In my humble opinion, Michael Devine designs some of the freshest fabrics around. The charming, breezy prints- hand stenciled and hand printed- have garnered many fans including Charlotte Moss and Aerin Lauder. Not one to let grass grow beneath his feet, Devine also owns and manages a popular design shop in Kinderhook, New York.
The Kinderhook home of Devine and his partner Thomas Burak was recently profiled in Domino magazine, and their amazing library was prominently featured on the first page of the article. After seeing that collection of books, I knew Michael would provide us with an interesting list of his favorite books. Of course decoration books feature prominently in this list, but Michael also included a few books on gardens as well as a smattering of French classics. I hope you find some inspiration from this list as I have.
(To read my post on Devine's fabric line, click here.)
À la recherche du temps perdu
by Marcel Proust. Everything but everything is examined in detail: life, love, art, food, and music; a rich exhaustive work that is endlessly inspiring.
Flair for Living by Charlotte Moss. Charlotte's latest oeuvre is more than fabulous photography of exquisite rooms; I feel it's the most intimate of the books she's written to date. I fell in love with it the minute I read her definition of luxury: breathing.
Visions of Paradise by Marina Schinz. I can spend hours with this book in the winter months dreaming up new combinations for my own garden.
House and Garden Complete Guide to Interior Decoration; 5th Edition, 1953. A great reference book of classic decorator style- post war.
La Decoration Pierre Levallois, editor. For those days when I need a dose of ormalu and Louis furniture.
La Petite Maison by Jean-Francois de Bastide. The Little House is an 18th c. treaty in creating the most sensual and seductive environment for pleasure possible.
Kitchen Gardens of France by Louisa Jones. This book was the book of choice when I designed my own Jardin du Cure.
Colefax and Fowler: Interior Inspiration by Roger Banks-Pye. Pye is the master of the blue and white rooms- I often refer to it when I design my fabric collection.
Interiors by Minn Hogg. Minn Hogg and the World of Interiors together forever, a must for any design library.
The Personality of a House by Emily Post. The instructions for the French seam slipcovers make the book invaluable; the description of the way to run a house is good for a giggle.
Colefax and Fowler: Interior Inspiration
15 comments:
I've seen the last book at Book Thing... next time, I will know to grab it!
This makes me want to go buy each of those books - especially the House & Garden one & the Interiors one! There goes the credit card...
Bill- I feel your pain. Too bad I don't have the Book Thing here in Atlanta. Pigtown is quite lucky!
On a side note Michael is such a nice guy! I contacted him about carrying his fabrics, nothing but gracious. What a talent.
Jennifer, I'm loving your series. And Michael has offered some fresh titles to investigate! (Fresh to me at least :)
House & Life- I completely agree! A very nice person indeed.
Courtney- Many of these were new to me too!
Oh, I was unaware of the Post book - I need to start keeping a list.
Patricia- I hope your list does not get as long as mine! My list is unbearable.
Jennifer - You are officially part of the damage I incur at Amazon. As usual, wonderful post on very neat books! My list is so long that I told myself if I became a millionnaire, that's when I'd be able to afford the whole list. No lie.
Karen ^_^
Great books... Michael did not disappoint! I have a profile on my blog today of his fabulous partner Thomas Burak. Love this series Jennifer!!
I love Michael Devine and have been debating spluring on his Gramercy fabric. Do you think that Devine's fabrics stand the timelessness test? After all, you are the one to ask, as you are the queen of timeless style!!!
Hi Anon! I love Gramercy. I do think they're timeless- the prints remind me of Tillett prints for some reason. I think his fabric is perfect for rooms that are breezy and comfortable. Or rooms that need a bit of pizzazz!
I didn't know about the Post book, either. I love, love, love your posts that list favorites/essentials.
Keep them coming!
Thanks Eclectic! I like writing those posts. I'll work on one soon!
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