Just in time for  holiday gift giving a flurry of design books have been released ; offering creatives and clients inspiration. Here are the top ten ( in no particular order) on my wish list:

1.

Live, Love and Decorateby Martyn Lawrence Bullard

With the release timed with the launch of Bullard’s fabric collection for Schumacher and his design center speaking tour, get a copy and have it signed as a gift for a fellow design pro. The book  shows off the author’s mastery of the dramatic and balance between contemporary and traditional.

2.

Celia Birtwell

Considered one of the most influential textile designer of  this generation, muse to David Hicks and friend of the Beatles, Jagger and Picasso this book , British print designer, Celia Birtwell, is celebrated in this new publication. Her beautiful hand painted prints have appeared on apparel for former husband, Ossie Clark, as well as on new collections for Topshop and John Lewis. This book is a wonderful addition to any surface designer’s bookshelf.

3.

The Impossible Collection of Fashion by Valerie Steele. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!

From Poiret to Pucci, Doucet to Dior, Vionnet to Valentino, Valerie Steele,  chief curator of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology (MFIT), selects the one hundred most iconic dresses of the twentieth century. This magnificent collection, while certainly subjective, is sure to receive gasps of pleasure as well as of surprise. Steele’s selection, hand-picked for this luxury volume presented in a linen clamshell case with a cutout metal plate, astounds in every regard. 
 

4.

Diana Vreeland: The Eye has to Travel

Having always  admired the legendary “High Priestess of Fashion,” Diana Vreeland’s impact on fashion and style was legendary. I am looking forward to getting a peek inside her rich life. With more than 350 illustrations, including original magazine spreads and many famous photographs, this intensely visual book shows fashion as it was being invented, and how Vreeland shaped American taste through her superb vision.

5.

For my Francophile fix- In The New French Interior by Penny Drue Baird, authority on all things French, moves beyond the traditional historic styles to explore the design elements that make up the fresh, clean look. To illustrate the style, Baird draws on ten of her own recent projects, apartment and house installations, and presents French precedents and influences through specially commissioned photography of Parisian interiors.

6.

My Midwestern roots draw me to Chicago Spaces published by Chicago Home and Garden and hopes to vanquish the notion that we only design conservatively. The book showcases spaces that the editors loved or spoke to them representing a broad range of styles.

7.

Sister Parish, American Style  by Martin Wood revisits her sumptuous and quirky interiors. Her trompe l’oeil sawgs and cascades come to mind.

8.

Katie Ridder: Rooms by Heather MacIssac is the designer’s first book showcasing her  eclectic cool  interiors.

9.

The New Bespokeby Frank Roop lets the reader into his head as he works through the entire creative process- from inspiration to installation.

10.

Influential design blogger Grace Bonney penned  Design*Sponge at Home,the ultimate design manual for her fans. This says it best- “ Thank you,” wrote a reader to Design*Sponge creator Grace Bonney, “for teaching me that houses don’t have to be frumpy and formal. They don’t have to be matchy-matchy or rigidly modern.”

OK… 2 more I can’t seem to do without…

11.

Patina Styleby the Giannettis

12.

The Way Homeby Jeffery Bihuber

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The winner of  our book giveaway- Mark Hampton, American Decorator is   Linda Bassert. Congrats Linda. The book is coming your way!

She answered the question:

 What is American Style? How do you define what is quintessentially “ American“.

American Style is Independent, Based on Tradition, Innovative, and Lifestyle oriented. We don’t worry about having our homes look just like our neighbors – we’re happy to have it reflect our own personalities. Our traditions are younger t…han some other parts of the world, so we may be inspired by something traditional or a part of our region’s history ( whether the Williamsburg of Virginia, or the Victorian mansions of the Chicago business tycoons, or the Spanish structures of our Western regions), but we may also take that traditional building and put a comtemporary interior. Or take a comtemporay interior, and throw in a Chippendale chair as sculpture. We are innovative, full of initiative, and so our design is dynamic, and reflects measured change, while not being trendy. And our living extends to outdoor spaces, and the relationship to the out of doors, whether a fabulous urban view, or the rolling plains, or the woods out back. American style is like Americans: Independent, Based on Tradition, Innovative, full of Initiative. I’ll have that slice of Apple pie now.

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First things first- Congrats to Candace Phelps of CPDC Decor, Germantown MD  , the winner of Essential Elegance by Solis Betancourt!

Still in the cleaning and purging mood so as  promised, next up is Mark Hampton, An American Decorator by Duane Hampton. This book starts with a very personal essay about Mark, his life, career and successes by his wife, Duane and follows with a retrospective of his work for some of Americas movers and shakers. The icing on the cake- interspersed in the pages are Mark’s delightful watercolors and gouaches. 

 Mark Hampton, one of the most famous and admired designers of the 20th century, he has been called ” an icon of American Style.”  Hampton epitomizes American success- growing up in small town Indiana and gaining world wide fame. He worked for some of the most venerable design firms in the U.S.- Parish- Hadley, David Hicks, McMillen, Inc. so it’s not surprising that  that designers today still look to his work as a guideline and inspiration.  Some of my favorites:

So to celebrate a great American Decorator, let’s give away his book.

To enter to win the book, just answer my question below by commenting on the post.  You’ll automatically be entered into a drawing for this great book. I’ll draw a winner when I get back from Vegas next week.

In the spirit of the book, What is American Style? How do you define what is quintessentially “ American“. Post your answer in the comments below to be entered to win the book.

Oh yes- watch for posts on KBIS and Vision11 – what’s new, what’s not; my musing and more….it’s Vegas Baby!!!

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In a spurt of spring cleaning energy, (why, I have no idea as it was snowing today!) I came across several review copies of   books that  are must-haves on a designer’s bookshelf. Because I need the room, I am going to give them away- FREE- to you!

 First up is Essential Elegance by Jose Betancourt and Paul Sherrill from the fabulous people at Monacelli Press. Here’s a taste of what’s inside:

Partners in Solis Betancourt their work is sublime and effortless- bridging the classic and contemporary. Their hallmark is the skillful integration of fine works of art into the room. I especially am enamored how they use drapery in unique and unusual ways- portieres, dividers, wallcoverings…..See for yourself.

To enter the giveaway, just subscribe to Design Confidential (it’s a win-win; you’ll get insider access to the world of design and maybe an a amazing book!) We’ll notify the winner via email and ask for your address and send you the book. Easy!  Click HERE.

 Next up is Mark Hampton, An American Decorator … Watch for my post.

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Thanks to 1st Dibs, we get a peek into the future musings of some of today’s great designers. ( Click on the image for a larger view.) Happy New Year! 

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