sandr018

Another book which makes its debut this spring is on an architect who needs no introduction. Robert Adam, Country House Design, Decoration & The Art of Elegance  by historian Jeremy Musson from Rizzoli is really the definitive book on the Scottish architect who transformed the face of Neoclassicism. The photographs by the late Paul Barker are among the best I've ever seen of these oft-published projects which defined a style; the Adam Style. The architect was truly a Renaissance man designing parks, buildings, and furniture; an entire environment really, while also serving as a member of British Parliament (1768-1774)! Nearly 250 years later his projects still astonish with their use of ornament and color in revolutionary ways. These iconic spaces are instantly recognizable as the work of one man. This volume which covers many of his remaining projects have miraculously not changed centuries later -a testament to their timeless design. Robert Adam delves into his design proces...

Soon to be released (April 11, 2017) is " How They Decorated ", a fascinating book by P. Gaye Tapp with forward by Charlotte Moss  and published by Rizzoli .  I've been eagerly awaiting this book both because the subject is endlessly fascinating and because over the years I've become friends with Tapp through our blogs; You may know her better as Little Augury . I've been studying my preview copy of the book and have been totally engrossed by these fascinating women who were each famous for their (many) style(s) which were well documented throughout the 20th century. Split into 4 sections the book categorizes these style setters (NOT trendsetters) by "The Fashionably Chic", "The Unconventional Eye", "In the Grand Manner", and "Legacy Style".  One of my favorite parts of the book is that they are covered not only by never-before-seen photographs but also charming sketches by Jimmie Henslee , Christian Berard , and  Jeremiah G...