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Suzanne Rheinstein’s Latest Book “A Welcoming Elegance” Now Available

Legendary interior designer and Windsor Square resident Suzanne Rheinstein’s latest book, “A Welcoming Elegance” will be available in book stores next week. (portrait by Drew Blackwell)

The long awaited third book by legendary interior designer and Windsor Square resident Suzanne Rheinstein will be arriving in bookstores, including Larchmont’s Chevalier’s Books, early next week. Thankful to have been given a sneak preview, we can honestly say, this maybe Rheinstein’s best book yet.

Her bestselling first book, “At Home,” showcased homes that embodied her trademark elegant livability. “In Rooms for Living,” she explored different living spaces and the design philosophies behind them. Now, in “A Welcoming Elegance,” Rheinstein shares with readers six new residences, the final projects of her extraordinary career, each featuring the meaningful mix of antiques, furnishings, art, and textiles that make her interiors feel both welcoming and luxurious. Photographer Pieter Estersohn’s stunning images capture the elegance of each of the homes featured in the book, including Rheinstein’s own retreat in Montecito.


“A Welcoming Elegance” is more than a beautiful design book with amazing photographs of exquisite homes. Written at the end of her career, with collaborator Michael Boodro, an award-winning magazine editor, writer, and former Editor-in-Chief of Elle Decor, Rheinstein offers readers a personal tour of her signature style of modern elegance and relaxed, timeless simplicity. The book reads like a conversation between old friends where she generously shares her wit and wisdom about living life surrounded by beauty, simple or extravagant, both of equal value.

At the end of the book, Boodro captures Rheinstein’s “Distilled Wisdom,” about life and design.

“Fewer things, but better ones,” tops the list.

“Buy one good object a year — whether it’s an antique table or a comtemporary ceramic vase or a worn, early wicker chair with great lines. In ten years, you will have a strong collection of pieces that will add character to your rooms,” suggests Rheinstein.

For those fortunate enough to know and work with her, this advice will sound familiar and may even conjure memories of delightful events in her wonderful store Hollyhock. For those newly discovering her work, the book is a generous gift of sage advice accumulated over three decades of her lauded career.

As those lucky enough to be a client know, Rheinstein has always placed her clients at the center of the design process, taking the time to listen and get to know each family and circumstance. She has dedicated her career to cultivating spaces that are truly personal–gorgeous, well-considered rooms that encourage people to experience and enjoy their lives to the fullest.

In her introduction, Rheinstein tells readers it’s important to be resilient and flexible in life and design, something she knows about first hand. Rheinstein has been dealing with cancer.

“Things happen. Good and not so good. But whatever happens, it is important to have a space to which you can retreat and in which you can feel comfortable and truly at home,” wrote Rheinstein. “Having beautiful things around you is wonderful but living beautifully is more important. All of us deserve a place that adds richness and serenity to our lives that we can happily share with friends and family. Creating that kind of home for my clients has been my goal throughout my career in design.”

This book features six inspiring examples of homes that do just that. 

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Patricia Lombard
Patricia Lombard
Patricia Lombard is the publisher of the Larchmont Buzz. Patty lives with her family in Fremont Place. She has been active in neighborhood issues since moving here in 1989. Her pictorial history, "Larchmont" for Arcadia Press is available at Chevalier's Books.

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