I’m powerless over beautiful coffee table books devoted to design and interiors: from the esoteric (Classic Chinese Furniture of the Qing Dynasty) to the practical (Abrams Guide to Period Styles for Interiors) to the sublime (Kelly Wearstler’s Modern Glamour), I’m somewhat indiscriminate in my interests. I justify this folly by telling myself I’m acquiring the design education I can’t otherwise afford in an institute of higher learning.
As with my home furnishings, I occasionally pay full retail for a must-have new book title, but not very often. Usually my hardcover candy comes from BMV Books in Toronto, a used and remainders bookseller with a fantastic selection of shelter porn, most of which you’ll find in the wide-ranging Architecture section.
At BMV you’ll find décor tomes at a fraction of their suggested retail price: Abrams’ much-heralded Tony Duquette, originally priced at $90 (in Canada), is selling for $39.99; Bunny Williams’ An Affair with a House is marked down to $19.99 from the original $77 and yesterday’s purchase, the beautiful and enlightening Cuban Elegance by Michael Connors and photographer Bruce Buck, was scored for $9.99, down from the original sticker price of $65.
An issue of Elle Décor or Metropolitan Home takes minutes to digest and although I often go back to my favorite editions I find that hardcover books have a lot more staying power. Thank goodness for BMV!
BMV Books, 471 Bloor Street West, Toronto – (416) 967-5757 (with two other locations)
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:30 am
Great post. BMV’s prices can’t be beat but let’s face it, the selection is a little hit and miss.