Best of 2011

Here's our definitive list of 2011's top sellers at Potterton Books London. Five points for each guessed correctly...

15. The Gentleman's Slipper
A fitting favourite that we think went into a lot of Christmas stockings this year!
14. Andrew Martin: Interior Design Review 15
Otherwise known as the 'Bible' of interior design
13.  Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty
The king of fashion's holographic masterpiece is fast becoming as scarce as the fleeting portrait on its cover...
12. Bals: Legendary Costume Balls of the Twentieth Century
As much a beautiful photographic compendium as a book, these magnificent volumes have been dancing from our shelves!
11. Romantic English Homes
A very warm English glow and some 'defiant eclecticism' ensured that many of you found inspiration in this one
10. Axel Vervoordt: Wabi Inspirations
The antithesis to 'Romantic English', Vervoordt's take on a twelfth century Eastern art and philosophy was a triumph in minimalist design
9. La Dolce Vita: The Golden Age of Italian Style and Celebrity
In praise of Fellini, this book has fast become a new classic compendium of style
8. The World of Muriel Brandolini
And what a fantastical world that is!
7. Parisian Chic
Proof that deep down, we all aspire to resemble glamorous French women, Ines de la Fressange's dictionary of 'tricks' was very popular...
6. Parisian Interiors: Bold, Elegant, Refined
...and this doesn't stop with the way we dress!
5. Dealer's Choice
Curiosity about how interior designers' homes look finally got the better of you when you were given a peek into their own spaces this year
4. Luciano Giubbilei, Kengo Kuma, Peter Randall-Page. Nature and Human Intervention
Beautiful documentation of Chelsea Flower Show's Gold Medal winner this year
3. Oliver Messel: In the Theatre of Design
Another fantasy-fuelled title!
2. Edwardian Country Life: The Story of Avray Tipping
An inside look into Tipping's legacy, written by a present owner of one of his houses
1. Behind Closed Doors: The Tragic, Untold Story of the Duchess of Windsor
Fitting that 2011's shortlist should be topped by a royal title, this volume was nothing short of a bestseller

Twas the night before Christmas...

The temperature has dropped a little and the skies have cleared, a few last minute shoppers are apprehensively browsing but on the whole Chelsea seems just a little bit less fraught - Christmas Eve has finally arrived! All that's left to do here is wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and hope to see you in 2012... (or on 28th December, when we will re-open for a few days in case anyone is in need of a break from the festivities)

Christmas at Pottertons!!

 The decorations have gone up, the books have arrived and the mood within the store is simply superb!The prime reason: Our Christmas Extravaganza is nearly here!! 8th of December is afterall, just a few days away and that very fact has us immsensely excited. We are very much looking forward to your visit so do make sure to reserve Thursday the 8th of December between 6 and 9 p.m on your calendar!  Until then,here a few titles that seem aptly gift-worthy for Christmas..what do you think?

'A Christmas Extravaganza'.

With November drawing to a close, we are steadily preparing for the much awaited event of the year - 'The Christmas Extravaganza', our annual Christmas Exhibition! And it would be extravaganza indeed as the event will feature a vast collection of artwork from artists such as Rob Ryan, Emily Sutton,Ed Kluz,Gait Brodholt,Paul Catherall,Angela Harding,Mark Herald and Michael Kirkman to only name a few! Looking forward to your visit at Potterton Books on the 8th of December between 6 and 9 pm...

Our favourite new titles.

We've selected six of our favourite titles for Autumn. From the British Museum to the House of Ladurée, there is plenty to choose from! Full details here

 

Collector's Choice!

Three very important decades presented through the ever-glamorous lens of Vogue, these books find elegance, shock, and humour in some of the most unexpected places! From early tourist board posters, to stark documentary photography, to portraits of the likes of Bob Hope and the ever-provocative Francis Bacon (complete with livestock), these books are about much more than just fashion...

New titles that we love...

We are very excited about Marc Rosen's Glamour Icons: Perfume Bottle Design this month. There are still a few signed copies available too... It seems we can't get enough of the 'high priestess of fashion' at the moment either - Diana Vreeland's new book The Eye Has to Travel, so it has been claimed, describes fashion 'as it is being invented'. Also of note is the magnificent Bals, a beautiful archive of legendary costume balls that will be a thrill for interior and costume designers alike. And, speaking of the theatre, we have copies of Oliver Messel's new book too, the aptly titled In the Theatre of Design. All available to buy online or in our shop.

 

Wine & Nibbles!

Helena Garrish, author of Edwardian Country Life: The Story of H. Avray Tipping will be joining us for an exclusive book signing here at Potterton Books. Join us on Thursday, September 22 from 6:00 pm to 8:00pm for some wine and nibbles as we celebrate the publication of Helena's new book.

H. Avray Tipping was appointed as the Architectural Editor for Country Life, quickly becoming recognized as one of the leading authorities on the history, architecture, furnisings and gardens of English houses. Helena Garrish's enthralling account of H. Avray Tipping's life and career incorporates archival documents, floor plans and and stunning photographs.