The first book from renowned New York–based designer Steven Gambrel showcases his bold and innovative designs. Featuring 10 individual residences photographed by Eric Piasecki, Steven Gambrel illustrates the designer’s fresh approach to color and composition in creating spaces that reflect, support, and enhance the lifestyles of today while at the same time embracing the history of each individual home. From Manhattan townhouses and apartments to beachside retreats in the Hamptons, Gambrel has a passion for timeless and unique interiors that allow him to design a backdrop for individual and changing lives. The photographs and accompanying text, written by Gambrel himself, reveal the inside stories behind stunning interiors that feature his signature mix of the modern and the traditional, and give the reader a window into his unique inspirations and design point of view.
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About the Author
Steven Gambrel is the founder of the New York–based design firm S.R. Gambrel Incorporated. Established in 1995, S.R. Gambrel has a fresh, innovative approach to color and form and has been widely celebrated in magazines and newspapers, including House & Garden, Elle Décor, Interior Design, Departures, the New York Times, and New York magazine. Wendy Goodman is the design editor of New York magazine, a contributing editor for Departures magazine and German and French Architectural Digest, author of Abrams’ The World of Gloria Vanderbilt, and coauthor of Abrams’ Tony Duquette. She lives in New York.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Apparently, you CAN judge a book by its cover. I was intrigued when I saw the front and back covers of the book, which appear to show two different interpretations of the same space. I was especially drawn to the presence of historical details and the modern sensibility. I decided to buy the book on a hunch, and I'm so glad I did. First, you must notice the dimensions listed for this book, as it is much larger than many design books. The paper used for the book is heavy and very high-quality. The designs depicted inside are gorgeous--all are refined yet remain completely approachable and inviting. (The photography, by Eric Piaseki, is absolutely exquisite.) Steven Gambrel uses color in a brave manner, so if you're a fan of bold color in interior design, you will almost certainly love this book. I am especially enjoying the progress photos, and the words that Steven has written to accompany the photography. I've never been more impressed by a design book. I am a new fan of Steven Gambrel's work, and I thank this gorgeous book for the introduction.
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
"I think the unexpected remains our greatest tool," says Gambrel. Unexpected--that quality distinguishes Gambrel's rooms: an unexpected mix of materials-color-pattern-silhouette evoking time and place.
Interiors by Steven Gambrel are distinctive and highly original. If you like Gambrel's design vision and enjoy deconstructing the magic behind design, you will enjoy this book. Gambrel writes as articulately as he designs, and shares in his own words what informs his design.
Materials. As an University of Virginia-trained architect, Gambrel clearly has a reverence for materials which is revealed in his work. His passion for salvaging materials and using his Sag Harbor homes and West Village Townhome as design laboratories is infectious. You will want to start frequenting salvage sites looking for the odd treasure to incorporate in your home after reading this book. Slabs of marble from the Museum of Modern Art sculpture garden which floor his Sag Harbor kitchen are a sublime foundation for his creamy kitchen. Gold-gray marble from an old bank lobby warm up his master bath floor. In a client's home, a mid-century gun-metal Parisian shower surround provides panache. You can picture Gregory Peck or Jimmy Stewart sticking a wet shampooed head out of the shower and greeting you in that room.
Other innovative uses of material include using what looks like shiny black paten leather (like your childhood Sunday shoes) on a dining banquette, mixing mica dust in ceiling plaster for shimmer, and repurposing a lighthouse lens as a lantern.
Color. "A hit of lucid color" is how Gambrel describes his color choices. High gloss bottle green walls, inspired by the galleries of Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen, connect all four floors of his West Village townhome. He combines lacquered deep tortoise-like walls with a glossy amber ceiling in a client's library. What keeps these colors from being lightly lurid, and dashing instead, is a mix of restraint and balance. "I like the contradiction of a super saturated color with an alternating serene one, just like the strength found in pairing timeworn pieces with those that are polished and modern," explains Gambrel. "I view dense color as luxurious, a reaction that hails from an era when merchants used pigments, then precious commodities, as flagrant displays of wealth."
Pattern. What also gives a pleasant jolt to Gambrel's rooms is a bit of unexpected and exuberant pattern. Pattern like in an argyle sock might cover an armchair, or Gambrel's partner Connor's favorite Irish cable knit sweater inspired a cable pattern in a rug for their living room (see cover). A brass grate design patterns a daring black and white rug for a client's black and gold living room. A mostly serene room may have a dollop of pattern splashed onto a pillow or emanating from wall art.
Silhouette. You may notice there's not a lot of curve in Gambrel's rooms--mainly lines, angles, squares and rectangles with an occasional circle or organic shape. Some curve is in the black headboards he designed for his guest beds based on silhouettes of Flemish home facades he sketched from a walk in Brussels. Clean lines, defined angles and crisp tailoring are softened by tufted furniture, textured fabrics and rugs, and the luxurious use of color which embraces and envelops you. I like Gambrel's mid-size and smallish rooms best which are like jewel-boxes, even if they are neutral like his french limestone-colored cellar kitchen in his West Village home. The rooms sparkle and delight.
Gambrel believes we should "keep the good parts of what already exists, while layering our lifestyle and unique time in history onto that place....images of place are the core vital tool for future generations to learn about our time....Design is not just about inventing new ideas, but also about layering successful ideas inspired by traditions and shared culture." His hope and purpose for this book? "...I hope to share a small window into what I think about the time and place in which I live."
If you like the original and thoughtful room on the cover of this book, you should like the unexpected and welcoming style inside.
Interiors by Steven Gambrel are distinctive and highly original. If you like Gambrel's design vision and enjoy deconstructing the magic behind design, you will enjoy this book. Gambrel writes as articulately as he designs, and shares in his own words what informs his design.
Materials. As an University of Virginia-trained architect, Gambrel clearly has a reverence for materials which is revealed in his work. His passion for salvaging materials and using his Sag Harbor homes and West Village Townhome as design laboratories is infectious. You will want to start frequenting salvage sites looking for the odd treasure to incorporate in your home after reading this book. Slabs of marble from the Museum of Modern Art sculpture garden which floor his Sag Harbor kitchen are a sublime foundation for his creamy kitchen. Gold-gray marble from an old bank lobby warm up his master bath floor. In a client's home, a mid-century gun-metal Parisian shower surround provides panache. You can picture Gregory Peck or Jimmy Stewart sticking a wet shampooed head out of the shower and greeting you in that room.
Other innovative uses of material include using what looks like shiny black paten leather (like your childhood Sunday shoes) on a dining banquette, mixing mica dust in ceiling plaster for shimmer, and repurposing a lighthouse lens as a lantern.
Color. "A hit of lucid color" is how Gambrel describes his color choices. High gloss bottle green walls, inspired by the galleries of Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen, connect all four floors of his West Village townhome. He combines lacquered deep tortoise-like walls with a glossy amber ceiling in a client's library. What keeps these colors from being lightly lurid, and dashing instead, is a mix of restraint and balance. "I like the contradiction of a super saturated color with an alternating serene one, just like the strength found in pairing timeworn pieces with those that are polished and modern," explains Gambrel. "I view dense color as luxurious, a reaction that hails from an era when merchants used pigments, then precious commodities, as flagrant displays of wealth."
Pattern. What also gives a pleasant jolt to Gambrel's rooms is a bit of unexpected and exuberant pattern. Pattern like in an argyle sock might cover an armchair, or Gambrel's partner Connor's favorite Irish cable knit sweater inspired a cable pattern in a rug for their living room (see cover). A brass grate design patterns a daring black and white rug for a client's black and gold living room. A mostly serene room may have a dollop of pattern splashed onto a pillow or emanating from wall art.
Silhouette. You may notice there's not a lot of curve in Gambrel's rooms--mainly lines, angles, squares and rectangles with an occasional circle or organic shape. Some curve is in the black headboards he designed for his guest beds based on silhouettes of Flemish home facades he sketched from a walk in Brussels. Clean lines, defined angles and crisp tailoring are softened by tufted furniture, textured fabrics and rugs, and the luxurious use of color which embraces and envelops you. I like Gambrel's mid-size and smallish rooms best which are like jewel-boxes, even if they are neutral like his french limestone-colored cellar kitchen in his West Village home. The rooms sparkle and delight.
Gambrel believes we should "keep the good parts of what already exists, while layering our lifestyle and unique time in history onto that place....images of place are the core vital tool for future generations to learn about our time....Design is not just about inventing new ideas, but also about layering successful ideas inspired by traditions and shared culture." His hope and purpose for this book? "...I hope to share a small window into what I think about the time and place in which I live."
If you like the original and thoughtful room on the cover of this book, you should like the unexpected and welcoming style inside.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By simplifeye
Format:Hardcover
This book is pure elegance. The interior design devotee will not be disappointed, nor will the photography buff. For those who enjoy the experience of holding a book in their hands and turning the pages, this book is a delight. The physicality of the book is as impressive as the work it conveys.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is a beautiful book
I found the interiors inspiring in this book. One beautiful room after another that showcases the author unique style and individuality. Read more
Published 1 month ago by ann's sublime abode
5.0 out of 5 stars
Holy Cow
Steven Gambrel is a genius & seems to have the midas touch when it comes to decorating. In every gorgeous image, you can tell he has a true eye for detail. Read more
Published 1 month ago by LittlePNYC
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gorgeous Text!
I adore this book, and I use it quite often for inspiration. If you are looking for a wonderful compilation of Steven Gambrel's work, than this book it wonderful.
Published 3 months ago by MirandaPanda
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful book
I enjoyed this book very much,there's a lot of use of modern elements combined with rustic and traditional ones that makes for an updated yet timeless look. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Blue3
3.0 out of 5 stars
It's OK
I was a little disappointed that the front/back cover wasn't attached. Plus, from the small shipping box, the front cover was already wrinkled in the corners and it doesn't stay on... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Heather D. Cullum
5.0 out of 5 stars
A delight!!
This is a beautiful book! The physical book exudes quality. The photography is delightful. The text, by Gambrel himself, is informative on several levels. Read more
Published 10 months ago by House Plan Diva
5.0 out of 5 stars
decorating book
When this book arrived, I was thrilled. The photo's are beautiful, many great decorating ideas. It is a beautiful addition to my decorating book collection.
Published 12 months ago by magnolia
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Brilliant Designer
New York-based interior designer Steven Gambrel is a brilliant designer and Eric Piasecki is a wonderful photographer. Together they have created a stunning book. Read more
Published 13 months ago by All the Best
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