30 New Design Books That Are Worth Adding to Your Cart ASAP
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We are firm believers that you can never really have one too many books. Even before the idea of "bookshelf wealth," books have been indispensable tools in stirring our creativity through their graceful prose and vivid imagery. And, there's no better source of inspiration than this year's dazzling lineup of interior and garden design books.
Many rising stars across the decorating and landscape sectors are making their literary debuts with monographs that highlight their innovative approaches to design. At the same time, several esteemed veterans are making a comeback with forthcoming design books that thoughtfully share the extensive knowledge they've gained over years of experience. Each of these spectacular volumes will not only better your understanding of design, but also look fabulous on your elegantly styled bookshelves and coffee tables.
No matter what your personal decorating style, there's a title that will surely delight and inspire your newest project. Below, our picks for the best new design books of 2024.
Michael S. Smith: Classic by Design
From the Illinois governor’s mansion to a private, open-air California getaway, Michael S. Smith's projects resonate with elegance and luxury, capturing the admiration of design enthusiasts and notable clients (including the Obamas). Smith's latest book showcases his distinctive blend of European classicism and American modernism through intimate tours of houses, from a breezy Mallorca escape to the designer's own homes
The Young Man and the Tree: Fernando Wong Landscape Design
Landscape designer Fernando Wong gives us the lush escape we crave with his newest book dedicated to tropical gardens. From the sunny coast of Nassau to the bustle of Miami, the projects featured highlight Wong's ability to create flawlessly layered gardens filled with pavilions and fountains that speak to their surrounding environment.
The Savage Style
Nashville-based designer Jonathan Savage gets personal in his literary debut, detailing the philosophy behind his fresh take on contemporary design. The house featured, many of which are in the South, showcases Savage's ability to blend modern artwork with traditional furnishings to create both functional and breathtaking rooms.
Interiors: Styled by Mieke ten Have
Interiors stylist Mieke ten Have shares her secrets for creating beautiful and inviting rooms in her debut book. She breaks down her four styling principles (Color Theory, Pattern Play, Wild and Tame, and Flowers for Living) using photographs from rooms styled by design greats like Stephen Sills, Mario Buatta, and Alberto Pinto.
An English Vision: Traditional Architecture and Decoration for Today
In his first dedication to only his work (rather than his larger firm), English decorator Ben Pentreath takes readers throughout Great Britain to explore the many facets of classical yet whimsical English style. Each of the book's 30 projects was entirely photographed by Pentreath, including a project for The Earl of Moray, who pens the foreword.
Inside the Homes of Artists: For Art's Sake
What better way to get inspiration for decorating with art than exploring the homes of artists themselves? This volume from author Tiqui Atencio Demirdjian and photographer Jean-François Jaussaud takes readers into the homes of the world's most celebrated artists for a masterclass on art collecting and decorating.
Island Dreaming: Amanda Lindroth Design
The queen of tropical style is back with her second book, focused on embracing indoor-outdoor living in a sophisticated manner. The book features 20 highlighted projects from Amanda Lindroth that showcase her love for bold colors, caned furniture, and airy textiles, all in her signature easy-breezy approach.
Isabel López-Quesada, Town & Country: Isabel López-Quesada
High-fashion city living meets quiet country charm in the second book from celebrated designer Isabel López-Quesada. The Spanish decorator takes us on a journey across the world, offering inside looks at projects that perfectly illustrate her ability to blend timeworn character and contemporary flair.
Veranda Waterside Living: Inspired Interior Design
Dive into the blissful charm of seaside living with the latest book from VERANDA. This exclusive tour spotlights 20 stunning residences from the world's top designers that embrace the tranquility qualities of living waterside while elevating coastal style.
Cullman & Kravis: Interiors
Design firm Cullman & Kravis delivers a masterclass on modern, traditional design in their latest publication, celebrating its 40-year practice. The firm details every step of their process for each project featured, delivering advice on imparting personality, mixing textures, customizing furniture, and so much more.
Ashe Leandro: Architecture + Interiors
Design and architectural firm Ashe Leandro redefines contemporary design with homes that embrace global styles in their debut volume. From urban havens to countryside retreats, each project featured illustrates their firm's design ethos with complementary interviews explaining their process.
The Perfect Room: Timeless Designs for Intentional Living
n her second book, Marie Flanigan guides readers through each room, sharing her insights on how to achieve a harmonious balance of function and beauty in every space. Throughout the book, she provides valuable advice on choosing the right building materials and architectural details for different areas of the home, as well as tips for selecting colors, textiles, and furnishings.
At Home in France: Inspiration and Style in Town and Country
Timothy Corrigan's newest release is a love letter to Francophiles and French decorative arts. Separated into two parts, the first takes readers inside the designer's Paris apartment, exploring the historical architecture of the building and Corrigan's vision for the space. The second section takes readers to the French countryside and his 18th-century chateau for lessons on restoration, decoration, and entertainment.
Forever Beautiful: All-American Style All Year Long
In his third book of the Beautiful trilogy, decorator Mark D. Sikes takes us through a year of classic American design. Each chapter is dedicated to a month of the year and a home that perfectly fits within that season. Learn Sikes' invaluable decorating tips while touring homes from across the country, including a Swiss-style chalet in Idaho and a French chateau-style home in Chicago.
Artful Home
Artist, designer, and tastemaker Josh Young thrives to show readers how to create a uniquely breathtaking home in his literary debut. The book is divided into five guiding principles (palette, texture, form, layers, and nostalgia) that Young follows when designing his homes in a modern classical style. Plus, readers get a never-before-seen look into his country house, Sycamore House, in Virginia.
Wonder of the Woodlands: The Art of Seeing and Creating with Nature
Renowned floral designer Françoise Weeks wants people to think outside the traditional flowers and vase when it comes to arranging. In her newest book, Weeks shows readers how to bring the wildness and wonder of the forest to their indoor arrangements with foraged and reusable materials.
Veere Grenney: Seeking Beauty
Veere Grenney welcomes readers into his three exquisite residences in Tangier, London, and Suffolk, England, through the pages of this personal volume. Each photograph and chapter masterfully displays the celebrated designer's talent for blending traditional design with contemporary living.
The Garden Liberated: An Evolution of Italian Garden Design
Italian garden architect Paolo Pejrone approaches landscape design as a service to nature, crafting sustainable spaces abundant with native plants that resonate harmoniously with their natural settings. The book welcomes readers into ten private gardens across Italy from the wetlands of Piedmont to the hills of Tuscany.
Bryan O'Sullivan: A New Glamour
New York- and London-based interior designer Bryan O’Sullivan has made his mark by reimagining old-school Hollywood glamour with a contemporary flair. His debut book offers an insider's view of his luxurious yet inviting design approach, featuring exclusive looks into his most significant works, such as the Art Deco-inspired Painter's Room at Claridge's, as well as a selection of more personal private homes.
Residing with Nature: The Houses of KAA Design
The acclaimed architecture and landscape firm KAA Design has earned a reputation for creating unique homes that seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living through the use of thoughtful materials and skilled craftsmanship. Their debut monograph features a collection of contemporary residences, each showcasing modern California style.
The Tom Scheerer Compendium
Tom Scheerer, celebrated for his "relaxed modernism" style, has a knack for crafting interiors that are both sophisticated and elegant without a hint of pretension. His two-volume set, adorned with a striking caning-patterned slipcase, is a tribute to this ethos, offering insights into dozens of projects ranging from tropical getaways and tranquil retreats to country houses and city apartments.
The House Romantic: Curating Memorable Interiors for a Meaningful Life
Haskell Harris, the founding style director at Garden & Gun magazine, brings her years of experience working with designers and creatives to the task of creating homes that are both personal and meaningful. In her debut book, she shares her insights, complemented by exclusive photographs of her own Charleston, South Carolina residence, as well as 17 homes belonging to fellow creatives and designers from around the globe.
The Landscape of Home: In the Country, By the Sea, In the City
In his newest book, landscape architect Edmund Hollander presents gardens as vital living spaces that extend the sanctuary of our homes outdoors. Featuring countryside retreats, coastal havens, and city oases, Hollander illustrates a variety of garden styles, each demonstrating the outdoors as a place for refuge and inspiration.
Studio Ashby: Home Art Soul
London-based designer Sophie Ashby makes a splash on the literary scene with her debut monograph, commemorating Studio Ashby's 10-year anniversary. Dive into the studio's vibrant and whimsical design philosophy with intimate tours of 12 distinctive properties spanning the globe.
Bohemian Soul: The Vanishing Interiors of New Orleans
New Orleans may just be one of the most unique cities in the world, boasting its own distinct architectural and decorative style that speaks to the bohemian spirit. Designer and writer Valorie Hart and photographer Sara Essex Bradley have teamed up to document historic residences filled with family heirlooms and character, celebrating New Orleans's unique soul.
Bunny Williams: Life in the Garden
Bunny Williams's newest book serves as a heartfelt ode to the gardens and woodlands that surround her 18th-century manor house in Northwestern Connecticut. Life in the Garden is brimming with personal stories and previously unseen photographs, providing readers with the design legend's expert advice on nurturing their gardens and integrating natural elements into their homes.
Authentic Interiors: Rooms That Tell Stories
Philip Gorrivan is a designer unafraid to explore any style or era, known for his bold mix of vibrant palettes and intricate patterns with meticulously chosen objects, art, and furnishings. His debut book is a testament to this exuberant and eclectic design philosophy.
Turn of the Century: Portraits of Creative Interiors
Over the past three decades, Henry Bourne has captured the living spaces of the world's foremost creatives, showcasing a diverse array of styles and locales. This book chronicles the evolution of design over the years and underscores the enduring impact of sophisticated and timeless interiors.
The Flower Yard in Containers & Pots: Creating Paradise Season By Season
Gardener Arthur Parkinson shows readers how to create their own bountiful garden, no matter how much outdoor space you have, in his new book. Parkinson specifically focuses on container gardening with planting and propagating advice for each season.
Home at Last: Enduring Design for the New American House
In his latest work, acclaimed architect Gil Schafer shares a personal journey, revealing how real-life experiences have shaped his approach to crafting homes for American family living. This final volume in his trilogy invites readers into a range of homes, from the Hudson Valley to Block Island, each one a testament to how classical architecture can gracefully accommodate modern life.
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