A sumptuous presentation of impeccably designed classic interiors by Matthew Patrick Smyth. Matthew Patrick Smyth is renowned for elegant, sophisticated rooms that combine sumptuous fabrics, well-selected antiques, and contemporary comfort. In Through a Designer's Eye, he reveals his design process, emphasizing his commitment to exploring the world, through travel and in the imagination of the theater, and to recording scenes and vignettes in photographs. Through a Designer's Eye presents Smyth's recent work ranging from a traditional Park Avenue apartment and an edgy Tribeca loft in Manhattan to waterfront houses in Florida, New England, and Long Island that demonstrate his skills in responding to context and eliciting preferences of clients to create a unique environment for each. Nowhere is this better seen than in his own house in Salisbury, Connecticut, an unexpected 1970s prefabricated deck house now elegantly appointed with an eclectic mix of furniture, objects, and works of art he and his partner have collected over many years. Smyth's engaging, first-person narrative references formative experiences with theater and photography and focuses on five elements of interior design - appreciating of artisanal and handcrafted elements, understanding of history and context, evaluating light and seasonal change, weaving furnishings and art into a coherent mise-en-scene, creating an inviting atmosphere - that contribute to successful spaces. Illustrating the text are lush photographs of completed rooms, interspersed with Smyth's own vignettes and details, which add a unique visual layer to the presentation.

Wendy Goodman has discovered and published stories on an astonishing array of private houses, notable for their character, personality, and flair, in her 30 years of design hunting. In May I Come In? she visits more than 75 that capture and express their owners' spirit and passions. In this pantheon, imagination and originality hold sway: Artists and eccentrics are the equals of aristocrats and the mandarins of design, and every room has a story to tell. May I Come In? is profusely illustrated with superb images by leading interior photographers, as well as Goodman's own snapshots and memorabilia related to her quests. It is an irresistible visual record of the art of living by one of its most penetrating observers.