Book Arts

Steve, John and Team bar none great group to interact, design and produce bespoke books. My project they did was infused with artful sensitivity.

Stephen and his team provided the utmost attention and care with the restoration of a family heirloom. The work was entirely customized to the historical books that I brought in, with particular care paid to the seamless combination of new and old. I would highly recommend them for any restoration projects!

When I look at this book, I am overwhelmed! The leather has so much depth - the weight - the smell - the paper; they all leave me full with joy. I love handmade things that you can use and I've loved books since I was a kid. Living in Oklahoma, I don't have a lot of options. There are a few places I've found online that have some nice stuff, but bookarts is just at another level. Everyone is so kind and genuine. Not being able to go in person can make ordering a book tricky you know what I mean!. They took around 30 minutes with me - talking about the size, leather, paper, tooling, bookmark, end sheets and more. It was really an amazing experience. Thank you for doing what you do, for your passion and mostly for taking the time to make the experience personal. I've posted some pictures of the book. Nothing does the leather perfect justice, but I hope you love it as much as I do!!!!!!

Stephen and the BookArts team are incredibly dedicated and produce incredible work. I have used them numerous times for both business and personal purposes. Most recently, they helped produce a gorgeous book I used as an engagement gift for my fiancé. I could not recommend these guys any more. Not only do they take pride in their work, they take an interest in your personal story and the importance behind each book they create. Their work is truly incredible, and I would not go anywhere else.

I have used Book Arts for two different conservation projects; the most recent in November 2017. In both instances, the final restored literary products demonstrated extremely high quality and pristine workmanship. The owners take pride in their craft, and it is obvious in both product and process. I admittedly have high standards; and my two experiences with Book Arts totally exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend them.

I've had the pleasure of working with both Stephen and John professionally for over a decade and their work is truly beyond special. Their vision and creativity are unmatched and the attention to every single detail is magnificent. Everything they do is custom and hand made -- and original design. The materials they use are the finest and each project is a one of a kind masterpiece. I highly recommend visiting their elegant storefront in Washington, DC, located on Pennsylvania Avenue, or they are always delightful and pleased to assist over the phone. Don't miss out on giving yourself one of their beautiful pieces of art -- or remember family and friends to commemorate a special occasion gift!

I discovered Book Arts when I was charged with planning and organizing a 100th Anniversary gala recently. The principals, master bookmakers/designers Stephen Vanilio and John Paul Greenawalt, relished the challenge of a time-sensitive project with a limited budget. With unparalleled professionalism, they created unique products of the highest quality that communicated the special character of the occasion through their exquisite design and fine materials. Book Arts is the go-to business for all who wish to celebrate an occasion or to preserve memories in beautifully hand-crafted works of art that last a lifetime. I have since recommended Book Arts to many individuals and institutions, and in turn each has shared my wonderful experience with the exceptionally talented Book Arts team.

Under the expert guidance of Stephen Vanilio and John Paul Greenawalt, Book Arts ranks among the nation's premiere bookbinders. Throughout our journey together, they exercised great care and patience, with a keen eye to detail and aesthetics. They transformed the draft of my project, an autobiography reflecting ten years of research and writing, into a printed and bound book of extraordinary quality, beauty, and refinement. Thanks to their many years of experience and multiple talents, my book will be treasured by family and friends for generations to come. John Greenawalt and Stephen Vanilio, indeed, are two of the industry's outstanding "book artists."

I love my wife and I love giving my wife gifts that are perfect for her and the occasion. I also love GREAT customer service and exceptional quality and craftsmanship. Six months ago, the genesis of an idea for a gift for her 50th birthday came to me. I wanted to collect letters from family and friends who are important to her and put them in a special book, of some sort. I did a bit of research and stumbled upon Book Arts. I rode my bike over to the store on my lunch break one day a few months before her birthday and talked to one of the owners, Stephen Vanilio. Our first discussion was about an hour long with me describing what I wanted and Stephen assuring me that not only did he understand what I wanted, but this is what they did. "We make beautiful one of a kind pieces of art. Trust me. I understand what you want. We do things like this all the time." He said. "This is a REALLY important birthday and I want this gift to be REALLY special." I said back to him. He then showed me a few items that they had made for presidents, popes, queens and princes along with the video on their website. He then said, "Trust me, I think we got this." Well, although I was impressed with the client list and some of the breathtakingly beautiful work I was shown, I still wanted to make sure that what I wanted for my wife, "My Queen" could be conceptualized and made real. After a few more lunchtime discussions I was convinced that what I wanted was possible and that Book Arts could pull it off. After deciding on the materials a beautiful handmade green Italian leather, sculpted green paper with gold accents, and all 23kt gold lettering and detailing} it was time to collect and organize the letters. This is where John Paul Greenawalt, Stephen's partner came in, John was thoughtful , patient and incredibly organized, with such an incredible attention to detail. He emailed me questions about the letters and how I wanted them organized. Although I had requested that the letter writers submit the letters on a certain date, some were late. Even with a fake deadline. Stephen had already told me that there would be stragglers and the built in time would help accommodate late submissions. He was right, yet again, After all the letters were submitted and I had communicated the order and a few minor formatting and editing issues were handled, my involvement was done. I know that they had other clients and those clients were spending much more money than I was, but I felt as if my project was THE MOST important project they had. I felt like I was their only client. Stephen called me a full week before the initial projected date to let me know that the book was ready. I rode my bike over to pick it up. I got to the shop and sat in the chair I had sat in many times before to discuss this project and talked to Stephen. After about 10 minutes he asked if I wanted to see the book, I said yep! He gave me this heavy box. I opened it. I took the blue cloth that covered the ornate box that contained the stunning book that housed the letters written to my wife. I was floored. It was beyond anything I could have imagined. It was beyond my dreams. When I gave it to my wife on her birthday, she was overwhelmed by the beauty and the sentiment and how they merged into something that she could not immediately comprehend. To say that the gift hit the mark is the understatement of the century. From my very first walk into the shop to the presentation of the gift to my wife, my experience with Book Arts was personalized, customer services and hand crafted services at the finest and highest quality. Stephen, John and all the creators involved in my experience gifted my family an heirloom that is sure to stand the test of time beautifully. The price paid pales to what I would pay for the experience and the product. THE BEST GIFT I HAVE EVER GIVEN MY WIFE! THANK YOU STEPHEN & JOHN! THANK YOU BOOK ARTS!!

Too bad there are only five stars! Could we add one more for each extraordinary Book Arts experience I have had over many years and yet more for the pleasure these gifts have given the recipients - some moved almost to tears. Steve and John: thank you for these great creative efforts each and every time. Will return soon!