Home Design with Kevin Sharkey

1 Find this W.W. Norton and Company treasure on amazon.com.

2 How sublime is this image of large, tall bay windows with a view over a reflecting pool.

3 Les Quatre Vents.

4 My heart aches looking at this lovely photo of circular steps and terrace plantings.

5 The Watercourse, a series of pools and canals framed by shaped thuja.

6 The color of this sea of Petasites japonicus is magnificent.

7 The shapes and palette along with the general mood of the Moon Bridge brings me peace.

8 This is the LOWER of the two rope bridges that sweep down to the floor of the ravine.

9 The Pigeonnier's archways and reflecting pool frame the fields and hills of Lac des Cygnes.

10 Such symmetry, care, and perfection.

11 I just love how each archway frames another moment of beauty.

12 Such beauty in the circular staircase, painted walls, and simple furnishings.

13 The textures in this photo are fantastic.

14 A golden streak of Kirengeshoma palmata.

15 The small-flowered marigolds create such a glorious path.

16 Hand-pollinated Delphinium Society hybrids. The colors are just perfect.

17 The reflecting pool fulfills its function.

18 One of two 15th-century-style Japanese contemplation pavilions, called Azumaya.

1 The second edition of the book, published by Abbeville Press, is a monumental tome at 375 pages.

2 Castle Nelahozeves in central Bohemia is decorated with late-16th-century sgraffito work.

3 Painted plaster ceiling at Bucovice in the Czech Republic.

4 A most remarkable mantelpiece.

5 Such a view in western Moravia.

6 The dome of the mausoleum at Krasna Horka with mosaics depicting the 12 saints bearing devices. That palette is inspiring.

7 View of Cesky Krumlov, a castle in southern Bohemia.

8 The Mantle Bridge at Cesky Krumlov, completed in 1764.

9 Hluboka Chateau.

10 The wooden stags' heads on the walls of Hluboka are just fantastic.

11 The Chateau's magnificent library.

12 Probably built in the early part of the 13th century, Buchlovice's gardens are gorgeous.

13 Veltrusy, near Prague.

14 The chateau of Valtice and its wonderful staircase, light fixtures, and sculptures.

15 Lednice was re-fashioned in neo-Gothic style in the mid-19th century.

16 Now part of Austria, Feltorony or Halbthurn has a most stately facade.

17 Interior chapel at Godollo.

1 As Martha states on the back cover of Lars Bolander's new book: "A sophisticated volume...an in-depth, intelligent, and informative look at the design sensibilities found in Scandinavian domestic furniture and decoration."

2 Tailored white slipcovers in an exquisite 1770s Swedish dining room.

3 The porcelain kitchen at Thureholm Manor includes this prized collection and amazing faux painting.

4 Known as the "Little Alhambra," Norwegian violinist Ole Bull's late 19th century summer house is the ultimate in skilled woodcraft.

5 Simple, quiet, gorgeous.

6 The main salon at Regnaholm, a 1760s manor house, is the perfect expression of refinement, symmetry and lightness.

7 Suites of furniture painted white or light gray set against pale walls feel like mid-summer all year round.

8 Painted furniture with pale colors show off highlights of carved wood consoles, detailed chairs and long benches.

9 Softened grandeur: bare wood floor, simple white slipcovers and polished mahogany.

10 English wallpaper: bold color and scale and a pattern that matches the fine baroque side chair.

11 Practical: taupe-colored sideboard with open shelves and integrated plate rack.

12 The leafy shade of green was heavily favored in the mid-18th century and seems right at home in the bedroom at Regnaholm.

13 Porcelain dreams: palette of blue and cream takes a bold turn in a Stockholm bedroom.

1 Don't you just want to be there...

2 From a quintessential English bed-and-breakfast, the painted wardrobe, cane chair, sweetly patterned wallpaper and four-poster bed work so well together.

3 The sitting room includes these two beautiful hyacinth-blue sofas.

4 From a Tudor mansion house, a collection of bottles; remnants from the estate's past.

5 In an old Methodist chapel house, a furniture-maker and bookbinder created a tall oak cupboard to fill in this niche.

6 An 18th-century Georgian farmhouse.

7 This magical moment is part of The Clock House, an historical building owned by an importer of Indian clothes and throws.

8 For the catalog, friends and family are photographed modeling the Indian clothes in the surrounding gardens.

9 A restored farm house is now home to a family of six, dedicated to horses. An Elizabethan table stands in front of a Jacobean staircase.

1 Not out until October 28, French Essence, from Lantern an imprint of Penguin Books, is just a delight. Lucky you to get a sneak peek. Pre-order it now on Amazon.

2 Author Vicki Archer's inspiration board.

3 The Cabinet Chinois at La Mirande, Avignon. Achingly gorgeous.

4 The shocking pink Semini rose, one of the author's signatures.

5 Simple arrangements are part of the home's decor.

6 Blue and white books, boxes and porcelain.

7 An old photo of the private dining room at La Mirande, Avignon.

8 Her daughter Emily's bedroom. So simple and easy.

9 The book has a chapter dedicated to the circus and how it inspires the author.

10 Magical outdoors.

11 Daughters Emily and Katy.

12 Straight from the garden.

13 The author, inspired by Cezanne and his art world.

14 A guest bathroom.

15 It's all in the fine details.

16 Afternoon on the terrace.

17 A front door in Provence and cover image.

18 A private look into the Violet suite at La Maison du Village, Saint Remy de Provence.

19 The library at Mas de Berard.

20 A commode in the author's bedroom. The painted finish reminiscent of harvest.

21 The bar at La Mirande, Avignon.

1 Published by Bulfinch Press in 1989, Colefax and Fowler is a gorgeous pictorial of the company's work.

2 The room is dominated y this lovely Aubusson carpet that obviously inspired the design.

3 The full-bloodded roses and pansies of Lady Annabel Goldsmith's bedroom chintz is fantastic.

4 Compare its use to that in Lady Neville's sitting room.

5 The walls and sofa are covered in the sexy serpentine-like Toile de Vence, offset by a Colefax and Fowler carpet called Double Check Flash.

6 John Fowler's ability to mix patterns and colors in upholstery, window treatments and, in the case of the Wiltshire rectory landing, table fabric is inspiring.

7 What an incredible bed, an elaborate Polonaise with a corona centrally supported on four wonderfully shaped arms.

8 A London drawing room that centers around a delightful portrait of a young Sir Joseph Banks.

9 This library's covered walls, in a green velour de lin, works so well with the Buxted carpet, damask upholstery and hints of floral.

10 Love the combination of French caste (pair of pictures and chandelier), Regency-style dining room, and swagged neo-Classical curtains all in deep, rich colors.

11 Blue and white check dusters sewn into simple white cotton curtains. That's a Good Thing.

12 The walls' large-scale serpentine tree design feels like untouched 18th century paintwork.

13 The bedroom at Badminton, previously used by the Duchess of Beaufort, is unbelievable with Ionic pillars, French furniture and corona, as well as the panelling.

14 This 19th century Passion Flower chintz makes this guest room special.

15 The Duchess' bedroom at Badminton. Her personality and presence can be felt in the design: a games table; a favorite chaise longue and a large arm chair with rugs thrown over it for the dog.