Forget about what is on your holiday menu or what you are going to wear. What’s on your holiday reading list? As you get your interiors together before the holiday season kicks off, keep in mind that beautiful books multi-task as inspiration AND decor. Besides, it is always good to have a virtual escape within reach in case your opinionated Uncle Freddy starts up on religion or politics. Today I am previewing some of my favorite new releases that will make it easy to maintain your holiday merry- and bonus, they also make great gifts…
New York Splendor
Longtime New Yorker Wendy Moonan has been writing about design, architecture, and antiques for thirty years. You may recognize the name from New York Times, Town & Country, House & Garden, Architectural Digest, or Smithsonian. Moonan has had her finger on the pulse of New York interiors, and lucky for us, has compiled this beautiful book full of rooms that invoke a sense of wonder. The wow-factor continues, page after page, through a range of styles – showcasing designer names you will know and homes you might never otherwise have the opportunity to see.
BUCKINGHAM PALACE: THE INTERIORS
Design enthusiasts pretty much all worship Ashley Hicks, as evidenced by his Instagram following of 235K. For those of you who are not familiar with him, he is a British author, architect, interior and furniture designer, and photographer- multi-talented and super smart. He is the son of Lady Pamela Hicks and the legendary decorator David Hicks.
DREAM OF VENICE IN BLACK AND WHITE
Dream of Venice in Black and White is the final book in JoAnn Locktov’s moving trilogy that prompts us to not take this city for granted, documenting issues that threaten it’s survival. Photographs of this floating city with no cars have a consistently timeless feel. Yet time is not on Venice’s side. There are fewer Venetians than ever and more tourists than ever. The paradox is that while Venice relies on tourism for survival, the massive cruise ships pollute and rock the delicate lagoon upon which Venice floats. They are literally destroying the city and there are fewer Venetians than ever to fight for its survival. The photographs are cinematic and at times eerie, authentically capturing the real-time issues that the city faces.
I highly recommend Dream of Venice in Black and White for travelers, photographers, historians, architects, environmentalists for a poignant and thought-provoking read. Order Here.
Design & Style: A Constant Thread
Carolyne Roehm’s thirteenth book is a tantalizing mix of fashion, entertaining, decor, and memoir. This brightly imaged book with never before seen photos is sure to inspire. Roehm inserts lessons learned along the way from her mother, grandmother and Oscar de la Renta. Her creativity finds success wherever she directs it- through the common threads of character and creativity, and a passion for nature, color, quality, and classicism. See how these constant threads have informed her work, style and life.
Perfect gift for the fashion-forward, hostesses, design enthusiasts. Order here.
Inspired Design
Peak of Chic blogger Jennifer Boles and Stephen Drucker, former editor in chief of House Beautiful, Martha Stewart Living, New York Times Home and Styles sections present the top 100 from the past 100 years- and it is not entirely predictable. The format cleverly subsets the chosen 100, starting with the Big Six (Elsie de Wolfe, Jean-Michael Frank, Billy Baldwin, Sister Parish, Albert Hadley, David Hicks). Many names you will recognize, some might be new.
This book is a thorough addition to every design library and cocktail table- one to be referenced over time, definitely not a one time read. Order here.
2018 has been a good year for books. Long weekends and leisurely holiday gatherings with friends are all the better when you can hang out in front of a fire and absorb a beautiful book or five. If you haven’t plied your cocktail table with the latest greatest coffee table books for pre and post-feast consumption, link away to these beautiful new books to recharge and inspire. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season, xx
