Robert and Cortney Novogratz, starts of the hit Bravo series 9 BY DESIGN, have been renovating and designing unique and hip homes for families for over ten years. Describing their signature style as a sophisticated but bohemian mix of high and low, new and old, they offer their realistic advice on how to create original, warm interiors with ease. One part practical guide, one part inspirational volume on creating a look for the home, the book pairs humorous anecdotes about the pitfalls and pleasures of renovation with a treasure trove of decorating tips: how to use both boutique and flea-market finds; how to inject lots of personality into a room affordably; how to decorate kids’ rooms so they appeal to children and adults; how to easily rehabilitate outdated furnishings; and many more. In each of the ten projects featured—which include a townhouse in New York City, a country house in Massachusetts, and a beach house in Brazil—before and after shots document the agony and ecstasy of any renovation project, as well as revealing the design duo’s vision and remarkable ability to see through the most awful of spaces to the amazing home that lies within.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“Hottest new home decor book!” ~New York Daily News
“… fresh, new design and decorating book by Robert and Cortney Novogratz. For this design duo, details make the design, and there are surprises everywhere, which to my mind give the houses a thoughtful and lived-in appeal.” ~Debbie Travis, syndicated house and home columnist
“There is an unmistakable playfulness to the [house] Robert and Cortney share with their [seven kids]. We dare you to look without saying ‘wow.’” ~O Home Magazine
“You might live in a box, but that doesn’t mean you can’t think outside of it.
With tips on decor from Sixx Design’s Robert and Cortney Novogratz, you’ll be living large in no time.” ~DailyCandy.com
“No matter what people think of the homes featured in Downtown Chic, few would dispute the uniqueness of their interiors.” ~Houston Chronicle
“Want to steal ideas from Robert and Cortney’s arsenal of [home decorating] tricks? Check out their book Downtown Chic.” ~Family Circle
“… fresh, new design and decorating book by Robert and Cortney Novogratz. For this design duo, details make the design, and there are surprises everywhere, which to my mind give the houses a thoughtful and lived-in appeal.” ~Debbie Travis, syndicated house and home columnist
“There is an unmistakable playfulness to the [house] Robert and Cortney share with their [seven kids]. We dare you to look without saying ‘wow.’” ~O Home Magazine
“You might live in a box, but that doesn’t mean you can’t think outside of it.
With tips on decor from Sixx Design’s Robert and Cortney Novogratz, you’ll be living large in no time.” ~DailyCandy.com
“No matter what people think of the homes featured in Downtown Chic, few would dispute the uniqueness of their interiors.” ~Houston Chronicle
“Want to steal ideas from Robert and Cortney’s arsenal of [home decorating] tricks? Check out their book Downtown Chic.” ~Family Circle
About the Author
Robert and Cortney Novogratz, native Southerners, came to New York City more than ten years ago and soon after founded Sixx Design. Featured in scores of American and European shelter magazines, their work includes residential and commercial projects throughout the world. They are currently stars of the hit Bravo TV series, 9 BY DESIGN.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
48 of 50 people found the following review helpful
By Susan Lake
Format:Hardcover
have spent every minute poring over my copy of DOWNTOWN CHIC since I got it , which chronicles the design evolution of Robert and Cortney Novogratz of NYC, and their seven (!) kids. It is a combination of cool ideas that work for anybody who wants to upgrade or change their living environment, and a great aspirational story from people who seem to be able to have it all. Darn them! Personally, the book really spoke to me when it constantly urges the reader out of their safety zone when it comes to home decoration. Try a bright color of paint, dare to have mismatched chairs, mix cheap pieces with your fancy stuff. And don't settle for something boring and predictable just because you are parents! Or have a heart attack if there is a scuff or a stain. There are plenty of helpful hints, like how to get rid of clutter, and while I don't really have the time or the budget to travel the world looking for design objets, finding flea market treaasures is an activity I can do close to home and on any budget. Robert and Cortney have written a fun and funny book chock full of ideas of how to have the home of your dreams, with or without lots of cash. Their ideas are easily translatable to anybody to go boldly into home improvement, letting us know where it is fine to cut corners and where it isn't. I love this book and not at all ashamed to admit I needed a kick in the butt to get my unrealized dreams about my own living space to a place where I now feel I can actually make it happen.
29 of 31 people found the following review helpful
By Swee10
Format:Hardcover
Downtown Chic is a handsome coffee table book celebrating the work of Cortney and Robert Novogratz. Over the past fifteen years this husband-and-wife design team has bought and renovated houses for themselves and their seven children in Manhattan, upstate New York, Massachusetts, and Brazil. Their interiors have a chic, bohemian sensibility that mixes antique and thrift store furniture with ultra-sleek contemporary pieces.
The book has information that's useful for anyone remodeling their own home, like "Tips for Buying a Wreck" and a "Contractor Checklist." Some of the Novogratzs' ideas, like buying a building in SoHo, or shipping home a zinc-topped bar from a flea market in Paris, might be out of reach for most of us. But the designers' attitude is liberating. Their interiors feel loosely assembled, as if the objects inside a room weren't put in place by designers but accumulated naturally by its inhabitants. They make unconventional choices that seem just right, like painting a room bright orange, covering a wall with framed comic books, or leaving warped wooden floor boards in place.
As Cortney writes in the introduction, "A home isn't just where you live, or at least it doesn't have to be. A home is who you are." In both how to live and how to decorate, this book inspires us to make a bold move.
The book has information that's useful for anyone remodeling their own home, like "Tips for Buying a Wreck" and a "Contractor Checklist." Some of the Novogratzs' ideas, like buying a building in SoHo, or shipping home a zinc-topped bar from a flea market in Paris, might be out of reach for most of us. But the designers' attitude is liberating. Their interiors feel loosely assembled, as if the objects inside a room weren't put in place by designers but accumulated naturally by its inhabitants. They make unconventional choices that seem just right, like painting a room bright orange, covering a wall with framed comic books, or leaving warped wooden floor boards in place.
As Cortney writes in the introduction, "A home isn't just where you live, or at least it doesn't have to be. A home is who you are." In both how to live and how to decorate, this book inspires us to make a bold move.
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I had big hopes for this book and I am usually disappointed when my hopes are so high. Not in this case. Downtown Chic is a book that will unleash your imagination AND you will never again be able to use the excuse that you are too busy to work on your home again.
Even if your personal style is not reflected in this book, it will inspire you to think outside of the box and feel as if you can do anything!
Even if your personal style is not reflected in this book, it will inspire you to think outside of the box and feel as if you can do anything!
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By L. DAmbra
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Do you really need another "how to" book that'll show you how to make your rooms look like a Pottery Barn catalog when you could spend your time with something like this, a book that will inspire you to make your living space a place that will surprise you and comfort you and even make you happier? This is not the book for someone who thinks that you have to go to Paris to find something wonderful at a flea market. It's for the rest of us who know that you don't. Love it.
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By Leigh
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I love the show so much that I ordered the book as soon a I knew there was one out there. I waited a very long time for the book to arrive, and I read it immeiately. I have to say, that while I adore the show, the book is a bit disappointing. It really didn't go into the history and details of their projects that I was expecting; it didn't have as many photos of the unique design and decorations that I was hoping for (and looking for); and the print is really small, I could hardly read the words at all. I wish the book is less about giving pointers as to how to decorate, but, more on how they design and why and how they choose the specific decoration pieces.
17 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By Apple
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Completely agree with the reviewer who said this book's subtitle should read "all about US."
DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY if you are actually looking for a guide to help you design your city home.
Not only is the title woefully misleading, but the pretension, arrogance and general cluelessness of this couple (when it comes to actual standard of living vs. former NYC stockbroker with a design hobby)...practically oozes out of this book.
And aside from the bedroom on the cover, the featured rooms and homes are not even terribly original. Sure, anyone can introduce interesting architectural details like a cathedral window when they have an unlimited supply of cash to throw at a design project. But what do you do if you are faced with a real life budget? Employ actual creativity! (something that is not done here). Save your money and take it to the flea market. You'll get something way more original and much more fun.
DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY if you are actually looking for a guide to help you design your city home.
Not only is the title woefully misleading, but the pretension, arrogance and general cluelessness of this couple (when it comes to actual standard of living vs. former NYC stockbroker with a design hobby)...practically oozes out of this book.
And aside from the bedroom on the cover, the featured rooms and homes are not even terribly original. Sure, anyone can introduce interesting architectural details like a cathedral window when they have an unlimited supply of cash to throw at a design project. But what do you do if you are faced with a real life budget? Employ actual creativity! (something that is not done here). Save your money and take it to the flea market. You'll get something way more original and much more fun.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
DOWNTOEN CHIC
MY WIFE ORDERED SEVERAL BOOKS AND SHE LOVES THIS ONE B EST OF ALL..VERY INTERESTING......GREAT PICTURES ALL VERY GOOD..BUY IT ..
Published 3 months ago by Hugh E Reynolds
5.0 out of 5 stars
Downtown Chic
This is a great book of "out of the box" decorating in a fun and practical manor. What a creative couple. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Sheri Condray
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Story Very inspirational
I love this couple and their creativity
I also have a business with my husband and four kids so you inspire me!!!
I also have a business with my husband and four kids so you inspire me!!!
Published 5 months ago by Lisa
5.0 out of 5 stars
Downtown Chic
Good tabletop book. Also a good reference guide.
Love the way they decorate. Very inspiring and easy on the eyes
Love the way they decorate. Very inspiring and easy on the eyes
Published 6 months ago by Ann Robinson
1.0 out of 5 stars
Eye sore
If you want your home to be considered as blight,this is for you! Paint chipping off the walls,color clashes, and just plain ugly furniture- not what a buyer usually looks for in a... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Iris Hagetaka
5.0 out of 5 stars
Downtown Chic
"Down Town Chic" written by Robert and Cortney Novogratz is a Great book with a lot of helpful information about what you can lookout for when you're puchacing property or... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Sandy Lieberman
1.0 out of 5 stars
Useless
I ordered 13 design books and that one is worst. I didn't find single idea which I want to use. All advises are so banal and obvious. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Marina Smirnova
5.0 out of 5 stars
Addicted to Novogratz
I just received this book today and I'm halfway through, devouring everything and sad that it's almost over. Read more
Published 18 months ago by K. Fitzgerald
5.0 out of 5 stars
Completely Inspiring
I LOVE this book. This family is completely inspiring. The book takes you through their journey renovating their amazing houses. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Secret Squirrel
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fabulous!
I watch the Novogratz show on HGTV so I had to have their book. It gives you the tools to design, not just to duplicate their rooms. Read more
Published 21 months ago by D. L. Gustin
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