Fifth Avenue Style, Howard Slatkin

Howard Slatkin’s new book is based on his own philosophies with richly photographed images by Tria Giovan. Howard’s own Fifth Avenue apartment is featured throughout the book.

I share Howard’s philosophy in that a home should be a personal, comfortable and calming refuge. Keep in mind these things are different for different people: uniquely felt by all of us.

In Howard’s case, a personal refuge has an evolved, sophisticated design scheme with fine furnishings, art and antiques collected over the course of many years.

Beauty at Home, Aerin Lauder

Estee Lauder cosmetic heir, Aerin Lauder tries her hand in the home furnishings and fabric design industry. To get the word out… a beautiful new book. Having lived in a number of richly decorated homes herself, she’s been privy to the decorating styles of professional designers and to her own mother’s (Evelyn) fab style both of which she is applying to good use in her new book. Photographs by the inimitable Simon Upton.

Aerin has a new shop opening soon in the Hampton’s where her Grandmother had a home for years. The home, newly decorated by Aerin, is featured in the book.

Farrow & Ball, Decorating with Colour, Ros Byam Shaw

Farrow and Ball is one of a handful of high quality paints on the market today. Higher pigment content is one of several stand out features of using F and B. Higher pigment content means richer color. Containing photography specially done for the book, it shares fresh ideas for decorating with paint and wallpaper.

Stephen Sills Decoration, Stephen Sills

Stephen’s newest book representing sixteen of his own handsome, clean, and well edited design projects. Every lovely element created or curated by Sills, stands on it’s own merit. Photographed by Francois Halard. Also by Stephen Sills: Dwellings.

Mario Buatta, Fifty Years of American Interior Decorations

Spanning five decades of Mario Buatta’s own design projects. His easily identifiable decorating style is an Americanized version of English Country with lots of pattern and cheery colors all wrapped up in busy, livable decor. His long list of famous clients includes Barbara Walters, Malcom Forbes and Mariah Carey. The look is very “wealthy grandmother’s New York penthouse” but in my opinion, that’s a great thing. I love his style.

Simply Serene, Thomas Pheasant

Award winning designer Thomas Pheasant’s new book. Well edited spaces, controlled color schemes, and classical elements are at the heart of Thomas’ design work. His new book gives the reader a sensible approach to design, presenting his own design projects as prime examples.

With the days getting shorter and outdoor activities coming to a halt, a few great design books can offer us something to look forward to.

Set out a fire in advance and when you return home at the end of the day, turn on some classical music, pour a cup of hot herbal tea or a glass of red wine and light the fire. These new books will take you away to beautiful new places, if only for a few hours.