Jeffrey Bilhuber returns with a second book after Design Basics, his successful debut volume. In a lavish new format, the media-savvy designer for tastemakers and celebrities presents his most recent projects from coast to coast. Bilhuber views luxury as essential to every life well-lived, a way of appreciating and sharing our joy in existence, not the exclusive purview of the few. The designer encourages the reader to seek, aspire, and revel in luxury at home, however simple or adorned: from the embrace of the perfectly tufted reading chair to an heirloom vase cradling freshly cut garden roses to a dazzling chandelier that makes light dance. In seven chapters filled with charming anecdotes and lovely observations, the designer—whom Hamish Bowles has likened to a twenty-first century Billy Baldwin—explores the idea of luxury as life’s abundance reflected in a home’s varied elements: Discovery, Passion, History, Ornament, Grace, Comfort, and Delight. Each project discussed evokes the many qualities of a distinctively American luxury practically expressed and fully enjoyed at home: beauty, family, refinement, and hospitality. Within these, the reader gleans insight from Bilhuber’s inimitable style and learns that luxury is about cultivating a state of mind as much as it is about the objects with which we surround ourselves.
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"(Bilhuber) encourages his readers to seek luxury regardless of how simple or extravagant..."
About the Author
Jeffrey Bilhuber founded his eponymous firm in 1984. Many of his clients are themselves legendary trendsetters: Anna Wintour, Iman and David Bowie, Elsa Peretti, and Mariska Hargitay, among others. His work has been published in more than fifty design books as well as every major national and international shelter magazine.
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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I read the last review, and couldn't disagree more. This is a picture book, and not a study guide. So many people want to pick up a book and figure out how to do it themselves. This is a beautiful book which shows Mr. Bilhubers style very well. I never understand people who base their review on their personal style and not on the quality of the work no matter the style. The book has beautiful full page pictures that aren't tiny vignettes of spaces. There are many beautiful color combinations that are unusual but still work beautifully and should inspire people to be more creative in choosing colors and patterns. This is a very nice book.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By L. Lee
Format:Hardcover
So many design books today are filled with houses that only an elite few can come close to approximating--the "Architectural Digest" type. Jeffrey Bilhuber's book is compiled of beautiful vignettes that contain wonderful ideas for placement and juxtaposition of objects and fabrics. He combines the classic with the contemporary in interesting and evocative ways. I bought this book for myself and for Christmas presents. I think he truly has exciting taste.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I have read both of Mr. Bilhuber's books - and have been a fan of his even before that. He describes his design process in such a way that just about anyone could follow along and increase their knowledge of interior design. When it comes to the subject of this book - Luxury - couldn't we all use a bit more of it in our lives? And the way Jeffrey explains the concept - it is more about bringing quality and comfort into your home than expensive fabrics and furniture. I would recommend this book and his first book for anyone who wants to improve their homes and designers who want to improve their own processes.
Linda Leyble
Creative Director
Studio of Decorative Arts
[...]
Linda Leyble
Creative Director
Studio of Decorative Arts
[...]
15 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By Seattle Sue
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Jeffrey Bilhuber's Design Basics is one of my favorite "go to" design references for its well laid out approach to thinking through design and decoration while incorporating the reader's personal history into a room, and valuing strategy over spending $$. This book is very different. The rooms are heavily decorated with items, patterns and colors to the point of being over the top, especially when compared to the design approach presented in his first book. To get value of this book, focus in on one or at most two items in a room. Another issue is the book will have several pages no text, and then you find the references grouped together a couple pages before or after. It's aggravating to have to flip back and forth to reference the design comments.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By light-years
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is great for inspiration. I love Bilhuber's work and I love the evolution that it has undergone from his first book (more color! more confident!). I just wish there was a little bit more background into the material and color choices and less uninteresting, vague, kind of glib ramblings about luxury, etc. The language of his first book was much more feet on the ground. I couldn't read "Defining Luxury" cover to cover, but I have pored over the pictures countless times.
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By AESTHETE
Format:Hardcover
Although I'm a HUGE fan of Jeffrey Bilhuber, the rooms in this book lack the cohesion of his earlier work. Granted, the first book was predominately beige and black but the colors and choices made in this later work do not seem as well-considered, stylish and consistent as those in the first book. The jarring cover design reflects these peculiar choices accurately. I can't quite get onboard.
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