Books, Books, and More Books

While in Toronto, I was part of an interesting conversation about design and books led by the founder of Indigo Books, Heather Reisman.  She said there are two types of book lovers.  The first are voracious readers who always have a book with them and buy a new book before they finished with their current book.  The second are book collectors, people who love books because they are beautiful and remind them of certain times in their life.  Clearly I fall in the latter category as I think most people do in the worlds of design and fashion. I admire books not just for their content but their beautiful covers and history.  I love to display them so I can see them each day.  This was definitely something I thought about when working on my book Creativity at Work.  It's rare that people sit down to read coffee table books but I'm thrilled that so many are doing just that and also love its orange cover.  In honor of all the book collectors out there, I've put together a compilation of my favorite libraries and bookshelves.  Enjoy. 

via Elle Decor

Kelly Klein Residence

Julia Leach via Lonny

Estee Stanley via Lonny

Minnie Mortimer

Minnie Mortimer

via Nuevo Estilo 

Stefano Tonchi

via Elle Decor

via Domino

Diane Von Furstenberg

Blair Voltz Clarke via Lonny

via Lonny

Veere Greeney

via Domino

Julia Leach

Lorenzo Castillo

Nigella Lawson

Thank you!

As I embark on my last book signing for Creativity at Work until the new year, I want to take the time to thank you all.  Thank you to everyone who has bought the book and sent me kind messages and thank you to all the showrooms and stores who have hosted signings.  They include, Design Legacy, Archivia Books, Indigo Books, Hudson Grace, Jayson Home, and Flair Home.  

My friend recently told me the story of a book signing he attended for a fashion designer.  He was told that the designer would not speak to anyone.  What's the point of scheduling a signing if you're not going to be nice to your fans?!  The best part of book signings is meeting people in person whom I've only interacted with online.  It's fun to meet long time blog readers and those who just found the site.  I love asking what everyone does and I enjoy talking to those who work in design and those who wish they did. Hopefully, the book will inspire some to take a leap. 

It's also been very exciting and surreal to see my Creativity at Work on the shelves of two of my favorite stores in New York, Bergdorfs and Barneys. The response has been great and I'm so thrilled that so many of you are enjoying it.  If you haven't picked up a copy yet, I hope you will check it out or consider it for a holiday gift. The ability to photograph and write a second book depends on how well the first one does, so I hope you will support the book and me. 

I will announce book signings for 2013 as soon as they are confirmed. 

Thank you and Happy Holidays! 

HC

Giving Thanks

As my father reminded me the other day, I have a lot to be thankful this year.  I'm grateful to everyone who bought my book Creativity at Work, stopped by all of my events, and sent me lovely messages.  We're almost ready for a second printing so if you want a first edition, I'd grab one now. 

I'm also super excited that my next signing will be at my favorite store in Chicago, Jayson Home, on Thursday, November 29th. Hope to see you there! 

Happy Thanksgiving! 

XOXO, 

HC

Taigan Holiday Gift Guide

As a busy person, I appreciate a good gift guide to help me navigate the holiday season. Taigan has tapped ten tastemakers to share their favorite holiday finds in a variety of categories in their Holiday Catalog.  New mom and magazine editor Tori Mellott has chosen her favorites "For the Tots" and Emily Weiss of Into the Gloss gives picks for "The Beauty Guru"among others including me. Since I'm a new author, Taigan asked me to choose my favorite tomes "For the Bookworm". It should making shopping easier for everyone.  And if you're looking for a gift for me, I'll gladly take that vintage copy of Out of Africa.  

Happy Shopping!

On Location

I was very excited that my friends at Lonny not only wanted to feature photos from my new book Creativity at Work in their November 2012 issue but also give you a peek into my own workspace.  I would love to have a separate office but to keep overhead low, I work from a desk in the corner of my living room. I'm very lucky to have two large south facing windows that let in lots of light. I'm also surrounded my all of my favorite books and artwork just like the subjects in my book.  Lonny has an exclusive look at three subjects, landscape designer Miranda Brooks, J.Crew creative director Jenna Lyons, and Jack Gerson, the head of print and pattern for Coach. Hope you will pop over to Lonny and check them out. 

Photos by Brittany Ambridge for Lonny

Thanks Who What Wear!

I am sure some of you are totally sick of me posting about my book but your first book is only published once so I hope you will allow me some leeway. Especially because I was beyond excited to learn that Katherine Power and Hillary Kerr of Who What Wear not only loved Creativity at Work but wanted to highlight it on their amazing site.  They have ten exclusive images that didn't make it into their book online here.  I'm extremely grateful for all the kind words and compliments about the book too.  It was a true labor of love meant to inspire and I've been happy to learn that it is indeed inspiring many of you. 

It also occurred to me that those of you who ordered the book on Amazon saved $20 off the cover price.  Perhaps you could donate that money to the Red Cross to help those still struggling to recover from Sandy.  The hardest hit areas where people lost their homes and lives are Staten Island and Queens who are still in our thoughts and prayers right now. Thank you.