October 30, 2011

Do You Like Billy Like I Like Billy?

On Saturday, I braved our rare October snow storm to visit some friends and stop by the Book Thing. Because of the howling storm {smirk} there were very few people at the Book Thing, so I was able to really spend some time poking around.frost on the pumpkinsThere, tucked into a corner of the book case, was my old friend Billy Baldwin, Decorating. Now, you know, at my new house, I am just a scant few blocks from where he was raised. Proximity is everything.BB 021 The sad thing about poor Billy Baldwin Decorating over on the shelves was that he was totally uncovered! Naked as the day that poor man was born. I was looking at some older posts and it seems like I find one of BB’s books about once a year.bbaldwin_thumbI can’t keep him around my house that way, so I am going to have to give him away. Do you want him?

If you’re interested in winning a copy of “Billy Baldwin Decorates”, with no dust jacket, just leave me a comment telling me what your favourite Billy Baldwin motif, item, look, fabric, etc. is, and I will pick a winner on Friday, November 5th.

P.S. Don’t forget to leave some identifier, so I can distinguish Anon@ 2:14 from Anon@ 11:00

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22 comments:

  1. WindlostOctober 30, 2011 at 10:20 PM

    I love his style - classic, pared down, and all about comfort. ANd of course the slipper chair...

    count me in!

    xo Terri

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  2. YONKSOctober 31, 2011 at 7:03 AM

    I can't say I am familiar with him so will have to look around. Meg, please don't include me in the giveaway, shipping costs to UK would be too prohibitive. Very generous giveaway and I am sure loads of people will want it. Off now to research him.
    Have a great day.
    Di
    x

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  3. LESLIE THOMPSON SCOTTOctober 31, 2011 at 7:17 AM

    CLEAN CUT COMFORT!

    NO SNOW IN CLEVELAND......
    YET!!!!
    LESLIESCOTTDSIGN@SBCGLOBAL.NET

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  4. Beth D. peddrbeth@aol.comOctober 31, 2011 at 8:51 AM

    I was fortunate to be able to see an exhibit in the Evergreen mansion on Saint Charles St about Billy Baldwin design. I love the slipper chair, and wish I had long slender legs like the women he originally designed the chair for. I would love to have a copy of his book! I have loved learning about Baltimore through your blog, as I am able to visit these destinations as I visit my college age daughter at Loyola University. Thank you.

    Beth D. peddrbeth@aol.com

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  5. GretchenOctober 31, 2011 at 9:52 AM

    Oh, my, another chance to get one of these books! You have much more luck than I do at the Book Thing with the decoration tomes...so yes, please, I would love to enter. My favorite will always be the pair of slipper chairs, but I'm becoming more fond of Parsons tables these days, too.

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  6. maryOctober 31, 2011 at 10:50 AM

    Hi Meg, For me, I think it was his global aesthetic that hooked me early on. I do have one regret--A couple of years ago I bought a pair of great stools/benches. I knew that I recognized the fabric, but couldn't place it and I asked everyone I knew or who came into the shop that I thought might know--no luck. The day after I got them back from the upholsterer, I found the fabric--of course the benches were BB in their original (at that point dingy) BB brown exotic chintz fabric..... Thanks. Mary

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  7. ShelleyOctober 31, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    Meg, I think I've heard the name, but I don't know a thing about him. I don't really even want the book - I have more than I need already. I just wanted to say a) if your house looks anything like his, you are a very fortunate woman and b) I was so relieved when I discovered you were talking about the dust cover! Thanks for a chuckle.

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  8. The Visual VampOctober 31, 2011 at 12:55 PM

    You have the best eagle eye!
    My whole living room is inspired by Mr. Baldwin from the brown walls to the the chairs that "talk" to each other.
    I would love this book. Can you believe I don't have it?!
    xo xo

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  9. AnonymousOctober 31, 2011 at 2:13 PM

    The Aubergine Room at Ladew - it shows you how a "Purple Room" really is NOT what it sounds like.
    Kathy

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  10. AletheiaOctober 31, 2011 at 2:30 PM

    Loves me some Billy.

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  11. balsamfirOctober 31, 2011 at 3:20 PM

    I don't have a particular specific thing I like about BB; it's the graphic crisp nature of his rooms while still being inviting and warm that appeals to me. They have held up well against others working in the same oeuvre.

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  12. Virginia Country HouseOctober 31, 2011 at 3:51 PM

    I adore Billy Baldwin, both for how he decorated and how he thought. One of my favorite Baldwinisms is that he would implore people to let their rooms evolve over time. He told designers not to throw out everything a client had collected. He told clients that if they spent the bulk of their decorating money on an expensive antique, to not then fill in the room with junk just to have it finished. Slow and authentic. lol, that's me. :)

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  13. Atom BOctober 31, 2011 at 4:04 PM

    Meg,

    I need some Baltimore Billy to balance out all the IKEA Billys i'll be living with the next few years. A Cole Porter Etagere for me please.

    -Adam

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  14. AnonymousOctober 31, 2011 at 6:58 PM

    Billy Baldwin's contributions to the world of design continue to influence today. His classic slipper chair and his brass bookshelves never date, even if we are in a nickel and Kindle moment.
    His use of French classic antiques with modern art resonates today, even if the modern used was late 20th c. Thank you for spotting a gem and I do hope I win.

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  15. EAEOctober 31, 2011 at 8:00 PM

    I like how Billy Baldwin always seemed to do a good mix or old & new pieces, not all just from one era or style. Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  16. AnonymousOctober 31, 2011 at 10:04 PM

    I would love to bring that naked copy of Billy over to the Eastern Shore-we hardly notice that kind of thing over here !

    Pat
    pvs@dmv.com

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  17. DMCNovember 1, 2011 at 12:52 AM

    Hmm. As far as a favorite item, I would have to say his large painting of the two hunting dogs (Spanish, I think?) that moved from his larger NYC apartment, to his glossy brown studio, and then to Woodson Taulbee's house in Puerto Rico. Spectacular in each spot. Wish it were here!

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  18. Vickie H.November 1, 2011 at 9:42 AM

    Oh my goodness! I forgot to leave a comment yesterday! I am FOREVER searching for this book in used book stores and estate sales, hoping I will also stumble upon it! You have the MOST wonderful LUCK! His slipper chair is THE DEAL and I love the one I use in my dressing area. I also carry around (in my purse!) a picture of his chinoiserie lamp with the incredible coolie hat shade cocked just so as it sits in the middle of a table, in hopes that one day I will stumble upon such a shade. Don't know if the figure in the lamp is of a geisha or some other significant asian figure but it is my favorite lamp of all time and I would sell my soul to the devil to own it. Billy is the stuff dreams are made of in my world. I have it BAD!!!

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  19. AnonymousNovember 1, 2011 at 6:02 PM

    'Billy Baldwin's contributions' originates from Seattle, not exactly style mecca, but at least I can get a good cup of coffee.

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  20. CocoNovember 3, 2011 at 12:11 AM

    I love this Billy Baldwin quote, "Be faithful to your own taste because nothing you really like is ever out of style."

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  21. Barbara at LadewNovember 3, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    I'm very lucky to see his influence everyday when I come to work and would love to learn more about the man, however, I have not been so fortunate as to come across one of these precious copies and would be very grateful to have one!

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  22. Eric LoweNovember 3, 2011 at 12:55 PM

    I liked his character in "Flatliners"

    ;)

    ReplyDelete

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