You might try going to the library & browsing the shelves to see if you spot it. It's surprising what good decorating sections most libraries have.

Here is a website that has lots of history on Dorothy Draper...see if any of the books ring a bell! If the book you want is out of print...there is always a libris or ebay!

Here is a link that might be useful: Dorothy Draper book list--with some pictures

Thanks, guys. I have already checked the library. Not there. I may be mistaken but the word "Color" is in the title. And, it's not a book that tells how to decorate, how to find your style, etc. It just tells the story about two sisters who change their lives with color.

There's a book out called 'The Great Lady Decorators' -- might find the person in there. Also, you know how the mind can play tricks... maybe it wasn't sisters that went to the Bahamas, but Sister Parish?

No, it wasn't Sister Parish, gwbr54. I think this book was probably written in the 60s, maybe even before. I wish I could think of the title. It was a very inspiring book about people who are afraid of color. As I said, the sisters returned from the islands and one went hog wild painting everything in bright colors, while the other sister and everyone else was totally amazed. I remember the sister who wanted color had a red and white striped canopy installed on her balcony, and I remember the part about her painting the wooden bedroom furniture apple green. Perhaps I should type in a search for "A decorating book about a woman who returns from the Bahamas and paints her house pink!" LOL

From which library did you check out the book? Is it possible to get back there, or do a catalogue search for decorating or home decor and see if they might still have the book?

At home I have many books on [url=http://decorationhome.in/]decoration[/url] because they are my passion for years, now look for more book fairs.

Here is a link that might be useful: decoration

Maybe Elsie de Wolfe's The House in Good Taste?

Jim

Stargirl--
I just realized the page I linked had books ABOUT Dorothy Draper. Sorry! Good luck!

I appreciate your help everyone, but I have a feeling that I may never see that book again. Although it was an old book, the advice it contained would be just as useful today as it was then. If I saw the name of the book, I believe that I would know it. The book didn't have a colorful jacket -- just a plain hardback decorating book. Do you suppose there is a list somewhere of all decorating books published before 1960 or 1970?

Stargirl, back to your library! They have access to databases of books & can sort by date of publication! They might even do it over the phone... but I'm not sure of that.

this is exactly the kind of task a reference librarian would LOVE to help you with. Call or visit your library and speak to yours. Bet they will find the title and a copy you can borrow.

I'd write to Magnaverde...see if he knows.

I will definitely call the library today. I had no idea they could help me find something like this, especially since I don't know the name of the book. I tried to reach Magnaverde, but I couldn't find an email address for him on his site. Does anyone know it? Thanks again for your help everyone.

How about going to Magnaverde.com? There is an "Ask Magnaverde" link at the bottom of the page.

If you find out what it is, please come back and tell us!

Do these sisters ring a bell?

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}

Paulines, when I tried to open the link, the only thing I could read was "This Week In Bermuda." Don't know what the rest of the link was about. But that REALLY jogged my memory. I believe it WAS Bermuda where the lady went on vacation, and not the Bahamas or Jamaica, as I had thought. Please send the link again....that just might be the answer to my query.

I emailed Magnaverde and received a nice reply. Amazingly, he didn't know the book I was referring to but he said that perhaps it wasn't categorized as a decorating book at that time. So I'm still searching.

Thanks again, everyone.

http://www.thisweek.bm/OctoberDoYouKnow.html

http://www.postcardcollections.fsnet.co.uk/artists/bermudian.htm

IF it is the Tucker sisters, there are a few items on ebay you might want to check. The articles posted by alicate about these women are very interesting and I'm hoping they are the ones. It would be great to find the book you had read too.

Here is a link that might be useful: Postcards from Tucker sisters

I apologize about the bum link, but it was a link to an article about the Tucker sisters and their 'green door' home - I'm hoping that gives you something to go on!

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}

What is it with me and links???????

'Glimpses of Bermuda' written in the '30s by Ethel and Catherine Tucker may be what you are looking for? Ebay may be your best bet-good luck!

Someone on convo side once recommended Book Sleuth.
Here is a link to one, where you describe the plot
and their 'worldwide community' will try help.

Putting a copy/paste link in since clicks are a problem.

http://www.abebooks.com/docs/Community/BookSleuth/

Well, I guess we know why our searches didn't work too well...Bermuda vs. Bahamas...LOL! I'm just happy that the mystery is solved...it is solved, isn't it?

Everyone has been SO helpful!!!! You don't know how much I appreciate all the research. You are the greatest! I don't believe it was the Tucker sisters, although they do fit the descriptions that I gave. I called the public library this morning and asked to speak to a reference librarian. I told her my dilemma, and gave her the information about the "unknown book." She came up with a book that is described as: A WOMAN RETURNS FROM THE BAHAMAS AND DECORATES HER HOUSE PINK. That has to be it! What are the chances of there being another book like this. She is going to call me back, but she told me this book is by Dorothy Draper, a great woman decorator who introduced color to the world of decorating. And, it was the Bahamas, not Bermuda -- I knew it started with a "B!" LOL I know that Dorothy Draper wrote a book entitled, "In the Pink." Not sure if this is the book -- BUT at least, I'm pretty sure that Dorothy Draper is the author. The librarian was busy at the time so that is the reason she is going to call me back. Do you guys think you can help me find which Dorothy Draper book this might be?

Hmmm...love a good mystery. I'm linking to In the Pink, on her website with a few other books, also some of the reviews I read said they had mostly black and white photos. Another bit of trivia I discovered from Ancestry dot com is that she only had a younger brother, Roger, not a sister. She did sail on a ship to Belgium in 1905 (another B place). Hope others can find more info.

Here is a link that might be useful: Dorothy Draper site

Thanks for joining the search, natesgram. I need all the help I can get! Although the librarian said it was a Dorothy Draper book, I can't seem to find it. She said that "back then" books were not really categorized as decorating books; it could be a work of fiction since it tells the story of an imaginary woman. I don't think the woman was actually Dorothy Draper herself but someone she invented. I have a feeling that we are close to finding the name and author. I am so excited!

Great mystery...keep us posted!

"In the Pink" on Amazon.....

Here is a link that might be useful: In the Pink

Did you ever find the right book?

Wow I can't be helpful but I can't wait to hit the decorating section of the book sale at our library in 2 weeks. If I find anything like this I'll let you know but hopefully your search will produce something beforehand.