What an exciting day for authors and design fans alike! On March 11 at Rizzoli Bookstore, Luxe Interiors + Design Editor-in-Chief Jill Cohen moderated an engaging book signing and Q&A event featuring acclaimed interior designers Caroline Gidiere, Marcus Mohon, and Beth Webb. The evening was a celebration of their latest books — Interiors for a Life in Good Taste, The Romance of Home, and Embracing Beauty — each offering a distinctive perspective on the art of sophisticated living.

Set against the backdrop of Rizzoli’s storied shelves, the event drew an elegant crowd of design enthusiasts, industry professionals, and literary aficionados eager to hear from the creative minds shaping today’s interiors. Jill Cohen, known for her expertise in luxury design media, guided a captivating conversation that explored the inspiration, philosophy, and craftsmanship behind each designer’s work.

Throughout the evening, the designers shared how their Southern roots influence their work, from layered, inviting interiors to a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and natural materials. It’s about homes that aren’t just beautiful, but soulful. Southern hospitality isn’t just a practice, it’s a way of life. That effortless blend of warmth, tradition, and beauty is woven into every page of these books.

The designers reflected on how their southern upbringing shapes their approach to creating timeless interiors. When asked what her goal was in making this book Caroline Gidiere said, “We were all raised by mothers and grandmothers who were steeped deep in Emily Post and all of the rules in this type of entertaining, and that is slipping away. We hold this information and we have an obligation to pass it on.”

Marcus Mohon shared a vivid memory of his own childhood stating, “I grew up in southeast Texas, and my mother really did clean the house in a skirt and pearls. We would get up and eat breakfast on china and had pillows with tassels we weren’t allowed to touch. I grew up on gracious living and decorating and most of the pillows in my book were made by my mother.” Beth Webb echoed this sentiment, saying, “Growing up we did not have stainless flatware, we had silver, and my mother used it everyday for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is just part of being a southerner.”

As Luxe Interiors + Design celebrates its 20th anniversary, Jill Cohen is spearheading the magazine into a bold new era. The magazine has unveiled a fresh cover look — larger images, a striking new logo, and a vision that remains as sophisticated as ever.

After the conversation wrapped, guests mingled with the designers and had their books signed. Conversation buzzed with design inspiration, a salute to the books’ photographers, and a shared love for timeless interiors — a fitting end to a night dedicated to the art of beautiful living.

A Life in Good Taste, The Romance of Home, and Embracing Beauty are available now at Rizzoli Bookstore and select retailers.

Article by: Emmanuela Panepinto