By Phebe Wahl By Phebe Wahl | July 10, 2024 | Home & Real Estate, Home & Real Estate, Home & Real Estate Feature,
Gracie’s first book celebrates over a century of breathtaking beauty.
This September, Rizzoli will release a stunning book that is sure to top the tables of the top tastemakers in the interior industry. The Art of Gracie: Handpainted Wallpapers, Timeless Rooms (Rizzoli New York) offers a 320-page hardcover. It is the first book from Gracie (graciestudio.com), the esteemed design firm known for its luxurious, handpainted wallpapers. With 250 full-color photographs, this volume explores timeless design deeply rooted in history and a distinct sense of place.
Gracie’s Yellow Bamboo was already installed in this Cleveland home designed by Suzanne Kasler Interiors, but they antiqued it on-site to add more patina
Founded by James Gracie in 1898, Gracie specializes in exquisite wallpapers that draw on 300 years of handpainting techniques. Since the 1920s, the firm has imported handpainted wallpapers. Today, these wallpapers are crafted in China, maintaining a partnership with the same studio for over 50 years, ensuring each piece is a testament to unparalleled craftsmanship and artistic heritage.
The cover of The Art of Gracie (Rizzoli New York).
The wallpapers, each a panel of art, are celebrated for their intricate designs, which range from vibrant cityscapes and tranquil seascapes to delicate floral patterns. All shimmer with metallic details that bring a modern flair to traditional aesthetics. These designs have graced the homes of top designers and celebrities and have even adorned the walls of the White House, reflecting Gracie’s prestigious reputation.
A bedroom designed by Mark D. Sikes features a customized version of Gracie’s Dorchester Park wallpaper
The Art of Gracie showcases these exquisite designs and delves into the rich history and techniques used—Papier Chinois, silk, wrinkled rice paper and vintage patina glazes. The book features chapters dedicated to the evolution of these styles, inspired by decorative Japanese folding screens and the enduring influence of traditional paper and painting styles.
a powder room by J Randall Powers Interior Decoration
Reflections from the current leaders of Gracie—siblings Mike and Jennifer Gracie and their cousin Zach Shea—add a personal touch to the narrative. ey share stories of their childhoods spent around the studios and showrooms, their deep connection to the legacy of their ancestors and their commitment to sustaining this family business. “I would guess that my great-great-grandfather would be astonished and delighted to know that we are carrying on what he started in a little shop in New York City in 1898,” says Jennifer. “I do wish that he and all former Gracie generations could blink themselves here and see what we are up to today, and to turn the pages of this, our first book.”
a touch of Gracie elevates a niche in a project by Lauren McKay Interiors.
“My great-great-grandfather would be astonished and delighted to know that we are carrying on what he started in a little shop in New York Ciff in 1898.” –JENNIFER GRACIE
a scenic paper both above and below the chair rail in a project by Sarah Bartholomew Design
Beyond its historical and artistic content, the book underscores Gracie’s recent collaborations with luxury brands like AERIN, Estée Lauder and Sarah Flint, highlighting its continued influence and relevance in the design world and beyond.
a room by Kevin Isbell Interiors featuring the seascape of Waves (first created by the 17th century Japanese painter Korin on a twofold screen)
Photography by: PHOTO BY QUENTIN BACON © THE ART OF GRACIE, RIZZOLI NEW YORK, 2024; INTERIOR DESIGN: GRACIE STUDIO; PHOTO BY NICOLE FRANZEN © THE ART OF GRACIE, RIZZOLI NEW YORK, 2024; PHOTO BY NICOLE FRANZEN © THE ART OF GRACIE, RIZZOLI NEW YORK, 2024; PHOTO BY AMY NEUNSINGER, PÄR BENGTSSON, DON FREEMAN, READ MCKENDREE/JBSA, AND ANNA ROUTH BARZIN, ALL © THE ART OF GRACIE, RIZZOLI NEW YORK, 2024; PHOTO BY AMY NEUNSINGER, PÄR BENGTSSON, DON FREEMAN, READ MCKENDREE/JBSA, AND ANNA ROUTH BARZIN, ALL © THE ART OF GRACIE, RIZZOLI NEW YORK, 2024; PHOTO BY AMY NEUNSINGER, PÄR BENGTSSON, DON FREEMAN, READ MCKENDREE/JBSA, AND ANNA ROUTH BARZIN, ALL © THE ART OF GRACIE, RIZZOLI NEW YORK, 2024; PHOTO BY AMY NEUNSINGER, PÄR BENGTSSON, DON FREEMAN, READ MCKENDREE/JBSA, AND ANNA ROUTH BARZIN, ALL © THE ART OF GRACIE, RIZZOLI NEW YORK, 2024