Things We Love: Twenty Years of Inspiration, Intriguing Bits and Other Curiosities

by kate spade new york, Deborah Lloyd (Introduction)

within the four walls of kate spade new york, personal style is applauded and cultural curiosity is encouraged. long before the days of pinboards and social sharing, the brand’s in-house creative team began amassing a collection of things we love on their website: a crayon ring, a cocktail doodle, a particularly dreamy photograph.

people began visiting and chiming in with suggestions. now, the things we love have come to life in celebration of the brand’s 20th anniversary. each of the book’s 20 chapters is filled with things we love—from the color red to a well-placed bow to a sense of humor and handwritten notes. part visual diary, part inspirational reference and sprinkled throughout with playful tips and practical advice, things we love is a beautiful compilation that visually represents the spirit of kate spade new york—a place where the colors are bold, smart design is key and fashion is fun.

Praise for kate spade new york: things we love:

“the brand has a vibrant new tome to celebrate.”-- Harper’s Bazaar.com
 

Genres: Fashion, Nonfiction, Coffee Table Books, Design, Art, Lifestyle, Memoir

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

crisp color, graphic prints and playful sophistication are the hallmarks of kate spade new york. from handbags and clothing to jewelry, fashion accessories, fragrance, eyewear, shoes, swimwear, home decor, desk accessories, stationery, tabletop and gifts, our exuberant approach to the everyday encourages personal style with a dash of incandescent charm.

we call it living colorfully.

Reviews

[Dana Al-Basha | دانة الباشا · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first time I ever heard of "Kate Spade" was through Tumblr, I was fascinated by whatever was related to that name, especially that the style was so similar to mine. The colors, boldness, patterns, summer-loving, dresses-wearing, oldies-lover seemed to be in common between us. Not to mention books, movies, accessories, rings, clutches, written letters, typography and most importantly cards.



Even my personal business card screams my style, everyone loves it when they hold it, many remark that it looks like a modern design for a new set of playing cards. This makes me smile.



As a kid, I was super active and I loved to collect playing cards that I randomly found in the streets in an old shoe box. Till this day, I still like to pick them up, the last one I found was of the Queen of Spades. I always wonder how they get on the streets in the first place!

[LadyS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate Spade's designs of quality and elegant simplicity is I know heavily influenced by fashion goddess Audrey Hepburn, and anything "Hepburnesque" is usually an open invitation to me. The book is basically a collection of patterns, ideas, colors and styles that are an inspiration and cause of celebration with the Kate Spade New York brand. The things we love is communicated through creative snapshots, retro references, large photographs, bold colors, inspirational quotes and classical themes. Of course there were many things I love too such as polka dots, the color red, a well placed bow, black and white , etc In fact, there was very little that I didn't enjoy in this book. Even if there was something I disagreed with (which was very little) it was not a burden to read about. The pictures were gorgeous, and the presentation energetic. This is one of those books that is like going to an amusement park on a day with perfect weather. (25 degrees, zero humidity, slight breeze and sun) Enjoying all the rides without hassle , eating delicious funnel cake and at the end, returning home thoroughly content.

[Am Y · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very pleasurable to get through. This is a compilation of images and bits of text here and there, organised by theme: e.g. dots, pops of colour, an element of surprise, bows, flowers, vintage finds, etc.

It's obviously intended as a coffee table book as it's gorgeously designed, has thick, high-quality, gold-lined pages (you'll feel luxurious browsing through this), and is huge in size (but not overly thick or heavy), with many beautiful full-page images.

Many pages are also Kate Spade ads, obviously, but thankfully most blend in with the theme discussed.

The only thing I found a bit strange was that some themes' content was too sparse: e.g. just 2 pages in total for one of them ("humour" if I remember correctly).

This book is great for when you're feeling down and need a mood lift, or want some inspiration for your artwork or other creative pursuits. It's colourful, fun and chic.

[Christine (Tina) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best one yet! Spectacular coffee table book! Bold, colorful and totally advocates libraries in one portion! Thank you, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, for lending this to me for a few days!

[Stephanie Dargusch Borders · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful, beautiful, colorful book. I loved spending the evening with this one and found it inspiring. Definitely a great coffee table book to acquire.

[Cait · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Things We Love”, the gorgeous coffee table book by Kate Spade is definitely on the list of things I love. From its beautiful pictures to its captivating written descriptions, this book is an invitation to enjoy life and appreciate the beauty in the small things.

A list of a few simple things I love:

1. Books
2. Rain Boots and Umbrellas
3. Purple
4. The Ocean
5. Writing
6. All things British
7. Adventures

[Mary Sweeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love pretty much anything designed by Kate Spade, from the bow shaped paper clips to a bright pink tote, so I was excited to get my hands on this book. And I was not disappointed!

I love how this book is set up, and the inspirational photos and quotes scattered throughout. I do not own this book, but it would be the perfect thing to have on a book shelf or open to a colorful page on a coffee table.

[Michelle Christine Kua · Rating 4 out of 5]

features all the things women love in colorful palettes such as bags, shoes, accessories and the like. Giving you a glimpse of expanding horizons from the four walls of fashion. A modern twist and flashback from the past and present favorites. A must read for all the ladies who loves fashion & everything in between. <3

[Kendal · Rating 1 out of 5]

Such a disappointment. In total contrast to the clever, playful, poised and dynamic brand that Kate Spade has become-- this book was a dull and unremarkable effort to be just like everybody else. This could have been any popular mainstream women's brand. Felt like a Pinterest board created by someone with really unoriginal ideas, obsessed with someone else's over-done obvious ideas. Blahhhh.

[Cindy Kleback · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely coffee table book from one of my favorite brands! It celebrates things they love, things that inspire them, things that make them smile. The photos and sentiments included certainly made me smile.

[Summer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was nice but I did not like it as much as the ones that you could tell were from Kate Spade herself. Such as her trilogy of books she did in 2004. It also felt like the tone of this book was slightly condescending.

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful coffee table book. There is little in the way of substance, which is sometimes just what I need. I'm also a fan of the Kate Spade aesthetic, so I enjoyed comparing "things we love."

[Cat · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book can be summed up in three words: Amusing but Disconnected. If you love the designs then it's worth reading as it gives you incite into the designers thought processes, but otherwise skip it. It's worth the hour it takes to read but not a buy.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything I hoped it would be and more. The perfect coffee table book.

[Sunny P · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun thumb through. Something to rent from the library, not to own.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book. This would be a great coffee table book.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

nothing too revolutionary to find here, rather a big glossy book with great pics (and teensy, hard-to-read print) that's a great library check-out item.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was filled with beautiful pictures. I will look at this book many times. I would like some of the photographs for my own home.

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty, pretty, book. Colors and patterns, and shiny things.

[Gab R · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice read and even prettier to look at.

Is it premature for me to have bought a coffee table book before owning a coffee table? Probably.

[Yiling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gimme everything on the pages of this book please!

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a lot of fun -- so much color and type and photography. Lots of visual inspiration, whether you are a Kate Spade fan or not.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not usually one for designer labels or fashion books, I was completely charmed by this. It's cheeky and cheerful, a celebration of life (and clothes) with pizzazz.

[Renée]

love, love, love <3

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful book. Big heavy coffee table book with gorgeous photography and minimal text. Some fun quotes and style ideas but boils down to very little reading and lots of eye candy.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super fun, beautiful book! It makes you want to put on a party dress and heels and go have a cocktail in New York! A perfect escape from my yoga pants and laundry!

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute, colourful and fun diversion.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

the ultimate story board

[Georgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly enjoyable (and less brand indulgent than I thought) art book.

[Svetlana Tsareva · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book you can read in one sitting with a glass of wine. A lot of vintage photographs add charm.
I found two quotes that are one of my favorites now, thanks to this book:
- “I must say I find television very educational. The minute somebody turns it on, I go into the library and read a good book.” Groucho Marx
- “The world was hers for the reading.” Betty Smith.