Downtown Chic

I just got finished reading and drooling over the photos from a book that I received at Christmas called Downtown Chic: Designing Your Dream Home From Wreck to Ravishing. The authors of the book are Robert & Cortney Novogratz owners of Sixx Design. The name of their design company was actually inspired by their six children. Yes I said SIX children, two of whom are twins and they actually just had their SEVENTH! (All of the kids are under the age of 12!) I thought that my life changed from just having one!

Over ten years ago, the duo purchased a derelict brownstone in Chelsea, Manhattan, gutted, renovated, and decorated, and sold it. Now many houses and ten years later, their company Sixx Design has gained an international reputation for creating chic, budget-friendly, and innovative family-oriented designs out of ruins. Their style is more contemporary and mixes vintage and modern furnishings with very colorful and white color pallets. In the book you will see examples of using industrial lighting, flea market finds, reclaimed doors and wooden plank floors with modern furniture and artwork. I personally love the family spaces and childrens rooms featured in the book. They even have a chapter designated solely to kids' rooms. Below are photos of some of the kids' rooms and common spaces featured in the book.

The book is also filled with inspiring quotes from designers, architects, painters, and writers. One of my favorites and one to live by with kids is "A house is a machine for living" - le corbusier

Now only if I could convince my husband to let me purchase an old house, gut and re-decorate it, move in and then sell it to start all over again! Oh and have six more kids! How much fun and what better way to experiment with decorating ideas? I'm officially jealous.

Additionally the family will have their own design show on Bravo coming out this year! The working title is Design Sixx but I have also read that it will be called 9X Design. I will definitely be TIVOing that one.

To purchase the book and other suggested books by me click here