Friday Faves, Week II
The best books and magazines in my design library
Piggybacking on the heels of my design inspiration post last week, I wanted to share some of my absolute favorite design books and magazines of all time. I have 100s (maybe 1000s) of magazines and books lining the shelves in my design studio, but I tend to reach for the same sources over and over again. I also have a few new favorites that are SO, SO good and worth adding to your collection if you haven’t already. Also, if my own home happens to be a source of inspiration for you and you wish you could see it in print, you can!! I will include those sources below as well. There is truly nothing better that being curled up in a cozy chair, with a delicious candle burning, a warm cup of tea or coffee, a gorgeous design book in hand and a Nine and Sixteen Home throw quilt over your lap - top tier simple luxury!
FAVORITE BOOKS PURCHASED IN LAST 12 MONTHS:
“ The Artful Home” by Josh Young - I have long admired Josh’s home on IG, but having those spaces captured in professional large-scale photographs is next level. He is a master at classic, tone on tone interiors that exude warmth.
“A New English Style” by Salvesen Graham - Another IG feed that I’m obsessed with, made even better by being in a book! I think I bookmark and save every one of this design duo’s posts every time one pops up in my feed. Think lots of pattern, classic English style, whimsical details, heavy on the charm.
“Interiors of a Storyteller” by Stephanie Sabbe - Stephanie is immensely talented, exceptional at the details, has the BEST eye for antiques and art (I’d pay to go shopping with her) and embraces warm colors in such a pretty way (warning: you will want to paint all your trim). If you told me she was a set designer on “It’s Complicated” (and we’ve now established the special spot in my heart that home holds) I wouldn’t be surprised. This book is both beautiful and soulful.
FAVORITE (CURRENT) MAGAZINES
A lot of my old favorites have either lost their touch or been discounted. But the three listed here are consistently delivering inspiring spaces, so much so, that I save most issues in their entirety. I have subscriptions to each of them.
MOST REFERENCED DESIGN BOOKS IN MY LIBRARY
“An Affair with a Home” by Bunny Williams - If you are reading this post and follow me on IG, then I can pretty much guarantee this book is already in your library. Perfection!
“The Well Adorned Home” by Cathy Kincaid - I probably reference this book more often than any other because Cathy’s designs seem to take up permanent residence in my brain. She has a gift of mixing patterns and creating that balance of classic & cozy that I’m so drawn to.
“Near and Far” by Lisa Fine - Delightful textile inspiration, wonderful examples of the benefits of letting your home evolve over time and tell a story. Features different homes and designers so you get a mix of styles.
“The Great American Home” by Gil Schafer - I have and love all of Gil’s books but this one is my absolute favorite. Classic architecture and timeless interiors at their very best.
IF YOU LOVE MY HOME, YOU CAN FIND IT HERE
“Nora Murphy’s Country House Style” by Nora Murphy - There is an entire chapter of the book featuring rooms all over our home. I loved finding this book on the shelves of my very favorite bookstore on Nantucket, Bookworks. And yes, I put it front and center.
“Living with Blue and White” by Victoria - This book features our home as well as the home of one of my clients.
“Heirloom Rooms” by Erin Napier - There are images of different spaces in our home featured throughout this book, what makes this one special is that the pictures are un-styled and taken by me to reflect how the rooms are actually lived in.
Please share YOUR favorite design books or magazines in the comments, I’d love to know what inspires you!
What a terrific list!
All books by James Farmer are treasures!