Many of us grew up fantasizing about what it would be like to grow up as princess in a castle but the new book House of Thurn und Taxis illustrates the reality. In this case, the reality is even better than anything you could have dreamed up.

Gloria, Princess of Thurn and Taxis, was a countess without a fortune before marrying Johannes, 11th Prince of Thurn and Taxis, and becoming a princess. She was best known for her fun couture fashions in the 1980’s and art collection which earned her the nickname Gloria TNT. After the death of Johannes in 1990, she had to quickly learn the ropes of estate management and figure out how to pay the staggering tax bill.

The book photographed by Todd Eberle is a beautiful look into the palace of Schloss St. Emmeram, the family’s home for more than 200 years. The interiors are just as amazing as the history. I especially love the minty green wall color of one of the rooms and the envy inducing china closet. Gloria’s daughter, Elisabeth von Thurn und Taxis, also writes about what it’s like to grow up in home with more rooms than she can count and walking past lines of tourists waiting to tour them.

One of my readers asked for suggestions on design books to give for the holidays and this one is at the top of my list.