Book Look
From traveling tomes to entertaining inspiration, kick back and relax with AH&L’s top picks for fall
The Beauty of Home
Arranging furniture is like writing a poem, as celebrated interior designer Marie Flanigan teaches in her premiere book, The Beauty of Home (Gibbs Smith, $45). Follow along as Flanigan takes readers back to the basics of interior design with lessons on how to complement architecture, add character with well-loved antiques and create balance with color, lighting, detail and more. With breathtaking photography to accompany each page, Flanigan’s design philosophies will take your space from drab to fab.
S is for Style
Written by Schumacher’s Creative Director Dara Caponigro, S is for Style: The Schumacher Book of Decoration (Rizzoli, $65) is the master guide to decorating that you didn’t know you needed. With 16 thematic chapters—including “Preppy,” “Sensual & Spare,” “Opulent” and more—stunning interior photography and endless inspiration, Schumacher provides expert insight on how pattern and texture take your space to a whole new level.
An Entertaining Story
Author, model, entrepreneur and daughter of famed designer David Hicks, India Hicks reveals her best-kept secrets for holding the ultimate dinner party in An Entertaining Story (Rizzoli, $50). Covering al fresco dining recipes, tabletop tips, memorable guests (including Mick Jagger!) and more, this spirited, intimate entertaining guide is a one-stop shop to help you impress every guest, every time.
Notes on Decorating
In his second book Notes on Decorating (Vendome Press, $70), designer Markham Roberts shares his design process with readers to show how he creates timeless, spirited spaces. While he covers important to-dos—such as establishing a sense of place, a study on proper embellishing and how to mix materials and styles tastefully—his main focus remains the same: The homeowner must feel their personality shining throughout.
More Rooms
If you want to make a statement in your home but aren’t sure how, Katie Ridder: More Rooms (Vendome Press, $50) is a good place to start. Ridder discusses her unique design approach to crafting unexpected color combinations and bold, imaginative aesthetics that make each space she touches truly one-of-a-kind.
Glamorous Living
We’ve all admired the glitz and glam of beautiful homes from afar, but thanks to Jan Showers’ Glamorous Living (Abrams, $65), we’re now invited inside for a personal tour. Showers gives readers an intimate look at some of the world’s most upscale homes, including a glamorous New York apartment, idyllic London townhouse and many more architecturally significant places and spaces.
Collected: City + Country
From fresh-air farmhouses to urban city escapes, designer Sarah Richardson’s Collected: City + Country, Volume 1 (Simon & Schuster, $17.99) polls top designers for their best tips and tricks on making any house feel like home. Breathtaking projects combined with Richardson’s humor and personality-filled stories make this page-turner an everlasting mood board for your next design project.
More Beautiful
An ode to classic, all-American decorating, designer and New York Times’ best-selling author Mark D. Sikes has come out with his second book More Beautiful: All-American Decoration (Rizzoli, $45). Peek inside for new takes on beloved styles, such as country, coastal and Mediterranean, and follow along as Sikes speaks to the power of surrounding yourself with decor that soothes the soul.
Designing History
For design enthusiasts and political aficionados alike, Michael Smith’s Designing History: The Extraordinary Art & Style of the Obama White House (Rizzoli, $60) aims to please. A historical document of the iconic collaboration between designer and president, Smith reveals how he brought a new spirit to the nation’s most symbolic residence.
Most Beautiful Rooms
Architectural Digest’s The Most Beautiful Rooms in the World (Rizzoli, $65) is the resource fulfilling all of our globe-trotting desires. Written by AD France’s editor-in-chief Marie Kalt with a foreword by Vogue’s Anna Wintour, it transports readers from the U.S. to Mexico, India, Germany and beyond with a curated collection of inspiring rooms from around the world.
Paris Chic
Celebrating everyday life in the city of love, Paris Chic (Assouline, $95) is the book your coffee table is begging for. Join photographer Oliver Pilcher and writer Alexandra Senes as they take readers on a tour of the city’s most picturesque bistros, alleyways, monuments and more. In a time where travel is few and far between, allow yourself to be transported with each turn of the page.
Arriving Home
Southern comfort is at its best in Georgia-based interior designer James Farmer’s new book Arriving Home (Gibbs Smith, $45). Showcasing the graciousness of Southern style and how it translates into a beautifully inspired home, Farmer walks us through 10 spaces to show how art, pattern play, intentional color and collected pieces—both old and new—can create an abode that’s elegant yet personal; traditional yet comfortable.