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On the Home Front
The latest in design and decor books, on everything from White House Rose Garden designer Bunny Mellon to wallpaper, feng shui and country houses / BY Nathalie Atkinson / May 5th, 2022
Whether decorating by the book or craving a refresh for spring, these 10 new and notable design and decor titles offer encouragement, advice and inspiration.
Obsessive Book Buyers: Zoomer editors have carefully curated our book coverage to ensure you find the perfect read. We may earn a commission on books you buy by clicking on the cover image.
1At Home with Designers and Tastemakers The U.S. host of the YouTube series Quintessence at Home takes readers into the personal spaces of noted creative types, like textile designer John Robshaw’s weekend home, then relays tips and takeaways from the 15 featured interiors so you can reproduce the looks on a more modest budget.
The U.S. host of the YouTube series Quintessence at Home takes readers into the personal spaces of noted creative types, like textile designer John Robshaw’s weekend home, then relays tips and takeaways from the 15 featured interiors so you can reproduce the looks on a more modest budget.
2Bunny Mellon Style Sixty years ago this month, President John F. Kennedy unveiled the elegant new Rose Garden outside the White House Oval Office. The outdoor space was designed by Bunny Mellon, a close friend and design confidante of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. This book explores the lasting influence of Mellon, the self-taught designer, art collector and style icon, as well as how she developed her peerless taste and took a hands-on approach to her homes, which should encourage readers to do the same.
Sixty years ago this month, President John F. Kennedy unveiled the elegant new Rose Garden outside the White House Oval Office. The outdoor space was designed by Bunny Mellon, a close friend and design confidante of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. This book explores the lasting influence of Mellon, the self-taught designer, art collector and style icon, as well as how she developed her peerless taste and took a hands-on approach to her homes, which should encourage readers to do the same.
3Chatsworth, Arcadia Now This sumptuous book by an art historian is an in-depth photographic portrait of the home and collections at Chatsworth House, one of Britain’s grandest country houses, now that a 10-year, $50-million restoration is complete. Home to 16 generations of the aristocratic Cavendish family since 1549 (and famously doubling as Pemberley in the 2005 version of Pride & Prejudice), it comes with a foreword by the current Duke and Duchess of Devonshire.
This sumptuous book by an art historian is an in-depth photographic portrait of the home and collections at Chatsworth House, one of Britain’s grandest country houses, now that a 10-year, $50-million restoration is complete. Home to 16 generations of the aristocratic Cavendish family since 1549 (and famously doubling as Pemberley in the 2005 version of Pride & Prejudice), it comes with a foreword by the current Duke and Duchess of Devonshire.
4Coming Home to Nature The only thing more enviable than French Woman Style is their art de vivre. Even if you don’t have a house in France, there are lessons to be learned from these three ex-Parisians, who all settled in the countryside and set about reinventing rural living. It’s a nouveau modern take on bohemian country living that doesn’t sacrifice chic.
The only thing more enviable than French Woman Style is their art de vivre. Even if you don’t have a house in France, there are lessons to be learned from these three ex-Parisians, who all settled in the countryside and set about reinventing rural living. It’s a nouveau modern take on bohemian country living that doesn’t sacrifice chic.
5Creating a Garden Retreat The Canadian artist and textile designer’s signature watercolour illustrations and sketches illustrate how, over time, she transformed her narrow Toronto backyard into an outdoor living area and oasis of calm, with accessible ideas on how you can do the same.
The Canadian artist and textile designer’s signature watercolour illustrations and sketches illustrate how, over time, she transformed her narrow Toronto backyard into an outdoor living area and oasis of calm, with accessible ideas on how you can do the same.
6Feng Shui Modern Space planner and @dearmodern TikTok sensation Cliff Tan puts the how-to behind his explanatory videos about centuries-old feng shui practice – rooted in ancient principles of harmony – onto paper, offering quick and simple fixes to improve layouts, balance flow and make sensible use of living space.
Space planner and @dearmodern TikTok sensation Cliff Tan puts the how-to behind his explanatory videos about centuries-old feng shui practice – rooted in ancient principles of harmony – onto paper, offering quick and simple fixes to improve layouts, balance flow and make sensible use of living space.
7Home: A CelebrationWhen it comes to making a house a home, the answer is as much why as how. Cultural luminaries, from decorator Nate Berkus and Chez Panisse chef Alice Waters to feminist icon Gloria Steinem and Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes (and 120 others), share personal reflections on the meaning of home in this collection from award-winning New York interior designer Charlotte Moss. Because it was inspired by Edith Wharton, who edited a 1916 anthology called The Book of the Homeless to raise funds for displaced First World War children and refugees, it benefits the No Kid Hungry charity.
When it comes to making a house a home, the answer is as much why as how. Cultural luminaries, from decorator Nate Berkus and Chez Panisse chef Alice Waters to feminist icon Gloria Steinem and Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes (and 120 others), share personal reflections on the meaning of home in this collection from award-winning New York interior designer Charlotte Moss. Because it was inspired by Edith Wharton, who edited a 1916 anthology called The Book of the Homeless to raise funds for displaced First World War children and refugees, it benefits the No Kid Hungry charity.
8The Art of Wallpaper This appreciation (and deconstruction) offers historical context for the intricate wallpapers created by prolific 19th century designer William Morris, a key figure in the Arts & Crafts Movement. HBO’s The Gilded Age interiors attest to how he revolutionized the Victorian era, and this lavish tome by Mary Schoeser, a design historian and research fellow at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum, will inspire readers to think more about the greater meaning of our decorating choices.
This appreciation (and deconstruction) offers historical context for the intricate wallpapers created by prolific 19th century designer William Morris, a key figure in the Arts & Crafts Movement. HBO’s The Gilded Age interiors attest to how he revolutionized the Victorian era, and this lavish tome by Mary Schoeser, a design historian and research fellow at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum, will inspire readers to think more about the greater meaning of our decorating choices.
9The New Design Rules The Magnolia empress, Joanna Gaines, praises this guidebook’s approachability. From essentials on millwork, lighting and windows to chapters on more responsible, sustainable ways to renovate, Henderson – The New York Times bestselling author of Styled – has sourced gorgeous homes to represent her vision, so it’s as beautiful as it is useful. (May 10)
The Magnolia empress, Joanna Gaines, praises this guidebook’s approachability. From essentials on millwork, lighting and windows to chapters on more responsible, sustainable ways to renovate, Henderson – The New York Times bestselling author of Styled – has sourced gorgeous homes to represent her vision, so it’s as beautiful as it is useful. (May 10)
10What a Beautiful World! If 100-year-old U.S. fashion icon Iris Apfel’s personal style were translated to interiors, it would look something like the Countess D’Ornano’s rooms. The co-founder of $750-million French skincare brand Sisley, now 84, and her breathtaking homes (her Paris apartment on the Quai d’Orsay overlooks the Seine) and office spaces, provide pages of escapism, as well as lessons on how to live boldly with colour, objects and the confidence of a distinctive personality.
If 100-year-old U.S. fashion icon Iris Apfel’s personal style were translated to interiors, it would look something like the Countess D’Ornano’s rooms. The co-founder of $750-million French skincare brand Sisley, now 84, and her breathtaking homes (her Paris apartment on the Quai d’Orsay overlooks the Seine) and office spaces, provide pages of escapism, as well as lessons on how to live boldly with colour, objects and the confidence of a distinctive personality.