What's In Their Library: Rose Tarlow

Does Rose Tarlow really need an introduction from me? I think not. After all, this design force has been in the business for over three decades. Her body of work is legendary- who is not familiar with the vine climbing up the interior wall of Tarlow's own living room? I think that's something that will go down in design history.

Tarlow recently moved her flagship showroom to a renovated landmark building on Melrose Avenue- a larger space in which to display all of the beautiful Rose Tarlow Melrose House furniture, fabric, and a new line of rugs. And a new furniture collection has been recently introduced as well. How Tarlow has the time to read her beloved books is hard to imagine, but she obviously does and I'm duly impressed.

In the words of Tarlow, "Words and furniture have a lot in common. Both are inanimate. They don't move themselves. Yet they can move you." So very true.


Sir Edwin Lutyens: Designing in the English Tradition by Elizabeth Wilhide. "A must for anyone building a traditional house."


Syrie Maugham by Richard Fisher. "My small, treasured volume of the works of Syrie Maugham."


Any books on Isamu Noguchi. "Noguchi...his design vocabulary is incredible and continues to stretch my furniture and lighting capabilities."


David Hicks on Decoration by David Hicks. "Incredibly valuable information on every aspect of design."


Inside Design by Michael Greer, "whose lectures I never missed."


The Houses of McKim, Mead & White by Samuel G. white and Jonathan Wallen. "A reference book I study constantly."


David Adler, Architect: The Elements of Style. "A book I've used for inspiration for years."


Mark Hampton on Decorating by Mark Hampton, "with his wonderful words and watercolors is a perfect jewel."


Putman Style by Stephane Gerschel and Andree Putman by Sophie Tasma-Anargyros. "Her two books are always inspirational."


Parish-Hadley: Sixty Years of American Design by Christopher Petkanas. "A body of work to study carefully."


La Maison de Verre by Dominique Vellay, François Halard photographer. "A house I would like to live in for one week to study."


The Decoration of Houses by Edith Wharton and Ogden Codman Jr. "The first book on decoration that is truly fascinating."


Jean-Michel Frank by Adolphe Chanaux. "His rooms have been the blueprints of design indelibly instilled in my mind for most of my career."


Billy Baldwin Remembers and Billy Baldwin Decorates by Billy Baldwin. "A mentor I never knew."