As I was packing away my library of decorating books, I knew I wanted to keep a few out to read, study, and look to for inspiration and ideas for our next house. In case you missed it, we sold our house in Minnesota and we’re moving back to the east coast. (You can read about that HERE.) We don’t know where exactly, yet, but we are moving to be closer to our parents, who are split between Raleigh, NC and Gettysburg, PA. So, we’re looking to settle somewhere between the two.
Jeff is still looking for his next position in ministry and we will buy a house once he finds the place he feels called to. Until then, I’m just dreaming about what our next house might be and thinking about the kind of pieces I’d want to put on my wishlist to furnish that new home. We sold over half of our furniture as we were packing, so I’m going to do some shopping once we are settled again and I am really looking forward to it!
Not only do I enjoy the hunt, but it’s an opportunity to nudge my style in a slightly different direction. I still love the things I love, but it gives me a chance to put those things together in a new way. I intend to push my boundaries a bit with art, pattern, color, and allowing the look to be a bit more eclectic. So much depends on the style of the house we buy, but my vision will definitely inform what kind of homes interest me. And, trust me, I have a long list of saved homes all over the geographical area we’re interested in! I’m looking and dreaming daily.
So, these are the decorating books I kept with me to look over and flag images I like. I am doing this process virtually on Instagram and Pinterest as well, but nothing beats a good book. I cut the stack down to a size that would fit in a sturdy wool bag my mom bought me. It’s just enough of a library to provide some variety but it’s portable enough for our summer of transition.
The first two decorating books I set aside were Perfect English Farmhouse & Perfect English Style by Ros Bram Shaw. I have always loved European style specifically old homes and antique pieces from the UK, France, Belgium, and Germany. Both of these books capture a wonderful English style inside and out that I would love to bring to our next home.
I am thinking we will definitely have a library in the next house! I imagine turning a living room or dining room into a library/multi-functional room.
In these decorating books, I’m looking at the use of antiques, the color palettes, the layered textures, collection displays, and, of course, the gardens. I’m also looking at furniture arrangements in smaller rooms. If we do end up in the old house I’m hoping for, I’m imagining I might have to work with smaller spaces.
Two of my favorite decorating books later are A Place to Call Home & The Great American House by Gil Schafer III. Oh, these books are sumptuous and a neverending source of classic decorating.
In these books, I’m paying special attention to the furniture, styling, and details.
For example, I love the painting leaning up against this bookcase with a bouquet of flowers next to it.
So, Devol Kitchens is technically a brochure, but it sure looks like a decorating book to me and it’s only $10. It is filled with kitchen inspiration that is unique, has a sense of history, and isn’t just wall after wall of built-in cabinetry.
In this book, I’m looking at ideas for our future kitchen, which I’m hoping is one that can be ripped out and redone. I would really like a kitchen that utilizes antique pieces, freestanding furniture, and smartly-designed built-ins. This book has a lot of out-of-the-box kitchen ideas.
Most of the decorating books in my keep pile have a strong traditional decorating vibe, but Curate is a little different. The book predominately features a black and white color scheme and leans more modern even though it uses antiques and found/natural items in most spaces.
The reason I kept this book out is I loved looking at all of the collections the way they are stored and displayed. I might work in another color palette and style things differently, but I felt drawn to this book and it pushes my boundaries a bit more than the other books I kept out.
Arriving Home & A Place to Call Home are books by James T Farmer and are also two of my favorites. Like the Schafer books, these homes are way out of my league when it comes to budget, but there is still a lot of inspiraton to be gathered from color palettes to combined textures and patterns.
I enjoy Farmer’s spaces because they are so rich and full. They are layered and storied and I want to study each picture to gather all of the details. That is how I want my rooms to feel…to pull people in, look elegant, but feel homey.
With careful curating and smart shopping, so many of these looks can be put together on a reasonable budget, especially with some lucky secondhand finds.
I also love the way Farmer combines fabrics, colors, and patterns.
I have all of the Gianetti’s books and I really debated on which ones to keep with me! I ended up keeping Patina Style because it feels a bit more attainable than some of their other books I admire. Their look is still high end, mostly put together with imports from Europe and highly customized rooms, but the muted color palette, carefully curated accessories, and classic furnishings are all things that can be emulated.
I also love the way they use books and natural elements in their designs. If the movers were reading the labels on my boxes, they would’ve noticed a theme… books, ironstone, and shells! This book gives me some great ideas for how to display those collections.
Those books are certainly enough to keep me busy, but I do wish I kept one more book out – Nora Murphy’s Country House. I kept it out, put it back in the to-pack pile, fished it out, and repeated this process until I finally decided to pack it. Now I wish I waffled in other direction and kept it out! If you don’t have Nora’s book, it’s a good one!
As I spend time looking through these books, I’ll share specific things that inspire me. It’ll be fun to mine some ideas together and see how they end up playing out in reality…
I still need to compile a complete list of all of my decorating books, but HERE are a few old favorites and HERE is a list of over 120 decorating books I currently own.
If you have the Magnolia Network, they are currently airing For the Love of Kitchens, which is all about the DeVol kitchens and their designers. It’s a wonderful show.
I absolutely love anything that DeVol does! I’m going to London next week and one of the highlights of the trip will be seeing their showrooms. I’m so happy to hear about the program on Magnolia; I’ll look for it.
You’re going to love it! It’s a full hour and they don’t just make kitchens for large or stately homes. Last week it was a really small kitchen in a row house and it looked just as great when it was installed.
If you love the Rose Shaw books on English design, you have to check out two fabulous, similar books by another Brit- Ben Pentreath, English architect and interior designer: “English Decoration” and “English houses”.
Well I certainly understand about Nora Murphys book. It is one of my favorites!
Good choices! I love James Farmer. I’ve eyed the Gil Schafer books, but they’re always wrapped in plastic at the book store, so I can’t page through them. I need to see more of the photos! 🙂 I will have to take a look at those Ros Bram Shaw books, as well! Thanks for the suggestions!
Yay to a home library! They are a must imho <3
I think you meant Raleigh, NC not MN. ?
The books look wonderful. It would be fun to just build a new home on the perfect acreage.
Ha! Yes, I did!
Shawn’s Perfect English Townhouse is excellent. I purchased it for a gift and was so taken by it I immediately purchased it for myself. I like a mix of many collected styles and this book helps guide me. Once I purchased it I donated many of my design book.
I love that you love James T. Farmer. I do, too. I’m in GA not far from “Perrydise” and Farmdale. Between his decorating and gardens, well, let’s just say I can spend way too much time scrolling his Instagram account for inspiration. Plus he’s just so likeable with his southern demeanor. 🙂
I absolutely love my James Farmer books and I have both of these! I adore his use color and how he combines prints. All of his rooms seem to tell a story. And, on Instagram, he hosts a “Farmdale Friday” where he walks his garden talking about his plant choices, their care, and manages to weave stories about his family and friends.
I don’t know if you follow Laurel Bern (@lauralberninsteriors), but she is planning a remodel of her recently purchased home in Boston and has talked quite a bit about the “unkitchen,” which sounds similar to what you want.
I am looking forward to seeing your new home, wherever it may be.
I like the decor books you wrote about. My choice in my next home would be a breakfast room with a library wall /shelves/cozy chairs/perfect lighting/wooden floors that creak /hidden desk area that fits into the built in shelves. This will be a fun adventure for you!
We built our Queen Anne Victorian home 20 years ago. I loved the library at Thistle Hill in Fort Worth. Our builder designed our home, and the library is on the second floor, open to the 22’ tall foyer. We are planning to move closer to our children, so I’m planning to at least have a library wall in the parlor or dining room of our next house. Our 15 year old granddaughter loves to sit in the library and read my books. She says I probably have more books than some libraries. I’ve never counted, but there must be 1,000 or more. Rather than kindle, I buy books, and have done that for 20 years.
Great collection of books to study during your transition, and yes, books are a decorating must to me too. Each room in my home has its own collection, by topic, and while that works for me, an actual library would be so special. You’re teaching us all a lesson on patience during your move. Though it’s in some ways a pain, you’re making it a treasure hunt.
Your book is one I have also purchased.
Before I got married I was Nora Murphy! When you reviewed the ‘other’ Nora Murphy’s house book I bought it immediately. It’s sits on my coffee table in my living room. I read it cover to cover. (A few times). Her husbands name is Rick and so is mine!!! Too funny!!
It really is a great book. The photos are swoon worthy!! Thanks for that recommendation.
Before you know it you’ll be reconnected with all your goodies. It will be like Christmas morning opening up all your boxes.
Oh that is too funny! I think you deserve a free house because of that neat coincidence, right?? Haha.
Sounds like you could sure find the dream home you’re looking for between Williamsburg or Richmond Virginia . Where ever God leads will be prefect and I can’t wait to see how wonderful you will decorate it.
Seeing the photo of the bookcase with shells, it could have been in my house! I’ve got the starfish, a conch shell (mine is supremely peachy-pink like a rose though), and a large hurricane-type clear container full of shells on my bookshelves. I’ve also got the stack of big storage baskets!
I’d be curious to know what other blogs you look to for style inspiration as well!
Swooned at each photo! And that old brick house with the ancient galvanized water can on wheels, LOL.
Dream on, a house is waiting for you.
I’m curious . . . . How will the current ages of your boys affect the way you decorate your new home? . . . . . how much do your husband and boys contribute to the decisions in your decorating?
That’s a great question! My decorating has definitely changed as my boys have grown and safety issues are less of a concern. I still definitely keep them in mind and want the house to be comfortable and liveable for them. Nothing is off-limits or too precious.
As far as contributing to the decorating, Jeff rarely has opinions, but I listen when he does. The boys have complete say in their rooms and we’ll be getting almost all new furniture for them in the new house to replace a bunkbed Marshall has outgrown and small desks both boys have outgrown. They both prefer a more modern look and want “gamer desks” and things like that, which I will help them source.
Marshall is about ready to drive, so living in a neighborhood isn’t as important with this move, but they are hoping for fun hangout spaces like a pool and a basement family room similar to our last one.
Forgive the rant but for the life of me I cannot understand why decorators insist on designing kitchens where counter seating is lined up like you are being served by a waitress at a coffee shop. Let’s sit facing each other or cozily adjacent! And have conversations! There, I’m done. Thank you.
Ha! Yeah, I get it. I am not a big fan of bar seating in a residential kitchen although it is nice when you have little kids. I prefer an island and then a separate table.
Thank you for the lists! You make me want ALL THE BOOKS!
Are you familiar with Barbra Streisand’s “My Passion for Design”? It is jaw-dropping. Over-the-top? Yes. But absolutely magnificent.