David Hicks: Designer [Hardcover]

Ashley Hicks (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2002

David Hicks is considered to be among the foremost interior designers of the 20th century. From the decoration of his own house in London in 1956—in powerful colors that heralded an end to the drab, postwar English look—he set the pace for interior design both in Europe and America. David Hicks: Designer looks at the most vital period of his career, from 1958 to 1979. Presenting 200 original color photos, many never before published, it displays a decorating oeuvre that ranged from apartments for Helena Rubinstein, the Niarchos children, and the Prince of Wales to yachts, private jets, and the glamorous New York offices of British Steel. Central to the book are the interiors of his own houses, where he mixed antique and modern with a groundbreaking command of style and color. This book is a splendid overview of the entire range of the designer’s vision and talents, with chapters on English and New York interiors interspersed with sections on his designs for stores and offices, furniture and carpets, fabrics and wallpapers, tablescapes, graphics, and books.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“This intimate view of an important 20th-century interior designer is recommended…” -- Library Journal

“Today Hicks’ invigorating work looks fresher than ever.” -- Vogue

From the Publisher

David Hicks (1929­98) is considered to be among the foremost interior designers of the 20th century. From the decoration of his own house in London in 1956—in powerful colors that heralded an end to the drab, postwar English look—he set the pace for interior design both in Europe and America. David Hicks: Designer looks at the most vital period of his career, from 1958 to 1979. Presenting 200 original color photos, many never before published, it displays a decorating oeuvre that ranged from apartments for Helena Rubinstein, the Niarchos children, and the Prince of Wales to yachts, private jets, and the glamorous New York offices of British Steel. Central to the book are the interiors of his own houses, where he mixed antique and modern with a groundbreaking command of style and color. David Hicks: Designer is a splendid overview of the entire range of the designer’s vision and talents, with chapters on English and New York interiors interspersed with sections on his designs for stores and offices, furniture and carpets, fabrics and wallpapers, tablescapes, graphics, and books.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 216 pages
• Publisher: Scriptum Editions (December 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1902686195
• ISBN-13: 978-1902686196
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 0.8 x 11.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,131,534 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!! July 3, 2006

By HopewellMom

Format:Hardcover

Ashley Hicks has created a lasting memorial to his talented father, David Hicks. The book is stunning. The writing is fresh and enjoyable. Much, much more than a "David Hicks on..." title--more like a family scrapbook done to the highest level!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Design Book! February 12, 2007

By Clay in Indy

Format:Hardcover

I waited an extremely long time for this book to be delivered. I have to say that is was worth the wait. This gives a great look at at great designer from a perspective of someone who probably knew him better than anyone. The photos are great and his designs are still very relevant today (probably more than ever). I recommend this book to any fan of Hicks or a fan of high end 70's modern design.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Celebrity Designer , more renowned for his name than taste December 18, 2007

By Lyric Space editor

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I loved the cover, wish I could of seen inside photos. I am a designer and love to learn from books of all eras. This one however left me with lessons on what not to do, rather than models for success and beauty. So if you hope to see beautiful interior work on grand villas, palaces etc, buy Roomscapes by Renzo Mongiardino instead. The photos are stunners of a full life's in such places, and the text he wrote is so insightful in how to diagnose the problems of a room and how to listen to a room that it is worth the most to me in my design library. I always go back to it for inspiration and guidance. The Hicks book is a celebrity bio that shows how you can get paid a lot of money by installing interiors that shock most and cow nay sayers by their boldness. But that doesn't make it beautiful.