When she was young, Desha Peacock and her mother would ride through the tree-lined streets of Little Rock's historic districts admiring the charming houses. The author of Create the Style You Crave on a Budget You Can Afford: The Sweet Spot Guide to Home Decor ($19.95, Skyhorse Publishing) credits those rides -- "filled with hope and yearning" -- with starting her on the path to finding a her own "sweet spot."
Now, the new author, "lifestylist," blogger and television host who lives in Vermont is returning to central Arkansas (she graduated from Sylvan Hills High School and as a Donaghey Scholar from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock) as part of a multicity tour for a book signing and workshop in the SoMa neighborhood of downtown Little Rock.
The book, released June 6, sold out of its 5,000-copy run by June 23. Reprints should be ready in mid-September. Meanwhile, Peacock will have a limited number of copies on hand at the Green Corner Store on Sunday at 1423 S. Main St. The book signing begins at 1 p.m.
Afterward, Peacock will lead a Create the Style You Crave Workshop from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the nearby Esse Purse Museum, 1510 S. Main St. Cost is $35 and registration is required. See sweetspotstyle.com for details.
The workshop concentrates on teaching others -- it's mostly designed for young mothers, Peacock says -- to create a home they love. As with the examples in her book -- all of which feature unique collections of thrift store-bought, collected and otherwise unique items -- it doesn't take a lot of money to create a home that makes its occupants happy.
The first step, she says, "is to connect with your feelings rather than being influenced by other people." Then it's important to ask, "What is important to me? What do I want to reflect in my own personal style? What is going to make my husband, my family, my visitors feel good in my home?"
During the workshop, participants will learn how such a home can help one live a better life, discover the effect of color on mood, make a sample mood board reflecting personal style and receive tips for working within any budget.
HomeStyle on 07/26/2014