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Book, Books and More Books!

by habituallychic

08 . 02 . 11
While searching for a book on Amazon the other day, I came across a plethora of new books coming out this fall.  Good thing I just ordered more bookshelves.  It looks like I’m going to need them! 
The first is Live, Love & Decorate by interior designer Maryn Lawrence Bullard.  I think most people were introduced to Martyn on Million Dollar Decorators which I hope comes back for a second season.  I always appreciated it when he would explain his design process to his assistant and clients.  Some called him a “name dropper” but if my clients included Ellen Pompeo, Cher, Ozzy & Sharon Osbourne, and Tamara Mellon, I’d be dropping them too.  Modesty is nice and all but it doesn’t pay the bills.  Oh, and Sir Elton John wrote the foreword. 

I love interior designer Katie Ridder’s use of color and pattern and can’t wait to own her book, Katie Ridder: Rooms.  That wall color on the cover already makes me want to repaint my entire apartment.

Interior designer Celerie Kemble also has a new book coming out November 1, 2011, Black and White (and a Bit in Between): Timeless Interiors, Dramatic Accents, and Stylish Collections.  I haven’t seen it yet but the description sounds interesting.  In the book, Celerie “trades in her signature vivid palette for this iconic aesthetic, highlighting the black and white work of design stars and peers. With more than 350 gorgeous color photographs, this is a vividly photographed celebration of a timeless scheme, infused with inspirational tips, glimpses into showstopping homes, and proof that a limited palette is anything but.” 

I’m also looking forward to David Kleinberg’s upcoming book Traditional Now due out September 27, 2011. David worked for Parish-Hadley for sixteen years and I’m sure he’s got some great design advice for us all.

Jeffrey Bilhuber also has a new book coming out on September 20, 2011, The Way Home: Reflections on American Beauty. He also has a wonderful color sense and I’m sure he will also make me want to repaint my rooms.

If you want to learn from the Grande Dame of Decorating, then I recommend ordering Sister Parish: American Style due out October 11, 2011.  Jacqueline Kennedy was a client and that says it all. 

Photographer Ellen Graham is one of the least known photographers of Hollywood but I hope that changes after Talking Pictures is released on October 16, 2011. She also happens to be the stepmother of one of my friends and I got to know her while working on his apartment.  She not takes amazing photos but has impeccable taste as you can see by her apartment that was featured on New York Social Diary.

Nostalgia in Vogue “celebrates the popular and poignant coming-of-age memoir columns that have been enchanting Vogue readers since 2000. This elegant volume collects a wonderful selection of Vogue’s famous Nostalgia columns and the stunning photographs that accompanied them.” I look forward to adding this book to my collection of Vogue books when it’s released on October 4, 2011.  

Everyone is dying to see what the former editor-in-chief of French Vogue, Carine Roitfeld, does next so I’m sure they will be excited to read her new book.  Carine Roitfeld: Irreverent is touted as an “elegant volume is a visual history of Roitfeld’s fearless career” and with Cathy Horyn involved, I’m sure it will be amazing.

I’ve always loved model Marisa Berenson.  She seems like the only one who made it out of the 1970’s and Studio 54 in one piece.  I can’t wait to own her upcoming book Marisa Berenson: A Life in Pictures when it’s released on October 11, 2011.

I probably should have listed Carleton Varney’s new book Mr. Color above with the design books but I was amazed at how similar the cover is to another book below.  Carleton Varney is quite a character and definitely makes this world a more colorful place.  I can’t wait to read “The Greenbrier and Other Decorating Adventures.” I’m sure they will be hysterical!

On the heels of True Prep and Take Ivy comes Preppy: Cultivating Ivy Style by Jeffrey Banks and Doria de la Chapelle. It is described as the “first definitive and in-depth volume on preppy fashion, exploring its evolution from its pragmatic origins and presence on elite Eastern campuses in America to its profound influence internationally and metamorphosis on the runway.”

One of my most amazing moments in New York was walking up Fifth Avenue last May and catching Daphne Guinness coming home in a convertible after dressing for The Met Ball in the windows of Barneys.  Watching her walk into her apartment building was breathtaking. She is a person for whom getting dressed is an adventure in art and creativity as well as elegance. I can’t wait to read more about her in Daphne Guinness co-authored with Valerie Steele.

Cecil Beaton was a wonderful arbiter of style who was an illustrator, costume and set designer, photographer, and more, as well as friend of some amazing people.  Cecil Beaton: The New York Years will focus obviously on the “legendary photographer’s life in New York City, with many never-before-seen images and reminiscences by his closest friends and confidants” including the illusive Greta Garbo.   

I apologize for the postage stamp size photo of Slim Aarons: La Dolce Vita but it was the only one I could find.  I’m needless to say excited for another edition of this chic photographers work.  This one will include “memorable portraits, across a vast geography of resorts, estates, palaces, elegant apartments, mansions, castles, and other glamorous settings, Slim Aarons’s photos define that legendary class known as the beautiful people.”

16 Comments
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  1. Creative Choices Interior(s) August 2, 2011 | 2:39 pm

    Looks like some great inspiration coming soon! Thank you for sharing. I will have to check these out myself.

    Chlvie

  2. Modern Country Lady August 2, 2011 | 2:58 pm

    Mmmmmmm what an enormeous amount of eye- candy is coming our way- delicious!
    I can’t believe the colour of that wall, Sharon Osbourne her place has been done up so divinely, almost makes you think it’s worthwhile to become notorious for biting a bat’s head off and then get very rich on the strenght of it ( Ozzy, not Sharon ) hahaha!
    Have a great day and thanks for the lovely post!
    XOXO
    Bea

  3. mootsie0109 August 2, 2011 | 3:03 pm

    Thanks for the post! I was named after Marisa Berenson, so I’ll definitely have to pick that one up! (Also – have you seen her in “I am Love”? Gorgeous movie with tons of inspiring style!)

  4. The Devoted Classicist August 2, 2011 | 3:05 pm

    Great selections! I can hardly wait.

  5. Completely Classic August 2, 2011 | 3:28 pm

    Beautifully photographed book covers. I’m especially intrigued by the Celerie Kemble book.

  6. Karlita August 2, 2011 | 6:00 pm

    too much I can’t choose just one.. I already ordered the Martin Lawrence’s but will order the Kemble interiors and the preppy one which I didn’t know about but sounds interesting.. great choices!

  7. CB August 2, 2011 | 10:04 pm

    Can’t wait for all of them! Thanks for the list!!

  8. Heather August 2, 2011 | 10:15 pm

    i adore your blog! keep up the good work –

  9. Natasha @ Northern Light Blog August 2, 2011 | 11:16 pm

    Wow Heather, you did go all out in the book department!! many of them look worthy of “being on the list” for sure 🙂

    Gotta love the Mr. Color cover!

  10. Jennifer August 3, 2011 | 1:09 am

    Thanks for doing all the work and pulling together this preview of great books coming this Fall! I’m especially excited for the Daphne Guiness book.

  11. Suzy August 3, 2011 | 1:25 am

    I love David Kleinberg’s work, in fact I was oggling the room on that cover just yesterday. Thanks for letting us know about the book!

  12. Lost in Provence August 3, 2011 | 10:11 am

    Oooh, lot’s of interesting things to look forward to! I would just add Brooke and Steve Giannetti’s “Patina Style” to the list to be all set. 🙂

  13. Annie@A View On Design August 3, 2011 | 12:22 pm

    what a great range of books, they are coming out all the time, nice to see a few here!

  14. Mujerluminosa August 3, 2011 | 3:13 pm

    HC – thanks so much for being my personal curator and putting forth such amazing books coming out this fall; like you, I’ve no idea where I’m going to put the half dozen I’ve picked out and would like to own. The coffee table is quite full. Thanks, I think. Also, on your comment about Ms. Berenson being a 70s/Studio 54-type survivor I think she’s got a little company, like Elsa Peretti and Bianca Jagger. 🙂 Though to your point, she’s still fabulous and I can’t wait for that book. Be well, and thank you again!
    S.

  15. JoeTheMiddleYears August 3, 2011 | 6:10 pm

    Heather: Stop! Stop! You’re killing me! I want everyone of these books but these coffee table tomes are tre cher!

  16. Ariel Maile Adkins August 3, 2011 | 9:18 pm

    Thank you for all of the wonderful suggestions! I have been dying to pick up that Daphne Guinness book…