- ISBN13: 9780847831739
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description
New York City–based couple Robert and Cortney Novogratz have been renovating and designing unique and hip homes for families for over ten years. Describing their signature style as a sophisticated but bohemian mix of high and low, new and old, they offer their realistic advice on how to create original, warm interiors with ease. One part practical guide, one part inspirational volume on creating a look for the home, the book pairs humorous anecdotes about the pit… More >>
Downtown Chic: Designing Your Dream Home: From Wreck to Ravishing
Tags: Chic, Designing, Downtown, Dream, from, Home, Ravishing, Wreck
#1 by curiousmonkey on March 29, 2010 - 12:42 am
They know how to make a room look seamless with a mottled assortment of antiques. This book is a look at creative design at its best.
Rating: 4 / 5
#2 by book lover on March 29, 2010 - 12:49 am
From the opening paragraphs of Downtown Chic, I realized I had bought a book from a former Wall St stockbroker and his wife and thought “this is the adventure our capital has funded (to quote John Stewart), and now I’ve bought a book about it. I feel duped.” I wondered what this book had to do with me and all the DIYers who struggle to navigate the expensive, complicated, nail-biting process of taking a home from wreck to ravishing. My “idea” book shelf is extensive but somehow this book doesn’t earn a place on it.
Perhaps it was too much of the same old advise– like bring home a container of artifacts from European vacations — or too many vanity pictures, which gave me the feeling they were writing the book as a promotion vehicle for their new design business. Mostly, it was realizing that while I appreciate the risks they took and the difficulties they faced, it’s just not relevant…unless you have million dollar windfalls.
I took my loss and returned it.
Rating: 2 / 5
#3 by Cheryl L. Wermuth on March 29, 2010 - 3:41 am
This book is not only decorating sensible, it is also entertaining. It’s beautiful to look at and read. It has front and center placement on my coffee table and everyone picks it up and makes comments similar to mine. The Novagratz family is adorable and incredibly talented. Thank you Cortney and Robert.
Rating: 5 / 5
#4 by Student of Life on March 29, 2010 - 5:22 am
Every page of this book is graced with gorgeous photography, inspiring quotes and insights on how to think imaginatively about interior design. But it’s more than just a show and tell. The unending supply of fantastic ideas is wrapped inside a compelling story of a family who had the courage to do things differently.
Rating: 5 / 5
#5 by Charles Leak on March 29, 2010 - 6:19 am
Robert, Cortney and Elizabeth Novogratz put together a GREAT book filled with wonderful stories and advice as well as fantastic photos of their remarkable design. I think anyone would enjoy this book particularly those interested in home design. The book will also appeal to those of us who love before/after photos. The Novogratz’ convert old lots and buildings into diamonds and they offer wonderful tips along their journey. It will touch all whether those who appreciate our the finer things or those who appreciate the finer things (but on a much leaner budget). They come up with wonderful ideas on how to design high end at a low cost.
I forgot to mention that they also do all of this while raising a brood of children in New York City.
This isn’t your everyday design book… it is much much more.
Rating: 5 / 5