Our Favorite Books...

One of the most fun things to buy for the store has been coffee table books.  We're suckers for anything with a gorgeous and alluring cover - and if it deals with design, style, furniture or chic cats and dogs - we're all goners.

Last week, our cute Emily (who manages all of our social media, website content and dozens of other projects around the store) came up with a clever little idea to showcase our fave picks.
Keep reading...

Ann adores all things Suzanne Kasler.

Ann says:  "Inspired Interiors by Suzanne Kasler.  The book I wish I could curl up with, in one of our comfy chairs if there's ever a slow minute at the store, is Suzanne Kasler's Inspired Interiors.  We gave the book to our of our employees for Christmas and I told Meg I would take it home and wrap it there (so that I could peruse it first, of course!) I stayed up half the night and had the best time!  The icing on the cake was to see some of our artists' work hanging in Suzanne's gorgeous interiors.  Now, everytime I look through it, I see something different and wonderful.  It's a classic and I'm proud to carry it at the store."

French? Check. Cats? Check. French cats? Home Run!

Meg says:  "I adore cats!  So when we stumbled on this book, The French Cat, I truly flipped.  Rachael Hale, the author, had me hook, line and sinker with her elegant writing - and honestly, is there anything Frenchier than a cat peering down from an open window surrounded by red geraniums and crusty blue shutters?  And French cats have the best names like Craquette, Marilou, Mouchette, Didier and Hercules.  Hale's photography is a magical tour through France, dotted with enigmatic and independent kitties on each page. I can't wait to give this book to myself (and our three unimaginatively named cats) for Christmas.  On second thought, I may not wait till Christmas..."

Linda's got a soft spot for pooches.

Linda says:  "Dogs by Tim Flach. I've been a dog lover since way back, so when I saw the cover of this book with its canine in motion and fur flying, I was immediately drawn.  Having just adopted a new little Corgi mix puppy, I'm feeling very attuned to all things barking.  The pictures are amazing and capture all the little personalities of their subjects.  It's pawsitively perfect!"

Sarah gravitates to anything black and white. (Her reading companion is Sophie.)

Sarah says:  "Black and White by Celerie Kemble.  When I saw this book on the shelf, I knew it had to be my pick.  First of all, as evidenced by my little chair companion in this photo, I'm a fan of all things black and white.  I love the simplicity of it.  I own more black pants and white tops than I care to admit.  Secondly, Ann and Meg gave me this book to celebrate the purchase of my first house last fall. I spent hours curled up in my new living room thumbing through the pages, so I will always have happy memories associated with this book.  Celerie Kemble never disappoings with her amazing interiors - if only my house looked half as chic as those in the book..."

It doesn't surprise any of us that Sam loves the Safari book...she's all about that perfect touch of zebra!

Sam says: "Safari by Patrick de Wilde.  A fanciful recollection:  "When I went to Africa with Ann, she insisted we hang chandeliers from the tree branches and position the Louis XVI mirrors perfectly so they reflected the light of the Serengeti beautifully.  When I returned to the U.S., a friend asked if I had seen any lions.  I gasped and said, "There are lions in  Aftrica?"  This book wonderfully illustrates what I managed to miss - that yes indeed, there are lions in Africa!"

Allison picking up some tips from life's best little go-to book: "How to be a Hepburn in a Hilton World."

Allison says:  How to be a Hepburn in a Hilton World by Jordan Christy.  My nineteen year old daughter read this book her senior year of high school and wished she had found it sooner.  A great read for teenage girls (and moms, too.)  My favorite chapter?  How to Have Your Cake and Eat It, Too!"

We're not surprised that Emily picked "Hers" - a book all about being elegant, refined and feminine. Perfect for Miss Emily!

Emily says:  Hers by Jacqueline de Montravel.  As soon as I saw the pink binding on this book, I knew right then I would be smitten.  De Montravel illustrates how you can achieve femininity in design with a honed, delicate approach.  As a lover of ruffles, giant gold gilt frames and floral prints, I can't get enough of her fabulous, balanced interiors.  And with chapters dedicated to creating personalized home offices, art spaces and how to stock a classic bar, it's brimming with inspiration."

Guess who's getting married in a couple months?

Colleen says:  "Vera Wang on Weddings by Vera Wang.  As Huff Harrington's resident bride-to-be, the girls gave me this gorgeous book on all things wedding by the legend herself, Vera Wang.  The pictures are spectacular, the inspiration even more fabulous.  For every bride, classic to modern, this is a must-have!"

Alva has a great eye and loves good design.

Alva says:  Interior Visions by Mona Hajj.  In the design work she does for clients adn for herself, Hajj combines old world classicism with unusual treasures from around the world.  For texture in her rooms she uses antique rugs and wall hangings.  Hajj brings an intimacy to her design that displays her client's personality. This is a great source book for anyone looking for design inspiration."

Now you know what we Huffingtons will be doing the next rainy Sunday that comes our way - our noses will be buried in gorgeous, elegant books and our imaginations happily running wild.

Ta ta.