Domicilium Decoratus

Domicilium Decoratus showcases interior designer Kelly Wearstler's personal Beverly Hills estate through a collection of striking photographs and design commentary. The 2006 HarperCollins publication presents room-by-room documentation of the property's dramatic transformation and innovative design elements. The book combines architectural photography with fashion elements, featuring images of Wearstler herself styled in evening wear throughout the estate. Each space reveals her signature approach to mixing periods, textures, and unconventional color combinations within a historic California property. The volume serves as both a documentation of a significant Beverly Hills residence and a statement on contemporary West Coast design aesthetics. Through its pages, Wearstler presents a bold counterpoint to traditional East Coast decorating sensibilities while establishing her distinct vision for modern luxury interiors. The work stands as a representation of early 2000s design culture and the emergence of personality-driven interior design media. Its lasting influence can be seen in how design books evolved to blend lifestyle, fashion, and decor into comprehensive style statements.

Readers describe this book as more of a portfolio showcase than a practical design guide. Many view it as a coffee table book focused on displaying Wearstler's bold, maximalist aesthetic through photos of her Beverly Hills home. What readers liked: - High quality photography - Unique styling ideas - Behind-the-scenes look at designer's personal space - Production value and paper quality What readers disliked: - Limited practical design advice or tips - Text feels secondary to images - Price point too high for content provided - Style too eccentric for mainstream tastes Ratings: Amazon: 3.9/5 (47 reviews) Goodreads: 3.7/5 (89 reviews) Sample review quotes: "Beautiful photos but light on substance" - Amazon reviewer "More art book than how-to guide" - Goodreads reviewer "Inspiring but not necessarily applicable to real homes" - LibraryThing reviewer "Worth it for the photography alone" - Amazon reviewer

The World of Madeleine Castaing by Emily Evans Eerdmans This autobiography captures the eccentric design approach of a 20th-century French decorator who mixed periods and patterns with the same fearless philosophy as Wearstler.

The Perfect Room by Barbara Sallick The founder of Waterworks demonstrates room-by-room techniques for creating spaces with strong architectural elements and layered materials.

S Is for Style by Kate Smith This reference guide breaks down interior design into 26 style concepts with photographic examples of spaces that combine unexpected elements.

Tony Duquette by Wendy Goodman and Hutton Wilkinson This monograph documents the maximalist interiors and design philosophy of a Hollywood designer who shared Wearstler's appetite for dramatic spaces and unusual combinations.

More Is More by Sig Bergamin This portfolio presents the Brazilian architect's method of combining patterns, colors, and cultural references in bold interior compositions.

🌟 Wearstler was named "America's Most Wanted Decorator" by Vogue magazine in the same year Domicilium Decoratus was published. 🌟 The Hillcrest Estate featured in the book was originally built in the 1920s as a Spanish Colonial Revival mansion and served as the residence of film producer James Cagney. 🌟 The photo shoots for the book required over 50 costume changes, with Wearstler appearing in vintage couture pieces from designers like Dior and Yves Saint Laurent. 🌟 Each room in the estate features at least one vintage piece from the 1940s or 1950s, reflecting Wearstler's signature style of mixing periods and genres. 🌟 The book's title "Domicilium Decoratus" is Latin for "decorated dwelling," chosen to reflect both the classical influences in Wearstler's design and her modern interpretation of luxury living.