Comments on The Peak of Chic®: What's In Their Library: Stephen Drucker

Thank you to Stephen Drucker and Eric Kohler for t...

2009-10-04T14:40:33.546-04:00

Thank you to Stephen Drucker and Eric Kohler for their kind responses. I love the work of Sargent and Hockney, and I’m a great admirer of the work of Eric Kohler. I am familiar with Osbert Lancaster’s work, and I appreciate the recommendation. Of the artists mentioned, Ingrid Donat is a great revelation for me. I did not know about her or her work, and while she carries on a tradition, I think her work is remarkably original. Thanks so much!

I was encouraged to see that SD has many of the sa...

2009-10-04T02:39:03.521-04:00

I was encouraged to see that SD has many of the same books I also have. I love the Gura book and keep it on my desk, since I worked for many of the designers featured in it. Can't wait to get a copy of the DV memos book he has !

Dean Farris, Naples, FL USA

Thanks for all the nice comments. @Harrison Howard...

2009-10-03T17:32:21.673-04:00

Thanks for all the nice comments.
@Harrison Howard: Couldn't quite pinpoint the Beaton, Berard, or Giacometti of today (my taste runs to Sargent, Hockney, and Jenny Holzer). So I asked interior designer Eric Cohler: "Rothko remains hugely influential for me... Richard Prince, for color cues... Charles Lutz's Warhol Project... Katherine Lynch's landscapes... Richard Serra's use of raw steel forms...French sculptor Ingrid Donat...and sculptor Pedro Friedeberg designed a table for Kelly Wearstler's new house [in the Oct Vogue]." ps from SD: If you like illustration, you'll enjoy the 1930s-1940s architectural satires in 'Cartoons and Coronets: The Genius of Osbert Lancaster' by James Knox.

I want to be Stephen Druckers friend. He's divine!...

2009-10-02T14:59:15.449-04:00

I want to be Stephen Druckers friend. He's divine!!!

Hello, Jennifer- You are having a fantastic week-...

2009-10-02T12:44:19.068-04:00

Hello, Jennifer-

You are having a fantastic week--from Laura Ashley and all the newest books just out to Stephen's insightful book list (a few of his many favorites I would say.)
Suddenly, there is the rediscovery of 'The Englishman's Room' which is an extraordinary document. (There is also companion volume 'The Englishwoman's Room' by Lees-Milne, which sad to say is not as compelling.)
Many of the illustrated Englishmen in the book, who include the great John Richardson in New York, inherited historic houses and vast collections of antiques, books, and art. Or...they invented their own history using auction houses and estate sales to collate their sense of the continuous past. In each interior, you see how centuries of exposure to fine architecture, the great books, a classical education, the study of art and other cultures, and the Grand Tour lead to English designers (Hicks is in the book) and authors and the Duke of Devonshire (major collection of Canalletos) and even a professor or two, with some of the most learned and in-depth collections of art, decor, objects. Centuries of history add so much to their rooms.
No wonder they think we are upstarts and parvenus and our decor looks too shiny and 'new'.
There's a lot to learn--a design and style education-- in Stephen's provocative collection--starting with Truex and Vreeland.

Given that he is a major voice in contemporary des...

2009-10-02T11:42:12.461-04:00

Given that he is a major voice in contemporary design Stephen Drucker’s choice of favorite books seems an insightful reflection of things that are shaping the current face of design and will continue to do so, and he’s funny too! I have an open question to Mr. Drucker. If he were to make a short list of five to ten artists or illustrators that he feels are especially important to the face of interior design, fashion, and theatre today, who would they be? In past decades there has been a certain kind of artist such as Berard, Fornasetti, Pillement, Rex Whistler, etc. that has been intertwined with interior design, fashion, and theatre. It is Mr. Drucker’s preferences for this kind of artist in our own time that I would find so interesting.

You said "skanky"...I love it.

2009-10-02T11:36:27.282-04:00

You said "skanky"...I love it.

Someone recently gave me a set of back issues of A...

2009-10-02T11:13:35.788-04:00

Someone recently gave me a set of back issues of Architectural Digest, in which Mr Drucker supplied the text for several articles. His style of writing was really delightfully conversational, full of information without
a trace of pomposity. That lightly worn scholarship is very attractive~ and I loved his capsule comments in your book post.

These library posts are my favorite - many thanks....

2009-10-02T10:56:36.372-04:00

These library posts are my favorite - many thanks. KDM

What an insightful and thoughtful man Stephen Druc...

2009-10-02T10:52:59.385-04:00

What an insightful and thoughtful man Stephen Drucker is. What a wonderful editor you have. Look forward to his magazine every month.

Thanks for this great insight. I own a couple of t...

2009-10-02T10:50:53.932-04:00

Thanks for this great insight. I own a couple of these books, perhaps I needs to pay more attention to them. I love the new life that Mr Drucker has brought to HB--new visions for the 21st c., but always based on the great design of the past.

This is a great post. It's really nice that someon...

2009-10-02T10:04:00.793-04:00

This is a great post. It's really nice that someone as knowledgeable as Mr. Drucker would share his personal library preferences with all of us. Thanks. I'm gonna go buy some books now.

wow, a classic list. Makes me love Stephen Drucke...

2009-10-02T09:44:34.333-04:00

wow, a classic list. Makes me love Stephen Drucker even more.

If one can judge a person by the library, this col...

2009-10-02T09:17:10.267-04:00

If one can judge a person by the library, this collection is personal, loving, committed, full of intent, and studied. So great for you to have a first row seat and your wonderful enthusiasm for sharing.

Jennifer, sounds like you work with an editor who ...

2009-10-02T09:13:37.676-04:00

Jennifer, sounds like you work with an editor who is loads of fun and full of wisdom. Thanks for sharing the list. I don't have all of the titles yet. So now there are more to add to the ongoing wish list.

Ohhh I have a few of these---hopefully this means ...

2009-10-02T09:01:03.889-04:00

Ohhh I have a few of these---hopefully this means I'm on track! Loved his witty anecdotes. Drucker has done wonders for House Beautiful...this glimpse into his library is a real treat!
XX Kate "the NEO-trad"