Holly’s Books
Introducing Holly's NEW book on Palm Beach Interior Design!
Take a secret peek into eight elegant, timeless and tailored houses.
Foreword by Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill.
A private invitation is to be cherished! You will be treated to a rare peek into refined houses that are not flashy or done-up, but joyful, charming, and enchanting in their understated sophistication.
Holly Holden, an expert designer, television producer and host to some of the world's greatest houses, opens the doors to eight privately owned homes in Palm Beach. The unique "darling details" section, focuses on the quintessential decorative details found in traditional Palm Beach houses. The essence of quiet understatement, like wearing a classic string of pearls, is beautifully revealed on each page through hundreds of photographs and dozens of personal stories. Holly has opened the doors for you, do come in and take a peek!
Testimonials
308 Splendid Pages!
Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: English House
Chapter 2: Irish House
Chapter 3: Lucky House
Chapter 4: Preppy Condo
Chapter 5: John Volk House
Chapter 6: La Maison Jolie!
Chapter 7: Lake House
Chapter 8: Pink House
The Pretty and Proper Living Room
“For those who admire taste and style, Holly Holden has it all. I would follow her advice every time.”
A few years ago Holly Holden's daughter, Alexandra, posed the following question to her mother: "How do I create my first 'Big Girl' house?" Alexandra wanted to create a house with elegance, sophistication and refinement. Holly was well-suited to answer her daughter's questions since, at that point in time, she had been designing stately rooms for more than twenty years. As Holly began to write down a few notes to educate and guide her daughter, The Pretty and Proper Living Room was born.
Over the next two and a half years, Holly worked constantly to distill her considerable experience down to a set of rules that was easy to follow and easy to understand. The Pretty and Proper Living Room is meant to be both a guide and a reference. The book introduces newcomers to the prevalent themes of formal decorating. Everyone can appreciate the regal charm of a tailored room, but there has never been a gentle manual about how to create one... until now.
The book is as entertaining as it is informative. Personal anecdotes of Holly's experiences as a designer, a mother, and a hostess are interwoven with detailed descriptions of the must have items for a formal living room. The book is replete with practical advice about how to acquire, display, and maintain these items. Each chapter ends with a set of Forbidden Faux Pas that explain common design mistakes and points of etiquette.
The Pretty and Proper Living Room contains 378 full color pages and more than 1000 photographs. The book is organized into three sections:
Aristocratic Accessories
Old Guard Furniture and Rugs
Stately Lighting and Wall Art
Within each section are chapters that focus on specific items found in a genteel living room. The chapters are:
Pretty Porcelains and Pottery
Polished Picture Frames
Charming Collections and Petite Vignettes
Preppy and Posh Pillows
Elegant Entertaining
Regal Rugs
Sumptuous Seating
Fine Furniture
Classic Chandeliers and Wall Sconces
Lovely Lamps and Candlesticks
Magnificent Mirrors and Wall Art
Additionally the book includes:
A foreword by Michael E. Scully
Holly's 13 Secrets of Classic Old-School Interiors
An in-depth conclusion that showcases six actual living rooms from real houses
A guide to attending auctions
A guide list of museums with relevant exhibits
A guide to Holly's recommend sources for goods and services
An index
A glossary
In The Pretty and Proper Living Room, Holly speaks of formal design as a "secret code;" an oral tradition that is passed down from generation to generation. The secret code spells out a style that is timeless and tailored. Readers of The Pretty and Proper Living Room will be able to apply the knowledge in the book to create their own stately interiors with the goal of decorating once... for a lifetime.