It's a long story.......anyway, I just received my copy of the above book, "Wallpaper, A history of Style and Trends" by Carolle Thibaut-Pomerantz and am enthralled! Martha Stewart Living said, " The jaw-dropping images alone are worth the price tag." And, it's true! This is a coffee table-worthy book, not just for wallpaper aficionados or even Francophiles (like me) but anyone who appreciates the history of design and comfort.

Ms Thibaut-Pomerantz, a French-American decorative arts dealer who has the good fortune to divide her time between Paris and New York, deftly traces the history of this design essential from its 16th century emergence to today's refinements. A must-have book for any design library!

I first read about Ms Thibaut-Pomerantz in my latest issue of France Today, and was intrigued enough to order her book, partly because of this image, at right. Classically beautiful!

So what is it about wallpapers that add so much to a room? They are a wonderful way to bring in all-encompassing color and/or texture, and work especially well for small spaces.

Some of my favorites are: Vintage panoramique designs....