In Praise of Books

The “Bookshelf Wealth” trend is about more than just the books. Decorative objects, travel mementos, and sculptures add to the mix, making a truly individual statement–a visual snapshot of the homeowner’s interests.

The “Bookshelf Wealth” trend is about more than just the books. Decorative objects, travel mementos, and sculptures add to the mix, making a truly individual statement–a visual snapshot of the homeowner’s interests.

Photo by Gross & Daley

Social media influences culture, with ‘trends’ popping up on platforms like Instagram (see us at @glenngisslerdesign) or TikTok vying for our attention.

There is one recent craze with a catchy, but sorta silly name that did garner my attention: “Bookshelf Wealth,” here summarized by The New York Times, “…there has lately been much ado about people who own a great number of books and — this is critical — have managed to stage them in a pleasing manner.” 

And it is not only the Times that has written about the trend: House Beautiful, Apartment Therapy, and Architectural Digest have all weighed in! 

I mostly welcome the focus on owning books because there has been a seismic shift in reading preferences in the digital age, with more and more people choosing online content over traditional books and other printed matter.

For this client in Litchfield County, Connecticut, we lined the entire library perimeter with floor-to-ceiling shelves to accommodate their vast collection of books. The royal purple is a playful choice counterbalanced by the buttery-yellow paint.

For this client in Litchfield County, Connecticut, we lined the entire library perimeter with floor-to-ceiling shelves to accommodate their vast collection of books. The royal purple is a playful choice counterbalanced by the buttery-yellow paint.

I grew up in a home with lots of books, accumulated by my father as a newspaper journalist with curiosity about history, great books, the youth culture of the 1960s and 70s, feminism, politics, urban planning, and much more. Despite feeling ‘oppressed’ by the abundance and pervasiveness of HIS books during my rebellious teenage years, I looked at more than a few of them, expanding my worldview knowledge of history and eventually developing my own passions, including books. 

My book collection really started in high school, gaining increased momentum during the seven years I was in college, collecting seminal and influential books on architectural and design history, as well as contemporary architecture and design. As a self-described ‘perpetual student,’ I have found endless inspiration from printed matter, and unlike some people who are content with borrowing books from a library, I like to keep my books around me!  



An armless sofa with silk velvet cushions in my Brooklyn Heights living room provides the perfect spot to consider the many volumes that stand at the ready on my bookshelves.

An armless sofa with silk velvet cushions in my Brooklyn Heights living room provides the perfect spot to consider the many volumes that stand at the ready on my bookshelves.

The library in my Greek Revival home in Litchfield County, Connecticut, is populated with a collection of vessels, decorative objects, and furnishings. I encourage guests to spend time here, considering one (or more!) of the books on a pair of shelves there.

The library in my Greek Revival home in Litchfield County, Connecticut, is populated with a collection of vessels, decorative objects, and furnishings. I encourage guests to spend time here, considering one (or more!) of the books on a pair of shelves there.

Many decades later, between my apartment in Brooklyn Heights, my weekend house in Litchfield County, and my design studio, my extensive collection includes countless (I don’t dare count!) design, architecture, cultural history, fashion, art, and photography books, modern literature, unique artist books, rare editions, and signed copies by Andy Warhol and Patti Smith.

Today, like nearly everyone, I spend too much time viewing digital technology, but I deeply appreciate printed matter and the tactile experience of reading on paper. Many of my design clients also share a love for books. People’s book collections are often a revealing and very personal history of their evolving interests and subjects they enjoy.

The physicality of books is an entirely different experience than viewing a screen; typeface and paper selection matter, well-conceived and edited printed images, double-page spreads, and detail images selected to inspire,  And so, in designing spaces, I almost always incorporate books, sometimes a LOT of books, and if space allows, I include objects or artwork and implement practical solutions like short horizontal shelves for oversized books. 



We imagined a creative way to utilize the alcove at the bottom of this sweeping staircase in a duplex near the United Nations.
Sherwin Williams’ Languid Blue 6226 bathes the ceiling of this Carnegie Hill entryway, inviting family and friends to relax in the way porch ceilings–painted in a similar shade–do in the American South. Follow this link to see the rest of this home.

In one New York City duplex apartment, we designed curved bookshelves below a sweeping stairway, emphasizing the integration of books into living spaces. Another home I designed has 1,000 art books, and another has a vast library covering a broad range of classic literature.



Custom built-in bookshelves wrap the perimeter of this apartment on lower 5th Avenue, which holds more than 1000 books revealing the history of art. As such, the dining table doubles as a home office and research space.

Custom built-in bookshelves wrap the perimeter of this apartment on lower 5th Avenue, which holds more than 1000 books revealing the history of art. As such, the dining table doubles as a home office and research space.

For clients with a collection of rare art books and first editions, we designed elegant cases with glass fronts to protect them from dust and excess humidity.

For clients with a collection of rare art books and first editions, we designed elegant cases with glass fronts to protect them from dust and excess humidity.

Looking into the future, it’s hard to predict how changes in publishing will impact printed matter. Some suggest books will go the way of the dinosaur; others think they’ll be more appreciated than ever. I am in the latter camp, so here’s to gathering “Bookshelf Wealth!”

Considering Ceilings

I used a wallpaper from Farrow & Ball for the ceiling of my library in Litchfield County, Connecticut. The metallic glint of the bumblebees adds movement while reflecting the generous ambient light - glorious in the day and at night! The classicist T.H Robsjohn-Gibbings is well-represented in this room with Klismos chairs, a vintage Robsjohn-Gibbings for Dunbar table with arches and a rare Robsjohn-Gibbings sofa draped in an antique Suzani textile lending gravitas to the space.
I used a wallpaper from Farrow & Ball for the ceiling of my library in Litchfield County, Connecticut. The metallic glint of the bumblebees adds movement while reflecting the generous ambient light – glorious in the day and at night! The classicist T.H Robsjohn-Gibbings is well-represented in this room with Klismos chairs, a vintage Robsjohn-Gibbings for Dunbar table with arches and a rare Robsjohn-Gibbings sofa draped in an antique Suzani textile lending gravitas to the space.  

Photo by Gross & Daley

“Ceilings must always be considered. They are the most neglected surface in a room”

– Albert Hadley

The ‘neglect’ of ceilings may have been the case in the zeitgeist of American interiors in the mid-to-late 20th century when Albert Hadley practiced the craft with his legendary counterpart Sister Parish. However, a longer review of decorative arts history tells a different story.

The fact is ceiling decoration has played a significant role in architecture and design history, evolving over centuries to reflect each era’s artistic, societal, and technological developments.
In ancient times, cultures used ceiling decoration to express their religious beliefs, social status, and artistic prowess. In Egypt, for example, temples and tombs featured intricate ceiling paintings depicting mythological and sacred ceremonies. The vibrant colors and symbolic imagery conveyed a sense of divinity and spirituality.

Similarly, in ancient Greece, temples showcased elaborate paintings and decorative elements on their ceilings, reflecting the Greek appreciation for beauty and balance.

The remarkable coffered ceiling that tops the Pantheon on the Piazza della Rotonda in Rome. Image courtesy of Unsplash.com
The remarkable coffered ceiling that tops the Pantheon on the Piazza della Rotonda in Rome. Image courtesy of Unsplash.com
The Romans–never to be outdone by the Greeks–took ceiling decoration to new heights (quite literally!) with the invention of the coffered ceiling. Coffers, or recessed panels, were often adorned with intricate patterns and designs. This architectural innovation not only added a sense of grandeur to spaces like the Roman basilicas but also served a practical purpose by reducing the weight of the ceiling. 

The Pantheon, a seminal example of Roman engineering and design, features a stunning coffered dome that inspires architects to this day. 

As the Middle Ages arrived, the focus shifted to the ever-more ornate decoration of church ceilings. Gothic architecture introduced the rib vault and pointed arch, allowing for taller and more elaborate ceilings. 

Notre Dame in Paris showcased magnificent ribbed vaults and intricate stained glass, creating a celestial atmosphere that aimed to inspire awe and reverence. The ceiling became a canvas for religious storytelling in these medieval structures, with painted murals and detailed sculptures narrating biblical tales.



Italian and Flemish artists painted the Hall of Maps in the Vatican Museum in Rome under the direction of Ignazio Danti, mathematician, astronomer, and cosmographer. Image courtesy of VaticanMuseumRome.com
Italian and Flemish artists painted the Hall of Maps in the Vatican Museum in Rome under the direction of Ignazio Danti, mathematician, astronomer, and cosmographer. Image courtesy of Vatican Museum
Trompe-l’oeil techniques, where paintings create the illusion of three-dimensional space, also became popular during this period, adding depth and dimension to ceiling designs. One astonishing example is the curved ceiling in the Hall Of Maps in the Vatican Museum (a must-see in Rome!)

By the time the Renaissance arrived, a revival of classical ideas led to a renewed interest in symmetry and proportion. Artists and architects like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci explored new techniques for ceiling decoration. The Sistine Chapel ceiling, painted by Michelangelo, is an awe-inspiring masterpiece that transcends time. 

Ceiling decoration during the Baroque and Rococo periods became even more extravagant. Over-the-top stucco, gilded moldings, and awe-inspiring frescoes adorned the ceilings of palaces and grand estates across Europe. The Palace of Versailles in France is the most famous, with its Hall of Mirrors featuring a ceiling adorned with gilded stucco and paintings that reflect the flashy style of the brazenly ostentatious Louis XIV.

A return to simplified, classical motifs arrives on the scene in the Neoclassical era. The emphasis on clean lines and restraint marked a departure from the excesses of the Baroque and Rococo styles. 

The 19th and early 20th centuries saw a range of successive styles, from the revival of Gothic architecture to the emergence of Art Nouveau and Art Deco. It’s also interesting to note that the Industrial Revolution brought about new materials and technologies, allowing for innovative approaches to ceiling design. Metal ceilings became popular as they provided a cost-effective alternative to traditional plaster. Tin ceiling tiles with intricate patterns became a staple in Victorian buildings. 

In the mid-20th century, the design shifted towards simplicity and functionality. Minimalism became dominant, with clean lines and unadorned ceilings gaining favor. 

These days, the approach to ceiling decoration is wildly diverse, reflecting a blend of influences and contemporary aesthetics born of design’s advancing democratization since the advent of the internet. It’s no wonder–designers have access to an unprecedented amount of reference material to spur their imaginations.

Showcasing that range, a recent story in 1st Dibs online magazine INTROSPECTIVE highlights various current approaches to ceiling designs, including a room by Glenn Gissler Design. 

Here are a few more examples of rooms where we took a creative approach to decorating ceilings.



For the ceiling of this waterside dining room in Nyack, New York, we chose Benjamin Moore’s “Bridal Bouquet 632” in a matte finish in contrast to the sheen of the mantel and moldings. Linen curtains in the same blue-green soften the interior architecture while framing the spectacular view. Follow this link to see the rest of the home.
For the ceiling of this waterside dining room in Nyack, New York, we chose Benjamin Moore’s “Bridal Bouquet 632” in a matte finish in contrast to the sheen of the mantel and moldings. Linen curtains in the same blue-green soften the interior architecture while framing the spectacular view. Follow this link to see the rest of the home.
Sherwin Williams’ Languid Blue 6226 bathes the ceiling of this Carnegie Hill entryway, inviting family and friends to relax in the way porch ceilings–painted in a similar shade–do in the American South. Follow this link to see the rest of this home.
Sherwin Williams’ Languid Blue 6226 bathes the ceiling of this Carnegie Hill entryway, inviting family and friends to relax in the way porch ceilings–painted in a similar shade–do in the American South. Follow this link to see the rest of this home.
In this West Village townhouse, a rock crystal Morrocan star chandelier hangs below a ceiling sheathed in Porter Teleo’s hand-painted “Refracted” wallpaper. Together, they create a sophisticated visual dialogue of angular shapes.
In this West Village townhouse, a rock crystal Morrocan star chandelier hangs below a ceiling sheathed in Porter Teleo’s hand-painted “Refracted” wallpaper. Together, they create a sophisticated visual dialogue of angular shapes.
Here is a corner view of my library in Litchfield County, Connecticut. The house is an early 19th-century Greek Revival structure with many original details intact. The burled-wood Beidermier cabinet serves as a bar; I invite guests to help themselves when cocktail hour arrives!
Here is a corner view of my library in Litchfield County, Connecticut. The house is an early 19th-century Greek Revival structure with many original details intact. The burled-wood Beidermier cabinet serves as a bar; I invite guests to help themselves when cocktail hour arrives!
A massive scale and of the striking English Arts & Crafts Armoire boldly holds one side of the room with its evocative form, and earthier finish a counterpoint to many of the more glossy, refined elements in the room.
A massive scale and of the striking English Arts & Crafts Armoire boldly holds one side of the room with its evocative form, and earthier finish a counterpoint to many of the more glossy, refined elements in the room.
The walls and inset panels of the arched and coffered ceiling in this dining room were painted in Farrow & Ball's Loggia No. 232, setting the tone for lively conversation. In contrast to the rich russet-red, a series of framed botanicals reference the gardens on the property beyond the glass.

The walls and inset panels of the arched and coffered ceiling in this dining room were painted in Farrow & Ball’s Loggia No. 232, setting the tone for lively conversation. In contrast to the rich russet-red, a series of framed botanicals reference the gardens on the property beyond the glass.     

It is interesting to think about how the evolution of ceiling decoration from ancient times to today mirrors the broader history of art, architecture, and design. Each era left its mark on how we approach the sometimes-overlooked “fifth wall” of a space. Synthesizing those historical references into fresh ideas for ceilings is just one of the many joys of my work as an interior designer.

More is More is More!

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Congratulations Carl Dellatore for yet another remarkable book for Rizzoli Books, “MORE is MORE is MORE: Today’s Maximalist Interiors”. And for a jam-packed book launch and signing @rizzolibookstore with countless leaders of the Interior Design industry.

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There is one quality all these incarnations of maximalist design have in common: There must be an element of surprise. Maximalist interiors always create a certain frisson, a sense of amazement, a gleeful jolt for the visitor. When you enter a maximalist room, the question remains, How did the designer ever think of that? To achieve surprise, creativity is a necessity.

A surreal moment seeing the Rizzoli bookstore windows today with Carl Dellatore’s work on center stage!

Thank you Dara Caponigro and Schumacher for all the fabrics!

And thank you upholsterer extraordinaire Mario Villimar for the folding screens and slipcovers!

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Photo by @carldellatore

We are thrilled to be included in the book with a double page full bleed spread of our Greenwich Village dining room with an incredible mural by @kmartinpaulsen.

 

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Votive Offerings: Glenn Gissler at RISD Museum

Gissler - Book and Room RISD MuseumGissler - Book and Room RISD Museum

This month, my friend the decorative arts historian Lisa Zeiger wrote an interesting article entitled VOTIVE OFFERINGS: GLENN GISSLER AT RISD about my relationship with my alma mater, the Rhode Island School of Design, and more specifically with the RISD Museum, on her blog BOOK AND ROOM.

As a RISD alum, former board member, and devoted museum donor, it’s been my goal to help give students and visitors the opportunity to experience and draw inspiration from the museum’s collection. Lisa’s post chronicles my decades-long quest to donate notable fine art, industrial design and decorative objects to the RISD Museum, with a personal goal of bequeathing 1000 objects in total. You can read the post by following this link

I lived with many of these items in my NYC apartment before they found a new home at the RISD Museum, including a partners desk with two chairs by Donald Judd, and works on paper by Kiki SmithSol LewittLeon Golub, and Vija Celmins. I also have passed along objects by the 19th century industrial designer Christopher Dresser, and 20th century objects by Josef HoffmannEttore Sottsass, Joe Columbo and Russel Wright.

You’ll find just a selection of my notable donations to the museum below, and if you’re so inclined, you can follow this link to the museum’s website, which shows many more with descriptions and details.

The New Generation of Interior Design

Senior Designer Craig Strulovitz – a member of the New Generation of Interior Design – has been recognized by On Style for something that I have known for years – he is a great editor and a great designer! 

 

Gissler - Craig Strulovitz - On Style: Inspiration and Advice from the New Generation of Interior Design

 

A creative spirit from the get-go, Craig Strulovitz has DESIGN in his blood!

Seeing first-hand the building of residences by his Grandfather and pursuing every childhood opportunity for inquiry and self-expression it was natural that he would attend the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design. At RISD he majored in interior architecture and upon graduation, he came to New York  City and got a job as an intern at Glenn Gissler Design.

Now some fourteen years later with extensive experience on projects large and small, Modern and not-so-Modern, he is the Senior Designer, playing a key role in all aspects of nearly every project – skillfully coordinating architects, general contractors and a wide range of trades, he is skillful at identifying and cleverly solving design and decorating quandaries, and keeping our clients abreast of project developments. And he has an astute eye for fine art and decorative objects; so it is no wonder that he has recently received recognition in Carl Dellatore’s new book from Rizzoli, and in Apartment Therapy

 

ON STYLE: Inspiration and Advice from the New Generation of Interior Design

 

blank The striking yet calm entry view into a TriBeCa loft apartment includes a 1947 painting by Theodoros Stamos a Chinese altar table, an African artifact, a Tiffany candlestick and a pair of graceful upholstered stools.   Photo: Gross & Daley

 

 

blank The Living Room overlooks the Hudson River with sophisticated upholstered furniture, handsome wood tables, striae glazed vintage lamps and a glorious large-scale painting by Larry Poons from 2012.   Photo: Gross & Daley

 

 

Craig Strulovitz
Photo: Gross & Daley

 

 

Craig’s apartment in Brooklyn was recently featured on Apartment Therapy offering proof that it takes more talent than financial resources to create a distinctive home. The one-bedroom apartment that he shares with his husband Charl Castelyn in Crown Heights Brooklyn is not without its challenges as noted by the title of the story: 

This Brooklyn Home Flawlessly Masters an Incredibly Long and Narrow Living Room

 

blank A long and narrow hallway at the entry to Craig’s apartment becomes a chic asset with a rich, layered and controlled view culminating in circa 1910 Viennese chairs at the dining table, and an image of a Richard Serra sculpture.  Photo: Wyatt Magnum

 

blank The single biggest challenge in designing the 575-square-foot Brooklyn apartment was the main living area; 40-feet long by only 9-feet wide!   Photo: Wyatt Mangum

 

It is evident that Craig brought the same level of editing and sophistication to his one-bedroom apartment as he did to the large Tribeca loft for our clients – his work is definitely worthy of inclusion among his stellar peers in ON STYLE

 

We have not seen the last of Craig’s creative spirit and talents at work!

 

 

Glenn Gissler, October 2019

 

 

 

 

Glenn Gissler Design In The Press

Grateful for every book feature, press article, and award nomination. Here’s what’s been happening lately with Glenn Gissler Design.

Glenn Gissler - 2019 - Blog - Interiors

Glenn Gissler Design is incredibly honored to be featured in
William Norwich’s new book. 

INTERIORS: THE GREATEST ROOMS OF THE CENTURY

A project we completed more than 20 years ago, photographed for Interior Design Magazine by Peter Mauss ESTO, has been included.(and no, we don’t mind sharing the spread with Hubert de Givenchy!)

Glenn Gissler - 2019 - Blog - Interiors Glenn Gissler - 2019 - Blog - Interiors

Glenn Gissler Design was anonymously nominated to submit a comprehensive portfolio for the 20th Anniversary of the Cooper Hewitt National Design Awards.

The award was established as a vital humanistic tool in shaping the world, and to honor excellence, innovation, and lasting achievement in American Design.

And while we did not receive the award, it was an extraordinary honor to be nominated!

Glenn Gissler - 2019 - Blog - Interiors

 

Glenn Gissler Design is honored to be featured in 
Glenn Gissler - 2019 - Blog - Interiors

Glenn Gissler - 2019 - Blog - Interiors Glenn Gissler - 2019 - Blog - Interiors

Many thanks to John Smiroldo and writer Marianne Litty at  Antiques & Fine Art / InCollect for including Michael Kors’ apartment in this story on the enduring power of black and white for interiors.

Click through to this link to see the entire press feature.