Fall is a great time for the release of new books, and this has been a banner year. Here are three that have landed on my desk recently, with more to come later.

AN EYE FOR BEAUTY, Beth Webb

Beth Webb composes her rooms for a feeling of contentment and well-being. Her layered interiors reveal a connection to her clients and the way they want to live. Beth is a Southerner (Atlanta based) and her work is a methodical and timeless blend of classic and contemporary styles.

Beth’s palette is always soft, with subtle fabrics and a quiet palette. But the rooms she invents are warm and inviting, with remarkable nuances. A year at Sotheby’s in London gave Beth a foundation in quality, form and composition. While her career was serendipitous, she immediately found her voice and continues to develop her narrative.

We know for a fact that Beth is great at designing bathrooms. I was fortunate to be able to include Beth’s amazing baths in my book, The Perfect Bath. She takes traditional elements and a group of modern elements and partners them with a splash of glam to create a cohesive space that is refreshing and relaxing to be in. The bath, like all of her spaces, finds texture and tonal harmony all in sync with the landscape.

Beth’s interiors are thoughtful and spare, comfortable and authentic.

INTENTIONAL BEAUTY, Tim Campbell

Tim Campbell’s lavish book narrates his life’s journey from small rural town to world traveler, from dreamer of interiors and buildings to creator of many exceptional ones. His talents were obvious to him from a very early age, and Tim, along with a high-school’s secretary, ran a flourishing design business while he completed his high-school diploma.

Tim speaks poetically about the composition of his houses; his vision and inspiration, the distillation of elements or shapes, the repeating patterns and the creation of creative tension. This is all true whether creating a new house or working on the restoration of a beloved mid-century L.A. home. Tim’s house stories read like a novel, from the thrill of having the opportunity to work on these treasured buildings to navigating the complexity of codes and finally making the houses relevant for today’s standards and giving them a second life. He says its takes equal parts courage and fortitude as well as collaborative and patient patrons.

This book is full of stunning photographs, including my favorite of his dogs, Boss and Jack. Richly textured interiors, a compelling narrative and a life well lived make Tim’s book a “must have” for your library.

AN ADVENTUROUS LIFE, Tom Stringer

Tom Stringer’s work is inspired by his passion: travel. A recent visit to his house in Chicago reveals his global acquisitions that soulfully mix, in an unorthodox way, with his modern art collection. Set in a neutral environment of gentle textures and slight color shifts, the art shows Tom’s great eye for beauty and his personal connections to and curiosity of many cultures.

Tom’s work, as he says himself, is about storytelling and creating a personal narrative for his clients. He claims not to be original in his work, but loves the vitality and originality that come from the objects and elements one picks up along the road to a finished project. These “finds” more closely bind a family to their home and enrich the story of their lives.

Incredible photographs are found throughout the book. Not only are there wonderful decorating ideas, but inspiration for your next adventure.

 

 

 

  /     /     /  
0

Leave a Comment