lthough there are many sites online where
you can find delicious recipes (including
ours, of course), I believe that having a
wide range of cookbooks is essential, both
for inspiration and as an invaluable and
practical resource.
While I do keep duplicates of my most referenced books on
shelves in my main kitchen, I recently decided to create a bright
and beautiful library for my volumes, in the dining room of the
Maple Avenue house on my farm in Bedford. This is my place
to dream up new dishes and flip through old favorites, like my
1961 first edition of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, by Julia
Child, Simone Beck, and Louisette Bertholle (which can now
fetch upwards of $700); South Wind Through the Kitchen, by the
famous English food writer Elizabeth David; The Art of Fine Baking,
by Paula Peck; and the venerable Larousse Gastronomique.
With the help of a designer from California Closets, I desig-
nated areas for simple adjustable shelves, which are handy
A
for oversize books. Then I organized titles by type of cuisine:
I have a section devoted to Italian food, for instance, while my
pastry books fill another.
I furnished the space like a formal, well-lit reading room in
an old public library. A large dining table for hosting lunches
and dinners doubles as a work surface where I can spread out
multiple books, papers, and photos. Standing lamps provide
ample illumination, and an antique mirror over the fireplace
helps reflect more light when day fades into evening. Translucent
window shades protect the books from direct sun exposure. I
also added several begonias and topiaries to bring life into the
room; they seem to love the north and east light.
I’m delighted with the results. Being surrounded by all these
recipes just might inspire me to get started on another cookbook.
Stay tuned for what it will be!
PAGE TURNERS
Martha loves to try recipes and techniques
from new cookbooks; here she leafs through
Baking at République, by Margarita Manzke.
Below: She worked with California Closets to
design floor-to-ceiling shelves in a black finish.
18 NOVEMBER 2019
THOMAS LOOF (PORTRAIT)
