Can we talk design books?
Hello and happy Thursday to you! I hope you got to see my post over at Chic Coastal Living about my beach house, if not click here. Its worth seeing, moving on....... I love design books. I seem to have adopted the notion that you can never have enough. I have them in stacks all over my home. They are in my bedroom, living room, family room, kitchen and heck even in some bathrooms! I just love them and when I come across a really good one it becomes a "go to" reference.
Let's say I need new inspiration for how to style a table or console, or want to get window treatment ideas, whatever the case may be there are certainly those books that deliver over and over. I had to think about choosing my favorites because there are just so many good ones, but when I thought about the books I tend to revisit often, there were definite standouts. How about you? Do you too collect them? I would love to know your favorites!! Here are some of mine.....
There are more...but these are wonderful standbys. Most I have had for years but with their timeless elegance that they have in common, they are never outdated and always feel like I am visitng "an old friend" when I open them up again. Filled with so many exquisite details, its like I am looking at them with a fresh set of eyes every time I open them! Now its your turn...tell me some of your favorite design books. There is always space for just one more book on my shelves so I am dying to know your faves.......enjoy your day!
Don't forget about my Mothers Day extravaganza giveaway, one of four fabulous prizes!! Click here for details and to be eligible...winners to be announced on Saturday!
Uh oh...see a couple I don't have. I know what you mean about them feeling like old friends...especially the ones I've tagged with sticky notes.
ReplyDeleteHappy Mother's Day to you Tina!
Hi Tina I also love Charles Faudree books and love that every page has something beautiful! I also like the new book Designers at Home, it was interesting to see how some of my favorites live and there are many inspiring spaces. I recommend it. I enjoyed your list, and see a few I think I need to get.Thanks for the recommendations.
ReplyDeleteLove these books! I've seen a few of them and you're right they are timeless! Many of the books that I've kept really are still as stylish now as they were in the past. That's when you know there is good design! I think you should create on one day with your recipes! Oh and how is that manuscript going! I am excited about what you are writing because you are one talented writer! XO have a great day! Did your son's team win? My boys are done with baseball for a few weeks then it starts all over again but it's fun!
ReplyDeleteGood morning Tina! I will go see the link! Anita
ReplyDeleteMy favorites are all of Charles Faudree's books. My daughter and I attended a function in Atlanta where he was the featured speaker. Afterwards, he signed our books. My daughter told him how about her own dog, loved as much as his, and he then signed her book from his dog to her dog. It was such a nice gesture from a very gracious man.
ReplyDeleteTina, I see two I need to order. I trust anything you recommend!
ReplyDeleteAnother favorite is David Eastons book and Mary McDonalds. I look at both often for new ideas.
Thanks for the referrals. I see two I need to get!
ReplyDeleteHappy Thursday, Tina.
Teresa
xoxo
Tina,
ReplyDeleteI so agree about design books. They are beautiful to look at, exude inspiration and make for great vignettes. I have all of Bunny Williams, Charlotte Moss', Carolyne Roehm and Cindy's first. I realize in looking at your list that there are a few I need to add.
What a perfect day to curl up with a cup of coffee and a stack of great books!!!
xoxo Elizabeth
I have these books and love them! I especially enjoy all of Carolyne Roehm's books and Farrow and Ball books. The Great American House is another book I have so enjoyed. I love being in my garden room enjoying a design book on my lap and the beautiful flowering trees and lush green everywhere at this time of year. Have a Happy Mother's Day!
ReplyDeleteTina, I could not agree more, great deign books never go out of style. I too have a lot but most are on English and French Houses. I have all that you show except Greenwich Style, so I am going to have to check this out.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a great week!
Elizabeth
Tina, I LOVE decorating books and can spend so much time pouring through them, studying every detail of every photo! I have enjoyed all those you show above. You must try three of my favorites--I think you would love all three:
ReplyDeleteCharles Faudree's newest -- Home
Phoebe Howard -- The Joy of Decorating (the blue and white cover photo is gorgeous)
Alexa Hampton -- The Language of Interior Design (she is Mark Hampton's daughter and very talented too! -- don't be put off by the dark cover photo)
I have so many others but I think you will enjoy these!
Thanks for your beautiful, informative and entertaining blog. I love it!
Linda
I am a design book hoarder as well. Just can't get enough of them. My newest favorite is Nate Berkus' Things that Matter. It just really hit home with me to surround myself with things that I love and that are special to our family.
ReplyDeleteWhat great timing! I've been looking for new design books. I have always loved the ceiling beams in your family room. I can see the inspiration in the cover of Greenwich Style. I'll have to take a look at that one.
ReplyDeleteMy absolute favorite is Barbara Barry's Around Beauty. Her color palate is so elegant and relaxing and her attention to detail is exquisite. She also offers great advice and shares some design issues she's had to overcome in her own home.
Tina...I just said to my hubby that I needed to collect more design books!
ReplyDeleteHi Tina, I agree..can't have enough and I too have them stacked around:) There are a few you've listed that I will need to look up on amazon. Sometimes I think I prefer design and cooking books over novels! Enjoy your day!! xxL
ReplyDeleteTina design books inspire, delight and are wonderful go to's for fresh ideas. Love Bunny Williams' Point of View, Leslie Sinclair Secrets to Finishing Beautiful Interiors, Madeleine Chastain, I could go on forever!
ReplyDeleteXoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
I love Bunny Williams' "An Affair With a House." Marilyn in Mt. Vernon, VA
ReplyDelete"Patina Style" by Brooke and Steve Giannetti--because it can't be just eye candy, I need to learn too and their aesthetic is just so beautiful...
ReplyDeleteHello Tina, Some of my design books on my Library Table right now: Style, John Saladino. In the Romatic Style, Linda Chase and Laura Cerwinskie. Italy of my Dreams, Mathew White. Unmistakably French, Betty Lou Phillips. Rooms with a View, Chris Casson Madden. Country Houses of Tuscany, Barbara and Renee Stoetie, A Tuscan Paradise, Marina Schinz, French Country Signature, Charles Faudree. Paris Apartment, Claudia Strasser. La Magia Barroco en Apasea, Lydia Gonsales. ox, Gina
ReplyDeleteI actually don't have ANY of those books, and I thought I had almost all of them! I DO expect a design book for Mother's Day from my kids - it's a tradition :)
ReplyDeleteStacy
Great topic! I am happy to see some titles I do not know, will head to Amazon to order, trust your taste on these matters.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorites is Alexa Hamptons book, I also like Rooms to inspire and Essential Elegance, both on my nightstand for frequent looks for new ideas. I have to agree Charles Faudree sure puts out a wonderful book, every page worth studying. He is such a master.
Great topic to talk about.
Just heard Charles Faudree speak at Atlanta Design Center yesterday. He showed 40 house photos over his 40 year career in design>He was so funny and creative! I love all his books. It was a real treat to hear him.
ReplyDeleteI love all "coffee table" style books, but design books are always fun. Of course, I have "Greenwich Style" but I don't have any of the others. My favorites are Bunny Williams "An Affair With A House" and Charlotte Moss' "A Visual Life". Right now I am highly coveting Carolyne Roehm's Flower book. Ahhh...so many good books...I need a bigger library!
ReplyDeletexoxo
You are a lady after my own heart, I love your blogs, especially the one of your home tour...it is so beautiful, truly a dream
ReplyDeletehome. I too, decorate with blue and white. I also...loved your chic coastal living and your camelot posts. I too, collect
decorating books, my favorites are: Jane Seymour's "Making Yourself At Home", Suzanne Kasler's "Inspired Interiors" and
"Inspirations from France & Italy" by Betty Lou Phillips.
Thanks for all your wonderful posts,
Julie
I love all the Charles Faudree, Charlotte Moss, and Bunny Williams books as well. It's amazing how you can look at the same images over the years and see it differently as your perspective changes! Thanks for sharing your favorites - I am always looking for new ones!
ReplyDeleteHi Tina!!!!
ReplyDeleteI just got back from Atlanta and met Miles Redd and bought his "Big Book of Chic." IT really is a visual delight. I love almost any great design book---any style as long as it's beautifully done.
Hope you have a blessed Mother's Day…give Teddy a squeeze along with your other boys :)
XO
My collection of coffee table books are more on fine and contemporary art, and I have stacks of them all over the house too. The books already provide a design factor with their beautifully designed covers, and I sometimes open one to a page of my favorite artwork. The two books by Charles Faudree caught my eye though, so I may be adding those to my collection soon. Thanks for sharing, Tina!
ReplyDelete