How They Decorated

Like many creatives who work in fashion and home, I am an obsessive collector of design books. My good friend and book dealer, Whitney Kaplan, co-owns Arcana Books in Culver City, CA with her brilliant husband Lee. Whitney is always pulling books for me related to fashion, interiors, art, food, and anything that she thinks I would find aesthetically pleasing. She knows my taste so well that on one recent summer evening she met me at a bar for a glass of wine with a bag full of books. One of them that came home with me was: How They Decorated: Inspiration from Great Women of the Twentieth Century by P. Gaye Tapp. I keep referencing it for inspiration, pouring through images of the homes of some of the most sophisticated and stylish women of our time. Sixteen tastemakers are featured, including Bunny Mellon; Fleur Cowles; Georgia O’Keeffe; and Pauline de Rothschild, who each had their own individual style that was inspired by everything from worldly travels to nature to a classic all-American look. In addition to the eye candy, the author shares the background behind these iconic women, painting a picture of their decorating taste and personal life. This book is a must for interiors enthusiasts, and for those who appreciate great style.