Uncovered

When I was little, my mother would always say to me, "Never judge a book by its cover." She meant, of course, don't write someone or something off just because of how it looks—it's what's inside that counts.  So I've always found it ironic that when it comes to actual books—filling our libraries or buying coffee table tomes worthy of display—we turn that token bit of timeless advice on it's head: it seems we judge a book only by its cover. And who can really blame us? These days, the hardcovers, jackets, and slipcases that bind these coffee table tomes are so exquisitely produced and so gorgeous to look at (the black, quilted leather slipcase of those Chanel books, anyone?) that it's no wonder the same books keep showing up in house after house, and magazine after magazine. Just as there are "It" bags in fashion and "It" girls in Hollywood, there are "It" books in decorating. But there's my mother's voice again, gently telling me that no matter how pretty or popular something is, it's what's inside that counts. And she's right. Why bother with books that don't interest or inspire you, especially when there are so many wonderful books out there? Why not choose titles that resonate with you personally—those that bring both beauty to your coffee table and meaning to your library? And so with that, these are a few of my favorite books and why I love them.

As soon as you pick up Home Is Where The Heart Is by Ilse Crawford, with its smooth, satin-y cover, you know you're in for a treat.  

Unlike many decor books that are chock-full of pictures, I love that this one takes more of a philosophical, yet totally accessible, approach. Rather than droning on about color combos or swatch samples, Crawford talks about how to bring "the human element" into our homes. How do we create a physical space that responds to our most basic emotional needs—that makes our heart feel at home? And before you write this one off as being too stuffy, let me tell you that she supplements her thought-provoking essays with gorgeous pictures of her interiors and the life that inhabits them. And speaking of inhabiting a new life of sorts, regular readers of this blog won't think twice about why The Farmhouse Book by David Larkin made my list.

This has been a favorite of mine and Jaithan's for some time, as it's kind of a love letter to the North American farmhouse. It gives a history of the farmhouse, and how it has developed and operated over the last century, including a fictional account of what a day would be like way back in the 1860s. Best of all, especially for us, it talks about living in farmhouses today and how they can be adapted to meet our modern needs, while preserving their great history, proportions, and character. Oh, and if the cover photograph didn't already tip you off—this one is full of inspirational photos and illustrations. And for inspiration of a more glamorous kind, I always reach for Class Act: William Haines, Legendary Hollywood Decorator by Peter Schifando. 

This one tells the story of Billy Haines, a silent movie matinee idol who was forced to choose between his MGM movie contract and his longtime partner, Jimmy Shields.  He chose his partner and, having lost his livelihood as an actor, began a successful forty-year career as a self-taught interior decorator. Filled with entertaining anecdotes, famous quotes, and beautiful photographs, the book charts his illustrious career and classic design work. And if that isn't enough, there is enough Old Hollywood glamour to keep you occupied for days.  His friendships and collaborations with Joan Crawford (a personal favorite of mine!), Marion Davies, and others were, like his all-too-brief film career, the stuff of legend. Speaking of, Axel Vervoordt: Timeless Interiors by Armelle Baron I absolutely love for its breathtaking collection of photographs documenting almost thirty of legendary designer Axel Vervoordt's projects.

Vervoordt uses his love (and extensive knowledge) of artifacts and antiques to make new spaces feel old, to make cold places feel warm, and to create history where there is none. So many of us, I know, want to do all that in our homes; we just need a little help along the way. And best of all, the photography so aptly captures the essence of each space—the mood, beauty, and sophistication—that you can't help but feel comforted and at home, just as he intended. And what, might you ask, do all these books have in common, other than being my favorites? Well, not only are they beautiful just to look at, they're inspiring to look through. But enough about me and the books I love, what are some of your favorites and why?

Comments

[Sarah]

It is so true, there are so many "it" books out there in the design world that disappoint. I have so many favorites, but in the decorating category, I love "Mark Hampton on Decorating" and "Vogue Living." Great post, Eddie (and Jaithan!!).

[Lisa]

Eddie Ross I adore you! Great post.

My fav design inspiration books:
The House Book, Conran
The New House Book, Conran
The Elements of Style, Calloway/Cromley
Chairs: A History, de Dampierre
Compendium of Interior Styles, Baudot
Furniture, Miller
Best of Flair, Cowles
Modern Glamour, Wearstler
Domicilium Decoratus, Wearstler
Domino: The Book of Decoration, Needleman
101 Things I learned in Architecture School, Frederick
Olde House, New Home, Shaw
House & Garden Book of Style, Browning
A Field Guide to American Houses, McAlester
Edith Bouvier Beale of Grey Gardens, Beale
Topiary, Joyce
Better Homes and Gardens New Classic Style
The Photographs of Ron Galella
The World in Vogue
any older editions of House & Garden Magazine's books

The list goes on and on...too many to name them all. And, of course, I'm waiting for the Eddie Ross design book to come out!! My husband tells me we have too many books (as if that's possible) and that we have more books than anyone we know (sadly that's not difficult to achieve). I love to get lost in bookstores, especially those selling used books. You never know what lost treasure you'll find hidden among the shelves of unwanted books. I'm going to LA next month, does anyone have advice on the best used book stores in LA?

[LaurieAnna's Vintage Home]

What a great post....I'm a book and magazine junkie!! In days of recent - I'm also a blog junkie! Two of my recent fav books are The French Room, and The Swedish House. The photos are incredible, both books are top notch publishing!

Love your blog, what a wonderful place to visit for creative inspiration!

LaurieAnna
LaurieAnna's Vintage Home

P.S. I see you are planning a shopping trip to Pasadena, are you planning a visit to the Roundtop Antique show?

[Jan]

I am a decor book and magazine junkie -- so here are a couple of my favorites:
"Barry Dixon Interiors" -- and "An Affair with A House" by Bunny Williams. You MUST see Williams' book -- it has a marvellous history of decorating her country home as stories about entertaining and even recipes! A great model for your own kind of bookwriting! On my nightstand at this moment: "House Beautiful: The Home Book"; Micheal S. Smith "Houses" and Williams-Sonoma "Complete Entertaining Cookbook" Just to name a few! :)

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

[Sebastian]

Thirty odd years ago I read a book about decorating by a man highly regarded in the business. I can not remember his name nor the title. He had VERY rigid opinions, dictates really, but as they agreed with my taste, I found the book interesting. He said all wood floors should be black and even if you were renting to just stain them and pay the penalty. Chandeliers must hang 37 1/2 inches above the table-no more, no less. No more than three pairs of anything in a room. Rules about baseboards and much more like that.
If anyone recalls the author or title, I would love to know.

[candace]

most books on mies van der rohe are great. minimalism, the essence of things, no frills, no mumbo jumbo, no accessories.

[Judy]

What a wonderful post. I love coffee table books and change mine often. I've actually got a couple that don't have attractive covers but the inside I'm in love with.

[eileen]

eddie,i so look forward to your notes every day.trying to do over my place.lots of great tips! thanks

[Kristen Foster]

Eddie
Now that you live in Millerton - check out the Hunt library book sale in Falls Village CT. The sale is held the first Saturday of each month from 10 to 1. Well worth the trip!
Kristen

[ralphie]

Hi Eddie,
I could spend hours looking at home decorating books - and I do. There are so many ideas I want to try! But alas I don't have enough rooms or houses to try them out in. I love the formal look and at the same time I like it casual, oh my!
But I very much like "the farm house book." The book is a must have for me!

Thanks Eddie.

[cassandra]

ohhh, i will definitely have to check out Vervoordt's book. i loved 'home is where the heart is' as well!

[Lucien]

Ah, getting to see the softer, gentler side of Herr Ross! I love books and even though they are a pain to move through life with, I would never be without them. I love collecting jewish, french, greek philosphy books. The jewish ones are hard to find due to WW2, but they are out there. I love to translate them and see where the mind set of the author was. Books are wonderful!

[Virginia]

One of my favorites is "Around The House and in the Garden" by Dominique Browning (former editor of House & Garden). It sounds much like the next that I'll purchase - YOUR pick "Home is Where the Heart Is." Love your thoughts on these. Thanks, Eddie!

[patricia]

Pause for thought....well, you asked for it;
My collection of books fill certain niche's;
1. Art books -
2. The Bible
3. Cook Books - "Eating in Bed Cookbook" Byfield
(The drawings are a hoot)
4. Classics - Voltaire
5. Children's books - "Where the wild things are" - "Eloise"
"Babar"
6. Decor books - "House Book" - Terence Conran.
"Found Style"
7. Gardening - "The Complete book of Gardening"
8. Grande dames - "A thousand days of magic"-signed to me from Oleg Cassini.
9. Historic -
(Dictionaries or Collector's editions)
10. Poetry -"The best-loved poems of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
11. Making things or Craft books.

My favorite books would be my collection of "Edward Gorey" books that a dear friend bequeathed to me. They are signed by Mr.Gorey. I have always admired his drawings.
I also enjoy "Eloise" by Hilary Knight. I like things that make me smile and have a sense of innocence & mischief.

Pardon the lengthy comment.
pve

[Live In Full Color]

Wow... I'm already inspired to run out and buy all four! After my first trip to Paris a few years ago ( aka the most aesthetically pleasing place I have ever been- truly even the garbage men uniforms are chic there! )- my husband gave me the book 'My French Life' by Vicki Archer.

It's the story of an Australian woman so enchanted with France that she moved her family half way around the world to London in order to go back and forth as she partakes in renovating a dream property in Provence- lucky duck!

Her writing and the beautiful photograph throughout make the book special ( and the cover is padded which makes even handling it pleasing )- It's my favorite 'escapism' book and much like a great french film...Every time I sit down and peruse it's pages, I feel like I'm taking a mini vacation.

[Kathi]

Very thoughtful post, Eddie. I must admit that I often just flip through my books and magazines looking at the photos... These books you've mentioned have inspired me to go back and actually READ them! HomeDepot 1-2-3 is always at hand!

[laura @ the shorehouse]

Great post! As with almost everything in my little world, vintage is better. I can't keep my hands off a good vintage interior design/home entertaining/cook book. I love the art, often quirky, and find that they make great conversation pieces (I pile them up in the guest room).

[Visual Vamp]

You are such a great book worm!
Wish we lived closer, so we could swap books!
xo xo

[Maria Killam]

Eddie, you charmer you! I so wished I could have seen you this week at that event you spoke at. . . and your intro on this post! That is so true, there are so many coffee table books I buy because of how they look. But as you have said, they are a stylists necessity. It was only from reading blogs for 6 months before I started my colour blog that I realized how important they were. The last house I decorated from top to bottom had a few well placed books bought just for the cover! Great post!

How is the new farmhouse? Can't wait to see more of the interior when you get it all set up, I'm sure it'll take some time though as it's so much bigger than what you were used to . It's so fun to follow your blog.

[Sarah]

The Farmhouse Book sounds wonderful. I think I'll pick it up!

[Faith]

I love "House of Belief" because it has a message about creating surroundings that inspire you to achieve your goals and dreams. It's really about making your outsides match your insides. I love Mexicolor because it was my daughter's first decorating book! I live in South Texas and my father is Choctaw so I have alot of Mexican and Native influences in my home and my daughter is especially fascinated with Frida Kahlo so I bought her that book when we were redoing her room so she could pick the colors and themes she was interested in. It's a gorgeous book. I also love "Bazaar Style" which is only a couple of years old. It's about decorating with flea market, antique and vintage finds which is totally my style. It's a gorgeous book!

[Kathysue]

I love to read interior design books.Especially when it talks about how the designer thought processes work.I like looking through someone elses eyes.That is what I enjoy so much about your blog,I get to see how you look at things and what your perception is and you totally motivate me. I will check out these books. I have been wanting to read the book about Dorothy Draper but Yikes is it expensive,I will wait until I can find it for less. Hugs Kathysue

[Jenn]

I have enjoyed exploring your blog and look forward to much more information in the future. Thank you for your insight! I'm a designer, editor, thrifter and compulsive rearranger. One of my favorite books is actually all about creating an authentic life and keeping it all simple and together: Simple Abundance. I keep it by my bed, and just seeing it as I walk into the room reminds me to keep it all in perspective. I also have a collection of vintage, antique and first-edition books on the mantel in the living room flanked by antique topiary forms.

[...love Maegan]

I find that I do judge books {and wine} by their covers and it works out for me ...but often, if I remove the cover down to the hardback spine, I love it even more {visually, of course}

[hanako66]

Thanks for this Eddie...I think that I need to pick up the farmhouse book! Have a great weekend! xoxo Aline

[Kimberly]

I am so getting Class Act! Thanks for the review!

[Janine]

What a great question. My favorite book is a dictionary that I was given as an award in my junior year of high school. The dictionary went with me to college and after all these years (don't ask how many!) still occupies a prominent place on my den bookcase. I have consulted that dictionary so many times that the letter tabs have long since fallen off. I like to think that it helps to keep my writing honest and accurate, and it also reminds me that, as much as I think I know, there's so much that I don't.

[Clara]

Good Afternoon,
Eddie,I do have some "table Books".these are some vintage books we found,James Dean,Marilyn Monroe, Picture Books of Apalachicola Fl . Lately I have really enjoyed reading blogs. So much information .
So when are we going to see the new place and how you both have put your talents to work?

[Danielle]

What a great and fun post! I fell in love with interior design books while working for Charlotte Moss, the office had the most amazing collection, not too mention the hard to find tomes featured on the sales floor. It was my first exposure to the design world and I treasured and drank in each and every moment!

[seleta]

Love the multiple messages in this post. Wonderful!!!