Favourite Interior Design Books
So, here it is, my festive/black Friday round up of my favourite Interior design books. Ready, just in time, for you to spoil that interior nut in your life or just plain treat yourself! I’ve compiled this list as a mix of books for inspiration and books that give real life design tips so get your snugglys on, grab and cuppa and enjoy my recommendations.
1. Farrow and Ball How to decorate: Transform your home with paint and paper. By Joa Studholme and Charlotte Cosby.
How do I start describing this, can I say it, Bible of a book to you. Packed to the rafters with inspirational pictures of homes decorated in Farrow and Ball’s iconic colours with tips and advice on how to find the perfect white, colour combinations and the importance of light direction when picking a colour.
I like the book as it is full of great advice but in easily digestible chunks, mixed with stunning imagery so it doesn’t feel like too much text which is great for visual people like myself. It’s been out a while so it’s an oldie but a goodie although, I have heard there’s a newer version now so there’s another one we can all quietly add to our Christmas lists too!
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2. Colour Confidence by Jessica Sowerby
Here’s one for all the colour lovers out there meet Jess a colour connoisseur who has made it her mission in life to help people embrace colour in their homes and lives. With a love of all things colour inspired by nature, particularly clouds and sunsets, Jess started doing up her own home and showcasing it on her Instagram page. Her account quickly became a hit and the idea of sharing her ideas and writing her own book was born! Split into neat sections we can learn how to identify a colour palette that sings to you, be that dark shades, neutrals, pastels and even brights and gives you brilliant tips on how to make a mood board. She even goes into light directions and how that affects which colour you should choose – a topic very close to my heart!
Overall, easy to read and understand catering for all styles of decor. It has a conversational tone which I like and loads of gorgeous images to savour.
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3. The Interior Design Handbook by Frida Ramstedt.
This book takes a deeper dive into the rules of thumb that interior designers use to create that perfect scheme but don’t let that put you off as it remains easy to read and has tons of images on each page, so it’s not text heavy. There are chapters on basic principles like texture, symmetry, focal points and more. Expect tips on colour, bringing it all together, design advice and proportions.
As a designer I enjoyed this book but the science nerd in me also liked hearing about rules of thirds, geometry and contrasts. I do think this is a great book for anyone but don’t expect inspirational images as that’s not what it’s about – this is more for getting in to the nitty gritty of why things work, leaving you to make what you will of it. Having said that it is really easy to read and follow and will leave you with a plan on how to tackle that awkward space design.
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4. The Home Style Handbook: How to make a home your own by Lucy Gough
Now this book is a delight and will help you transform your space using placement of homeware items and accessories to take your home style to the next level. Think Interior Design Magazine imagery with an expert telling you how to get the look – yes please!!! Lucy is a renowned interiors stylist and art director and just loves to help others achieve a look in their home they love and can be proud of. So much so, not only does she have this book, but also has several online courses, which I’ve done myself and can highly recommend. The photography in this book is just stunning and the writing easy to read and follow – definitely one to ask Santa for this year.
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Lucys website linked here
5. Rockett St George Extraordinary Interiors by Jane Rockett and Lucy St George.
From the owners of iconic online homewares store Rockett St George (could they have better surnames!) comes this wonderful book taking you down a rabbit hole of dark and eccentric interiors. True collectors of pieces and curators of art they create such unique spaces full of detail and delight. You will be swooning over every page and finding new things to look it every time you open the book! Yes, there are a lot of dark home inspiration in here, but I think we can all take something from this no matter what schemes you are drawn to and that is collect things that resonate with you, love them and just do you.
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I hope this little round up of books old and new has given you some ideas for what to add to your own Christmas list or an idea for that interior's lover person in your life. If you’ve enjoyed reading this don’t forget to give me a mention over on your socials or just come over and say hi on my Instagram!