Decorate Workshop Highlights From London Launch Party
Hello everyone and happy Friday to you! I’m so pleased to share some photos from my book launch party for the UK edition of Decorate Workshop, photographed by London-based photographer Lucy Lu. Most of these photos (unless noted otherwise) are from Lucy, thank you Lucy! The lovely party at Anthropologie on Regents Street was a huge success – it was packed with more people than we had expected, which is never a problem and always an honor BUT it was tough to fit so many comfortably so needless to say we had standing room only by the time we began our lectures. Decorate Workshop fans filled the 3rd floor and we had a great night. Want to see for yourself?
I was joined by one of the UK’s top bloggers, Will Taylor, from Bright Bazaar and American stylist James Leland Day, who lives in Berlin (his home is in Decorate Workshop and his living room shown above) who spoke alongside of me about the book from what inspired it to how one goes from blogger to author, the process of writing an interiors book and how to style your home with tips from James and later, I chimed in with tips on how to pull inspiration from the many images you see and translate them into something that works. I have to thank both of these fab guys for being there and presenting so well – Will is a natural and James has such a strong background in styling – they both were such a nice addition to the party and guests really loved having them, too.
Will showing everyone the inside of the French fold book jacket – all editions have a special jacket that you can unfold, iron and display on your wall. Mine is above my desk in my work studio.
I really love bringing together special guests in all of the events that I do – last year for Decorate some of my special speakers included Abigail Ahern, Leslie Shewring, Sania Pell, Betsy Burnham, Nicole Balch, Fernanda Bourlot, Zia Priven, Matt Stinchcomb (co-founder of Etsy) and many others. In fact, whenever I host events I always try to add a few guests to accompany me because I enjoy the support and friendship – it makes doing events a lot more exciting and a lot less about “me” and more about “we”.
Will interviewing me during the launch party – I was trying to focus, I was a bit nervous because we had problems with the sound system – we were able to fix it later on but it kept throwing me off track at first. We did our best – thanks to everyone who endured the first 10 minutes!!!
I love this photo – it looks like this cute lady is embracing my book. It actually made me feel emotional seeing this. The idea of giving a little slice of happy to someone is quite a nice feeling for an author to have.
Will is such a charming and caring soul but also has an excellent business brain behind all those bow ties and polka dots. James was really getting into how he designed his living room – shown on the board to his right. That is an image from my book as well.
A closer shot of the board showing James’ living room as seen in Decorate Workshop.
Between all of the beautiful cakes that Anthropologie laid out for us to feast on, the prosecco, the inspiring space and the entire 3rd floor being filled with design lovers and bloggers, it was quite a lovely experience. Anthro even gave everyone who bought my book a 15% coupon for their next purchase and a linen Anthro tote. What a nice touch! Along one wall, I had a bookcase in my honor titled, Holly Becker’s Favourite Things” where I had shopped the day before for things that I loved from their home & fashion accessories floors so that my guests could check out a few of my favorite things. Problem was, the event was so packed that it was hard for people to go examine all of the pretty things there!
I had a rough summer, filled with a lot of ups and downs in my life (mostly downs) so to be here with all of my fans and have them so excited to see me and celebrate my new book was nothing less than a fantastic boost for me personally – and of course, it was cool to sign and hold up my book for the camera – I loved celebrating this accomplishment with all who came out.
I love this shot of me talking to Ari from Arianna Interiors who is also co-founder of Heart Home magazine. Ari is one of those people who is genuinely so sweet and charismatic, there is nothing fake about her. I think she was admiring my hair or necklace in this photo – she always has a way of making you feel at ease and taking you beneath her wing. I really adore this lady!
This photo of James made me smile. He really loved being a part of the festivities and he walked away feeling inspired by everyone, too. The energy was so positive. It was a truly lovely event.
I only wish that I could have spoken to everyone – I know I missed out on meeting so many of you and for that, I’m sorry! It was my intention to meet everyone but the event was too full and once the book signing begun I was there until after the store closed dedicating books to some genuinely lovely guests.
I felt honored and inspired by the event and to think the day before, I ran into a street concert with Robbie Williams performing right before my eyes and the same evening after the book party, I ended up in a private bar at a hotel where a friend Charlotte was staying and who walks in and says hello to us, American rapper/actor Ludacris. Yeah, really. He was so chill and his friends and I chatted about the south (where we are all from) and later, my book and blog! Riot! It was funny to see him and how normal they all were but the best part was when one of them googled me and said, “Hey you’re famous too!”, that was a riot! Here’s a photo of me with Ludacris who is currently in London filming Fast & Furious 6 – funny right?!
So that was my book launch party. I hope that you liked it. If I missed any of the photographers who took the photos above, PLEASE let me know so I can link you below. A big thank you to Jacqui Small Publishing (Jacqui, Joanna, Sian, Sarah, Anabel, Jessica and Sam), Anthropologie EU, Lucy Lu, Will Taylor, James Leland Day, Debi Treloar and some of the homeowners who attended in addition to James like Sania Pell, Emma Cassi, Stephanie Rammeloo and Yvonne Eijkenduijn.
(images: Lucy Lu, Mimi, Janine and Margarida)
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November 9th, 2012 at 4:44pm
Hi Holly, it was a really lovely evening – it was really inspiring to see you, Will and James speak and great to actually meet some of the other bloggers from the BYW course!
Katie´s last [type] ..Book Launch for Material World by Perri Lewis
November 9th, 2012 at 4:49pm
Thank you so much for your kind and generous words, Holly. It was such a pleasure for me to be a part of your book launch and I really enjoyed interviewing you! Decorate Workshop is such a treat of a book – bravo! Hope to see you again soon. Big hug! x
Will @ Bright.Bazaar´s last [type] ..Mr. Bazaar Has Been Busy…!
November 9th, 2012 at 5:02pm
Sounds and looks like an amazing weekend – so glad you enjoyed it! You look so happy, pretty and healthy :)
Anette@lebenslustiger´s last [type] ..FFF – Creative
November 9th, 2012 at 5:04pm
Oh Holly! Congratulations! What a happy event!
Thank you for sharing these lovely photos. Like thousands of your readers, I would have loved to be there, but these photos will suffice!
I hope to meet you someday! We live continents apart, but who knows!
You’ve been such an inspiration! Looking forward to getting a copy of your new book!
-Angeli from BYW
Angeli´s last [type] ..The best diaper bags ever!
November 9th, 2012 at 5:15pm
It looked like a fantastic day! Its at times like these that I lived on the main land…
samantha´s last [type] ..I’m trying out….
November 9th, 2012 at 5:41pm
I wish I could have been there! I live only two hours away, and was at that Anthro just two weeks ago. I am sorry to hear you’ve had a rough patch, and I am wishing you well this autumn and winter– hopefully you can get some meaningful quiet time to reflect and heal.
Ariana {And Here We Are…}´s last [type] ..Comforting Suppers: Deeply-Rooted Beef Stew
November 9th, 2012 at 5:52pm
Was great to be a part of it, a really enjoyable evening and so great to meet you and Will and other bloggers in the flesh! x
Anna´s last [type] ..Mischief Meets : Lucy Loves This
November 9th, 2012 at 5:57pm
Oh, it looks SO lovely, warm and fun hunnie! I am SO, SO happy for you! Any event you are a part of is that way and I hope there are many, many more to come!
xoxo
Melis
Melissa de la Fuente´s last [type] ..Closer to home
November 9th, 2012 at 6:00pm
Looked like a really fab event, so wish I could have been there!!! Next time, guess you have to write a third book :) How awesome that you got to see Ludacris, and Robbie Williams. What an eventful evening!
mimi´s last [type] ..Breezy and bright
November 9th, 2012 at 6:05pm
So much fun being had and all for you. How great that is. Wish I could’ve attended because yesterday was filled with your book here too. I received it in the mail and absolutely love the fold out, what a surprise. It was so peaceful reading through it and love the whole concept of how you had places to write in the book. So much more than just a book to read, it was a book to be with..Thanks.
Kathleen´s last [type] ..This Snowman Needed a Home
November 9th, 2012 at 6:23pm
It was lovely to be there.
I really had a good time and enjoyed the evening.
Above all I met wonderful people and since then I’ve been sleeping with your book “under my pillow” :-)
And a big THANK YOU for featuring my photos in this post – you made my week!!!
Margarida´s last [type] ..5000 followers giveaway
November 9th, 2012 at 6:48pm
Congratulations on your book and the fabulous party! It looks like a blast!
Emily´s last [type] ..Apartment Tour: Fall Decor
November 9th, 2012 at 6:57pm
Dear Holly,
Congratulations! And absolutely well deserved, I love my Decorate Workshop ;) When looking at the pics, I remembered the great event in Berlin at Soho House. You have SO much positive energy, it’s amazing. Congrats again!
November 9th, 2012 at 8:32pm
What a wonderful blog post Holly…lovely words & fab photos!
Thank you for such a lovely evening…you truly are an inspiration to all of us.
I, like I’m sure many others, came away from your book launch on such a high!
Rona x
Rona´s last [type] ..Interview with James Cock of Flowers by Clowance
November 9th, 2012 at 8:59pm
Oh my goodness this looks like a fun time!! Wish I was there. Maybe next time!
Mrs Polly Rogers´s last [type] ..Sock Wrist Warmers & Glove Rings
November 9th, 2012 at 9:04pm
Wow, Holly, I had fun only by reading the post and looking at the pictures. So glad it was a well deserved success. By the way, you look gorgeous!
November 9th, 2012 at 10:02pm
What a fabulous book launch it was. It was a sheer pleasure to follow your launch party in real time via Twitter. I was so sad that I couldn’t come but I love this recap and all the other pics I’ve seen on the social networks. You are just fabulous, Holly!
Igor´s last [type] ..Happily Ever After: Young German Design
November 10th, 2012 at 12:20am
Dear Holly,
You are a lovely and amazing woman and you deserve all the support for this new step! You are an inspiration to all of us!
Thanks for the photo ; )
xoxo
Mariana´s last [type] ..London: Decorate Workshop Book Launch Party – Part II
November 10th, 2012 at 12:35am
With so warm text, it seems that I attended the book launch :)
Fantastic photos. I felt there.
I really enjoyed reading this blog :)
November 10th, 2012 at 2:23am
Wow Holly! that’s so great! You might be soo happy and proud! I hope I receive one of your books this Christmas from my parents! :)
love,
Pili.
Pilar´s last [type] ..Take part in a raffle! (English version)
November 10th, 2012 at 6:26am
Your book launch party looks so amazing. It must feel so good to realize your dreams in such a stellar way. Hope you return to Boston so we can celebrate there!
Desha Peacock´s last [type] ..Local Writer Exposes Brattleboro’s Real Ghosts
November 10th, 2012 at 9:15am
So happy and excited for you, Holly!!! What a very special event! And, as always, the tone of this post is so genuine, humble, and gracious. :)
Still waiting for you to visit Seattle. ;) xo
Vicki´s last [type] ..PHOTOGRAPHY BY YOUNG ARTIST ANNE HE
November 10th, 2012 at 10:09am
Thanks for this fantastic post, Holly! Makes us feel like we were there, too!
Thanks!
Cloud Nine´s last [type] ..My Diary for 2013
November 10th, 2012 at 3:14pm
How wonderful! The photos brought across the energy and happiness going on there. So glad that you had this wonderful and memorable event!
Tracy A.´s last [type] .."Sisters are for sharing laughter and wiping tears." ~ Unknown
November 10th, 2012 at 4:18pm
What a whirlwind of loveliness and hardwork all rolled into one! I know how hard it must have been to pull it all together and weather the storms of life too.
You have done amazingly well and must know how you inspire people to do and be better through hard work and determination. Bravo!
Lucinda Palmer´s last [type] ..Art Deco Doorway
November 10th, 2012 at 7:10pm
Looks like so much fun!! I need to get myself to one of these! So funny about meeting Ludacris -you just never know, do you?!
Juliette´s last [type] ..Wander
November 10th, 2012 at 9:12pm
Congrats Holly! What a huge accomplishment! It looks like it was a lovely event :-)
November 10th, 2012 at 9:52pm
You are so talented and inspiring Holly! So happy for you and your success with this 2nd book. It looks great and I can’t wait to put it on my Christmas wish list this year. The hubby got Decorate for me last Christmas and it’s definitely a favorite! Again, congrats on a job well done! : )
November 10th, 2012 at 10:45pm
A huge congratulations, Holly! It looks like you had a great time. You truly are an amazing inspiration to us all. Thanks for a wonderful blog and bootcamp.
Love,
Sam (BYW)
Sam´s last [type] ..Victoria
November 11th, 2012 at 9:00am
I’m so thrilled for you! I wish I could be there and give you a big hug and say how much I loved your Blogging Your Way Boot Camp Course. I have a lot of good muscle aches right now thanks to you. You look beautiful in the photos. After downs you went through this past summer, I hope you only have ups waiting for you. Virtual hugs from steamy Jakarta xoxo
Kaho´s last [type] ..Papaya ☆ Japanese Grocery Store in Jakarta
November 11th, 2012 at 5:07pm
Congratulations, Holly!!! Can’t wait to get my copy!
Thanks for sharing. It’s so wonderful to see the great success of someone who is so truly inspirational, sincere, creative, hard-working, and obviously a woman with a huge heart and immense kindness and character, too.
Sara´s last [type] ..Style in unexpected places
November 11th, 2012 at 6:54pm
HOLLY!
Looks great! And so colorful.
Congrats!
Lovely greetings from Berlin
Marie
November 11th, 2012 at 7:12pm
How wonderful! o glad that you had this wonderful and memorable event!
Pouf´s last [type] ..Moroccan Pouf Natural Leather – $ 150.00
November 11th, 2012 at 8:44pm
Hi Holly,
I too absolutely loved the event – it was so inspiring and I’ve been pouring over my book ever since.
I’m glad you left feeling energised and happy too – such a nice way to be built up after your tough summer. Am sorry to hear about that in your post and hope that everything will go from strength to strength for you from now on.
Claire.x
November 11th, 2012 at 10:52pm
Congrats!!
November 12th, 2012 at 9:03am
Hi Holly,
Had a lovely time at the book launch. was great to have met you and other bloggers in person!
Thanks for the picture- the second to the last pic. It was taken by Mimi from MyCasita. http://www.mycasita.wordpress.com. (for the link at the bottom.)
Thank u!
x
November 12th, 2012 at 11:09am
Oh Holly I have only just seen this! It was a fab event and I wish we had more time to speak with one another. Next time we will definitely organise dinner…. Thanks so much for your kind words am incredibly touched! I still have that fond memory of when we first met and you made me feel so comfortable – I was incredibly nervous! And yes I was admiring your hair & necklace – You looked gorgeous! xxx
Arianna´s last [type] ..10 Corso Como
November 12th, 2012 at 12:19pm
A truly fab event and it was nice to say hi! Loving the fact that my blue coat is featuring in this post :)
Toni @ Skandivis´s last [type] ..Something for the weekend?
November 12th, 2012 at 12:19pm
I love everything about it! Congrats love and again, so sorry I missed it!!! I need to see your gorgeous face ASAP! <3
November 12th, 2012 at 3:14pm
I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my very own copy of your book in the post, Holly. Can’t wait to dive in to all the visual goodness!
xo
s.
November 12th, 2012 at 6:33pm
Dear Holly i wish i could be there to get my copy signed and maybe even get a photo with you for my blog :).
I receved my Decorate workshop few days ago and it made me happy just like that lady on the photo above.
I cant wait to go trough it and start to transform my home. I’m stucked somewhere between enthusiasm when we moved into our new house and lost of inspiration wich occured after tree years.
I’m counting on your tips and promise to send photos bifore and after :). Wish you all the best, Valentina.
November 12th, 2012 at 7:00pm
Thank you for a lovely evening, it was all so inspiring. I felt very lucky to be there and to meet you.
Decorate Workshop is a fabulous book, everyone should have it on their Christmas lists!
Andri´s last [type] ..A launch party at Anthropologie for Decorate Workshop
November 12th, 2012 at 8:29pm
Hi Holly! I’ve received a copy of your new book, it looks really pretty! Well done! I’m very proud to be part of it! Thank you so much! Lovely greetings from Amsterdam. Iris
November 14th, 2012 at 9:07am
Lovely pictures, it seems that it was a wonderful evening! :)
November 14th, 2012 at 1:56pm
Congratulations!
Looks like a fab evening – I wish I had been there!
:)
November 15th, 2012 at 12:22am
Congratulations on a beautiful book.
My copy’s next to my bed, waiting to be picked up every night. Browsing and reading and dreambuilding through it is like snuggling up with a good hot chocolate, a bunch of candles and a purring cat — only much safer (for waist-lines). The little cat with the stripey bum loves those sessions too.
November 16th, 2012 at 2:31pm
Hi Holly,
I attended your launch event at Anthropologie and absolutely loved it. After leaving fully inspired I started to read your book and was even more energised.
I’d love to grab another signed book for my beloved sister who has just bought her first house and is looking for inspiration. I know that she would pour over every page as I have done. Is there any chance that we could arrange this somehow?
Cathy x
November 21st, 2012 at 1:57pm
Great event, thanks for a lovely evening! – such fun and lovely to see my orange boots on your post.
xKx