The House in Good Taste
Elsie de Wolfe

Learn to Enjoy Homemaking

I have a clear recollection of the first time I told a client “no.” Not “no” as in turning down a project, but “no” with regards to an item or an issue within a project. A question had been asked about the use of an existing antique in a new house.

The piece had some vague sentimental value, but not much more. It was not a particularly pretty piece, but from the conversation, I knew where this was headed. In a flash I made a decision. I set aside all my diplomatic skills; faced the rather ordinary antique and simply said “no.”

I did not need to explain nor validate. I had been hired to bring a level of expertise and vision to the project, and in one word I owned these roles.

Things are either right or they are not. The grey zones are best left to the philosophers and lawyers. This type of clarity is what you will find in Elsie de Wolfe’s The House in Good Taste. Reprinted and distributed by the foundation which carries her name, this collection of articles was originally written for the magazine The Delineator.

They were gathered by the author as a clear exploration of the art of fine homemaking. In his introduction, Albert Hadley provides a quote from the author which sets the tone for all which follows. “Never complain. Never explain.”

If you are looking for a practical guide to maximize your home’s livability, this is the book you should read. I keep it near my desk and it has become a valuable resource on an almost daily basis. The author’s cry for “suitability, suitability, SUITABILITY” still resonates today.

If you’ve read (or are reading) the book, I’m interested in your thoughts, particularly on room designations and furniture placement. The author has specific ideas which I think fit nicely into the way we live today. What do you think?