Every page of "The Private World of Yves Saint Laurent & Pierre Berge," not surprisingly, bespeaks luxury and wealth, revealing a collection of works reflecting a lifestyle and taste that no longer exists in its entirety.

  This large book contains hundreds of photos of the eight homes occupied by the late designer and his partner. The two owned eight homes in France and North Africa, where Saint Laurent had grown up, and furnished them throughout with works by Matisse, Picasso and Mondrian, among many artists. Cultural artwork from around the world can be found in these homes.  Sculptures, photos, chandeliers, furniture, lighting and books are everywhere.  After Saint Laurent's death last year, Berge decided to empty the homes, and purchasers from around the world snatched up the thousands of furnishings and artworks. The intent of the sales was to benefit AIDS research.

For those who think of Saint Laurent only as a fashion designer, albeit a powerful one who influenced style for more than four decades, the homes offer expanded perspective of his creativity.

Each home has its own style and imaginative decor. The couple's collection and admiration of Art Deco had begun in the late 1960s and expanded into an apartment on the Left Bank in Paris in 1970. That was their launching pad for ever more expansion into other styles and more homes. Within 12 years, they had four apartments across Paris, each with its own purpose and design. One acquired in 1974 was Saint Laurent's work space, and is decorated with African sculptures, photos of boxers and leather couches. Large windows bring in large amounts of light to make it easier to work.

Another taken in 1974 features a grand staircase, chandeliers, Warhol portraits of Saint Laurent and mirrored walls. This was where Saint Laurent did much of his work of the time period until his retirement in 2002.

The two homes in North Africa are relatively simple--compared to their homes in France--but incredibly well decorated.

One, named the Villa Mabrouka (house of luck), is a walled complex in Algeria that looks out over the water to the coast of Spain. It is very open and airy, surrounded by gardens and lawns, a pool and arches at the entrance.

The second home is in Marrakech, Morocco, and reflects a Moroccan flavor: There's a pavilion and a pond, Orientalist paintings, carefully matched rugs, wall hangings and etchings, with shades of green and blue across all the rooms and open spaces. Saint Laurent's ashes are scattered in the garden at this home, known as Villa Oasis.

The book is well photographed, with text that explains not only what we are seeing but the history of the homes and the two men who created them. There is also a recurring theme of celebrity, as Saint Laurent's own fame brought artists, actors and musicians into the homes and their lives.

In one sense, it's a shame to see some of these collections broken up, whatever the cause. On the other, it's hard to imagine anyone already sensitive to art and design who would buy any of these homes and not make major changes to suit his own tastes.

This is a beautiful book that, nonetheless, made me uncomfortable. Given the tough economic times we're in, the sheer wealth on display here, as tastefully done as it is, made me squirm a bit. Personally, I could admire any of the pieces or even rooms; the open land and the faithful execution of style, but the money, oh, the money, spent to keep two people happy. I know, it was theirs to spend but still, I cringe just a bit.

Recommended: Yes