Guest Picks: 20 Design Books for Your Library

I love books. To me, a residence is not complete unless it’s filled with books. Books tell so much about a person: their own pursuits, their own style, their beliefs. Over the years I have collected many books on interior design. These are a few of my favorites and a few that I consider to be essential to my layout library. — Candice from The Design Boards

Rizzoli New York

Downtown Chic – $45

When I was first introduced into the Novogratz style, I was hooked. Their amazing, no-rules approach to design is fresh and inviting. They love art and are huge supporters of indie artists, which I adore. Plus, their houses consistently seem effortless and put together — how do they handle that with all those kids?

Amazon

Creating A Home by Kathryn Ireland – $26.40

Kathryn Ireland is all about creating comforting surroundings through textiles and colour. Her work is not fussy, and at the close of the evening you have a home — not a room full of pretentious furniture you can not sit . Her style is more relaxed and lovely, and this book depicts that perfectly.

ABRAMS

American Modern – $50

When I had to pick a favourite designer, it would, undoubtedly, be Thoma O’Brien. I love his taste and superbly curated collections. He actually knows how to combine modern and classic.

Amazon

Domino: The Book of Decorating – $20.51

My favorite shelter magazine could be defunct, yet this book is a compilation of the best of the best from their archives. I don’t get tired of looking at a few of my favourite rooms that were displayed over the years. It is truly a great source for those who miss the magazine.

Barnes & Noble

Details: A Stylist’s Secrets to Creating Inspired Interiors by Lili Diallo – $40

Details is a great book for those who have the design aspect down but wish to understand how to add personality and actually layer a room with the little things that produce a house into a home.

ABRAMS

The Selby Is in Your Location – $35

I’m totally addicted to the site, and the book is much better. It’s lots of glossy pages filled with design and style gurus in their private spaces.

Amazon

Pale & Interesting by Atlanta Bartlett & Dave Coote – $19.77

I am always drawn to stylists’ work. I love the way they layer rooms and actually add yet another dimension of coziness and depth to a room. Atlanta Bartlett has ever been a great source of inspiration for me personally, and her book does not disappoint.

Amazon

The Perfectly Imperfect Home: How to Decorate and Live Well – $17.64

This book is a must-have for keeping home and incorporating all those simple touches that actually take your home to a comfortable and inviting living space. The examples are great too. This is a great book to leave on a coffee table for your guests to poke when they are visiting. More about this book

Barnes & Noble

Black and White (and a Bit in Between) – $35.21

I might not ever have enough conviction to only commit to two colour choices, but when I did, they would with no doubt be white and black. This book is a beautiful compilation of white and black rooms from a number of the most acclaimed designers in the industry.

Amazon

Etcetera: Creating Exquisite Interiors With the Things You Love – $26.37

Sibella Court is, in my estimation, a styling genius. Her work is beyond beautiful, and this book totally draws you in.

Chronicle Books

Nomad – $40

This can be Sibella’s new book, and it’s an excellent expansion of Etc.. With a single part travel guide and one part layout inspiration, it’s a great source of ideas and creativity.

Amazon

Decorate: 1,000 Design Ideas for Every Room in Your House – $23.79

I love this book because it’s really layout available. Nothing feels overdone or ostentatious. There are great ideas and design ideas, and that which feels obtainable, which I adore. If you are a fan of the site Decor8, then you are going to adore the book. I believe it’s an absolute must-have for your layout library.

More: Get a peek inside the pages of Decorate

Amazon

Nation by Jasper Conran – $37.80

I got this book for Christmas this year, and it’s on very top of my favorites list today. It is a beautiful screen of English country life. The book is big and impressive and makes a perfect coffee table attachment. I like flipping through it while I drink tea.

Anthropologie

Home Love: 100 Inspiring Ideas For Creating Beautiful Bathrooms – $45

As I’ve said earlier, I really like design novels composed by stylists. This book has lots of great tips for putting together a room and actually showcasing its own assets.

Terrain

Design*Sponge In Home – $35

I have been reading Grace’s site since the beginning, and this book is a superb expansion of her design style and aesthetic. It is the ideal book if you are a fan of the site.

Amazon

Vogue Living: Homes, Gardens, People – $47.25

It is always fun to peek in the homes of creative and important folks to observe how they design and live within their private spaces. This book showcases 36 different houses and gardens including those of Annie Leibovitz, Oscar de la Renta and Christian Louboutin.

Amazon

Creative Walls: How to Display and Revel in Your Treasured Collections – $19.77

I love to see artwork displayed in fun and unusual ways, and this book is a great source of inspiration for thinking outside the box.

Amazon

Domestic Art: Curated Interiors – $90

This book is a great compilation of complex and special interiors. It is full of inspiration and is ideal for keeping out on screen. While not your normal design book, it is going to add an interesting mix to your library.

ABRAMS

Color for Interior Design – $40

This is a great book to have in your arsenal. It explains color theory and makes it possible to understand how to use colour on your space. More scrapbooking than inspirational, but it’s essential if you would like to comprehend the science behind colour.

Amazon

Tricia Guild Pattern – $16.50

Pattern is always a scary thing to tackle. Tricia Guild is famous for really going all out using bold pattern and colour, and her book is a great source of inspiration and thoughts for those who could be scared to tackle it by themselves.

Are there some titles you would add? Tell us in the comments below.

Next: 17 ways to design with novels

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