Good morning and welcome to a new week on decor8! I had such a nice weekend, did you? I spent Saturday out and about, hitting a flea market (my loot), eating at an organic cafe outdoors, grabbing a cone of ice cream and wondering a bit aimlessly... And then yesterday chillin' at a gorgeous beer garden on the edge of the forest near my house watching the FIFA games and couldn't believe how many people showed up - over 1,000 at a beer garden! It was a fun time and the weather was gorgeous - and of course, because Germany won, the crowds were going crazy screaming and chanting ole, ole, ole, ole! It really feels fun to be a part of the soccer craze, it's such a major event and so fun for me, as an American, to get into a sport that doesn't have such a major following back home. I also don't mind the whole beer garden setting while watching the games... that of course, makes the sport so much more enjoyable! How about you, what did you do?

I have a busy week ahead of me since I leave on Saturday for New York and have lots to do to prep for that. It will be fun to spend the 4th in NYC and to hit some of my favorite parks, museums and shops for a few days until Debi meets up with me and we get to work! Part of my work for this week involves grabbing another space or two to shoot while we're there since we have some more days added to our schedule. If you would like to have your home photographed by Debi Treloar (she shot the Emily Chalmers books and those for Mark & Sally Bailey, along with lots of other Ryland Peters & Small/CICO books) and if you'd like for it to appear in the Decorate book that I'm working on for Chronicle Books and Jacqui Small Publishing (it will be published in the USA and in the UK simultaneously, early next year), please email me with some pics ASAP (decor8blog{at}yahoo.com)! We are looking for homes that are inspiring, preferably in NYC or within an hour by train, and that have a personal, creative touch -- homes with sweet details, interesting furniture, etc. -- styles can range from eclectic to mid century, flea market, bohemian, ethnic, modern... We are trying to represent many styles in this book but they do need to be beautiful and book worthy!

We also could use 1-2 in Paris for later in July since we'll be shooting there -- and we need one more in Amsterdam. Also if you know of any locations in Germany - I'm open to ideas and submissions, especially in Berlin. We have already completed shoots in London, Denmark and Sweden so those are all set.

Not all submissions will be accepted, obviously, but all will be considered so please don't be shy!

If used in the book, your home will be fully credited with your name and link to your website and of course, I will style the space and interview you as well so that we can grab some of your decorating advice!

I can't wait to hear from you!

(image: leslie shewring)