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The lovely Mary Randolph Carter has a new book out with a pretty awesome title: A Perfectly Kept House is the Sign of Misspent Life ($55, Rizzoli New York). Agreed? Agreed.
The pages are chock-full of houses brimming with collections, colorful textiles, worn objects, vintage finds, artwork and well-loved clutter. There’s an entire chapter dedicated to the beauty and coziness of the unmade bed. Carter celebrates surrounding yourself with the things you love, because as she says, “a cluttered house is a lived-in house.”
My favorite chapter–pretty obvious to anyone who knows me well–is Living With Dogs. There’s not much more I love than dogs:
Sure, pups come with hair and dirt and toys and general rambunctiousness. But they’re so worth it.
Tame a bit of the clutter by keeping dog crates and dog beds simple so they’re unobtrusive and your pals can nap and still be in the same room as you.
Or, just let them up in bed. Don’t you want to jump in there with those cozy pooches?
Do you live with dogs? Do you live with collections? Share with us what’s “un-kept” in your home!
Tags: favorite finds, good reads, room ideas
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October 14, 2010 2:02 PM
awww, this was so cute - I live with my dog and he's allowed anywhere he's like my child!
October 14, 2010 4:53 PM
That's how I feel about my dogs (and cat), too!
October 18, 2010 1:19 PM
We have two dogs, two cats, one rabbit and a pre-teen child. House.... slightly unkempt. hee hee. My motto is “Clean enough to be Healthy, Dirty enough to be Happy”.
October 18, 2010 4:15 PM
I might steal your motto
October 23, 2010 11:38 AM
Dear Rachel & all Fresh Homers! Thanks so much for the imperfectly “perfect” post about my new imperfect book! Of course, I love Geri's Case History “Living with Dogs!” We grew up with Saint Bernards!!! Impefectly yours, Carter
October 23, 2010 11:53 AM
Thanks for the comment, Carter, and so glad you found the post! xo.rachel.
November 09, 2010 9:41 AM
Carter, Geri forwarded the photos of the Roper canine clan. They look so adorable ! Congratulations on the book. Geri is sending us copies to enjoy. I don't know when I will be in New York, having some health issues (recent knee surgery) plus, plus. I would like to come up for the Westminister in February though. Love to everyone. Helen
June 12, 2011 2:55 PM
We live with three dogs in a 1920s English Tudor near the beach in southern California, and we like to keep an relaxed but elegant air to our life. I loved your review and spotlighted it in my Dog Blog, adding my own tips for living well with dogs in the house. Thank you for your great blog! http://dianes-dog-blog.blogspot.com/2011/06/tips-for-living-with-dogs.html
June 13, 2011 12:19 PM
Awesome — thanks for the shout-out! Glad to have you as a reader.
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