Product Description

The life and work of the groundbreaking interior designer and inventor of the "California Look."

One of the most innovative, imitated, and internationally respected design icons of the twentieth century, Michael Taylor brought with him a new vision that changed California's, and the profession's, approach to interiors. More than fifty of his commissions and other projects, ranging from classical to "Californian," illustrate the breadth of his talent.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #126928 in Books
• Published on: 2009-01-26
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 325 pages

Review
A gorgeously illustrated book makes for a celebration of [Taylor's] lasting California heritage works. (Midwest Book Review )

More than just another pretty coffee table book, Michael Taylor Interior Design is an entertaining and enlightening text on one of America’s most important designers. (HGTV.com )

Most people will probably by the book just for the wonderful photographs of his work, but the text by Stephen Salny is rich. (Newell Turner, Style Director of House Beautiful )

Why do these rooms still make us want to walk right in and sit right down? Stephen M. Salny’s new book, Michael Taylor: Interior Design reminds us why….Taylor’s legacy lives on…in the work of countless designers today. (Veranda )

[A] beautiful survey of his work and its influence on interior design today. A gorgeous book for coffee tables, it is also filled with ideas for your home. (Malibu Times )

[L]avishly illustrated, obsessively documented…gives the influential designer his due. (Steve Oney - Los Angeles Magazine )

[R]eveals clever twists on old-money, old-world interiors and a brawny rustic modernism that still resonates today. (Los Angeles Times )

[T]horoughly researched, well written, and beautifully illustrated….a valuable addition to the design literature. (Stanley Abercrombie - Interior Design )

About the Author
Stephen M. Salny, the author of Frances Elkins: Interior Design, lives in Baltimore, Maryland.

Customer Reviews

From the Creator of California Style
Michael Taylor was a California-focused interior designer, who created "California Style," and made it popular outside of the state. This retrospective of 46 of his projects is organized by house, starting in 1956 and going to 1985. The introduction also includes pictures from Taylor's own home, Sea Cliff in San Francisco, the Fleur de Lys restaurant in San Francisco and the Auberge du Soleil resort in Napa Valley. The book is in full color, with many full page illustrations and commentary about all. There are many interesting asides about Taylor and his clients, making this more than just a retrospective of his work, but also one on the relationships he developed with each of his clients. Some of the older photographs are not as crisp as the more modern ones, but the coverage of the houses is superb, and the decoration that Taylor pioneered is excellent. Seeing the design work done chronologically also allows the ability to see how Taylor evolved as a designer, and how popular taste changed as well. Recommended for professional and amateur designers, and anyone who enjoys home touring.

A Must -- The Essential Michael Taylor
In this beautiful, exhaustively researched book, the author brings to vivid focus both the elegant simplicity and comfortably luxe opulence which were benchmarks of the designer's grand vision--a fine cross-section of which is presented in this book. Michael Taylor's own inspirations are generously acknowledged, but here his on-going legacy and influence become most obvious. In the end picture, nobody else could put it all together with such appropriate eclat! How fortunate we are to be well reminded of this fact.

Terrific
An amazing picture of an amazing design talent. Very good addition to your design/decorating library.