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In her first book, the South´s most inviting designer explores her principles for creating a beautiful home rich with comfort and warmth. Barbara Westbrook has been designing classically inspired homes full of Southern charm and a European touch for more than twenty years. A native of Virginia, Westbrook grew up accompanying her mother to antique shops and was introduced by her to Virginia´s rich architectural legacy. With a design vocabulary that ranges from casual American to formal English to French modern, Westbrook´s homes share a welcoming elegance, whether it is a country cottage or a penthouse apartment. In Gracious Rooms, she sets out her principles for creating a house rich with both polish and patina. Walking the reader through a dozen stunning homes-light-filled lake retreats, contemporary houses, and historic mansions-Westbrook shares her accessible, appealing ideas. From the judicious use of symmetry to the importance of including natural elements in a room, utilizing color to unify spaces within a house, and setting a mood with materials, Gracious Rooms is rich with advice and inspiration.

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"It´s always exciting when a Southern designer, especially one from my hometown, has a monograph of work published. I think this book will raise Barbara´s profile on the national design stage." -Garden & Gun

"[Barbara Westbrook: Gracious Rooms] will leave you insprired by her know-how." -Traditional Home

"It´s a gorgeous representation of her work, titled Gracious Rooms, which is so apt given her level of sophistication and timeless point of view. The designer´s talent for melding edgy patina and antiques with classically tailored elegance is showcased in the images I´m using to illustrate this post so you can see for yourself how adept she is at intermingling styles and periods." -Improvateur.com

"Westbrook is one of those gracious designers - who creates pretty homes, classic rooms, and beautiful spaces. In fact, her book is named: Gracious Rooms - which is the perfect title." -Cote de Texas

"This is a book that is poised to grace every elegant coffee table, book shelf or library no matter the reader´s prefered style." -The Entertaining House

"Rich with advice, inspiration, and classically inspired Southern charm, Gracious Rooms treats readers to a visual feast of more than 10 light-filled homes, including lake retreats, contemporary homes and historic mansions." -Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles

"Step into style with nearly a dozen different Southern homes that pair classic pieces with modern comfort." -Southern Lady

"Her expertise and working with venerable talents such as Nancy Braithwaite and Gandy-Peace have earned her a style now compared to Chanel´s little black dress: effortlessly elegant, comfortably tailored and always classic." -CultureMap.com (Houston)

"Interior designer Barbara Westbrook-based in the South, the epicenter of charm and hospitality-knows a thing or two about creating a welcoming space. In her new book, Barbara Westbrook: Gracious Rooms, she surveys ten eclectic residences and shares her principles for gracious living."
-ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST

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