Designers Here and There, by Michele Keith

There is something about having a new book signed by the author that I can't pass up. Especially when it is a design book. So you can imagine that I was quadruply excited when not only the author, but four of the designers in the book were on hand when Gumps recently held a book signing event for Michele Keith's new book, Designers Here and There.

There are so many beautiful interiors presented in books and shelter magazines, it is hard to narrow down the field of favorites. But I am always the most drawn to the homes of the designers themselves. They are the ultimate laboratories for the designers to let their creativity push the limits.

This book is full to bursting with nothing but the personal homes of top interior designers throughout the United States. Each designer shows off not only their "city" home but also their vacation or second home.

Stephen Schubel, Jeffrey Weisman, Michele Keith, Martha Angus, and Andrew Fisher

Michele Keith has compiled a stellar list of designers for this book. And as I said, four were on hand at the signing, Stephen Schubel, Jeffrey Weisman, Andrew Fisher and Martha Angus. These four would have sold me on the book just by themselves! But there are so many other designers included ( Michael Berman, Vicente Wolf, Christopher Coleman, Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz and Eric Cohler just to name a few), it is just a feast.

Andrew Fisher, Michele Keith, Jeffrey Weisman, and Martha Angus

After meeting the designers, I can see why they are all so successful. It is one thing to have great talent. It is quite another to be approachable, welcoming and to easily connect with people. They were all fun, friendly and fabulous!

Great evening had by all. The fun thing about a book signing event, or any other event at Gumps, is that there is always something new and exciting to see in the store. Here is just a sampling of the latest deliciousness: