Product Description
Thіѕ unique book οf thirty-six spectacular houses аnd gardens—whose owners come frοm thе worlds οf fashion, music, art, аnd society—draws nοt οnlу οn tаlеѕ thаt hаνе appeared іn thе pages οf Vogue аnd Vogue Living over thе past two decades bυt аlѕο οn images thаt hаνе never before bееn іn print. Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens, People takes уου tο thеѕе style-makers’ private realms around thе world, captured bу such celebrated photographers аѕ Miles Aldridge,… More >>
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There is no disputing that this is a sumptuous volume. Lavishly produced, its oversized 384 pages are crammed with images of exquisite rooms and lush gardens from 36 unique homes, owned by the rich and/or famous in Europe, America and North Africa and into the likes of which you and I will never set foot. (Which is the reason, thankfully, such books are produced and why we lesser mortals buy them.)
There are rooms modern and rooms classic, arranged with the taste, elegance and restraint of the world’s best decorators and captured by the world’s greatest photographers. And yet the rooms are not museum pieces, but are demonstrably inhabited by their owners, their well-scrubbed children and their adorable dogs, such as the greyhound on page 317 filching a piece of cheese from the dinner table.
My favourite room which is featured on the front jacket cover is of Janet de Botton’s breakfast room in Provence, its French chateau décor a study in white, cream and faded pastel, the background, literally a wall of china – floral motifed white plates and platters displayed on white-painted, floor-to-ceiling wooden plate racks built into the walls. (Already I’ve been measuring my walls to see how I can incorporate something similar – though less vast – into my old house).
At the opposite end of the décor spectrum is Amanda Brooks NYC loft, all kitsch and brash eye-popping colour like a Barbie Doll house with Brooks herself photographed in a Barbie Doll style gown in a Barbie Doll pose. (It’s not to my personal taste but cleverly done & I had to look twice to be sure the figure lying stiffly across the bed wasn’t a mannequin).
If you are a fan of décor books you will find plenty more here to inspire, amuse and entertain you and your like-minded friends and family.
So why did I hold back from a five star rating? My quibble is with the empty 14 pages devoted to Madonna which might have been put to better use: Madonna’s cow pastures, M. with (admittedly cute) children; a gowned & high-heeled & coiffed M. feeding the chickens (as if!); M. canoodling with husband, a double-page shot of M’s sheep — & only one tiny interior shot, a sitting room that was rearranged by the photographer & does not reflect the actual décor of Madonna’s house – which might have been of real interest even to a non-fan like me.
Thus the book falls just a little short of being, for me, the epitome of the coffee-table décor genre.
Rating: 4 / 5
Flash review: The perfect gift book for this season.
This new book, timed for Xmas giving, features a selection of the best homes shown in Vogue in the past several years. It is a large-scale book, filled with wonderful color photography. Although Elle Decor and Architectural Digest have come out with similar books this season, neither can hold a candle to Vogue’s tome. If you are familiar with the 1968 publication, “Vogue’s Book of Houses, Gardens, People”, which now sells for $400 and up if you can find it, you will know what is in store for you.
Maximum emphasis on homes you would love to see in person, owned by people of impeccable style: Janet de Botton in the south of France, Marella Agnelli in Marrakech, David Cholmondeley’s stately, etc.; minimal number of celebrity digs done by decorators of questionable taste which you tend to see in Architectural Digest. The style and taste of the featured houses, gardens (and, yes, people) are on an entirely different plane than those shown in the new books by the other two lifestyle magazines.
Rating: 5 / 5
Photography is extraordinary. The people featured therein, not so much. Still, it’s a beautifully done publication and worth the cash but buy it at discount.
Stylemaven
Rating: 3 / 5
I bought this book for a friend as a coffee table peice who is interested in fashion and home design. She absolutely loves it and it now has a prominent place in her new home. I’d absolutely recommend this book for the right kind of person. It is beautiful and a different kind of gift!
Rating: 5 / 5
I ordered this book for Christmas.It is the best of stylish living as seen through the eyes of the great international tastemakers captured by a compendium of famous Vogue photographers.A big and beautiful book-a must for anyone interested in fine interior design and decoration.I am buying another to give as a gift. William G. Uhles
Rating: 5 / 5