I was so excited to receive a copy of internationally renowned local designer
Thomas Pheasant's book,
Simply Serene, that I sat down and read it immediately upon opening! Pheasant is well known for his contemporary classical work that is precisely the style I admire most as well as his beautiful collections of furniture for
Baker Furniture.
The book is organized into chapters and even sub chapters in an organized fashion that one expects from Pheasant based on his work. The formality ends there though as the book is intimately written on his musings on design, his background, and what got him to where he is today.
Pheasant finds inspiration everywhere and is not shy about sharing his secrets with the reader. While the book features huge lush color images that invite the viewer to study them in detail, every 3rd image or so is in black and white so one can focus on the form or actual design of the space in question.
Included in the back of the book was a great surprise: under the "perfection" chapter a number of before & after projects shown in succession so that you can see just where his work and vision begins. Pheasant believes that before the decorating begins, the space and architecture must be right. I couldn't agree more!
While symmetry abounds in the book I was particularly drawn to the b&w image above of a asymmetrical hallway with interior window, skylight, paneling, and beautiful detailing. This is what doing it right looks like! Pick up your
copy today and devote some time to learning from a master!
Photography provided by Durston Saylor and Thomas Pheasant.
