As an Interior Designer, I find inspiration everywhere. Interior design is such a part of who I am that I constantly seek to learn and grow, especially since things change at such a rapid pace in our industry.

One of my favorite sources of inspiration is through decorating books from fellow Interior Designers. It is always great to see the work of other designers and what inspires them.

Not only do I love to read decorating books, I love to collect and display them. They make great coffee table books, and look amazing when used for styling bookshelves and other table tops.  In fact, my collection has grown so large that all my available bookcases are full and I have begun to stack them on the floor 🙂 My kids think I need help, especially since I continue to buy them. And in case you are ever wondering what to get me as a gift, a decorating book is always welcomed 🙂

Today I wanted to share 10 of my most favorite of all time – from the older favorites, to my newest favorites……..listed in no particular order below

This is the book that started it all………..

1) “Designers In Residence: The Personal Style Of Top Women Designers and Decorators” By The Editors of Victoria Magazine

It is the first decorating book that I can recall purchasing many years ago. As a budding Designer, this book helped me see how these established Designers decorated their own homes. It is always a treat peaking inside the homes of your favorite Designers.

2) “Designers At Home: Personal Reflections On Stylish Living” By Ronda Rice Carman

This one made my list because it is totally awesome, and Ronda is a fellow Houstonian. She takes us on a tour through the homes of some of the country’s top Designers. Her beautiful book  features the stylish homes of over 50 top designers including Celerie Kemble, Charlotte Moss, Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Ken Fulk, India Hicks, Barry Dixon, among others.

3) “Elements of Style: Designing a Home And A Life” By Erin Gates

This is a beautiful book packed with honest advice, tips, ideas and lessons about designing a home that reflects your style. The beautiful black and white striped spine of this book makes it wonderful for a stylish touch in a vignette.

4) “Gracious Rooms” By Barbara Westbrook

This book I think is my absolute favorite of my entire collection. Barbara Westbrook is the designer that I aspire to be like in my own career. She is the South’s most inviting designer, and her beautiful book showcases principles for creating a beautiful home rich with comfort and warmth. Barbara Westbrook has been designing classically inspired homes full of Southern charm and a European touch for more than twenty years.

5) “Simplicity” By Nancy Braithwaite

This book beautifully illustrates luxurious minimalism. Every element in each of the brilliantly curated rooms strives to be simple and powerful without compromise, and every room has a level of power that comes from commanding scale, repetition of elements, subtleties of color, or the sheer beauty of forms. I learn so much from her book, as my style is not necessarily minimal.

6) “One Man’s Folly: The Exceptional Houses of Furlow Gatewood” By Julia Reed

If you are into antiques, I guarantee that you will not be able to put this book down. The book features the meticulously restored carriage home and out-buildings of antiques expert Furlow Gatewood’s highly personal property in Americus, Georgia. Several of the buildings on the property were  rescued from demolition and have evolved over decades to become a sublime expression of stylish living. The structures exemplify various architectural traditions-from mid-nineteenth-century Gothic to Palladian. This book will provide tons of inspiration and an education in antiques

7) “Modern Mix: Curating Personal Style With Chic And Accessible Finds” By Eddie Ross

This is the newest book to my collection. I literally just got it a few days ago, and it is possibly what inspired this post. I pre-ordered it a few months ago because I could not wait to learn more about Eddie Ross’ eye for antiquing and flea market finds. In this richly illustrated style guide, Eddie Ross, dubbed hoarder of all things beautiful, reveals his insider secrets to creating exciting interiors, table settings and parties with chic and accessible finds that celebrate who you are and what you love.

8) “Point Of View” By Bunny Williams

This is one book that every Designer and design enthusiast needs to have as a resource. Bunny Williams, herself a living legend, worked for legendary Designers Sister Parish and Albert Hadley. I pretty much listen when Bunny Williams speaks

9) “Domino: The Book Of Decorating: A Room-By-Room Guide To Creating A Home That Makes You Happy” By Deborah Needleman

This book is a great resource for the DIY-er and design enthusiast and pretty much any one who wants a happy home. The book cracks the code to creating a beautiful home, bringing together inspiring rooms, how-to advice and insiders’ secrets from today’s premier tastemakers in an indispensable style manual.

10) “Decorate: 1000 Design Ideas For Every Room In Your Home” By Holly Becker

This book is a great resource for the DIY-er and decorating enthusiast as well.The world’s top designers and leading decor experts including Kelly Wearstler, Amy Butler, Jonathan Adler, and many others come together to share over 1,000 professional tips, ideas, and solutions for every room and every budget.

And here ‘s a BONUS for ya! This one is a free download (as of the date of this post) if you are a Kindle Unlimited subscriber. Click here to download

“How To Design Your Perfect Interior” By Gail Doby

It was hard picking just 10 books from all the books I have; almost like a mother being asked to pick her favorite child. But these are wonderful books that I have gone back to time and time again. They are all available through Amazon.com

And by the way, I have the same weakness for design magazines……….

I also have quite the collection that began over 15 years ago. Here is just a small sample stacked on the floor in my library 🙂

If you are in the middle of a decorating project, I would recommend picking up one or a few of these books. Hopefully you will find them just as inspiring as I do.

Wishing You Beauty And Inspiration!

Veronica

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