Rules to live by...

• Invest in one good antique to anchor a room.
• Always have an extra case of champagne on hand.
• Read Remembrance of Things Past for inspiration—but only 13 pages a night, so you don't get burned out.
• It's a given to have fresh flowers around; keeping them monochromatic is the easiest way to have major impact.
• Check your mother's and father's closets. Way in the back, there's always a jewel—even old slippers.
• Plan a trip to Paris, just for the flea markets.
• A collection doesn't have to be accumulated over time. Sometimes it's fun to buy the whole thing at once.
• Forget about purebred dogs; adopt a mutt.
• A framed drawing of your pet by a friend can be more meaningful than the most expensive Matisse.
• Make a collage on your refrigerator of museum stickers, invitations, funny notes, and every time you reach for something, you'll be reminded of how lucky you are.
• Close your eyes for 30 seconds at least once during the day, to be quiet and grateful.
• Buy your favorite books in hardback—that's one thing you'll never grow tired of.
• Always have enough negative space in a room, so the eye has a chance to relax.
• Don't throw away old clothes, furniture or knickknacks—drop them at Goodwill.
• Monogram as much as you can! It shows you care.

From Libertine (published by Domino) via {fieldguided}