It’s time for the Fall 2018 Design Books and there are many books to choose from! Here are some of my favorites. (Note: The various publishers sent me press copies of these books for my review. All opinions are my own, I never post about a book I don’t care for. Also, this post contains affiliate links which means that any sales made of the books will return a small commission to me, which goes to help pay for this blog. Thank you!)
BUCKINGHAM PALACE: The Interiors by Ashley Hicks (Rizzoli, 2018) gives us a look at all the lush detail of this iconic royal palace from an insiders perspective. Ashley Hicks, who both wrote and photographed the book, is the son of Lady Pamela Hicks (lady-in-waiting and bridesmaid to Queen Elizabeth) and David Hicks (iconic British designer). Much like the recent Versailles: A Private Invitation, Buckingham Palace gives us all the closeup detail we rarely get to see.
One of the big takeaways from the book is how little things have changed in Buckingham Palace over the centuries. The book is filled with images from painting and old photographs next to current day photography which shows this. This “always been there, always will be” feeling is a metaphor for the monarchy itself.
On a semi-related note, I am so excited to see The Queen’s Corgi coming out in 2019. The illustrations look very accurate indeed!
DESIGN & STYLE: A Constant Thread by Carolyne Roehm (Rizzoli 2018) is a visual feast on every page. From her personal style, her decorating and gardens, lovers of classic beauty will relish this book. The book encompasses the themes topics of her first twelve books. We interviewed Carolyne on The Skirted Roundtable when FLOWERS came out in 2013, which I highly recommend listening to. She leads an amazing life!
Sharing both iconic and never-before-seen photographs, Carolyne reveals her creative process through images of her interiors, floral design, and tabletops juxtaposed with stunning photos of herself, her home, and her clothing.
NORA MURPHY’S COUNTRY HOUSE STYLE – Making Your Home a Country House (Vendome, 2018)
Ethan Allen Executive turned design blogger turned author and lifestyle entrepreneur, Nora Murphy’s first book is filled with gorgeous photos of her own home in Newtown, CT as well as the “Country Style” homes of several others. The book is broken into segments of Country Houses in the Mountains, Sea, City, Village and Woods. Nora lays out the universal elements of country house style: creating and pace where everyone is always welcome; where tradition is honored by changing it up; where comfort is always in style; where there’s always room for our favorite things; where there’s always a reason to celebrate; and where home extends well beyond our walls.
Nora’s House
Country House in the City (below) is the house of Massachusetts design blogger Amy Chalmers, whose blog Maison Decor has been a huge success for many years.
INSPIRED DESIGN: The 100 Most Important Interior Designers of the Past 100 Years by Jennifer Boles (Vendome 2018).
And finally, we have sort of the mother of all design books – a history of the most important interior designers over the past century. Of course, lists such as this are very subjective and there are some folks I might have chosen to be a part of the list as well, or am surprised that they aren’t included, and possibly some who are. But, there will never be a list of any kind that everyone agrees with and this book is a true history of interior design and decorating in the 20th and early 21st Century. Author Jennifer Boles is well-known for her blog The Peak of Chic – and has always focused on the history of design and style. Jennifer is a writer first and foremost. She’s one of the few design bloggers who didn’t become a designer, but used it to burnish her writing skills.
Now, Jennifer wasn’t a selection committee of one. She had help, and help from many very smart and knowledgable design industry writers and editors, including Stephen Drucker , Amy Astley, Newell Turner, Clinton Smith, Marion McEvoy, Sophie Donelson, Lisa Newsom, Michael Boodro, Whitney Robinson and Nancy Novogrod.
The book is broken into segments starting with The Big Six of Elsie de Wolfe, Jean-Michel Frank, Billy Baldwin, Sister Parish, Albert Hadley and David Hicks. Names which would appear on pretty much anyone’s most influential lists. Following that are sections including: A Century of Women, The Influencers, The Americans, The English Masters, The Globalists, The Grandees, Like No Other, Gone Too Soon, Making Their Mark.
I am kind of tickled how many on this list were guests on our podcast The Skirted Roundtable. For your listening pleasure:
Vicente Wolf, David Easton, Miles Redd, Alexa Hampton and Mario Buatta (Rest in Peace Mr. Buatta – you were our final interview and so much fun!). Also, Jennifer Boles and Stephen Drucker.
So, are you inspired by the Fall 2018 Design Books?
Sigh…so many design books, so little time. When I die, I’m going to that beautiful place in the sky where all of the wonderful interior designers play!