Friday, October 3, 2014

BIBLIOPHILE CHIC

I always love when we do our seasonal trips into New York for window shopping, visual meetings and think tanks and visits to showrooms,(alas, Marc was not present again, curses!) because it always gives me and the team an excuse to stay in even longer and do some fun things like shopping and cock-a-tails. We finished really early on Thursday , so the team and I headed to the Plaza Hotel for our destination........Assouline’s


Do you covet books?
Do ‘slip covers’ emit a siren’s call?
Do lavish titles lure you in?
Does a row of book spines induce mental orgasam, always finishing in ‘take me home’?
If yes, you would LOVE Assouline's. If you have visited Assouline, the answer  to any of the questions above is probably yes, the publishing house has elevated the picture book into a coveted luxury item, slip-covered with a stylish brand experience.  Assouline is the 21st century tastemakers’ publisher of choice and an award winning cultural force. Prosper Assouline combines technical brilliance with passionate charm.  He works in partnership with his supremely stylish wife Martine, the editorial eye, together they embody the brand which they have printed  into existence.

Their stores are ‘culture lounges’ stunning... inspired by  libraries a color palette of rich red, cream and dark walnut with an Art Deco feel. Each store has signature elements which affirm their values, a ‘Mondrian’ style  wall of books displays the ‘books as art’ and a Didot ‘Alphabet carpet’ laid underfoot. Layered into this scene are vintage books, one-off curio items and Assouline lifestyle products such as book ends, their world famous scented candles and leather totes, both of which sucked me in!


A great place to get coffee table books which I love to have on hand when company is here visiting.


have you ever seen a bookshop like it? I just wanted to be on THAT ottoman, book in hand, all afternoon!!!! But after that it was off for a late lunch at Soho House......


If you watched Sex and the City, it may look familiar to you as the place where Samantha Jones tries to get herself and the girls into for their stunning pool on the roof, after she tries to impersonate a member of the club, and eventually gets caught. My boss is a member there so it was off lunch, and the place was soooooo chic......I was ready to move right in............


 I'm dying to see what the rooms and apartments look like!!!!I tell you, I would have no problem living in hotels and luxury condos.......and their menu was delish!!!!


Uh...yeah, and the champagne glass? TOTALLY NOT MINE.
burp.....

19 comments:

  1. Oooooo, that is some bookstore. I think I could get lost in there. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Now THAT is a bookstore I would love to visit!

    ReplyDelete
  3. When I have time to kill, I love stopping in at Assouline! The photography books collection is out of this world. Not to mention the coffee at the Plaza bar.

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a beautiful post!!!! I can remember when we lived in New York. I and the girls would do weekly tea, and then head to Assouline and browse. What a great place and so chic and comfortable, you wouldn't want to leave. So glad there is still a place like this for quality books. Looks like a great time for you and your cohorts.

    ReplyDelete
  5. squeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! books and cock-a-tails! I love em both!

    ReplyDelete
  6. now THAT's a destination.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Just what the casa needs for you and the house boys......... more picture books.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Now that is a bookstore!!!!!! I still have books in my home from as far back as my college days. There is just something comforting about being surrounded by all of them. Like a house full of friends. Quiet friends you can put away when you tire of them. I would love to see this place. Looks like it was a nice day.

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a great place!!!!! Where to start? I love coffee table books, but I don't know they have the ones I like in there!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I do love this line of designer books, and I love books period, but especially when they're displayed pretty like this. And in the Plaza yet!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. You found my weakness. What is it about books for me? I love how they're art on the outside and fantastic literature or more art on the inside. Nothing like it in the world. Keep your Kindle I say.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love everyhting, and every place, book.
    I am a book whore.
    There. I said it.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Where do I sign up for your job again????? What two fabulous places!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Books are amazing and perfect as a home décor you can also learn from! Totally love this post...so my inspiration for my bookshelf:)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love books so much! I mean, I love to read but I also love just to look at them, and the coffeetable books too, and be surrounded by them. Stories abound! haha get it. Looks like an fun day. I see you above...lounging.......

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love books....so you'd have to drag me out of this place, and its so comfy.i wish I had more time to read though. Soho House!!!!!! You go Samantha! Place look great. Gave me an idea for lunch.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love books and love spending time at my favorite bookstores. I buy them when I find them interesting. It's so good to see the books sit in my shelves. I just need more time to read. I tried a kindle, but gave it away......I enjoy touching paper pages and flipping one after another. I love the smell of books and love to feel its weight on my hands as well

    ReplyDelete
  18. Stunning!!!!! Both places!!!! I saw more than a few fashion books that caught my eye!!!! Kindle? Yuck. Keep it.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Unfortunately, I'm rather conservative and borrow most of the books I read from the library. I have a collection of leather-bound classics that I adore. BUT I could spend hours in there, so cool looking and the way they display.....

    ReplyDelete

Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!