700 Nimes Road
by Catherine Opie
Although her romantic entanglements made for tabloid fodder, Elizabeth Taylor found a closely guarded sanctuary at her whirl of a home. Now, through the lens of celebrated photographer Catherine Opie— spurred on by the likes of William Eggleston’s series on Elvis Presley’s Graceland—Taylor’s private passions and possessions are on full display throughout this thoughtfully curated monograph. In it, find the slightly abstract to the movingly intimate (portraits of past loves Richard Burton and Mike Todd, her children, Oscar statuettes and missives from loved ones). There’s even a shelf of angel books, miniature shoes and, of course, those shimmering jewels, none more glittering than Taylor herself. Fittingly, this one is a true gem.
$60, Prestel.com
Absolutely Beautiful Things: Decorating Inspiration for a Bright and Colorful Life
by Anna Spiro
In this new title, designer Anna Spiro shows her flair for creating uplifting spaces through color and creative chutzpah. Whether pairing one-off pieces with vintage finds or arranging textiles and fabrics to finished effect, Spiro’s penchant for a vibrant palette makes for happy, textured spaces that tell the life stories of their inhabitants. Chapters segue from explorations of how Spiro happened upon her own style to more practical resources and a room guide for picking furnishings. Together, they encourage armchair designers to discover and enhance their own sense of style—eclectic or classy, patterned or patina.
$21.77 (via Amazon), OctopusBooks.co.uk
Modern Mix: Curating Personal Style With Chic & Accessible Finds
by Eddie Ross with Jaithan Kochar
Thrilled by the hunt, mix maestro Eddie Ross amasses his unabashed love of all things colorful and collected in this richly hued style guide, which delves into myriad lifestyle realms—interiors, collecting and entertaining—via a profusion of color and curios. Using his own homes in New York and Pine Hill Farm as examples, Ross immerses readers in pattern and personality, pairing old and new elements to create fabulous spaces. Smartly organizing his renaissance-man savvy in chapters titled Inspire, Discover, Acquire, Restore, Curate, Mix, Style and Entertain, Ross presents life, vibrantly lived.
$45, Gibbs-Smith.com
Photos Courtesy of Conran Octopus, Prestel and Gibbs-smith