The Selby Is In Your Place

By Emily Kropp in Culture Features
on April 08, 2010

You've no doubt seen his site, but now you can dive further into the world of The Selby with his new book, featuring never-before-seen interiors.

The Selby Is In Your Place
With his utterly charming watercolor portraits and off-the-cuff questionnaires, The Selby is about much more than interior decor. What began in 2008 as a project showcasing the homes of his friends, Todd Selby's site grew and grew and has culminated (for the time being) with this absorbing book, The Selby is in Your Place (Abrams 2010). There are over thirty profiles in the book (many of which are never before seen on the site), including such fashion world powerhouses as Karl Lagerfeld (oh, the books!) and Olivier Zahm (oh, the cologne!), as well as it-girls Lou Doillon (taxidermy, anyone?) and Erin Wasson (pictured at top), whose abode is, delightfully, exactly as you'd probably picture it.

In Lesley Arfin's near perfect introduction to the book, she says, "So, yeah, I hate everyone in this book because I'm jealous, but I also kind of love them because they collect weird and sometimes even ugly things, just like me." That, finally, is what makes this book one to be cherished – while I may not have a hammock in the backyard, or a collection of vintage sconces, or even a single piece of art with more than sentimental value (okay, lets face it I don't even have enough space to store my shoes), there are parts of my home that I love and I'm proud of, regardless of what anyone else may think. Ultimately, that's what shines through in these portraits, and what is so inspiring about The Selby's work.

What do you love about your home? Who would you love to see profiled by The Selby?
Fanny Bostrom and Bill Gentle, riding bikes.
Simon Doonan and Jonathan Adler, at home.
Grace Kelsey and Kenyan, at home.

1 Comment

Abbie • about 2 years ago
Love this so much!