This is how the book is described according to the publisher: "Bohemian Modern explores the unique structural and interior designs that have put California's ultra-chic Silver Lake neighborhood at the forefront of a new style phenomenon...Barbara Bestor has fully embraced and perfected Silver Lake's "bohemian modern" style: a practical philosophy that is Californian in origin but achievable anywhere."
I thought I would see pages filled with this newfangled "bohemian modern style". I kept picturing light-filled modern homes with California hippie interiors brimming with texture, color, a connection to the outdoors, and quirkiness. I believed this book was going to help define a style. I mean they even coined the style term, "BOMO".
Okay, what the book's really about: "I'm Barbara Bestor and this is where I live, these are my friends, these are my neighbors, this where I shop, this is where I eat, and this is where I work--and it's all soooo fucking awesome!" And honestly, I'm okay with that because Silver Lake does kick ass. In fact, I love these type of books, what my editor once described as "My Fabulous Life" books. Lotta Jansdotter has one called, "Lotta's Life Style" and there's a magazine called "Me". See, at least they're honest about it and not trying to market it as something else. Thank goodness I'm an inquisitive person (read: nosy) or else I may not have liked the book. I like seeing images of design celebs like Jonathan Adler eating Fruit Loops or celeb trash mags that show Kate Hudson holding kleenex with the caption "She blows her nose, too!" (apparently, she's human). I was raised on heavy helpings of Entertainment Tonight and The Enquirer--so it's not surprising I turned out this way (Thanks Mom!).
But back to the book: Although I enjoyed looking at the images, appreciated learning about the people that live there and loved, loved Geoff McFetridge's illustrations, I felt a little misled and disappointed because I really wanted to see this "new style phenomenon". There were plenty of places that were "MO" (modern: insert iconic Eames chair here), but "BO" (bohemian: quirky hippy sensibilty)? I couldn't really feel it in most of the interiors at all. I think "bohemian living" quite literally meant that a bohemian person was living in the home--that's it. What some homes lacked in bohemian-ness was certainly compensated for in the art direction of the book. It was bursting with color, pattern, and georgeous illustrations. Many of the homes were certainly very beautiful and could've easily been shown on the pages of Dwell mag, like this home below. That's 100% MO.
My favorite home that fit the BOMO bill was Roger Herman's home:
And here's one of Geoff McFetridge's illustrations:
Now, I still feel like someone out there should come out with a book about modern bohemian style--for real (no joking this time people). So I'd like to nominate the design team of Wary Meyers. From what I've seen on their online portfolio, they've got the bohemian modern style down to a science. Just check out these cool images below. Now put those in a book and I will buy it!
hi meg!
i think most of the attention on this book has been because of the illustrations! they're the best part... and the reason why so many people were eager to see it. i totally agree with your review!
Posted by: lenacorwin | February 07, 2007 at 04:30 PM
hey lena,
seriously, if it didn't have geoff's illustrations, i'm not sure i would've bought it. btw, i think i learned about wary meyers through you--thanks! they've got some really cool interiors...
meg
Posted by: meg | February 07, 2007 at 04:53 PM
I agree, I want to see a book all about bohemian modern and Wary Meyers would be perfect.
Posted by: decor8 Holly | February 08, 2007 at 12:56 PM
hi holly-hopefully they have one in the works! meg
Posted by: meg | February 08, 2007 at 04:12 PM
WA-MY is the new BO-MO!
Posted by: neicy frey clark | February 14, 2007 at 08:13 AM
I was just looking at that book last night (I bought it, sight unseen) and I feel the same way. I would totally buy that forthcoming bo-mo book, too. Were it actually, you know, forthcoming.
p.s. Many of the sneak peeks over at design*sponge could be a part of that book, yours included. Hint.
:)
Posted by: carlene | February 28, 2007 at 03:23 AM
hi - just found you via my good friend, jen at swallowfield. and had to chime in that i was curious about that book after seeing her feautured somewhere (domino maybe?) and looove geoff's illustrations. thanks for the review. and i agree w/the wary/meyers idea - i almost fell off my chair when i saw their living room.
Posted by: meg | February 28, 2007 at 09:36 AM
I agree with your blog, lucky to read your blog! It makes me have the courage to stick to it!
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Posted by: Jordan 1 | September 06, 2010 at 08:02 PM
I first learned of Wary Meyers here http://www.aliceindesignland.com/blog/designer-showcase-wary-meyers.html and love their work. Would love to see them do a decorating book.
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Posted by: Home Security | November 14, 2011 at 11:35 PM