. I checked back in with my reader's from the Summer Reading Series. Here's where they are and what they said- An Aesthete's Lament
The one I am reading right now?I just finished (last night) "Rage for Fame," a biography of Clare Boothe Luce ... The next book I shall read is "Conversation Pieces" by Mario Praz ...
There is a growing stack (In House, More is More - Tony Duquette, and the new book on David Hicks among them) that I have not even had a chance to look at. This is a very bad habit. I still haven't yet read Pat Montadon's book (2007) or Kevin Sessum's Mississippi Sissy (2007). And, the books I ordered last week (Divas on Screen being among those) are due in on Tuesday! But I digress, in answer to your question I am currently reading: Madeleine Vionnet by Pamela Golbin (new), Wallace Neff and the Grand Houses of the Golden State by Diane Kanner (2005), and Mother of Sorrows by Richard McCann (2005)
And undoubtedly next week I will look at the bookcase with all my unread books and think, but, there is nothing to read! Oh, the caprice of it all.
JCB Oh, I am never reading just one book! Right now: Angela Davis-Gardner, Plum Wine.
"A mystery that unfolds as beautifully, delicately, and ceremoniously as a lotus blossom. One of the most memorable novels I have read in many years." —Lee Smith, author of The Last Girls & Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Blithedale Romance. I am organizing my book week for next month...and will finally write that little piece on seasonal reading you suggested (inspired by the Paris Review interviews).le style et la matiereBooks? You do mean books, don't you? The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins (rereading - inspired by a certain LA post); The Art of Arts by Anita Albus profound reflections on painting, art, symbols of human life through an examination of Dutch art and thinkers of various cultures; Decorating is Fun by Dorothy Draper (I understand Jennifer Boles' inspiration; they are both light and breezy but get down to important brass tacks in an original way); Ghost Stories by Edith Wharton (seasonal yes, but I'd never read these and they are worth reading at anytime)... Mrs BlandingsI am reading the Cecil Beaton biography by Hugo Vickers &Emily Evans Eerdmann’s Classic English Design and Antiques. Can’t wait to see what else is on everyone’s bedside tables!& MeIf nothing else-checking back in with all makes me know I am not alone. As HOBAC says of his growing stack-And undoubtedly next week I will look at the bookcase with all my unread books and think, but, there is nothing to read! Oh, the caprice of it all.Currently reading- Clarence John Laughlin Prophet Without Honor by A.J. Meek, along with reviewing his published photography books. When I want to switch it up- I go to Ottoline Morrell: Life on theGrand Scale by Miranda Seymour.On my groaning bedside table, next up- Journey Into The Mind's Eye by Lesley Blanch and The House of Life by Mario Praz. Both books recommended by AAL and the Lesley Blanch book by Lucindaville. On the book's jacket, Blanch writes "My book is not altogether autobiography, nor altogether travel or history either. You will just have to invent a new category." In the fiction category-Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel the 2009 Booker Prize winner.
Recently a favorite blogger- House of Beauty and Culture- stopped curating his almost daily postings. A favorite, an inspiration. It seems much like a favorite book- reading through and when finished- You don't want it to end- You don't- but it does. You remember it, quote it- it leaves a lasting impression. now playing
What Books are on your Summer reading list?
Downcast Eyes: The Denigration of Vision in Twentieth-Century French Thought by Martin Jay
BrightYoung People: The Rise and Fall of a Generation 1918-1940 by D.J. Taylor
Rougues' Gallery by Michael Gross
Iris Origo by Caroline Moorehead
Maeve Brennan: Homesick at the New Yorker by Angela Bourke
Little Me by Patrick Dennis
Diary of a Drag Queen by Daniel Harris
Madeleine Castaing by Jean-Noel Liaut
Geoffrey Beene by Kim Hastreiter
Is there one book you honestly don’t expect to get to? Why?
Don't think I will finish the Castaing book. Only because it is in French and requires a greater degree of attention.
Where do you read and When? Does the genre you are reading dictate the place you read- in other words, Do you take just any old book to bed?
I read on the sofa, better known here as the raft of the Medusa, in the living room. The book and time depends entirely on the mood. Which works well as there are usually three on the go.
What is you all time Favorite Book for its sense of place?
What is your most recent purchase in this category?
why?
I find creative people interesting.
What is your Security Blanket Book?
What about Books you are reading for a second or third time? Why? Any disappointments on second reading?
Don't reread per say, I dip back into for favourite passages.
Latest Obsession Author, Designer, Photographer?
Going out on a limb here –define LIBRARY in the nontraditional sense?
Anything (whether it be fabric samples, images, or music) that is referenced and serves as an inspiration.
...this answer I adore. It says what I could not quite put into words. Indeed, that is what the Blog -House of Beauty of Culture was for Me- and likely other of its readers,
How do you define A Library? a beautiful book waits for your answer-What does a Library look like at your house? music, textiles, children's books, photo albums? I'd love to hear about it-the book HOME awaits you- HOME by STAFFORD CLIFF (pb) "5o Tastemakers describe what it is, Where it is, What it means."
"Rose Cumming was well known for using candlelight to illuminate her shop. A customer stopped in and insisted on seeing a particular fabric in the sunlight. Rose consented but proceeded to roll the entire bolt of fabric across Madison Avenue so that the customer could get a clear view . She then refused to make the sale, offended by the customer's audacity." from the Dessin Fournir- Rose Cumming files
the Scene
(Rose Cumming-Dessin Fournir archive)
I can see Rose Cumming- lavender hair - casting a bolt of one of her famous chintzes like DELPHINIUM across Madison Avenue with tender care - her potential buyer in wanton shock as she is flattered and frightened-both at once.
(I envision DELPHINIUM- one of her own and still made in the 46" wide fashion of yesterday,when last I checked. )
Wouldn't it be perfect on a little bench? I wonder if it will fade? Would it be too much? I think I may only need a yard or so? But will there be a seam? etc. etc.
Absolutely Not! Never on JUST a bench. These glazed cotton chintz masters were made to fill a room with, just as one might fill the room with fresh bouquets.
Rose Cumming DELPHINIUM this could have been the one
ROSE's Delphinium accompanied by LACE in blue, and CABBAGE ROSE
LACE is a Not to be Beat old fashioned print that I used in a guest room- curtains at the down cushioned window seat, a pair of little french beds with LACE spreads and old lace pillows.
a ROSE by any other name is not This Rose
from Dessin Fournir
Could a room resplendent in DELPHINIUM cotton glazed chintz be in your future?
Are you brave enough in today's world of sanitized sleeping quarters, Kelly Werstler kitsch cribs, ethereal white fluff fantasy suites-to break out of the mold and go CHINTZ?
