Two New Books in the Works

I’m so happy to be able to share that I have just signed a new contract with my fabulous publisher Gibbs Smith for two new books which will be part of my Design Directory series.

Can you guess what the first one will be about?

More to follow soon……………………………………………………………………………………….

Las Vegas Goes Literary

Looks who's come to town at the new Crystals mall at City Center in Las Vegas ~ famed bookseller and publisher Assouline. I can hear my library shelves quivering with excitement as we speak.

A tiny portion of their vintage book selection ~ I swoon!

It's hard to even browse in this store without feeling that your literary collection is woefully inadequate. I could have bought everything on the shelves. Assouline is among the select few publishers that still look at a book as a piece of art. From the quality of the construction of their books to the images on the covers and the superior content of the writing itself, they are keeping the art of publishing alive.



One of the only problems that I find with their titles is that the cover and presentation is usually so stellar that you don't want to store your books in as mundane a setting as a mere bookshelf. They need to be shown so every inch can be seen in all of it's glory. Publishers of their caliber such as Rizzoli and Taschen are struggling due to economic and technological developments beyond their control but I am sure there will always be a market for their beautiful books. It would be a very sad world without them.


Wait ~ Who is this rakishly handsome book reader? Perhaps he is purchasing a load of new titles for his beloved wife for Christmas? Oh, I forgot he is already sending me to Europe. Damn.... My bookshelves will have to groan a bit longer.

Creating Covers

I've been working day & night on two new book covers. First, my new book, The Design Directory of Bedding. Above is the fabric that won the cover contest featured here. I think it will be a good backdrop to my illustrations.

Designing book covers is much harder than it looks especially for someone like me who has no clue what they are doing. I have a book designer that I work with that is provided for me by my publisher. She does all of the fine tuning and interior layout etc. But I still have to draw the color illustration and find the cover fabric. So here is the process.

First, I decide what design I think would be appropriate for the cover. I try to find one that is not too traditional but also not too modern. It needs to appeal to the most common denominator. Enter the design shown above..


Then I add fabric and texture and color the illustration.



Then I decide I don't like it and that it needs brighter color and a table with a lamp...so I redraw it.



Then I try it out on a mock up of the cover.


Then I decide that I hate it and I start over.

I redraw it again with more traditional fabrics and more texture so I can use more color.



Then I find color inspiration from Designers Guild - gorgeous!

Then I do a messy color test to see which colors will go where and if I like it.


Then I color the final drawing.



I think I like it, so I try it out on another mock up of the cover.

Now it goes off to my editor for approval or another re-do.



Cover number two is for the new book I am writing with Minutes Matter. It's a marketing book for the interior design industry which will be released early next year ( more to come on this later) . Luckily one of my partners at MM, Casey Green is a super talented graphic artist and an extraordinary business women. She is doing all of the designing I just give her my input.


Cover # 1 fit their current branded image.




Cover #2 Added more color



Cover #7 is the winner.

You'd never know how much work goes into creative efforts that is never seen. I have hundreds of drawings and mock covers that will never see the light of day (probably for the best). It makes me wonder how many really great artists threw away masterpieces because they didn't like the finished product. I'd love to see go dumpster diving over at Picaso's or Monet's place.

Bargain Books

Those of you who know me well can attest to my overall "cheapness" - a quality that I embrace wholeheartedly! I love to hunt for bargains and one of my favorite things to look for are inexpensive design books.

Here are three new books that I bought yesterday at Tuesday Morning, a discount store here in the West ( I'm not sure of the scope of it's territory across the country but if you have one in your town go there immediately!)

I usually buy discounted home accessories there but every once in a while they will get a shipment of books. You never know what will be in the pile but it's fun to see what you can find and how much you can save. For example, these books were priced as follows:

The House in Bloom
Sold new for $19.99 + tax
Sold on Amazon for $5.00 + shipping
Bought at Tuesday Morning for $3.99 + tax

Living with the Seasons
Sold new for $27.50 +tax
On Amazon for $18.15 + shipping
Bought at Tuesday Morning for $3.99 + tax

The Fabric Style Book
Sold new for $ 17.95
On Amazon for $14.36
Bought at Tuesday Morning for $5.99 + tax

Total cost: $13.97 + tax ( That's just two trips to Starbucks Joni!)

I also buy discounted books regularly at ROSS, TJ MAXX, & Marshall's
Borders also has a great discount section where you can find larger, more expensive volumes deeply discounted.

Tip: Always ask for an additional discount if the book cover or sleeve is damaged or torn. I have never walked away without at least an additional 10% off!

Happy Hunting!

Best Book Buys for Fall

Even with high gas prices and a troubled economy I have to find a few bucks to spend on the new crop of design books coming out this fall. Here are a few on my wish list.











I can't decide which one is going to be my favorite, although I love the covers of a few of them. The giant airbrushed glamor shot of Barclay Butera is a bit disturbing - I'd rather look at photos of his two mini-dachshunds or his classic interiors.

Happy Reading!

My Favorite Book Stores

I'm heading out to California tomorrow for a week at the beach at the Fairmont Hotel in Santa Monica. The hubby is working down there next week so I get to take advantage of his all expenses paid hotel room! One of my favorite things about Santa Monica is that it is the location of two of the best Art & Architecture book stores in the world.

The first is Arcana: Books of the Arts located on the Third Street Promenade


They specialize in rare and out of print books on 20th century art, architecture, design, & photography. They have an inventory of over 100,000 books which they are currently beginning to list on their website. They have many items that are one-of-a-kind, signed, limited or deluxe editions and extremely scarce.

This not a bookstore in which to sit and have a latte whilst paging through a new release. They are very serious about their product as you can see in this photo showing many of the volumes which are encased in plastic sleeves for protection. You can practically feel your IQ increasing just by walking across the threshold.



If Arcana is a bit to intellectual or intimidating for your taste you can walk about one block west to 214 Wilshire Blvd - the home of Hennessey & Ingalls Art & Architecture Books
In operation since 1963, this store is the largest art and architecture bookstore in the country. It is a landmark for the design community and a magnet for designers, architects, students, art directors, and anyone interested in the visual arts.


I can spend hours in here looking through the immense assortment of books and manuals. It is a cheerful, quiet, store staffed with knowledgeable employees who all seem to have a genuine interest in the books they are selling.

If you are looking for a book that's written about a subject that has anything to do with the arts or architecture and it's in print, it will be on the shelves of this store. If you are ever in Santa Monica you must treat yourself to a visit to these two establishments. You will never want to go to Barnes & Noble again!