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?