How They Decorated illustrates some of the great rooms of the twentieth century, whose stylish residents influence our tastes today. Gloria Vanderbilt cleverly noted, “Decorating is autobiography.” Reflecting that truism, the interiors in this book capture the individual approaches of these icons of style: Bunny Mellon’s spare all-American elegance; Hélène Rochas’s refined sophistication; Vanessa Bell’s colorful bohemianism; Mona von Bismarck’s breezy opulence; and Georgia O’Keeffe’s earthy chic. Author P. Gaye Tapp analyzes each of her subjects’ refined way of living, how she embellished her residences (or left them elegantly stark), and the long-lasting effects on today’s generation of designers and connoisseurs of beauty. The book is presented in four sections that describe the aesthetic approaches that the ladies took in decorating their abodes: “The Fashionably Chic”, “The Unconventional Eye”, “In the Grand Manner”, and “Legacy Style”. Each interior illustrates the crucial aspect of the lady’s definitive taste. Some worked closely with decorating legends such as John Fowler, Albert Hadley, Billy Baldwin, Syrie Maugham, and Jean-Michel Frank. Others took to the task of decorating single-handedly—like Pauline Trigère, Sybil Connolly, Vita Sackville-West, and Fleur Cowles. The interiors of these trendsetting ladies defied their time and inspire and delight to this day. In How They Decorated, one can learn from the most notable style muses of the last century.

Clever, creative advice from the world's best interior designers and decorators.

With extensive reference to and exposition on Wilde's theoretical writings and letters, Frankel shows that, far from being marginal elements of the literary text, these decorative devices were central to Wilde's understanding of his own writings as well as to his "aesthetic" theory of language. Extensive illustrations support Frankel's arguments.".

Make the most of small living spaces Do you live in tight quarters? Is your pad's smaller square footage cramping your style? Well, living in a small space doesn't have to mean sacrificing style, comfort, or organization. Small Space Decorating shows you how to transform dull, cramped, or confining into stylish small spaces that live large. This book is packed with images, tips, and tricks for making the most of miniscule or challenging square footage—whether it's a single room or an entire house. Room-by-room guide shows you how to bring style to any small living space Advice on storage, color, accessories, and other key features that give a room functionality and personality Practical solutions for decorating challenges faced by apartment dwellers and other renters With a friendly tone and an energetic approach that will appeal to young singles and families alike, Small Space Decorating gives you the confidence and skills to make a big statement in even the smallest of spaces.

Celebrates body decorations through color photographs and commentaries that describe the evolution of different practices throughout history and its role in specific special occasions.

The Perfectly Imperfect Home is a must-have guide to choosing the 80 essential items you need for furnishing and decorating your home, expertly written by Deborah Needham, founder of Domino magazine. Featuring original watercolour illustrations of decorators' own homes, the book sets out how to select everything from the big stuff (a doted-on bed, a couch that will last generations) to quirky accents (an interesting-looking chair, a mix of textiles on a table). It is often the individual pieces, from chairs to china, mirrors to vases, that help you to express your personality, add style and beauty to a home and make everyone in it feel comfortable, glamorous and well-cared for. The inspiring design and approachable tone of The Perfectly Imperfect Home puts it a cut above the competition. Witty and wonderful essays and quick-reference sidebars highlight each of the 80 essentials, offering histories, offbeat uses and really useful styling tips. Decorating a home can be intimidating, but here are 80 essentials that make it manageable and fun.