About

What this is

A wiki of taste — covering dress, interiors, music, beauty, and philosophy. Each domain draws on one or two books read closely: their arguments rephrased, organised by principle, and in places extended.

The wiki does not reproduce the texts it draws on. Readers who find it useful are encouraged to read the originals. The full list of sources is on the Books page.

How it works

Each domain has a page summarising its argument and a set of principles drawn from it. The principles pages go deeper: a statement, a commentary, practical notes, and common errors.

The chat feature draws on the same indexed content. It can answer questions about what the wiki covers and will say when it cannot.

Limitations

The sources were written at specific times, for specific audiences. Dariaux wrote for women with access to couture; Wharton for households with architectural budgets. The arguments beneath the social register usually travel; the prescriptions sometimes do not.

Gender assumptions run through the dress and interiors sources unreflectively. The contemporary reader will adjust accordingly.

The wiki grows slowly.