"Celebrity Designer" CHRIS MADDEN to
Publish 17th Book THE SOUL OF A HOUSE:
Decorating a Home with Warmth, Comfort
and Style with Rizzoli Publishers in Fall 2010
Thu Mar 19, 2009 11:00am EDT
As the best-selling author of 16 decoration and lifestyle books, the host of her own - and one of the first - television shows on HGTV for eight seasons, the creator of home fashion products that have generated close to two billion dollars in sales, and the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of her multi-million dollar empire, Chris Madden is an iconic name in the world of design. Widely known as the powerhouse who made “personal space” and “haven” household words through her ground-breaking books and products, Chris will now, for the first time, accompany her readers in THE SOUL OF A HOUSE through her own unique homes, showcasing her signature personal style that resonates throughout each room and share the basic steps and thought-processes that can easily turn any space, large or small, into a comfortable and stylish residence. Each room—from the entry foyer, master bedroom and living room to the mud room and greenhouse — will be explored with rich photography by Nancy Hill along with Chris’ styling tips as she chronicles the transformation of both her husband’s and her 100-year-old carriage house on three rambling acres outside of New York City and their mid-century modern getaway tucked in a bucolic apple orchard between the Green and Taconic Mountain ranges in Vermont. “In these economically turbulent times one’s home should be a gathering and nurturing haven, regardless of size or budget” notes Chris Madden.
Also included will be a sampling of those historic spaces that have served as an inspiration to Chris— from the early works of the legendary Billy Baldwin, Elsie de Wolfe, Nancy Lancaster, John Fowler and Thomas Jefferson – through lessons gleaned in the great rooms of designer showcase houses (including those of Mario Buatta, Mark Hampton, and Albert Hadley) and her travels to such architectural treasures as the summer dacha of Czar Nicholas II in Russia, Coco Chanel’s Paris apartment and Marjorie Merriweather Post’s Washington home and museum, Hillcrest, to her hands-on design work at the homes and offices of Oprah Winfrey, Katie Couric and Toni Morrison.
Millions of American women have looked to Chris over the past three decades for direction and inspiration as she guided them through myriad living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens and private retreats —through her eponymous books, newspaper columns, speeches, store and television appearances and—as Oprah’s first design correspondent sharing with her audience her well-honed design lifestyle mantra of serene, adventurous and romantic decorating. Chris’ own home has been described by USA Today “as a rambling warren of mini-refuges- a sofa-comfy kitchen banquette, a sitting-room window seat, a walk-in closet turned snug study – tucked into a century-old, 3,500 square-foot stone carriage house”, while Time Magazine dubbed Chris “designer to the heartland” and House Beautiful described their charming home as “reminiscent of an old French farmhouse…unpretentious and completely personal”.
THE SOUL OF A HOUSE is Chris Madden’s 17th book and in the fall of 2009, Chris Madden’s best-selling A Room of Her Own: Women’s Personal Spaces (published by Clarkson Potter/Publishers in 1997, with over 100,000 copies sold) will be published internationally—for the first time— in a paperback edition. Chris is also working on a business book, tentatively titled: Chris Madden's Entrepreneurial Spirit: How She Built A Billion Dollar Brand, Overcame Life's Obstacles and Preserved Her Soul. In addition to the new publishing directions of her company, the enormously successful Chris Madden Collection with JCPenney Home is now in its seventh year as a “power brand” at that retail giant showcased in over 1000 stores across the country. Chris Madden, along with her husband Kevin, former publisher of House and Garden, Bon Appétit and Self Magazine and now Chairman of Chris Madden, Inc. are expanding the brand into numerous other lifestyle categories.
Throughout Chris’ career she also has been dedicated to a host of philanthropic initiatives. In February 2009 she was presented with the IFDA Presidential Commendation for Outstanding Service and Dedication to the United States Armed Forces. “Operation Cozy Comfort,” launched in August of 2008, as a partnership between WestPoint Home and Madden, provided the “Chris Madden for JCPenney Home ® Plush Blankets” to wounded US troops while hospitalized overseas.
Since its launch in August, “Operation Cozy Comfort” has garnered national acclaim and support by such prominent individuals as former Senator Hillary Clinton who stated, “It is my hope that Chris Madden’s continued efforts will increase public awareness and inspire others to become actively involved in helping disadvantaged people and strengthening our communities.”
Project Katrina, initiated by Chris Madden to launch the 30th anniversary of the founding of her company, has recently completed furnishing a home for noted jazz musician, Al Johnson, in his new place in Musicians Village in New Orleans with product from the Chris Madden for JCPenney Home Collection®. This installation marks the seventh residence completed by Chris in the Gulf Coast with her own personal designs.
A percentage of the proceeds from THE SOUL OF A HOUSE will be donated to Chris’ Project Katrina.