By Amy Astley
Amy Astley’s new book, AD at Home, is a lavish (and hefty at 496 pages) volume that captures the essence of what she feels makes interior design meaningful in the 21st century: the deeply considered connection between people and their living spaces.
Since taking over as editor-in-chief of Architectural Digest in 2016, Astley has transformed the magazine by focusing on personality and authenticity, and her book represents the culmination of that vision.
It showcases an impressive range of people and their homes (seventy by my count), from Dakota Johnson‘s relaxed mid-century modern retreat, designed by Pierce & Ward, to Shonda Rhimes‘s elegant Manhattan apartment, envisioned by Michael S. Smith. Each home tells a story, revealing how interior spaces become extensions of their inhabitants’ creativity and values.
RuPaul‘s uproarious, high-octane Los Angeles villa, designed with Martyn Lawrence Bullard (above left) and Mariko Mori‘s minimalist Japanese pod by Ring Architects (above right), exemplifies the diverse approaches to modern interior design that create expressive living environments.
What sets this compilation apart is Astley’s editorial eye for the stories behind the rooms. Case in point: The book opens with a glimpse into fashion designer Marc Jacobs‘ home, setting the tone for a visual journey through residences that showcase sophistication and livability. These aren’t museum sets, but rather real homes where life happens. “Fussy, finished!” in the words of the late Polly Melon, feels like Astley’s signature curatorial edict.
The interior photography is exceptional, capturing both architectural details and intimate home styling with equal skill. Astley’s accompanying texts provide design inspiration without overwhelming the visual narrative, explaining what makes each contemporary interior unique while allowing the homes to speak for themselves.
AD at Home reminds us that the best residential interiors are those that authentically reflect the people who inhabit them; it is essential reading for anyone interested in home design and how great spaces and honest living intersect.
AD at Home $100
Available from the Rizzoli Bookstore, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and IndieBound