Life by Design

A kaleidoscopic account of the midcentury atelier of d.d. and Leslie Tillett, whose expressive fabrics once defined the interiors of America’s most influential tastemakers

Life by Design is an intimate, visually rich celebration of the House of Tillett, the legendary American fabric atelier long cherished by in-the-know designers. At its heart is the remarkable story of founders d.d. and Leslie Tillett, a visionary creative couple who rank among design history’s greatest duos.

The Tilletts’ creative bond propelled them to challenge the cool restraint of modernism with color-drenched exuberance and expressive, hand-driven craft. Working from their Upper East Side carriage house, they attracted a stylish and powerful fanbase. Their well-heeled clientele included the era’s leading decorators and style icons – from Sister Parish and Bunny Mellon to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who entrusted the duo with fabrics for the Kennedy White House bedroom.

Life by Design is an invitation to explore the Tilletts’ extraordinary world. Drawing on never-before-seen photographs, rare correspondence, family archives, artworks, and dazzling examples of custom Tillett fabrics, the book offers a vibrant portrait of two artists who lived their work with uncommon intensity. Featuring engaging text by design historian Leigh Wishner and annotated with warmth and wit by the Tilletts’ youngest son, Seth, this sumptuous volume immerses readers in a creative universe where imagination, intimacy, and creativity shaped an unforgettable legacy.