The House in Good Taste

The House in Good Taste is a seminal 1913 interior design book by Elsie de Wolfe, America's first professional decorator, offering timeless advice on creating elegant, comfortable, and personal homes by rejecting clutter and dark Victorian styles for simplicity, light, and functional beauty, advocating for principles like using white paint, comfortable chairs, and natural light that remain influential today. Key themes and advice Simplicity over ostentation: De Wolfe encouraged getting rid of heavy draperies and clutter to let in light and create a more open feel. Comfort and function: She emphasized creating livable spaces with comfortable chairs, good lighting, and open fires, making the home a reflection of the owner's personality. Color palette: She famously advocated for "plenty of optimism and white paint," along with beige and ivory, as a base for decor. Attainability: Despite decorating for the wealthy, she believed her principles of elegant, comfortable living were accessible to everyone. Timelessness: The book, compiled from her articles, provides enduring advice that shaped 20th-century American interior design. Content and style Written in a witty, conversational, and personal tone, drawing from her own experiences decorating homes in New York and Europe. Includes practical advice on specific rooms like bedrooms, dressing rooms, and even small apartments, illustrated with period photographs. Covers fundamental design principles like color, form, line, harmony, and proportion.…