Way back in July of 2011 (which wasn’t even the beginning – I’d been blogging for four years) I wrote a post about hoarding design magazines.  The first image featured designer Paul Fortune’s home in Laurel Canyon.  I can remember turning the pages of House and Garden and stopping – stunned – on this image of his living room.

Half of the way through the email from Rizzoli asking if I was interested in covering Fortune’s Notes on Design, I was hitting reply to answer, “Yes!”

There’s no question that Fortune’s work is stunning, but the true delight of this book is his story.  He is an engaging and delightful writer.  While he is not hesitant to share his views on design – and there are many and they are both informative and amusing – but also his insights on life.

His perspective is not to be missed.  (And also enlightening, perhaps, to those who are on a somewhat indirect path.) If you’re wise you’ll pick this up (and soon be that much wiser.)

Not a horrible idea, either, to read it with his pomegranate margarita in hand.  Its cheerful rosy color will be just perfect for the holidays.  What’s that? Margaritas are for summer? Nonsense.  Tequila is always a good idea. This recipe was included in the resources section of the magazine back in the day when magazines were beautiful, inspiring and delightful.

Notes on Decor, Etc. by Paul Fortune, Rizzoli New York, 2018.  Images top and bottom, House and Garden, September 2004; photography Oberto Gili.