A passion for luxury and beauty propels the multifaceted work of acclaimed international architect and interior designer Robert Couturier. Robert Couturier’s aesthetic is a dialogue between Old World elegance and contemporary design. His masterful approach effortlessly brings eras together, for example a Louis XVI commode with a 1960s lamp. Couturier’s name has become synonymous with continental and international style, and he is known for composing adventurous rooms that have a witty flair. All his interiors extol the importance of how a home should stimulate the five senses, from the tactile feel of upholstery to the visual presentation of objects that leads a person through a space. The book opens with a tour of Couturier’s country retreat in bucolic Kent, Connecticut. Composed of neoclassical-style pavilions, early American guesthouses, and beautiful gardens, the house features imaginative rooms that are filled with his collections of European art, furniture, and decorative objects. A selection of the designer’s other projects—from smart contemporary apartments to romantic Mexican villas to a stately English manor—provides further inspiration. “Many in the design field consider themselves mix masters, but interior decorator and architect Robert Couturier’s adventurous spirit and in-depth knowledge of antiques result in the most astounding combinations. His first monograph, Robert Couturier: Designing Paradises , shows that this Paris-born, Manhattan-based talent can delight and enlighten while breaking all the rules.” – Architectural Digest   “The title says it all: Robert Couturier: Designing Paradises  provides an entry to the refined world of this French-born, American-based interiors star. The tome opens with the designer’s own home — a country retreat in Kent, Conn., whose rooms are dressed with a carefully curated mix of antique French furniture and Early American pieces. Also featured: one of Couturier’s most famous projects — a 20,000-acre Mexican resort that he designed for English entrepreneur James Goldsmith — as well as his polished contemporary designs for Manhattan high-rise apartments.” – The New York Post “Robert Couturier is known for his command of decorative history matched with a deft ability to layer those styles, resulting in sumptuous, elegantly appointed homes that balance complexity with comfort.” – Vogue   “In a time when finesse often takes a backseat to invention, I find his straightforwardness incredibly refreshing. And let’s be honest -- even I need a reminder sometimes! This body of work demonstrates that coloring inside the lines can still be a wonderfully creative pursuit.” – Martha Stewart Living “…guaranteed to inspire just about every corner of your life. When you have as masterful an understanding of decorative history as Robert Couturier, mixing pieces…results in an explosion of glamour rather than a mixed-up mess...inspiring book.” –One King’s Lane “Couturier is known for his ability to capture the essence of place and for seamlessly integrating modern elements with period architecture and details. The book is a must-have; it’s a master class, not only in interior design and architecture, but also the art of living well.” – What is James Wearing   “A passion for luxury and beauty propels the multifaceted work of international architect and interior designer Robert Couturier. In his new book, Robert Couturier Designing Paradises , the dialogue between Old World elegance and contemporary design is on display. A selection of the designer’s other projects—from contemporary apartments to Mexican villas to a stately English manor—provide further design inspiration.” – Editor at Large   “It is not surprising that the projects in Robert Couturier Designing Paradises are all beautiful, executed with an eye for exacting elegance. What is surprising, however, is how very personal the book is. But then again, that is a key component to Robert’s work. That, his unerring passion for perfection and, as Caroline Weber quotes in her thoughtful postface, the Baudelairian qualities of “luxe, calme et volupté.” – Quintessence   “This is a beautiful book full of luxury but also little surprises such as bursts of vibrant color and even two whimsical, felted wool sheep in a contemporary Midtown Manhattan apartment." –Indulge Magazine “More than a quarter century has passed since billionaire financier Jimmy Goldsmith tapped Robert Couturier to design his Mexican estate, Cuixmala. The project solidified the Frenchman’s year-old, New York-based interiors studio and catapulted it into notoriety. Couturier has kept up the high profile since that first splash, resisting colleagues’ insistence that he publish a monograph. “Most of these surveys are pretentious,” he laughs. The designer finally succumbed to pressure with Robert Couturier: Designing Paradises... To create a more humble connection with the reader, the first half of the book explores his residence in