Hello friends! The holiday season is almost upon us, and it’s time to start getting our wish lists in order. I’ll start with a few things on my list…books! I can’t resist a good coffee table book full of photos and illustrations, and this year I want to dig even deeper and learn more about the broad world of design. Let me share some of the books that have caught my attention. Weigh in with suggestions for good reads…anything artsy, craftsy, decorative, informative, or inspiring will fit the bill :)
My must-reads:
Domino: The Book of Decorating by Deborah Needleman, Sarah Ruffin Costello & Dara Caponigro
I can’t believe I don’t already own this! Domino magazine was one of the first interior design magazines I started reading. I loved it right through the moment the recession claimed it (moment of silence for its demise). Thankfully, Domino still has this lovely hardcover book as a part of their legacy. The cover alone makes it coffee table worthy, but the inside is pretty great too. It’s broken down by room and by decorating style, and contains tons of tips on upholstery, window treatments, room arrangement, and styling. There’s even a “big black book” directory of design resources. This book is at the top of my list.
Apartment Therapy Presents: Real Homes, Real People, Hundreds of Design Solutions by Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan with Jill Slater & Janel Laban
I checked out this book at the library a long time ago, and now I can’t stop thinking about it! Apartment Therapy is a wonderful resource, one of the best out there, so I’m not surprised they made a book that’s both informative and gorgeous to look at. This book contains hundreds of pages of real families living creatively in small spaces, complete with surveys about how the rooms came together. It’s fascinating to see the variety of styles people chose to decorate their homes.
The Design of Everyday Things by Donald A. Norman
The title of this book caught my eye when I was in the graphic design section of the bookstore, and it looks like an interesting intellectual read. I’m a newbie when it comes to design beyond interiors, but graphic and industrial design fascinate me. This book explores why everyday things are designed the way they are, whether for better or for worse. The Amazon review claims this is a “tremendous” read for “anyone who designs anything to be used by humans…and…anyone who has to use anything created by another human.” Well, how can you argue with that? Sounds like required reading for us all.
What’s on your Bookshelf Browsing wish list?
Ooh, I keep my copy of Domino close at hand at all times!
I also want this book–it’s not about design or decor, but it’s about baking yummy treats, which is also a creative endeavor :).
Baked Explorations: Classic American Desserts Reinvented
Thanks Elise! I love the way that book is styled and I would like to try baking more :)