Christmas Books: The Divine Home

Some beautiful Santos and reliques.

Christman Books: Inspired Styles

A fun and colorful book of designers and their inspiration.

Alexa Hampton spread.

Thomas O'Brien spread.

Some of these designers I know and some I don't.

Christmas Decorations 2008

Revolution in Fashion

The work of Isabelle de Borchgrave reminds me of the this book, Revolution in Fashion - 1715-1815 from The Koyoto Institute . Some of the fashions are from the same time period. The hair on the models in the Institute's book are of paper.

This is one of my favorites. The red stripes have such a moderns look about them. It is interesting that there are two different red stripes in this dress. The lining is also a stripe that is in ocher tones.

None of the images that I have found on the web do justice to the details that are shown in either book.

Christmas Books: Paper Illusions

Belgian artist Isabelle de Borchgrave has created exquisite paper dresses evoking high fashions from the courts of the Medici in the Renaissance to the legendary Fortuny silks of the early 20th century.

Paper Illusions shows De Borchgrave’s skills at cutting, folding and painting that transforms paper into shimmering visions of beautiful clothes.

The above photo is from De Borchgrave’s web site. The male figure is showcased in the book.

This is one of the books we gave ourselves for Christmas. What a way to spend a Christmas afternoon; reading and looking at beautiful pictures!

The Annunciation by El Greco.

The Annunciation by Fra Angelico.

Visitation, from Altarpiece of the Virgin (St. Vaast Altarpiece) by Jacques Daret.

The Nativity by Petrus Christus, c. 1445.

Joseph with the Infant Jesus, by Guido Reni, c. 1635.

Adoration of the Shepherds by Gerard van Honthorst, 17th century.

Images of Christmas

What is not to like with all these images...white, silver, mercury glass, twig branches with pine cones, small touches of greenery.

I particularly like the silver leaves and acorns.

This is probably my favorite image of the group. The candles that attach to the branches with an item hanging below is interesting. I would be too afraid of catching the branch on fire!!!

A lot of the Scandinavian blogs show candles with items tied around them.

The metal letters are something that I am going to keep a lookout for when we go to the flea market again, whenever that may be.

Christmas decorations of Danish firm Walther & Co.via Automatism. They do not ship catalogs to the U.S., I tried.

The New French Decor: Living with Timeless Objects

This is one of the books that we gave ourselves for Christmas last year and it has become a favorite. I am not a French person. I do not go in for Louie furniture. But this book has a timelessness about the objects that is so appealing. The objects, furniture, homes are all wabi sabi which explains the charm for me. The book is by Michele Lalande with photographs by Gilles Trillard.

This photograph remind me of the post on Juxtaposition Home.

What I like about the photos by Gilles Trillard is he looks into the objects, simple and direct. The images are well cropped so you receive the essence of the objects photographed.

In searching the web for images of the work of Gilles Trillard I came across 1stdibs. It is a great sight with articles on books, designers and a wealth of visuals.

Images of Christmas

Images via Housemartin.

Packaging

Rajasthan Deluxe

If you can afford $1,500. for this book then you should be able to afford two copies. You will need to have one that you keep wrapped. Who would want to unwrap the book and destroy the presentation in order to look at the pages? You would not be able to re-wrap this beauty properly. It is wrapped in a one of a kind vintage saree and bound in raw silk. It is printed on a cotton paper. With all the beautiful paper that is made in India it should be a joy to touch and turn the pages.

Another $1,500 beauty is the Putman Style Delux. The slipcase is black and white tile with steel.

Racing Style Delux

Packaged in a genuine rubber slipcase to add to the feel of the racetrack.

Venice Delux

Is presented in a hinge box covered in Venetian fabric. The book is bound in velvet with a signature golden lion emblem. It is printed on Italian paper, one would think so, with gold leaf edges.

All books published by Assouline.