Home Decorating Books
All reviews on this page are by our friend Ivette, who collects design books as a hobby and literally summarized every single one on her book shelves for us! What a pal — thank you Ivette! Here are her thoughts about her library, which is extensive.
I’ve been collecting design books since roughly 1993 while living in India. That country’s colors and textures really awakened a love of design in me that I previously didn’t know existed. Prior to that, I had limited myself to the Laura Ashley look, which is lovely, but I have grown since then, due primarily to much reading. What I look for in design books is either the reputation of the author or the subject designer, or something fresh and different in the subject matter. I find I go through stages, now being very much into the idea of blending traditional with modern, as well as minimizing possessions to only those things that have meaning and/or beauty, and respecting the earth and what I’ll leave behind for my child. — Ivette
A 
A History of Interior Design
Pile, John. John Wiley & Sons, 2005
ISBN: 0-471-46434-1.
Design school textbook relating the history of interior design from Prehistory and early civilizations (Pre-Colombian and Ancient Egypt) to Contemporary Design. Lots of photographs and excellent academic narrative.
A Passion for Detail
Moss, Charlotte. Doubleday, 1991
ISBN: 0-385-26760-6
Very traditional style. Pictures are smallish but nice, however, there aren’t enough of them. If you’re into traditional, this is a good primer.
Albert Hadley: Drawings and the Design Process
Hadley, Albert. New York School of Interior Design, 2004
ISBN: 0-9761578-0-2
Fascinating study of Albert Hadley’s drawings, during his education at Parsons and his career. While not all encompassing, the drawings included cover a long stretch of time and the narrative gives terrific insight into what Hadley was thinking when he drew them as well as solutions he came up with for issues unique to the room in question or the assignment at hand. The sketches are marvelous and this intimate insight into the mind of a great designer is priceless.
Albert Hadley: The Story of America’s Preeminent Interior Designer
Lewis, Adam. Rizolli, 2004
ISBN: 13-978-0-8478-2742-8
Biography of Albert Hadley and his career as seen by a catalog of his rooms. Beautiful photography and excellent narrative.
American Designers’ Houses
Bradbury, Dominique. Pavilion, 2004
ISBN: 0-86565-227-9
A design classic with great photographs from the homes of well known and some legendary designers such as Albert Hadley, David Easton, Rose Tarlow, Juan Pablo Molyneux, and Martyn Laurence-Bullard, Holly Hunt, and many others. Chapters divided by Classic, Fusion, and Contemporary. Always fun to see what designers do in their own private spaces.
An Affair with a House
Williams, Bunny. Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 2005
ISBN: 1-58479-470-4
Photographic documentation of a designer’s efforts and results with the renovation of her very traditional country home. Her interiors are pretty and she gives recipes and garden ideas.
Anatomy for Interior Designers, 3rd Edition
Panero, Julius. Whitney Library of Design, 1948, 1951, 1962
ISBN: 0-8230-7026-8
Detailed drawings and measurements of how to fit the human body to the environment around it. Everything from the best length for a table per person, to measuring storage space, conversation areas, and kitchens for best function. Information that is still relevant and useful to this day.
Andrew Martin Interior Design Review, Volume 5
Stewart-Smith, Sarah. Andrew Martin International, 2001
ISBN: 0-9530045-2-X
Annual issue on rooms by top designers. Very little narrative but great pictures. This edition includes rooms by Kelly Hoppen, Thomas Pheasant, Alberto Pinto, and several design firms.
Antiques at Home
Ohrbach, Barbara Milo. Clarkson Potter, 1989
ISBN: 0-517-56986-8
A detailed study of types of antique collectibles and ways to use them in interior design. It’s all about collecting what you love, and living and using these things every day.
Architecture and Interior Design through the 18th Century
Harwood, Buie, Bridget May, Curt Sherman. Prentice Hall, 2002
ISBN: 0-13-758590X
A design textbook on history of interior design to 1800. Covers everything from ancient China, Japan, and Egypt, to American Federal and Late Georgian. Lots of pictures, and diagrams.
At Home with Books
Ellis, Estelle, Caroline Seebohm, Christoher Simon Sykes. Carol Southern Books, 1995
ISBN: 0-517-5900-1
These homes of bibliophiles, worldwide, are filled with great ideas on how to store, display and live with books. Lots of great design ideas from traditional to contemporary.
Attention to Detail
Trocme, Suzanne. Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 2004
ISBN: 1-58479-360-0
Very informative book on the details of design that make a home unique, beautiful, and above all functional. Case studies of specific rooms followed in depth discussions of functional details and decorative details. Rooms here are almost entirely modern, but even if that’s not your thing, the ideas are excellent and transcend decorating style.
B 
Bathing Spaces
Hanan, Ali. Rockport, 2000
ISBN: 1-56496-717-4
Short on narrative but rich in spectacular bathrooms of different styles. Great for the early planning stages of a bath remodel.
Bathrooms
Sacks, Diane Dorrans. California Design Library, Chronicle Books, 1998
ISBN: 0-8118-1334-7
Perhaps the best in the Sacks series, beautiful bathrooms and really insightful narrative into the function and design of bathrooms.
Bedrooms
Hirschman, Jessica Elin. Michael Friedman Publishing, 1996
ISBN: 0-7607-4224-3
Lots of different bedroom styles, from traditional to exotic to modern. More pictures than narrative.
Bedrooms
Sacks, Diane Dorrans. California Design Library, Chronicle Books, 1998
ISBN: 0-8118-1331-2
Basically eyes candy of California bedrooms. Lots of good ideas to emulate here. Narrative is pretty extensive and insightful.
Bedroom Essentials
Shaw, Ross Byam. Ryland, Peters & Small, 2004
ISBN: 1-84172-604-4
Cute little book with lots of great photographs of very original bedrooms. A very modern aesthetic here.
Billy Baldwin Decorates
Baldwin, Billy. Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1972
ISBN: 0-03-001021-7
Out of print, but worth searching and paying for through the nose. The great Billy Baldwin give design advice by room, discusses the different elements of design, and how to put your personal stamp on a room. One of the most amazing things is the grainy photography of rooms he designed, the vast majority of which are not remotely dated, but still stylish and totally perfect.
Bungalow Kitchens
Powell, Jane and Linda Svendsen. Gibbs Smith, 2000
ISBN: 0-87905-950-8
Detailed information and photographs on creating a kitchen in traditional American bungalow style.
C to D 
Classic Decorative Details
Spencer-Churchill, Henrietta. Rizzoli, 1994
ISBN: 0-8478-1808-X
This book deals with the details of classic English style interiors. Chapters are divided into Fabrics, Collections, and Pictures/Mirrors, to Fabrics, Bathrooms, and Kitchens.
Classic English Interiors
Spencer-Churchill, Henrietta. Rizzoli, 1992
ISBN: 0-8478-1570-6
Book of high end, classic English interiors. Exquisite photographs and excellent narrative.
Classic Georgian Style
Spencer-Churchill, Henrietta. Rizzoli, 1997
ISBN: 0-8478-2042-4
Beautiful Georgian homes, with both exteriors and interiors.
Colefax & Fowler Interior Inspirations
Banks-Pye, Roger. Ryland, Peters & Small, 1997
ISBN: 0-8212-2333-X
The Colefax & Fowler look studied and analyzed by one of the firm’s designers. The book has beautiful photography plus details on how to replicate the look in our modern times.
Color in Interior Design
Pile, John. McGraw-Hill, 1997
ISBN: 0-07-050165-3
Treatise on color theory and its use in interior design. Everything is included from different color systems, to the color wheel, to functional and historic contexts, and problems with color.
Color in Interior Design
Pile, John. McGraw-Hill, 1997
ISBN: 0-07-050165-3
Treatise on color theory and its use in interior design. Everything is included from different color systems, to the color wheel, to functional and historic contexts, and problems with color.
Color Palettes
Butterfield, Suzanne. Clarkson N. Potter, 1998
ISBN: 0-609-60144-X
While focusing specifically on the Donald Kaufman color collection, this book still provides good insight into color and how best to use it in rooms to great effect. Great photography.
Cooking Spaces
Thompson, Helen. Rockport Publishers, 2000
ISBN: 1-56496-706-9
Lots of great design ideas and pictures of unique kitchens.
Country Life: England’s Lost Houses
Worsley, Giles. Aurum Press Limited, 2002
ISBN: 1 85410 820 4
A volume filled entirely with old black and white photographs of English homes and interiors which are now, sadly, lost. This is a must-have for any fan of English style. All of these homes have been lost, either due to war, fire, or demolition during the 20th century, making them all the more poignantly beautiful.
Country Life: The English Country House
Hall, Michael. Aurum Press Limited, 2001
ISBN: 1 85410 756 9
Attractive black and white pictures of classic, English Country homes.
Creating a New Old House
Versaci, Russell. The Taunton Press, 2003
ISBN: 1-56158-615-3
This book deals with ways of building a brand new home so it’s made to look like a classic that has been around for ages. Focus is on details that give a home character.
Creating the Inspired House
Connell, John. The Taunton Press, 2004
ISBN: 1-56158-691-9
For those fans of the now defunct “Inspired House” magazine, this book is a synopsis of most of the homes in those issues. There are different styles and locations where suitability and appropriateness are paramount considerations.
Creating the Not So Big House
Susanka, Sarah. The Taunton Press, 2001
ISBN: 1-56158-377-4
Best known for her architectural philosophy of creating only as much home as we need, this book delves further into actual design of interiors to make small spaces special, and not anything like sacrifices. What is saved in square footage is spent in finer finishes. There’s a definite “Taunton Style” to the rooms, but interesting.
Decorating with Antiques: Confidently Combining Old and New
Clifton-Mogg, Caroline. Ryland, Peters & Small, 1999
ISBN: 0-8212-2565-0
Beautifully detailed photographs on how to incorporate antiques and collectibles into your interior design scheme.
Designer’s Guide to Furniture Styles
Crochet, Treena. Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2004
ISBN: 0-13-044757-9
Encyclopedia on furniture design styles from Neolithic Culture to Twentieth Century plus non-Western styles.
Designers on Designers
Gray, Susan. McGraw Hill, 2004
ISBN: 0-07-142160-2
Essays by designers, about designers. So you have Thomas Britt on Billy Baldwin, John Stefanidis on Philippe Starck, and Vicente Wolf on David Hicks, to name just a few. This is a great book revealing what other designers revere about previous design legends. Each essay contains four to six photographs of rooms by the designer being discussed.
Designing The Good Home
Wedlick, Dennis. The Taunton Press, 2001
ISBN: 0-9679143-2-9
An early book by Wedlick that focuses on details that make a home unique and give it great character, both inside and out.
Domesticities: At Home with New York Times Magazine
Viladas, Pilar. The New York Times Company, 2005
ISBN: 0-8212-5710-2.
Beautiful homes published in New York Times Magazine. Lots of gorgeous photography and good, if short, narrative. Rooms are really fresh, innovative and inspirational.
Dwellings
Sills, Stephen and James Huniford. Bullfinch, 2003
ISBN: 0-8212-2846-3
Eclectic/modern rooms designed by the authors and design advice from it. Divided into advice on finding your personal style, space planning and details on furniture, color, etc. Heavier on photos than narrative, but interesting insight just the same.
E to H 
East Meets West: Global Design for Contemporary Interiors
Hoppen, Kelly. Rizzoli, 1997
ISBN: 0-8478-2036-X
Great treatise on combining our western, modern aesthetic with traditional Eastern elements. Really beautiful rooms and photography. Okay narrative, but lots of original ideas.
English Country
Fowler, Julie. Friedman/Fairfax, 1999
ISBN: 1-56799-378-8
Classic and beautiful English Country Style rooms. Book divided by type of room, kitchen, dining, bedroom, etc. Beautiful photography; not much in the way of narrative. But if you love this style, you won’t miss it.
English Country. Living in England’s Private Houses
Seebohm, Caroline and Christopher Simon Sykes. Clarkson N. Potter, 1987
ISBN: 0-517-56060-7
As the title suggests, this is a lovely volume focusing on the interiors and exteriors of English Country homes — from the countryside, to the approach to the house, interiors and gardens. Handsome book, excellent narrative.
Essential Home
Wilson, Judith. Ryland, Peters & Small, 2002
ISBN: 1-84172-307-X
Good treatise on minimizing, decluttering, and focusing on the most important features and design for a truly functional and
beautiful home. Heavy on modern design, good pictures and narrative.
Fabrics: A Guide for Interior Designers and Architects
Yates, Marypaul. W.W. Norton & Company, 2002
ISBN: 0-393-73062-X.
This textbook-level book on fabrics covers everything from green options to designs, structure, color application, and the fabric industry.
Family Living
Wilson, Judith. Ryland, Peters & Small, 2003
ISBN: 1-84172-406-8
Concentration on family friendly design, divided by activity zones (kitchen, family room) and peaceful zones (bedrooms, bathrooms), and practical zones (storage). Emphasis on modern design. Good photographs and narrative.
Fusion Interiors: The International Design of Andrew Martin
Waller, Martin and Dominque Bradbury. Watson Guptill Publications, 2000
ISBN: 0-8230-1642-0
Very interesting book, which focuses on bringing ethnic design into our homes. Everything from Indian, to African, to Inca to East Asian design and how we can fit it into our modern homes. Very colorful book, fascinating.
Good House Parts
Wedlick, Dennis. The Taunton Press, 2003
ISBN: 1-56158-628-5
This is a book chock full of ideas on how to add character to any home. It dissects the details that bring uniqueness to interiors and exteriors. Written by an architect, its interior sections focus on architectural details such as trim, built-ins, and the use of space. Invaluable for anyone planning a new-build home or a major renovation.
Great Kitchens
Whitaker, Ellen, Colleen Mahoney, Wendy A. Jordan. The Taunton Press, 2001
ISBN: 1-56158-534-3
This could almost be the accompanying tome to the TV show “Ultimate Kitchens,” as so many of these kitchens have also featured on the show. The book gives information on kitchens owned by some famous chefs, includes great pictures and often relates what they would have done differently. This is a fantastic book for the beginning “dream” stages of a kitchen remodel.
Great Renovations and Restorations
Gilliat, Mary. Watson Guptill Publications, 2003
ISBN: 0-8230-21661
Details of designing and renovating in several different styles, with lots of photographs and good narrative.
Harmonious Home
Wilson, Judith. Ryland, Peters & Small, 2004
ISBN: 1-84172-600-1
This is a really great book on achieving the home most suited for you, based on your lifestyle and functional needs. Modern classic, stylish rooms that function efficiently as well as look beautiful. Emphasis here is on minimizing clutter and freeing oneself of superfluous items to achieve harmony at home.
Home by Design
Susanka, Sarah. The Taunton Press, 2004
ISBN: 1-56158-618-8
Really superb details on how to create a lovely home in small quarters. The book focuses on the nuances of space, light, and order to create a space that lives big and breathes character.
I to L
In Touch. Texture in Design
Hoppen, Kelly. Laurel Glenn Publishing, 1999
ISBN: 1-57145-682-1
While I generally find Hoppen’s prose annoying, this book is worth studying for its rich presentation of the importance of texture in design, particularly in neutral rooms. The photography is excellent and really captures the juxtapositions of textures and why they’re so effective. Lots of rooms in Hoppen’s signature style.
In Your Own Style. The Art of Creating Wonderful Rooms
Chase, Linda and Laura Cerwinske. Thames and Hudson, Inc., 1994
A really fun book that covers projects by Chase, an L.A. interior designer. Modern rooms, as well as traditional with an edge. Chapters are broken up by design areas such as floors, walls, ceilings, hardware, lighting, and furniture arrangement. Encourages you to use the information to come up with your own individual schemes.
Influential Interiors: Shaping 20th Century Style through Key Interior Designers
Trocme, Suzanne. Clarkson Potter, 1999
ISBN: 0-609-60358-2
As the titles suggests, this book showcases classic rooms by some of the most influential interior designers, from Nancy Lancaster and Elsie de Wolfe, to John Saladino and Philippe Starck. Beautiful pictures and good narratives.
Interior Design
Pile, John. Pearson Education/Prentice Hall, 2003
ISBN: 0-13-183296-4(HC).
Textbook on design. Covers everything from process, to planning, human factors, special needs, color, lighting, furniture, materials. Lots of photographs, drawings, diagrams and academic text.
Interior Design Course
Gilliat, Mary. Watson-Guptill Publications, 2001
ISBN: 0-8230-3046-6
A good initial primer on interior design details, from general planning and styles to the specifics of walls, ceilings, windows, and furniture.
Interiors by Design
Shaw, Ros Byam. Ryland, Peters & Small, 2003
ISBN: 1-84172-402-5
Fantastic book with lots of great advice, lessons, tips, and information on every aspect of interior design. Chapters divided by rooms, and a separate chapters of elements such as lighting, flooring, and finishing touches. Excellent photography and very nformative narratives.
Interior Lighting for Designers
Gordon, Gary. John Wiley & Sons, 2003
ISBN: 0-471-44118-X
Detailed textbook on lighting principles. Contains excellent text and diagrams. Information for both commercial and residential spaces.
Jeffrey Bilhuber’s Design Basics
Bilhuber, Jeffrey. Rizolli, 2003
ISBN:0847825647
Professional advice from a top NYC talent on how to work with a designer and achieve the look yourself. Photographs as well as floor plans. Discussions on space planning, materials, color, etc.
Kitchens
Sacks, Diane Dorrans. California Design Library, Chronicle Books, 1997
ISBN: 0-8118-1305-3
Eye candy on kitchens in California style. Some unique ideas here. Narrative pretty extensive and insightful.
Learning to See
Wolf, Vicente. Artisan, 2002
ISBN: 1-57965-217-4
Beautiful book, beautiful rooms, beautiful photographs, beautiful narrative. The focus is on looking around you on a day-to-day basis and finding beauty everywhere as design inspiration.
Legendary Decorators of the Twentieth Century
Hampton, Mark. Doubleday, 1992
ISBN: 0-385-26361-9
Mini design bios on great designers of the 20th century from Elsie de Wolfe and Rose Cummings to David Hicks and Michael Taylor. Delightful watercolors again take the place of photographs.
Living in Style Without Losing Your Mind
Pasanella, Marco. Simon & Shuster, 2000
ISBN: 0-684-85047-8
Interesting book on how to achieve your own style, rather than just copy design ideas from others. Chapters divided into concepts such as Individuality, Style, Simplicity, and Flexibility, Constraints and Mistakes. Interesting pictures of interiors, limited narrative.
M to O 
Mark Hampton on Decorating
Hampton, Mark. Random House, 1989
ISBN: 0-394-57987-9
Great first person diary of design by the late American designer Mark Hampton. Instead of photographs, the book contains watercolors of Hampton designs as well as his memory of great rooms by other designers. The book does not suffer from a lack of photographs, on the contrary. Opinionated, but charmingly so, this book provides lots of great design lessons.
Michael S. Smith Elements of Style
Smith, Michael S. Rizzoli, 2004
ISBN: 0-8478-2762-3
Photographs of rooms designed by the West coast designer include the great variation in his style, from traditional to contemporary.
Modern Essentials
De Witte, Rozemarijn. Conran Octopus Ltd, 1997
ISBN: 1-57959 074 8
Well photographed book filled with rooms and details. While it’s almost ten years old, the images are still fresh and timely. Limited narrative but wonderful examples of combining rustic and/or traditional with contemporary.
Nancy Lancaster: Her Life, Her World, Her Art
Becker, Robert. Knopf, 1996
ISBN: 0-394-56791-9
Another fascinating biography of one of our greatest designers, told primarily in first person. Lots of great photographs of rooms as well as personal and family portraits.
Neoclassicism in the North. Swedish Furniture and Interiors 1770-1850
Groth, Hakan. Thames and Hudson, 1990
ISBN: 0-500-28106-8.
Elegant Gustavian period rooms with detailed photographs and great narrative.
New Old House
Stewart, Martha. Clarkson Potter, 1992
ISBN: 0-517-57701-1
Part journal, part design book, here is the story of Martha Stewart’s efforts to restore a classic Georgian home to its original splendor. There is lots of great detail on everything from replacing plaster walls with blueboard, to refinishing historic floors, and kitchen design.
New Spaces, Old World Charm
Sample, Ann. McGraw Hill, 2004.
ISBN: 0-07-143929-3
An Elements of Living series book on how to take new construction and give it the charm of older architecture/design. It includes not only good design ideas and great photography, but also resource listings for shopping.
Nina Campbell’s Decorating Notebook
Campbell, Alexandra. Clarkson Potter, 2004.
ISBN: 1-4000-5172-X
Nina Campbell has a new, more modern style and she explains how shoes does it in this book. Great photographs and story boards, as well as narrative.
Nina Campbell’s Decorating Secrets
Campbell, Nina. Clarkson Potter, 2000
ISBN: 0-609-60675-1
Primarily very traditional rooms here. Beautiful pictures, and good narrative on some pretty basic design concepts. Book is divided by Beginning Stages, Decoration by room type, and Finishing Touches.
Old & New
Sorrell, Katherine. Ryland, Peters & Small, 2002
ISBN: 1-84172-318-5
Colorful and detailed treatise on combining antiques with modern pieces for a unique, eclectic look. How to chose things that go together and how to incorporate them into each room in the house.
Old House New Home
Shaw, Ros Byam. Ryland, Peters & Small, 2005
ISBN: 1-84172-798-9
This is truly a beautiful book with the premise of studying how to take old, traditional architecture, and bring it into the modern world, while respecting it; almost revering it. Example after example of modern furniture and accessories, blended with classic architecture. This book will be a classic itself.
P to S 
Paint: Color in Decoration
Farrow& Ball. Rizzoli, 2003
ISBN: 0-8478-2593-0
A handsomely photographed book on rooms — both historic and modern — painted with Farrow & Ball. The book is divided by color family; reds, yellows, greens etc. You don’t have to be married to the brand to appreciate the ways color can transform a space, as illustrated here.
Parish Hadley: Sixty Years of American Design
Parish, Sister. Albert Hadley and Christopher Petkanas. Little, Brown & Co., 1995
ISBN: 0-316-70032-0
Beautiful book that discusses the history of the great Parish-Hadley design team and studies individual types of rooms
designed by them. A separate chapter is dedicated to the design of the White House during the Kennedy Administration. A little light on the narrative, but rich in pictures and plenty of detail included in their descriptions.
Passion for Antiques
Ohrbach, Barbara Milo. Clarkson Potter, 2004
ISBN: 0-609-60821-5
Ideas for collecting antiques and integrating them into décor.
Patterns Of Home
Jacobson, Max, Murray Silverstein, and Barbara Winslow. The Taunton Press, 2002
ISBN: 1-56158-533-5
The authors of the renowned “A Pattern Language” have distilled their ideals in to ten basic precepts for creating a good home. The chapters are divided per these precepts, which include Creating Rooms Outside and In, Sheltering Roof, Capturing Light, and Parts in Proportion, among others. Lots of beautiful photographs (although small in size) and excellent prose.
Peace at Home
Pegrum, Juliet. Chronicle Books, 2003
ISBN: 0-8118-3992-3
Emphasis on clean lines, organic forms, and neutral colors to achieve rooms that are peaceful, beautiful, and functional. Lots of photography and good narrative.
Perfect English
Shaw, Ros Byam. Ryland, Peters & Small, 2007
ISBN: 978-1-84597-344-5
Luscious book for fans of English style. The focus is on beautiful homes designed by amateur owners versus professional designers. Contemporary and traditional. All cozy and beautiful. Narrative is excellent, as it always is, with Shaw.
Perfect Neutrals
Hoppen, Stephanie. Watson-Guptill Publications, 2006
ISBN: 10-0-8230-3995-1
This beautiful book focuses on colors that are widely accepted neutrals and shows how virtually any color can be neutral if used in the right way. Great photography of rooms — modern, traditional and transitional. Superb narrative and very useful swatch boards.
Period Style
Gilliatt, Mary. Conran Octopus Ltd. 1990
Library of Congress: 89-69822
Studies of traditional period rooms — from 18th century Georgian and Colonial, to Arts and Crafts and Art Deco — and how to recreate them.
Ranch House Style
Samon, Katherine Ann. Clarkson Potter, 2003
ISBN: 0-609-60628-X
Really fun book on ranch house design. Starts with the history of the American Ranch style and follows on with renovating/remodeling/improvement ideas — everything from staying true to the period of your Ranch, to converting it to a different style, such as cottage. Lots of great photographs; lively narrative.
Residential Lighting: A Practical Guide
Whitehead, Randall. John Wiley & Sons, 2004
ISBN: 0-471-45055-3
Fanstastic reference guide to learning the principles of lighting and incorporating them into your space. Explained in a non-technical way, the advice will help you create useful, effective lighting plans.
Rooms
Gomez, Marietta Himes. Harper Collins, 2003
ISBN: 0-06-008370-0
This is a beautiful book full of exquisite photographs of rooms designed by the author. More than just eye candy, the text is extremely informative of the designer’s style and theories and how/why she does what she does. While heavy on neutrals, there is a lot of color here as well, brilliantly applied. An all around favorite.
Rooms to Remember: Interiors Inspired by the Past
Stoeltie, Barbara. Frances Lincoln, Ltd. 1999
ISBN: 1-58062-110-4
Beautiful, traditional rooms from city to country. Lovely photographs and good descriptive narratives.
77 Habits of Highly Creative Interior Designers
Lynch, Sarah. Rockport Publishers, 2003
ISBN: 1-56496-958-4
As the title suggests, this book provides 77 concepts for great interior design, and opinions by various designers on each subject. Lots of good information. Concepts range from “The Bones: Before doing anything with decoration, take a look at the structure of your home and identify pros and cons” to “Choose a frame and framing pattern to match the art, not the décor.” Design opinions from the likes of Kelly Wearstler, Thomas Jayne, Axel Verhoustraeten, and Cole/Prevost, and David Ling, among others.
Sister: The Life of Legendary American Interior Decorator Mrs. Henry Parish II
Bartlett, Apple Parish and Susan Bartlett Crater. St. Martin’s Press, 2000
ISBN: 0-312-24240-9
This is a wonderful biography of Sister Parish, as told by her daughter and herself through letters and diary entries. Photographs include not only some of her famous rooms, but also family photographs and letters. Really interesting reading and design lessons here.
T to Z 
The Art of Decoration
Campbell, Nina. Clarkson Potter, 1996
ISBN: 0-517-70466-8
Nina Campbell gives us a tour of rooms she has decorated and includes design tips along the way. Very traditional, beautiful spaces.
The Decoration of Houses
Wharton, Edith and Ogden Codman, Jr. W.W. Norton & Co., 1978
ISBN: 0-393-04468-8
THE classic treatise on design. Great advice which is as relevant today as it was 100 years ago.
The Essential House Book: Getting Back to Basics
Conran, Terence. Conran Octopus, Limited, 1994
ISBN: 0-517-88231-0
Modern principles of home building and interior design, centering on a knowledge of what you need with an eye towards the potential for altering space. The book is organized by room type, with lots of great pictures of contemporary spaces.
The Hardworking House: The Art of Living Design
Grey, Johnny. Seven Dials, Cassell & Co., 1997
ISBN: 1 84188 115 5
Mostly contemporary design created to combine functionality and aesthetics in a home.
The Home Style Sourcebook
Geddes-Brown, Leslie, Katherine Sorrell, and Judith Wilson. Ryland, Peters & Small, 2004
Lots of beautiful examples of stylish interiors and how to achieve them. Divides Contemporary style into “Sleek”, “Mellow Modern”, “Elegant Modern, “ “Natural,” and “Scandinavian.” Same with Country and Period Styles. The designs in this book are really fresh and the photos and narrative are excellent.
The House in Good Taste
De Wolfe, Elsie. Rizzoli, 2004
ISBN: 0-8478-2631-7
Okay, how much better does it get than Elsie de Wolfe giving us her perspective on design? Enough said. No photos or drawings. For the true design enthusiast who just loves getting into the mind of a legendary designer.
The Kitchen
Lee, Vinny. Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 2003
ISBN: 1-58479306-6
Lots of great, original kitchen designs, mostly of a modern aesthetic. Discussion of space planning for different cooking/entertaining styles as well as lighting, materials, etc.
The New Classics
Trocme, Suzanne. Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 2002
ISBN: 1-58479-155-1
Modern design destined to become classic. Rooms by Jonathan Reed, Holly Hunt, Andre Putman, Terry Hunziker and others. Beautiful photography and excellent narratives clearly define the elements that make a contemporary interior chic and classic.
The New Decorating with Pictures
Hoppen, Stephanie. Bullfinch Press, 2004
ISBN: 0-8212-2866-8
Well photographed and detailed narrative on choosing, framing, and displaying art, photographs, etc.
The New Family Home
Tolpin, Jim. The Taunton Press, 2000
ISBN: 1-56158-354-5
Many different examples of homes designed with family/children in mind. Good variety in style and great ideas for child-friendly spaces that are also beautiful to adults.
The Not So Big House
Susanka, Sarah. Taunton Press, 1998
ISBN: 1-56158-130-5
The by now well-known original work by architect Susanka arguing against the ubiquitous “McMansion” and for the smaller home which focuses on high level finishes vs. just square footage. Heavy on what I call “Taunton Press Design Style”, but an excellent premise and really great ideas here on maximizing space and personalizing design to your lifestyle.
The Private House
Tarlow, Rose. Clarkson Potter, 2001
ISBN: 0-609-60472-4
This is another beautiful book about a designer’s quest to achieve her perfect environment in her own home. Full of unique ideas and truly practical information. It is a joy to read and sets the design imagination free. Lots of beautiful photographs.
The Right Light: Lighting Essentials for the Home
Skolnik, Lisa. Rockport Publishers, 2001
ISBN: 1-56496-616-X
A basic primer on residential lighting. Particularly good for people just starting to learn about lighting design.
The Simple Home. The Luxury of Enough
Nettleton, Sarah. The Taunton Press, 2007
ISBN: 1-56158-831-8
In this age of McMansions, this book focuses on maximizing space for your lifestyle and needs. Several homes are profiled, both inside and out, for the beauty of their design, attention to their imprint on their environment, and the emphasis on providing what the owners need — no more, no less. Lots of different styles, great photographs and good text.
The Way We Live
Cliff, Stafford and Gilles de Chabaneix. Thames & Hudson, 2003
ISBN:0-500-51137-3
An enormous book filled primarily with photographs of interesting homes from Rajasthan to Paris and elsewhere in the world.
Total Design
Clodagh. Clarkson Potter, 2001
ISBN: 0-609-60519-4
Designer Clodagh discusses her design philosophy in detail and the book has wonderful photographic examples of how her principles and respect for feng shui result in tranquil spaces. This book provides really uniquely designed rooms.
Updating Classic America: Ranches
Connolly, M. Caren and Louis Wasserman. The Taunton Press, 2003
ISBN: 1-56158-437-1
Excellent book on remodeling Ranch homes. Hundreds of great ideas and renovation photographs geared to staying within the Ranch vernacular or breaking away from it. Includes remodeling of existing, vintage homes, and building new. Lots of great and imaginative information here.
Waterworks: Inventing Bath Style
Sallick, Barbara. Clarkson Potter, 2001
ISBN: 0-609-60421
Published by Waterworks, the bath retailer, but far from advertising. A beautiful book full of gorgeous pictures of great bathrooms and details. The text is informative, covering bathroom elementss from design integrity to fixtures and materials.
Your Home as Sanctuary
Collins, Josephine. Ryland, Peters & Small, 2004
ISBN: 1-84172-695-8
Nice book on how design can bring calm to life. Good advice on room arrangement, decluttering, prioritization, etc. Lots of good photography, mostly modern design.
