Merritt Norris
Ready for Round Two? Picking up where we left off in our first Top 10 decorative books list, these additional books explore even more ways to create the perfect stack, magnifying the personality of your home decor. While novels may transport you to places where stories unfold, captivating decorative and style books bring a whole new sense of personality to spaces. These not only spark conversation but also reflect a nuanced flair that enhances the atmosphere of the room. Whether showcasing art, design, architecture, or travel, the right coffee table book can tie a space together while connecting with readers through function and flair. These volumes from RizzoliUSA.com and Thames&HudsonUSA.com are sure to be the perfect finishing touch to your interiors, according to our literary aficionado Merritt Norris.
Karl Lagerfeld: A Fashion History
Based on interviews with Karl Lagerfeld during the final two years of his life, alongside anecdotes from close friends and associates, Karl Lagerfeld: A Fashion History is an inside look into this famous designer’s enigmatic personality and boundless creativity. Unlike any of her other books, acclaimed author Marie Ottavi fully delves into Lagerfeld’s insatiable work ethic, witty personality, and refined cultural sensibility while uncovering his thoughtful reflections on his practice and personal relationships. This biography is a must-read for fashion enthusiasts and admirers alike, offering an honest and intimate understanding of Lagerfeld’s extraordinary legacy. $45 at RizzoliUSA.com.
Hockney’s Pictures
Much like David Hockney’s art itself, Hockney’s Pictures is a vibrant celebration of what it means to be alive. Through these pages, readers are invited to see the world as Hockney does, with wonder, curiosity, and a tasteful sense of storytelling. This expanded edition from Thames & Hudson includes a new final chapter showcasing his most recent works across diverse media, accompanied by passion-derived quotes from Hockney himself. Each page is like looking through a window of devotion that fueled his lifelong love of storytelling and creating meaningful art. $50 at Thames&HudsonUSA.com.
Relaxed Elegance: Rooms for Living Well
Step into a world where Palm Beach charm meets Park Avenue polish. In Relaxed Elegance: Rooms for Living Well, interior designer Brittany Bromley’s signature design style, “classic with a kick,” is displayed with the turn of each page. From historic homes in the countryside to chic city townhouses, this debut book is a joyful walk through spaces bursting with personality, color, and charm. With a keen eye for pattern and a love of bold color, Bromley creates interiors that feel both timeless and playful, always stylish, always livable, and always true to their surroundings. $55 at RizzoliUSA.com.
The Tapestry
In The Tapestry, acclaimed artist and photographer Erik Madigan Heck reimagines his past works by recoloring, cropping, and incorporating adjustments into his past works. Over 180 lavish works convey an experience of richly colorful tactiles and a bold embrace of color through vivid images. A captivating blend of photography, fashion, and contemporary art, The Tapestry is a meditative journey into the transformative power of color, where each page reveals its own unique narrative. $95 at Thames&HudsonUSA.com.
Decoding Palm Culture
Decoding Palm Culture is a deep dive into the cultural significance of the palm tree. Representing sustenance, shelter, and spirituality across various cultures, the book unfolds through a series of essays illuminating this iconic symbol’s profound allure and influence. The intersection of nature and art is thoughtfully examined, delving into its rich symbolic history and philosophical dimensions. Curated by Stefano Tonchi, the book’s core focus is to unravel the many layers of meaning that connect the palm tree to various aspects of life, revealing its timeless relevance and impact. $75 at RizzoliUSA.com.
Rome Before Rome: The Legends that Shaped the Romans
Many Roman legends are common names, while others have much more obscure backstories. Still, in Rome Before Rome: The Legends that Shaped the Romans, historian and author Philip Matyszak explores the fascinating myths, legends, heroes, and villains that shaped the Roman culture altogether. Matyszak skillfully dissects these myths, providing historical context and new insights that bring these ancient tales to life like never before. This captivating exploration offers readers a deeper understanding of how these legendary figures influenced not only the Roman worldview but the course of history itself. $24.95 at Thames&HudsonUSA.com.
This is Home
This is Home gives an exclusive glimpse into beautifully curated, tailored, and comfortable homes. Through combinations of antiques and contemporary pieces, one of America’s most influential designers, Jeffrey Alan Marks, reveals how he curates homes to reflect the unique lifestyles of its residents. The homes featured in the book include his charming 1925 beach cottage in Montecito, a serene Bahamian compound overlooking the sea, a working horse farm in Los Angeles, and Marks’ new family residence in Greenwich, Connecticut. Each home is a testament to Mark’s ability to design spaces that are as timeless as they are deeply personal. $55 at RizzoliUSA.com.
The Color of Clothes: Fashion and Dress in Autochromes
The Color of Clothes: Fashion and Dress in Autochromes, written by fashion historian Cally Blackman, is a visually captivating Thames & Hudson volume highlighting the work of lesser-known fashion pioneers who were instrumental in developing colors. The book is divided into four core themes: the development of the art of the autochrome, high society and changes in fashionable silhouettes, orientalism, fantasy and costuming, and the emergence of modernity. Featuring 370 stunning autochrome images, this work beautifully celebrates the artistry and richness of color, revealing a broad landscape of early color photographs that shaped the visual culture of their time. $95 at Thames&Hudson.com.
Alfredo Paredes at Home
The legendary Alfredo Paredes, the creative mind behind the Polo Bar and the iconic Madison Avenue Ralph Lauren flagship store’s captivating windows and retail spaces, now invites readers to craft their own homes with his signature style in Alfredo Paredes at Home. Paredes reveals key elements of his creative process and philosophy through a personal tour of his four stunning residences. He demonstrates how an environment can truly transform one’s state of mind with the energy fostered in the space. Known for his “perfect visual pith,” Paredes masterfully designs spaces that balance undeniable masculinity with refined sophistication. $60 at RizzoliUSA.com.
Interiors for a Life in Good Taste/Caroline Gidiere
Interiors for a Life in Good Taste by Caroline Gidiere offers a fresh take on living well, brought to life through the lens of classic American interior design. Gidiere’s approach blends timeless elegance with modern sensibilities, drawing inspiration from a rich lineage of celebrated Southern designers. The book itself is thoughtfully organized to mirror the way a home is designed and lived in, guiding readers through distinct sections such as “Social Life” and “Private Life,” which explore the aesthetics of communal and personal spaces. “The Sweet Life” presents dazzling ideas for entertaining and hosting guests, while the final section, “My Life,” provides an intimate look into Gidiere’s own beautifully curated living spaces. $55 at RizzoliUSA.com.
Romance of Home: Houses by Mohon Interiors
This debut Rizzoli volume by Marcus Mohon is a testimony to extraordinary homes, from the vibrant streets of Austin to serene seaside retreats and even residences that feel more like private museums adorned with carefully curated art. Mohon’s spaces are designed on the premise of transporting occupants into realms far away from their day-to-day troubles. Romance of Home: Houses by Mohon Interiors is an invitation to walk through the doors of some of the most exquisite interiors masterfully complete with a luxurious blend of color, texture, and furnishings. The book also features many of his signature watercolor sketches, an integral part of the process behind his refined aesthetic. $55 at RizzoliUSA.com.
Santa Barbara: At Home in Paradise
The influence of Spanish-style architecture is felt nationwide, and aficionados of the genre recognize Santa Barbara as its true Mecca. Santa Barbara: At Home In Paradise offers a closer look at the region’s period of revival architecture styles, spanning its most picturesque communities. Many of these remarkable homes have remained private until now. From the historic Rancho Santa Clara del Norte to the classically styled Villa Corbeau, this volume is a can’t-miss celebration of structure, capturing the enduring beauty of America’s Riviera. $60 at RizzoliUSA.com.
