Fresh American Spaces Book Party

The event setting at Sel de la Terre.

Annie Selke, founder and creative designer of leading home brands Pine Cone Hill, Dash & Albert Rug Company, and Annie Selke Home knows American design. Her new book Fresh American Spaces showcases the here-and-now in stateside design. Last night, Annie generously hosted local design bloggers, including Marni Katz, Erin Gates, Linda Merrill, Leslie Fine, Susan Anderson,Tara Bellucci, and Julieann Covino at Sel de la Terre to share her book, photos of her midcentury modern house in the Berkshire Hills, and her three Clumber Spaniels (the test-proof source that her indoor/outdoor rugs really do hold up to everyday mishaps!). Dressed in a floral shirt with a flourish of orange beneath, Annie looked every bit like she had just stepped from the pages of Everyday Exuberance.

An inspiration from Selke's website.

With passion, Annie described Fresh American Spaces as distinctly American and a diagnostic tool to create functional home décor. Five decorating styles define the chapters: Everyday, Exuberance, Refined Romantic, Happy Preppy, Nuanced Neutral, and Cultured Eclectic. They also define her own style and personality. “I don’t think of myself as a designer but as a product developer. I’m a business person first with a good eye,” she said.

More inspirations from her website.

I asked about the vintage toy truck, and why it was chosen as the cover image. “The truck was a friend’s and I added the flowers. I wanted the cover to appeal as a coffee table book.” She added, “I didn’t want a name of a room on the cover to define the book.”

A selection from her Pine Cone Hill collection.

In between bites, Marni Katz of StyleCarrot fame asked what Annie’s favorite design period was. She answered, “From the 1880’s and 1780’s, there are nuggets in every age and I draw from all of them.” Interior designer Linda Merrill asked, “Do you feel the need to always wear bright colors?” Annie laughed “No, I often wear a lot of black!”

Another selection from Pine Cone Hill.

Stop by Annie’s blog or follow her on Facebook or Twitter to read her home decorating and entertaining tips. Fresh American Spaces, published by Clarkson Potter Publishers, can be purchased here. Selke’s brands are available in stores nationwide, catalog, online, and in local stores such as Hudson, Best of The Beach, Margo’s Home and Osgood’s.

Fun tote bags in a wide array of colors from Dash & Albert.

You can also meet Annie in person this Saturday, February 11, at Hudson in the South End to get a signed copy of her book plus a chance to win $250 gift certificate to Dash & Albert Rug Company. All Dash & Albert rugs will be 20% off during the event!