure family and friends into using these typically neglected spaces, such as books stacked high on tabletops along with filled magazine racks, which never fail to make rooms appear more layered and welcoming." There are 208 pages of rooms and detail shots----it is my wish that readers will look at these images and use the ideas, colors, mix of fabrics and woods in their own interiors. BOOK SIGNINGS There will be book signings in Dallas, Houston, New York, L.A., Miami, Palm Beach, San Francisco and Atlanta. For specific dates on these signings, we will post them on my website www.janshowers.com as well as on www.twitter.com and www.facebook.com. Hope to see you soon and sign your copy of Glamorous Rooms!! *Glamorous Rooms is available wherever books are sold or online.

ITALIA If you've never seen "The Talented Mr. Ripley" or even if you have, buy it or rent it if you want to see almost every city or locale in Italy. The sets, costumes (it is set in the 50's) and music are masterful and the movie reminds me so of a great Alfred Hitchcock movie though much better in many ways. Anthony Minghella adapted the screenplay from Patricia Highsmith's book and created a masterpiece in my opinion. An earlier version was made in the 1960 with Alain Delon called "Plein Soliel"---check it out as well, but for costumes, sets and mood, Mingella's version is mesmerizing. This is one of Gwyneth Paltrow's best performances along with outstanding ones from Matt Damon and Jude Law. Watch for her costume when she meets with Dickie's (Jude Law) father and Ripley (Damon) in Piazza San Marco. I also love the gardens that are like interior rooms as well as the interiors. This movie in on my mind this month because we are in Italy and everything around us is like a film. Take a look!! View from Al Valuu restaurant in Tremezzo on Lake Como Bellagio Verenna on Lake Como Entrance to our garden Lunch on the terrace                       Matthew looking cool in Ray Bans Our Villa More to come with a big announcement on September 1!! CIAO!!

SUMMERTIME AND THE LIVING IS........   What is it about the beginning of summer?  Does it go back to school being out as a kid?  I don't know about you, but it is the most relaxing time of the year for me no matter what is going on with business.  There are three glorious months to look forward to no matter what you are doing or where you are going.  I am equally happy in my own backyard or on a beach in the south of France or hanging out on Lake Como as long as I have all of my favorite things around----namely, my family and my dog!         SOME OTHER THINGS THAT MAKE ME GRATEFUL THAT THIS TIME OF YEAR HAS ARRIVED:   Robins and cardinals in our garden----they arrive much earlier, but become amazingly plentiful at this time of the year.        Fish----from Copper River Salmon to really fresh red snapper from the gulf----it all tastes great this time of the year.   Domaine Ott Blanc---a refreshingly light wine from the south of France that reminds me of St. Barth's...the French like the rose version, but I prefer blanc.   Deviled eggs----only the ones I make----they are so perfect as hors d'oeurves before a lovely supper on the terrace.  The reason that they are so delicious is that they are simple---a little great mayo (either homemade or Spectrum) and a dollop of Durkee's Famous Sauce and a little salt.  Yummy!!   Fireflies just before dark---as a child, I used to love catching them and putting them in a bottle with holes in the top.  Now when my grandchildren want to do the same thing, I tell them not to.   Lamps outside to be turned on as soon as dusk falls.  Just be sure they are under an overhang or awning or loggia.         Outdoor drinks carts for lemonade or martinis.                                  A stack of books to read for the summer----or for travel, a Kindle since I can't carry all of them with me.   Wildflower---this book by Mark Seal gets 4 stars from me.  He writes a compelling story about Joan Root and Africa from 1960 until her murder in 2006.  Truly well written and researched.  A must read.   A Short History of Women by Kate Walbert----the story of a family focusing on the women past and present....great reviews.   The Bolter---by Frances Osborne, the wife of George Osborne who may be England's next Prime Minister about her great grandmother's adventures from pre "Great War" through her escapades in Kenya's "Happy Valley" in the 1930's.   Shanghai Girls by Lisa See---a story of sisters from Shanghai in the 1930's immigrating to L.A.  This one will certainly be a movie from what I am reading.                    Fourth of July weekend with my family at our house in the country---this year all of the children want to ride in the parade which consists of horses, bicycles and fire trucks along with a few motorcycles.   Lake Como----we'll be there in late July until early September.   A complete vacation from watching the news on tv....just checking out The Daily Beast every other day to keep up---love this website.  It's like reading the news in Vanity Fair on a daily basis.  From hard news to fashion to art....Tina Brown knows how to report on all things that interest me.  You can read in depth (or not) on her "Cheat Sheet".     Movies----I think the best ones come out in the fall, but there are always blockbusters in the summer.  However, I'm looking forward to seeing Meryl Streep as Julia Child in Julie & Julia.   So, kick back, read books, enjoy being outdoors and RELAX......