Customer Reviews

Elle Decor So Chic: Glamorous Lives, Stylish Spaces

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

SO CHIC! This book is destined to enter the pantheon of cult design books. Like a sublime combination of Architectural Digest's Celebrity Homes from the 80s and Vogue's Book of Houses, Gardens, and People from the 60s, SO CHIC is full of choice interiors from today's tastemakers. I love the range of this book--featuring everything from the over-the-top confection of Kenneth Jay Lane's Orientalist Napoleon III-esque apartment to the understated perfection of Ralph Lauren's beach house--there is something for every design persuasion!

When I saw the front cover of this book, esp. on Vogue magazine, it was very appealing. They are smart that they picked the best looking interior to feature on their cover. Elle Decor so chic, true, but not for long. You may get a little inspiration and maybe a little wow factor when you first flip through couple of pages, but not for long you will find it that the interiors soon become very similar. It is all the same setup, layout, furniture choices (lots of Chinoiserie and Hollywood Regency), and color schemes. I actually find it much more inspiring to read House and Garden UK version. I've seen too many of these kind of stuff and I am expecting something a little more bold and daring.

It's beautiful from cover to cover! And it seems that the Editor has even taken the time to update the stories for today, unlike other publications of its kind. The photos are to die for!! Really, don't miss this one!

This wonderful book clearly presents Margaret Russell's point of view. A couple of the featured interiors are "huh?". Being a subscriber to Elle Decor, I have seen many interesting interiors featured over the years and would have liked to have seen how they narrowed the choices down to these. But overall, it's a wonderful book and worth the moolah.
Stylemaven

I bought this book for a friend who's an interior designer and ended up keeping it myself but of course, ordered another one for her. Why keep it? The book was different to what I expected. This exquisite book covers so many styles, ideas, lifestyles, etc etc it excited me enough to start redecorating my home. I've 'loaned' a couple of ideas from the book, mixed and matched others and am having the best time. 5 stars is well deserved for this absolutely necessary for every home book with it's great ideas. Not forgetting of course the fabulous photography.

This is a truly fantastic book. As a designer, I'm always looking for books that are original, with a sense of elegance as well as a sense of humor, and this book has it all. This is a very well-edited, diverse selection of the best that Elle has to offer.

Looking for chic rooms that are inspiring? Ms. Russell does it again. Edited from the pages of her magazine,she puts together a great resource book and/or coffee table topper to give you a brousing escape from our own dreary interiors.

I own dozens and dozens of books on decor, flowers, weddings, entertaining, gardens, etc. I didn't get this one right away, but waited for awhile. I've seen many of the images on the zillions of decor blogs out there. But it doesn't compare to having the book, and holding it your hands. Great interiors, great photography, breezy easy text. This edition is a good addition for your collection of books to inspire you.

It took many years, but I have finally found a home decor book and magazines that I will always purchase.

I purchased this book, appropriately subtitled "Glamorous Lives, Stylish Spaces" in April 2009 and will soon need to buy a new copy due to the "wear and tear." Margaret Russell and her editorial assistants have selected some of the most alluring interiors I have ever seen. Not only are the featured interiors "knock your socks off" gorgeous and interesting, but the folks who inhabit them are, too. You will get a lot of unique, energizing ideas from looking at the homes; you'll also be introduced to the attractive, interesting, sophisticated people who live in them. It is fresh, alive, and fun! I probably need to go ahead and replace my lovingly worn copy soon!