The Novogratz Chronicles - by Robert Novogratz & Cortney Novogratz (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Husband and wife design duo Robert and Cortney Novogratz share their trade secrets and personal stories from over twenty-five years of buying, selling, and fixing up homes. With a foreword by Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman.

Robert and Cortney Novogratz, stars of HGTV's Home by Novogratz and Bravo's 9 by Design, have transformed fabulous properties across the U.S. and around the world, including Hotel Dylan (Woodstock, NY), the Bungalow Hotel (Long Branch, NJ), and Timber Cove (Sonoma, CA), to name a few. They've also partnered with many celebrities and top retailers and had their work profiled in major national media outlets, from The New York Times to Architectural Digest, all while raising their family of seven children.​ They not only know how to run a successful and innovative design business but also how to balance work, family, and fun.

The Novogratz Chronicles is their most intimate and personal book to date, taking readers on their journey from their first house renovation project in Chelsea in the 1990s to their latest home in Greenwich Village and projects in Los Angeles, Brazil, and the Berkshires. Eleven chapters explore and share their path to success, from thinking outside the box when financing, to building the right renovation team, to developing a design aesthetic and trusting your design instincts, interspersed with personal anecdotes and stories from their hands-on experiences.

DIYers, HGTV fans, weekend warriors, and anyone interested in buying, selling, and renovating houses and spaces will love reading The Novogratz Chronicles and discovering the expertise that lies beyond their renowned how-to decorating prowess to inform and inspire their own renovation dreams and endeavors.​

Review Quotes

"This isn't their first title, but it may be the most comprehensive: 25 years is a lot of time to reflect on and enough to call the Novogratzes experts in the field. Dive into their first project in Chelsea and end with their current work in the pages of this volume, all penned by the design duo themselves."--AD PRO

"This latest book is a way for the design duo to share more than their aesthetic principles. In a way, it's business, and seeks to activate and inspire anyone to build the house -- or homes -- of their dreams."--New York Post

"Cortney and Robert are a magical, dynamic force, and this book is a first-person tour through the remarkable path they have forged together as designers, innovators, and fearless risk takers over the past twenty-five years."

--Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman, from the foreword

"I was so happy to go on this wild ride with the Novogratzes and hear all their tales from the past twenty-five years. Cortney and Robert's recollections about their renovations are epic, for better or worse, and I could not put this book down."

--Nate Berkus, designer

"Two of my oldest friends in New York City, Cortney and Bob, show time and time again that there are no rules in doing what you love. That if you dream it, you can do it. Design and style with pop and color that is as comfortable and beautiful to be in as it is to look at."

--Michael Kelly, actor

"Bob and Cortney Novogratz have redefined the urban landscape of downtown New York City with their epic transformations of historic properties over the past three decades. They have masterfully discovered the perfect blend of eclectic yet elevated design that appeals to buyers of all ages, tastes, and backgrounds. This democracy of design has opened the door to the enjoyment of fascinating urban living spaces for so many and refined the way that New Yorkers think about living in our great city. Bravo, Bob and Cortney."

--Jim St. André, founder, St. André team, Compass Real Estate

"Cortney and Robert are dynamic as a couple and a design team. They turned our archaic mountain home into a bright, lively space that our family continues to enjoy over 10 years later. Viva Novogratz!"

--Tony Hawk, skateboarder and entrepreneur

"I rented Bob and Cortney's first house in Chelsea in the 1990s because it symbolized safety and beauty and design spirit. I was always impressed by their joy of life, and we have remained friends to this day. This book is the story of their renovations, through the victories and defeats, giving readers a true look at what happens behind the scenes of these amazing endeavors."

--Suzanne Vega, musician

"Husband-and-wife design duo Robert and Cortney Novogratz's heartwarming anecdotes--from the historical wallpaper uncovered in their first demo that inspired their wedding color palette to a Thanksgiving move-in that put the extended family on curtain-sewing duty--weave between hard-earned lessons on how to finance projects, navigate TV and licensing deals, build and sustain a brand, and more. Spoiler: After 25 years in design, the obstacles don't get easier, they just get more familiar."--Architectural Digest

"For more than a quarter century, Robert and Cortney Novogratz have dazzled with their remarkable ability to transform historic properties, their stylish line of furniture and second-to-none housewares, blending classic charm with modern sophistication. As long-time admirers of their outside-the-box design approach, we're thrilled to see their new book, The Novogratz Chronicles (Princeton Architectural Press), doesn't disappoint. This captivating tome offers a behind-the-scenes look at their creative process revealing trade secrets and highlighting their stunning Great Barrington, MA home (among others)--a perfect embodiment of their 'Boutique Lifestyle' design philosophy. It's truly exciting to see the talented couple, whose work we've cherished for years, bringing their visionary touch to our region."--The Mountains

"This collection of stories...range[s] from energizing (imagine working with seven kids!) to exhilarating (a beach house in Brazil)... .The Novogratzes, who amplify their brand through reality TV, publicity, and this book, have fun while taking their work seriously."--Booklist

"We share both our successes and failure in the book because those are the biggest life lessons. We hope readers find inspiration in our story and realize that with passion, creativity, and determination, they can overcome any challenge in their renovation journeys."--Robert Novogratz for Furniture Today

About the Author

Husband and wife design duo Cortney and Robert Novogratz have designed and developed many unique properties over the years, from New York City to Los Angeles and beyond. They have authored four books, partnered with many celebrities and well-known retailers, such as Wayfair, Amazon, and CB2, and opened their own furniture store while raising seven children and running their design business. They've been profiled in the New York Times, The Times of London, Sunday Styles, Casa Vogue Italy, Architectural Digest, Emirates Home, Interni, Oprah, Family Circle, T Magazine, Elle, Living, Etc., Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, Men's Health, House Beautiful, and The Hollywood Reporter. They currently live in New York City.​