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Favorite Decorating Books???

13 years ago

We'll be going to the beach in a few weeks and I always like to take a good decorating book along. Do you have suggestions for books that pertain to French Country, cottage, shabby chic, Old World, or a combination of all of these? In other words, nothing that deals with modern or contemporary interiors. Thanks!

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Comments (10)

vampiressrn
13 years ago
I don't have any books in those styles, but I do have a great traditional one about famous women decorators that I recently bought and enjoy with lots of wonderful pictures, which is what I like in books. Most of my other books are tropical, MCM, retro and Tiki related.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Great Lady Decorators
stargirl
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks, vampiressrn. Sound like my kind of book. I failed to mention that I like tropical too.
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O.K. here we go: 1) "The Finest Rooms: by American Decorators" edited by Katherine Tweed. This is an old book -- but truly worth the effort to find it! Beautiful rooms -- and lots to learn! 2)"House Beautiful: The HOME book: Creating a Beautiful home of Your Own" Carol Spier. This book has SO much information and ideas! Yes. Go Buy It! 3)"Barry Dixon Interiors" Brian D. Coleman. Wonderful coloring and placement ideas. My favorite fireplace EVER is on page 123. Favorite kitchen EVER -- page 38-39. 4)"Alexa Hampton: The Language of Interior Design" Alexa Hampton. Love the dining room on page 203. 5)"Bunny William's Scrapbook for Living" and "An Affair with A House" both books by Bunny Williams. Love them to bits! 6)"At Home: A Style for Today with Things from the Past" Suzanne Rheinstein. Gorgeous photos of her own homes and her portfolio. Wow! 7)"Chris Madden: The Soul of a House" Describes her two homes -- and features a lot of her own furniture designs. Lots of good ideas. Wish she had featured more of her portfolio. 8)"Suzanne Kasler: Inspired Interiors" Suzanne Kasler. Gorgeous. and wonderful ideas for wall decor placement. And there are more in the bookshelves ..... Jan at Rosemary Cottage
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This season's latest arrivals: "Houses: Inside and Out" Mariette Himes Gomez -- LOVE this book!! Lots of color photos and ideas ..... Just in the door so I'll be reading this over the next few days .... "Bunny Williams' Point of View" -- HUGE book -- LOTS of photos. Not as warm and chatty as her first book -- this is more of a "this is my designer and style book" -- even her photo at the back of book shows a more serious (and possibly face-lifted Bunny Williams) BUT there are tones of ideas and inspirations .... this book could take days just to read throughly ..... "Inspirations from France & Italy" Betty Lou Phillips -- again -- a HUGE book with lots of photos of very high style homes BUT lots of the ideas could be easily translated into much more affordable looks too! Just a few thoughts!!! Hope this helps!!!
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teacats
13 years ago
Villa Decor by Betty Lou Phillips

Any decor book by Charles Faudree

Jan at Rosemary Cottage
annainpa
13 years ago
Hey, Stargirl,
Well--I always get stars in my eyes when anyone brings up French or English country and have bought lots of books (many used on Amazon, many at Borders or Barnes and Noble because I could not bear to walk out with them).
The "Bringing it Home" (France, England, Sweden, Italy series by Cheryl MacLachlan are books that keep their place on my shelf and are muchly revisited. Anything by British author, Jocasta Innis is worthwhile--historically grounded but shabby-chic minded and licensed in whimsy as well. Find Cheryl's books here:

Here is a link that might be useful: Find Cheryl's books here:
stargirl
Original Author
13 years ago
Anna, I've been over at Amazon looking at the books by Cheryl MacLachlan. All have great reviews. These are the type books I'm looking for -- anything French or English Country. Jan, I've also been looking at the books by Betty Lou Phillips. I have heard of her but have never read any of her books. Thanks for your helpful suggestions.
forhgtv
13 years ago
I quite enjoyed Classic Country by Kathryn M. Ireland. I also liked Better Homes and Gardens New Cottage Style: Decorating Ideas for Casual, Comfortable Living by Better Homes & Gardens
stargirl
Original Author
13 years ago
I have the one by Better Homes and Gardens, forhgtv. However, I'm going now to check out Classic Country by Kathryn M. Ireland. I am so hooked on Amazon when it comes to decorating books.
vampiressrn
13 years ago
Here is one of my favorite tropical books. It is absolutely gorgeous!!!

Here is a link that might be useful: French Island Elegance
stargirl
Original Author
13 years ago
Vampiressrn, I have that book and you're right, it is gorgeous. I used to refer to "my style" as French Tropical. One day I received a surprise in the mail from one of my forum friends, and it was this book. I was surprised to learn that my combination of styles really does exist, and it's referred to as French Island. Not only is this a good coffee table book, but it's a great read as well.
vampiressrn
13 years ago
I'm glad someone else has this book too, it is definitely wonderful. I shared it with a friend of mine who is from Trinidad (her husband is from Nairobi) and she was thrilled to see it...she shared it with her husband too as some of the architecture pictured reminded her of homes she played in as a child (belonging to Aunts and Grandmothers). It was so rewarding to be able to conjure up memories for others with that style of decor!!! I really love that style. That book is always at the top of the heap on my coffee table.

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