Strolling up the street to get a cup of coffee, we wondered into one of our favorite bookstores here on the east side, Ivanhoe Books. They have such a wonderful selection of art, design, photography, and antique books. One of my favorite rare books, Unseen Versailles, came from here (more on this book to come.) If you've never been, definitely check it out, you can find out more about them here.
Being completely obsessed with all things Regency these days, the cover of Tony Duquette's dizzying coffee table book, "More is More" caught my eye. From first glance, "More is More" had me spiraling into Duquette's world of mad cap opulence. I had remembered reading about him a while back and being totally awestruck at his eccentric creative genius and over the top aesthetic. A Hollywood Bon Vivant, costume, set, and jewelry designer during this cities glittering golden age, Duquette transformed his compound into a sort of technicolor Shangri-La dreamscape times a thousand. Taking elements of Chinoiserie, Victorian, Regency, Mid Century, and pretty much every other genre you can think of and turning them on their heads while bejeweling and gilding everything in sight (including, quite literally, the kitchen sink). Duquette's home and all that he has created are the stuff of dreams. While his taste may not be for everyone, the books forward is scribed by none other than John Galliano, so it's good enough for me.
To find out more and get lost in Mr. Duquette's magic world, check out his website here.
Comments