Recently, a friend visited for the weekend and while we were sipping cocktailsI suddenly stood up and said, “I’ll get all of my favorite home decor books for you!”
I kept adding (and adding!) to the pile until I realized this was something I had to share on A Beautiful Mess.
I love to collect beautiful home decor books that are both inspiration and beautiful decoration for my home. In this post, I will share 10 of my most loved decorating books. I make sure to include a variety of styles.
I will share a photo inside each book and explain why it inspires me.
Anna Spiro: A Life in Pattern by Anna Spiro
This book is very different from any other book I own. If you love traditional inspiration mixed with pops of color and lots of pattern blends, this book is for you.
The past decade has brought more neutral trends to the world of home decor and this is a good start to that. In the words of David Bowie, “I promise it won’t be boring.”
British designer at home by Jenny Rose-Innes
This book offers everything you love about British style and more. You’ll find rooms full of antiques, mixed wood tones, beautiful gardens, and lots of wallpaper. Cozy emotional book 10/10.
de Gournay: Hand-painted furniture by Claude Gurney
If you’re inspired by hand-drawn murals, I highly recommend this book. It’s a very important, beautiful book with the most incredible hand-painted murals (most of which you would mistake for wallpaper). Surprised.
Rattan by Lulu Lytle and Mitchell Owens
In the photo above, I show the flap underneath the dust jacket, which has a print of clouds and therefore Amazing. I will admit, I bought this book primarily as a coffee table book and then I fell in love with the contents inside.
I have been collecting vintage (and new) rattan pieces for many years. This book shows hundreds of incredible rattan pieces in both new rooms and vintage photographs.
My favorite is a photo of an early aircraft equipped with all rattan seats. I would definitely use a time machine to ride on that plane. Loved this book!
A story about furniture by Louisa Pierce and Emily Ward
This book inspired me to go to flea markets and real estate. Pierce & Ward is a designer based in Nashville.
They designed some of the most iconic famous houses (you’ll recognize many in this book). Their signature style is layered and moody with loads of vintage styles.
Island Hopping by Amanda Lindroth
This book introduces homes on the island, mainly in the Bahamas. I love Amanda Lindroth’s iconic homewares. This book inspired me a lot.
I found it in a season when I felt that most design trends were the same for me, and the style was so different and fresh. It’s a must-have seaside grandma!
Jungalow: Wild decoration by Justina Blakeney
The photo above shows the book cover underneath the coat as it is a beautiful coffee table print. I think Justina is the most talented and unique voice to emerge from our blog circles.
Her design is one of a kind, and is for anyone who loves color. It really doesn’t get any better than any super-saturated, upper-tone Justina room. This book includes many photos from her home as well as her travels around the world.
Design Commune: A love letter to California by Roman Alonso and Steven Johanknecht
I am enclosing this book for anyone who loves a less minimalist version of modern design. It’s interesting, layered and very coastal.
100 Ways to Happy Luxury Your Life by Jonathan Adler
No one in my home space influences me more Jonathan Adler. His books were the first interior design books that really spoke to me about 10 years ago.
His permissive, resistant attitude to his “like what you love” snob is fun and entertaining. His books are filled with photographs of his own space and many of his handcrafted ceramics for which he is famous.
Note: I must interviewing Jonathan Adler on episode 49 of our podcast and he really is pure satirical sunshine!
And some more honorable mentions. A few of my previous homes were featured in three books on decorating!
Link: 100 ways to luxuriously happy your life / Design Commune: A love letter to California / Anna Spiro: A Life in Pattern / A story about furniture / Island Hopping / British designer at home / Jungalow: Wild decoration / Rattan / de Gournay: Hand-painted furniture
What did I miss? I’d love to hear your favorite decorating books in the comments! xx, Elsie
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