I was planning to get this post up sooner, but today ended up being busy!! I did some work this morning, ran a few errands, went to PT for my shoulder (I can put on eyeliner again), had a meeting, did a few photoshoots and editing, then Marshall wanted to make chicken pot pie when he got home from school, and here we are. Pot pie made and eaten, Jeff and Calvin are out about Rochester delivering hot chocolate and doughnuts to Salvation Army bell-ringers and I have a few quiet moments to write.
When I think about winter decorating, I think about layers. Of course, there is the obvious…layering throws on a sofa, more blankets on a bed, a textural throw pillow on a side chair. But, I also think about layering when putting together vignettes. The layers add a hominess, a visual warmth if that makes sense. A single item can look clean and airy, which is perfect for summer. Multiple items, layered and nestled, speak to bundling up when the temperature drops. It just works.
Last year, for our kitchen table, I layered an ironstone tureen nestled in greens and pinecones on top of an ironstone platter on a silver tray on a breadboard. Lots of layering happening as well as a play on materials, textures, and finishes.
I learned that I can’t put an arrangement of faux greens tucked into place on the table, because Esmé will pull put the sprigs one-by-one and make her own arrangement. She doesn’t like things clustered. She wants the spread-out, wild, effortless look. She wants the someone-just-threw-a-bunch-of-sprigs-around-the-room look. We do not see eye-to-eye on this matter. But, since she’s more persistent than I am, I am waving the white flag and doing something else.
So, this year, I started with the same silver tray and used it to gather a grouping of smaller items that I already had. One practical advantage of putting a centerpiece on a tray is that it’s easy to scoot for meals, homework, and board games. Jeff and the boys sometimes grow impatient when my decor is in the way, so I try to make it as easy to move as possible!
I layered two small ironstone bowls in a footed compote and filled it with some nuts. (Oddly enough, the cats haven’t played with those!)
I also added a candle and another ironstone bowl filled with small candles.
Layering the bowls in the compote added a little more height and it just looks more interesting to my design eye.
I put a faux sage plant in an ironstone pot on top of the wood base for a cloche. The Ikea plant is just a placeholder for a gingerbread house or a cat-safe wintry plant.
It’s layered, it’s simple, it looks wintry, and it was using things I had on hand. I’m sure it’ll evolve as we get deeper into the winter months, but it’s a nice starting point.
And now to the giveaway! Jen from Girl in the Garage brought together a group of bloggers/authors for a big home & DIY-lover’s book giveaway!
One lucky winner will receive all 6 of these popular DIY & decorating books! This is a great collection! I’ve read all of them except The Gift of Gathering, but I love Bre’s work, so I’m sure the book is beautiful and I’ll be adding it to my collection! Here are the books the winner will receive…
1. But Where Do I Put the Couch? & Answers to 100 Other Home Decorating Questions, by KariAnne Wood of Thistlewood Farms and Melissa Michaels of The Inspired Room
2. French Vintage Decor: Easy & Elegant DIY Projects for Any Home, by Jamie Lundstrom of So Much Better With Age
3. The Home Design Doodle Book: Unleash Your Inner Designer, by Marian Parsons of Miss Mustard Seed
4. The Gift of Gathering: Beautiful Tablescapes to Welcome and Celebrate Your Friends and Family, by Bre Doucette of Rooms for Rent blog
5. Creatively Christmas: Inspired Yuletide Decor, by Jennifer Rizzo of JenniferRizzo.com
6. Amazing Furniture Makeovers: Easy DIY Projects to Transform Thrifted Finds into Beautiful Custom Pieces, by Jen Crider of Girl in the Garage
Follow the directions to enter below. Giveaway open to US and Canada through Dec. 7, 2019.
Good luck!
Ooh what a great giveaway! Sometimes I get decorators block and love to flip through design books for tangible inspiration!
These books could help me figure out how to arrange my furniture in an awkward shaped room.
These books look inspiring! We recently built a home and am figuring out my decor style. I have fallen in love with your website! I would love to get some ideas from the books. ❤️
Looks like some really good reading! (dreaming)
What a fun collection of books! 🙂
Awesome collection of books, full of inspiration!
Would love to see the latest trends in decorating and be inspired by these amazing decorators!
Interesting how we learn to live with our pets.
Looks like a very informative collection of books!
Those books look wonderful! We live in a tiny, TINY condo, so every little bit of decorating advice helps.
I love great decoration inspiration.
I am always looking for inspiration, and these books look like they are full of ideas.
Wonderful giveaway! I love these type of books.?
smallish house, lots of little people – how to live in “not chaos” and create beauty in our home.
Such a pretty, yet simple arrangement. Great inspiration!!
I live in a vintage home that is a work in progress, can always use new ideas to help refresh the decor. Budget friendly helps the dollars go farther. Love reading inspiring books.
Beautiful books. I have only read the book by Bre and it is stunning and full of inspiration. I struggle with what to put on my coffee table so I am sure I could find something in one of these beautiful books.
What a great collection of books!. I will definitely have to check out the Gift of Gathering!
I live in a small townhouse. We are between two other units. How do we make a smallish master bedroom seem bigger? There is also not much closet or storage space in the unit.
Marian, I love the idea of layering decor. It works even in small spaces- and keeping it on a tray to move out of the way is clever! Thanks so much for being part of the book giveaway. Someone will be very lucky to win all these wonderful books! xo
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity. My challenge is to decide and commit to a design. I seem to like everything!
Ahhhh, so that’s why my bowl of nuts looks like… well, a bowl of nuts. Never thought of layering bowls in this way. So much more interesting and impactful. Thank you for this small but valuable lesson in layering. Just like Esme taught you! LOL!
I am positive there would be great advice in each of those books to help me decorate our 1970’s cedar barn style chalet. We have lived here 2 years and now that the “boring work” is completed (new doors, windows, roof) let the fun really begin. Thanks for hosting such an amazing giveaway 🙂
I’ve got a couple of old dressers that need some love, but I’m not sure what to do with them.
Wow- this would be Merry Christmas to me!
Great ideas to be found in these books!
My decorating dilemma just may be that I have too many books, but I can’t resist wanting all of these new ones, too!
I love the idea of a book giveaway!!! Thanks for the tips on layering with decorating!
great idea I love a book giveaway
Book giveaways, books! i love books. I love also seeing the adjustments to be made with kittens in the house, kinda envious, i haven’t had a cat in more than ten years, and i miss them. Enjoy!
Thanks for the giveaway. My dilemma for this seasons decorating is where to put all of my Santa collection? They used to be placed in my large tv unit but we changed things up and got rid of it, now where do my Santa’s go? Seems trivial but not sure how and where to display them. Hoping one of these books could enlighten me. Thanks again
The problem I’m having since downsizing is where to put the Christmas tree? There is not enough square footage in my apartment. I’ve partially solved this by buying a small tabletop frosted tree and placing it on my dining room table. It looks so beautiful, even undecorated!
I love decorating books! I always struggle to make rooms look homey and not staged.
These books could inspire me to change the style or function of my room! They could also help me learn how to make “white space” on the wall intentional rather than a lack of decor. I could really use that 😉 Thanks so much for the chance to win!
After 49 years in the same home, I need ideas for refreshing and modernizing.
These books would help me in this endeavor.
Celebrating our first big holidays in our new house – a mid-century ranch with lots of natural wood and stone. So I’m working on adapting what I already have to the new tones and scale, with a few new things thrown in here and there. Inspiration needed!
This is such a great giveaway- I love home decor books! Thanks for all the inspiration you provide year round!
I love layering. You always see things new! Can I win and later those books by my reading place! Lovely design as always. Merry Christmas.
What a fantastic collection of books! I will be adding these to my “read” list. Thank you for the opportunity to win these books, but most of all for introducing them to me! Merry Christmas!
I usually find something I love, but don’t have vision for, in thrift stores around my area. When this happens I go to my favorite designer’s books to get inspiration. I just found a chair similar to the one you have at the stairs and I’m so excited to try that vignette.
Great book collection to read during the cold winter weather! I have trouble composing vignettes and troubling with editing collections, those I choose to collect and those I’ve ended up inheriting as the keeper of family memories! Would love help!
I’m loving the layered look…we have accumulated, ahem, three cats and the last one is a year-old menace! So I am hoping to tackle more decorating looks that will limit the clutter that kitties find irresistible!
I need lots of help — so I am sure these books would be a huge help.
It’s amazing how small children and animals can change how decorate year to year! I like your centerpiece with the nuts in the bowls in the compost! I like layering, it’s always pleasing to my eye!
Love your blog. Feel like I am chatting with an old friend every morning! Merry Christmas!
I downsized several years ago and now have a long narrow living room. I am running out of ideas on how to maximize seating space without jamming a lot of furniture in the room. I am sure there are pointers to help me out in one or more of these fabulous books!
I French Décor and English Country. I am very interested in the Gathering book as I need to have more dining table vinettes that like Marian are easy to move.
Thank you for the idea of using nuts to decorate for the holiday. I am going to add this layer to the table tonight around the base of the poinsettas that are sitting on the silver tray.
I have been retired for a year and I really need to refresh my home and get some new ideas; perhaps I need to move things around to different rooms. I need some guidance so the books would be a great help. I also have to be on a tighter budget than when I worked full time.
Marianne, I have enjoyed reading your blog for several years. You encourage me to look within myself and to try sketching, painting, refurbishing furniture, etc. and I want to thank you for all the information and ideas that you give us. Your blog has been my favorite one for many years.
What decorating dilemma couldn’t this help with? Between all 6 of these books every decorating issue would be fully covered! I never know what color paint to use, and I stay pretty overwhelmed with ideas that I never seem to follow through with…my Pinterest boards are full of them!
Marian, I’m sure you’ll get quite a big response to this posting since it’s a lovely give away. However could you possibly tell me where you found the blouse you’re wearing while holding the cat at the top of your blog. I just love it. Thank you.
Ah, yes, cat decorating often doesn’t go with human decorating. I couldn’t put up Christmas decorations for 3 years until my youngest cat settled down.
One of my dogs thinks he’s a gardener and likes to move recently planted plants to the sunniest spot on the lawn where their roots can get some sun.
Those books look fantastic, even if they can’t teach any design sense to my animals!
what a great collection of books…
My decorating dilemma is odd shaped rooms. The living room has a big fireplace cutting across the corner of what would otherwise be a big square. I’d love to find ideas for furniture arrangements. Thanks for the giveaway.
I’d like to win those books! : ) And having cats is the reason I now have a 3 foot tree on top of a cupboard instead of a nice big tree on the floor. They absolutely demolished the big tree, knocked off limbs climbing the tree, broke ornaments, etc. They can be little furry stinkers sometimes!
I love the idea of decorating in layers! It takes decorating to a whole different level!
Love this giveaway!! So much inspiration and ideas!!
I definitely want to checknout Jennifer Rizzo’s book, Creatively Christmas. I’m feeling rather uninspired and ‘un’Christmassy this last 2 years. I’m sure its because we decided to put up smaller trees on a dresser top, because of a bit of a lack of space (the dresser is there) and a larger dining table, and a rescue dog that was extremely fearful and unused to being in a house (he is coming around though!)
I live in a small servants quarters, on 3 levels, many odd shaped rooms. I have been there for 10 years,, would love some fresh inspiration, as I look to redo each level in 2020… Great Collection!!! Thanks for such a generous giveaway
How to style shelves, mantles, bookcases, etc…
My dilemma is my downstairs family room, it is awkward to arrange and has been basically the same for years and years. Would love to have some new ideas and inspiration.
I love the ironstone decor! The books all sound exciting!
I’ve been decorating since I was a young girl. My best friend and I never actually played with our Barbie dolls, instead we spent all our time creating homes for them out of boxes, scraps of carpet and wallpaper from our parents’ decorating efforts and in absence of those, making our own. We created furniture, painted the inside of the boxes – you name it, we did it.
I am always looking for more inspiration and currently I’m contemplating a redo of my main bathroom so I can use all the inspiration I can get before I start to make my choices. This looks like an amazing collection of books.
Our cat takes an ornament off the small tree on our dining room table each night and bats around. She has broken some when they fall off table.
I have light gray walls all throughout my house(bought it this way) and a fireplace that is surrounded by black granite and that wall is painted a pinkish red(ugh!). My biggest dilemma is what to do with the wall that the granite fireplace is on. It’s on the floor as well as both right and left sides of the wall.
These books look fun to carry with me to long nights of kids sporting activities! Maybe they could help me decide what size rug to get for my dining room!! ?
I need help following through – I see so many great ideas but never know how to put them together. We inherited my Husband’s Grandmother’s Dining Table, Chairs & Sideboard. I love the idea of it but the small Dining Room feels closed off and the Duncan Phyfe Furniture is not comfortable.
Our Front Door also opens within inches of the back wall of the Fireplace. Guests have to walk around to the left or you have to open the door all the way while standing behind it so they can enter to the right. It takes up so much space that I feel like the room is cut in half. I don’t know how to arrange the furniture in the room. It just feels awkward. I really need help finding a way to create a beautiful space.
Just love finding solutions to decorating issues.
Mostly love to see new ideas for making things look beautiful !
A stack of books? Not just one! Count me in!
I tried to enter drawing but it would not let me comment
Thank you so much for this contest. I sure could use some ideas for our open concept home and I bet there might be some in some of these really nice books.
I wouldn’t call them dilemmas, but I’m always on the lookout for inspiration and I’m days away from retiring and actually having the time to “play” full time!! So pick me!
I love these books and was hoping to add one to my collection. It would be fabulous to get the set! Winter is my favorite season for curling up with a good book!
I love a book giveaway! You never know where you’ll find the perfect solution to a decorating problem. I also love books! I tried to comment when I entered the contest and it wouldn’t let me.
I’m a book lover, so this giveaway is right up my alley! Exciting!
Beautiful centerpieces! and LOVE the tray idea – mobile decor is best! Thank you for the chance to win these beautiful books!
I definitely could use help by reading these books. Our den is a bugger to decorate. I never have felt it is right. Thanks to all for the opportunity.
Marian, i am ADD so I am all over the place. I have learned so much from the Blogs that I am subscribed to. I wish i had started years ago but am so thankful for all of you. I would love these books. I NEED these books. LOL
Cheryl
I struggle with where to put the TV. I’m sure these lovely books could help.
I love your layering. You are teaching me new things to do in our recently remodeled kitchen and living room. I have to get away from my OCD decorating and have more fun! Love your new photo too. You have an awesome smile and I love that blouse! Our cat Jenny discovered the Christmas decorations last night, 3 days after they went up. She’s a stink pot.
You started my love of transforming furniture so I’d love to see the books you recommend to help with daily decorating dilemmas.
I’m always looking for new ways to up my game in accessorizing my home! While I can design a quilt, a room, or even a crafting area, accessorizing has always been my challenge! I think this will do the trick! Thanks for being so generous!
What is more fun than a giveaway? A BOOK GIVEAWAY, of course! I have Marion’s book and adore it so if I win that will be a gift for someone on my list. I am internet savvy but there is nothing like a good book, and once I have one I enjoy, it’s hard to let it leave my possession. This can create storage problems, but fortunately books stack very well.
Thanks for your wonderful ideas.
What a heavenly give away!!!
Beautiful ideas as always!
I love these selections! It’s always a wonderful thing to page through a real life beautiful book. Thanks for the offering. P.S. Love your new kitties–always a HUGE help during the holidays! LOL
I love how simple and soothing your arrangements and or vignettes are…. I love your style Marian
Decorating books and magazines are my weakness, but there is always room for more. I’d like help with giving the small kitchen some pizazz.
The books would be GREAT!!!! Needs some help!
I love to see how people use smalls to decorate a room. I can do the big pieces but bringing the smalls together sometimes just doesn’t work out.
I enjoy reading your blog and usually find one idea I can can use somewhere in my home. Love this giveaway you are offering – a perfect pre Christmas opportunity- reading through a variety of decor books…
Love your design eye for detail!!
I need TONS of ideas but how to choose accessories that go across seasons would be so helpful!
What a wealth of decor inspiration! I have had my own home to decorate for many years now, but
I still enjoy being creative and changing things up. Decor books just aren’t in my budget, so it
would be wonderful to win these.
Your layers work so nicely together. My current dilemmas are pictures on one wall of my bedroom and finding a good neutral yet husband proof fabric for our dining chairs.
Ohh a great giveaway. I’m redoing my living space come 2020 and can use some great tips and ideas.
Lovely post! And thank you for the opportunity!
I’m in a decorating rut. These books would be so helpful in giving me some inspiration
These books could help me figure out how to make over older furniture pieces and decor as well as create an inviting arrangement.
Looks like lots of great inspiration! Sometimes I need something like this to get out of a rut.
A major remodel and decorating effort in my home, done in 1997, is outdated and unappealing today, but I’m on a tight budget and at a loss as to where to begin. Maybe these 6 books will help!
In an effort to pare down when I moved to an apartment, I’m afraid I got rid of some pieces and decor I should have kept. Now, it seems as if things are too sparse. I cannot afford to buy new, but love to visit thrift shops.
How I love the idea of taking hot chocolate and sweets to the Salvation Army bell ringers! This is a super thoughtful thing to do and I may have to copy it : ) These books look lovely to have around as well as informative to read. I’d love to read them and pass them on to my very small town library for the other ladies around here to enjoy!
I struggle with stylizing my shelving. I put things up there and they don’t look cohesive. They just look stored.
I would love these books for so many different areas.
I definitely need ideas from these books on how to downsize by about half and still retain the charm I am used to.
These books are great. Sometimes you just need a different perspective and inspiration to an area of your house. These will be so helpful to take your table or Christmas décor to a whole new level and out of a rut.
We will be moving (downsizing) so this is a great opportunity to discover what we want next!
Love your new picture with one of your kitties! But I did notice in describing yourself you did not have first and foremost that you are a cat enthusiast, also known as a cat slave. I also suspect that as you begin to take more and more pictures that you will develop super speed as your new assistant (Esme) trys to assist you. Lol! I’m still scared to start decorating. I only have one cat. You’re a brave woman! I admire that in you! Have a great day!
I am needing help figuring out how to update a plain builder grade house with no character!
I would love these books to help me with interior design. Thank you!
I’m retiring soon and would like to update my home to suit my new status! It will include a studio and lots of comfy furniture with soft fabrics!
Love this post and the giveaway!
Your decorating is also so lovely!
You had me at hot chocolate and bell ringers! Such a beautiful thing to do.
Very excited about the giveaway. Thanks so much.
Love your style! Having downsized our space , I am at a loss on what to keep or give away. I hoping these beautiful books can help me! Thanks for all the inspiration.
The books look amazing!
2 rescue kitties here & I am eagerly watching your decorating ideas… I am stumped as to what I can actually have with them!
I love your new photo too!!! And of course I love all the inspiration….
Thanks for bringing the layering under the ironstone tureen to our attention. Would not have thought of that. Enjoy your kitties.
I have a huge problem with organizing my craft room. I have things scattered here there and everywhere and constantly rummage through most of it looking for one specific item. The room is a small space that is over the garage. It’s my own little area but I don’t want to go up there due to my non organizational skills. I get female family together once a month to craft…wreaths, Christmas ornaments, Santa’s, these books would be great to read together as we enjoy our hot chocolate and cookie swap. Thank you!
What a great selection of books! Anyone would be lucky to win these.
Oh my! What a wonderful book collection. We are in the middle of a renovation – I think these might come in handy.
I live in an older house …. There is too much dark wood on door frames and windows…as opposed to painting them all high gloss white as I would have in my earlier life; I find now as I age closer to retirement status that I prefer a more “lived in” casual motif… not quite farmhouse… but heading in that direction…. so I want to consider white washing the wood work in “this old house” and perhaps pickling the floors!! I love Miss Mustard seeds creative solutions and Kari Anne is a hoot… she does great stuff with paint color! And maybe since I don’t have daughters of my own… I see myself in both of you! for this and so many other reasons… most importantly I LOVE books …. I would be thrilled to receive 6 of them for Christmas!!
I need help weeding out pieces of furniture to fit my spaces better. Most items are family heirlooms but my husband doesn’t see the need to keep them.
Thank you for doing this. Excellent ideas for doing so many projects/decorating ideas in the house.
A great selection of books for the home. I could use some ideas and advice from this collection! What a nice gift for the winner!
My problem is hanging on the wall. Where, how high, how low, with what, and what kind of nail or whatever.
I always use design and decorating books for inspiration…these would be a welcome addition to my collection!
Oh my goodness, your new photo is gorgeous. You look so pretty and I adore what you’re wearing. Could you share where you got it. Thanks 🙂
Always looking for new ideas.
Enjoyed today’s post but what I really want to say is…love your outfit in your new photo!
I love looking at decorating books to get inspiration for my new home. It’s a chance for me to do all new ideas, and I’m having so much fun!
Simplicity at its finest, always inspiring!
My house is a constant work in progress. I would so love to read these books while I’m recuperating from surgery on my elbow. I’m going a little stir-crazy not being able to complete my holiday decorating. I’m hoping to spend a lot of time planning a new look for my family room and I know these books I’ll definitely help.
I always struggle on table settings so I could definitely use help in that department. I love how you combined the fluted bowls in the compote, it’s so relaxed looking and chic.
I have a corner fireplace which I find very difficult to work around.
Window coverings…I need help with window coverings and balancing practicality and efficiency with aesthetics!
Thank you for offering this giveaway to your followers. I’m sure I would learn and can use the information from these books. We have an old farmhouse with smaller rooms. The book that 1st caught my eye was But where do I put the couch.
I love the way table vignettes look but I never do them. The books look interesting! I may have to get some of them.
The title “But where do I Put the Couch?” speaks to me–not sure about how best to arrange furniture to enjoy the living room fireplace but not close off the room.
It’s been years since I decorated my living room, and it’s overdue for a refresh, so I am sure I will find some great inspiration for an updated look…so exciting!!! Thanks so much for the opportunity to win these books!
Marian, I love your hair in the new photo.
Many years ago, I took my three children and two cats to my parents house in Mississippi for Christmas. The kitten had a broken leg when I got him, so he was in a splint. My dad always had a large container of pecans sitting around at Christmas time. So, the kitten got into the pecans and batted them all over the house while running with the splint. The house had hardwood floors.
Sometimes you just get hung up or used to things, and some fresh inspiration of colour, style or seating arrangements can make a world of difference.
I’m looking to brighten up the kitchen until I can decide if I want to do a complete renovation–painting cabinets, etc and perhaps some different lighting would be a place to start, and I’m sure these books contain plenty of ideas to accomplish this.
The cats haven’t touched the nuts “yet” lol
There’s just something about having decorating books to keep referring to and inspire you. We bought our new to us (old) home and are fixing it up todate and need lots of ideas and inspiration, from remodeling our kitchen and family room to our master bedroom and guest bed/bathroom. Would love any of these books to help make our house a home.
Marian
Such a sweet post today. And thanks for rescuing those precious kitties.
I’m looking to decorate our newly painted sun porch so it is more usable for our family..
I entered for the give away but was unable to leave a comment. I have only in the past year discovered how much I enjoy interior design as I have just gone through a renovation on a 140 year old Nova Scotia farmhouse. I have always been too busy with life to worry much about my farm houses in the past. The only book I have so far on interior design is Home Body by Joanna Gaines and I LOVE it and used it so much over the past year. I would love to add to my interior design book collection with these books. I am currently trying to sell my home and hope to purchase something smaller when I do so more books would be most helpful. Enjoy your blog!
As a board member of our local Salvation Army Center, thank you for your kindness!
Love your blog. So glad you are on the mend. Merry Christmas and thanks for the giveaway!
I really need photos to be able to follow instructions. Somehow without seeing it, I rarely understand. I guess that why having six new books would be really helpful for me.
Love your greenery Christmas decor!
I love the layered tray as a good way to add interest and store useful things as well. Great idea!
I think layering is the key to a put together but also comfortable home. I would love book number 6. As i have several thrift-shop pieces that need makeovers!
It’s the couch! Always where to put the couch. We purchased a couch that has a footrest at each end that can be lifted if desired so there has to be room for that. It can’t block the entrance to the room. I don’t want it flat against the wall. It has to be somewhat facing the chairs in the room. I can go on and on.
Hopefully I can get some guidance from these books.
Thank you for the chance to have these books.
But if I should not be the lucky one – I now have a great list of books to acquire.
Jan
I’m slowly excavating for unused treasure to take to the hospice thrift store. I’d love to get some fresh ideas for using what I have so I can let go of the rest. Thanks for all you share.
These books would make an amazing gift to my younger daughter who wants to study interior design in college.
And Marian, good luck with your new kitties. Have they climbed the Christmas tree yet?? Lol!
Definitely space planning . We are about to tear walls out on our main level and seriously need help
I’d like ideas for using things I have in new ways!
I’ve followed KariAnne and Bre’s blogs for a long time, so to win their decorating books plus the other four books would be super!
Love your blog and all your creative ideas. I recently downsized from 3000 sf to about 835 sf (!!) I miss decorating my big house! I would love the books to get some new ideas for my small spaces.
I have a wall and a couple of other spots in my house I”d like to redecorate.
I have a problem with whether to paint or not and grouping pictures on a wall. Thanks Marian those kittens are so cute and i can’t believe they haven’t touched those nuts.
We moved one year ago. We had the moving sale of the century, which included most of my books!
These books would be soooo welcome and I know who ever wins them will consider them a treasure.
I love the idea of bringing hot chocolate to Salvation Army bell ringers! And layering decor for the holidays is an easy way to add coziness. My styling dilemma right now is trying to determine the size of a living room rug in my new home. I need help! ??
I struggle with styling out my shelves….they either end up looking cluttered or too empty! I would love to get some good ideas from these books. Also, we have a circular living room and Im not sure how to decorate it!
My family room is so stale…its been the same for almost 20 years! I need some fresh ideas. What a great giveaway!
Where to put the couch!?! Perfect. We bought a tiny little cabin over a year ago and I still haven’t been thrilled with the couch placement. I’m about ready to throw it out the door!
I want to change up my condo and am sure I could find excellent ideas in these books. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
What a great giveaway!! Would love to win!
I would enjoy these books from Bre’s book on tablescapes to all the many ideas to freshen up our home.
I understand the struggle to keep decor from being attacked by cats or young kids. This giveaway sounds great!
We have been in our house for about 3 weeks. My husband and I are in our early 60’s.
I think having these books would help me to
Figure out how to decorate this home. But we have so many boxes in one of our bedrooms, decorating
is going very slowly. Love your blog.
Thanks for the giveaway.
I love your style and the less us best look. I loved the pillows on your christmas decirating issue. I sent online and found the pillows. Purchased the red ones for my daughter in law for part of her birthday gift. My sons birthday is the 11th and they are coming here for dinner so going to give her the pillows that night as she can enjoy them this Christmas. I am thrilled i opened your email as these will be perfect for their living room. I am not a Walmart shopper but thinking i just might have to do some therapy there and check out their merchandise. Thank you for sharing! Bought the red for my daughter in law and the green for myself. Merry Christmas and kerp sharing your thoughts as they are most eelcome!
I’m looking for ideas to help create an environment that is welcoming, restful and easy to keep that way! Many thanks for the thoughtful giveaway.
With all the windows and a fireplace, where do I put the couches?
One of my biggest struggles is decorating both a living room and a family room… getting all the furniture to work together in each room!
I would love any of these beautiful books because I need help with my living room, decorating tablescapes and never know what to do regarding holiday decorating!
We have a big, long family room and because of the weird length it is hard to decorate. We have no idea how to arrange things.
What a nice analogy on winter’s layering in home decor!
I want to either fake or make some built-ins either side of my fireplace. I’ve wanted them forever, and I’m thinking I have to get it done. My house is short on storage.
Just moved into a new home without corners! Open concept and a bit scary…these books would surely help!
What lovely reminders for thoughtfulness and you reminded me of some simple, easy winter grabs I have in the attic that I can snag before getting out the big Christmas boxes. Thank you! By the way, it may have been up for a while, but I just saw your latest profile picture and I love it. Carefree and joyous!
Great selection of books! I don’t think I’ll ever tire of looking through and reading decor books! Also, layering on the table is a must here too — for the same reasons! AND nice new photo – with a super cute outifit 🙂
ALL of these books look amazing! I don’t know if I can articulate clearly what I need help with! I guess that probably says it all! LOL! But, we just moved into our new home and I’m overwhelmed with all the options to decorate with. I don’t want to spend $ foolishly . . . I need a helping hand . . . Thanks so much for sharing this opportunity to win, it’s a
delightful giveaway that will bring some lucky soul bountiful blessings!
Ohhh thank you for the reminder!! I need to see if I can find the nutcrackers so we can set out a bowl of nuts.
My biggest problem is clutter that exists in every room. I would like to eliminate the clutter and set a positive example for the three grandchildren we are raising.
So happy you decided to adopt two kittens.
Thank you for your talent and for sharing these books. I live in a parsonage, never had my own home. You work with what you have and are careful because the home doesn’t belong to you. We have many people coming and going , entertaining. These books would be helpful to me. The gift of gathering sound sounds wonderful.
As you know, I love everything you do. You are my inspiration for much of my decorating. I have always wanted to be a designer. My favorite of your things is the green painted built in cupboard.
I have a grandson on the way and I have found an antique chest that I want to transform into a diaper changing table, but I don’t want it to be gender specific. My daughter and son-in-law will try and have more children in the future and they want to use it for more than one child. Also, I hope that afterwards they can use this antique chest in another part of their home, maybe even as a side table in their dining room. My dilemma also includes what can I do to the inside of the drawers?
Love Miss Mustard Seed’s ideas for layering. I wish you lived in Kansas and could be a consultant to those of us that struggle so with decorating.
How to incorporate color! I have shades of grey, which I love, but some color (other than grey!) might be good. But I don’t know.
So happy to hear how much better your shoulder is doing. I love your idea for layering table centerpieces on a tray to make them easier to move when necessary. Even better they are cat safe too!
I love how you show ways to use what you have. I can’t wait to see your gingerbread houses this year!
I have watched so many of these amazing bloggers talk about their books. I have wanted to gobble up all of them.
I love changing up my decor for the seasons or on a whim and would truly appreciate browsing through these lovely books for new ideas. Thanks for the chance to win them.
I could use help with furniture placement in my long narrow family room! Help!
Two of my favorite things books and decorating. Moving to a different house this year and love new ideas will try to make a new comfortable home with the things I have. Including 100’s of needlework related books.
I think the books could help me have more cohesive design elements in my house . Thanks for the opportunity to win these great books!
I love decorating books. That is very funny about Esme liking the “effortless” look.
I have a white slip covered sofa and ottoman. I want to put a throw or quilt on the ottoman for a pop of color but nothing ever looks right; too flat, too messy, too folded, not messy enough!!
Definitely a good collection of books. I too like the idea of bringing treats to the bell ringers, I hope others can piggyback on this idea.
Painting and repurposing furniture is where I could use some help!
These books look yummy! I could use some decorating help!
Oh the book titled where do I put the couch…resonated with me. It’s so hard to get a room the way you think it looks beautiful…and not have to make sure you are across from a TV? Help?
I need help selecting a new couch and help finding the right place to put it . These books would be perfect.
My daughter bought her first starter home this year. There is a narrow enclosed breezeway between the house and garage with a door on each of the four walls. We have no idea where to begin when it comes to decorating this type of space. Any tips, pics, or ideas will help greatly at this point. Thanks for the opportunity to win such inspiring books to help a first time home buyer.
These look awesome! Can’t wait to read your book and the gathering book by Bre!
We just moved into a much smaller house and I can use all the help I can get decorating our new home. I’m sure I could find many great and useful ideas in the books. Thanks.
We just moved into a new home, from an 1875 Victorian farmhouse to a 2005 modern open concept home and those books look so inspiring!
Wow! Thank you for the chance! I have a huge expanse of wall and high ceiling above my dining room buffet (which has no upper cabinet). I LOVE interior design books and these would be great inspiration for that very blank wall!
I have so many decorating dilemmas I do not know where to begin. I have no vision so need a lot of handholding. The book Where DO I Put The Couch seems like the perfect book for me
I just retired and want to refresh my home. I look forward to the inspiration!
What a wonderful giveaway !!!
I would love some help decorating my small studio space. Thanks so much!
Everyone thinks that interior decorators are **always** inspired and **always** creative. It’s just not true. We hit road –and mental–blocks, too. I hoard decorating books, magazines, Pins, pictures, swatches, and color cards to jump-start a design or inspire my holiday decorating scheme. The book collection would have a happy home!
I need to get these books!
I feel like my house is getting that cluttered look. I’m retiring AGAIN next Friday and would have such fun with these books and maybe be able to have fun doing some rearranging and redecorating.
It’s difficult to decorate in some open concept areas with few walls for definition. The books, especially the one on where to put the sofa, are just great. Thanks for the opportunity.
I would love to peruse the books for inspiration and guidance to decorating. My home was built in the early eighties and it’s hard to arrange furniture and decor to look “just right.” Glad you are feeling better. Have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year?!
I just bought a new–to me–1920’s house, and need help getting it to look like it should, and not tossed together haphazardly like itis now! These books could be a life saver for me!
Like another, I have moved to a smaller place and do have a very difficult time thinking that I need to get rid of things..I have given much to a charity shop but still find that I have drawers and closets filled to the brim! …we do get attached, dont we! Thanks for the giveaway…and pet those sweet kitties for me…Our dog would not tolerate one, so sad to say there will not be any at our house in the near future..oh …and Sebastion needs a hug toooo!
I’ve recently retired after 25 years in the wonderfully challenging nonprofit world tasked with revitalizing our historic downtown. I loved what I did and take great joy in the accomplishments made with the help of dedicated volunteers and supporters. Our downtown is back from the brink and I’ve passed along the torch! Now, I have the time to focus on home and those personal projects long neglected. The vision that came easy for downtown has not been as easy coming for this new, but long overdue personal challenge. I need some inspiration!
What a great collection of books. I have recently downsized to a much smaller home. Need all the tips i can get to maximize my spaces. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Many thanks for the opportunity to find inspiration for our new (little) home, in a new state, a new decade, and a new phase of life! Wonderful winter “work”. Merry Christmas, Marian!
All of these books look so yummy! I love decorating, decorating ideas, decorating books… you get the idea. I have a new home and putting it all together is what I need to do now!
I could use some new ideas for all of my decorating needs-I feel like I’ve done everything and it all seems so-so. Looking for tips on homey, but not junky; eclectic, but not too grandmotherly; fresh, but not too sparse. Inspiration! That’s what I’m looking for! These books would be a great help. Thanks for the offering. ?
Talk about a great Christmas gift! Not just books, but decorating books! Thanks for making this generous offer. Merry Christmas to the Parsons!
I would love looking through all those books. But I especially love gathering around the table, so I think the gift of gathering would be right up my alley.
What a lovely bunch of inspiration! Would love to have these books – thanks for the chance!
These books look amazing – just what I need to get inspired!!
One can never have too many decorating books! And good design is timeless.
I could use all the decorating advice! I tend to have a lot of trouble with how to put different pieces together in a room and make it work. I can’t visualize the big picture without have the actual stuff present. It’s hard! Since I’m not sure what to do, I don’t do anything…not good.
What a great giveaway! I can use all the decorating advice I can get!
I have a corner fireplace in a great room which leaves very awkward space for arranging furniture as the tv is above the fireplace. Very high ceiling too. Wall next to fireplace is mostly windows. The rest of room is kitchen! I’m stumped so hopefully these books will give me some ideas.
I love reusing vintage furniture , so I would love to read more about how to customize these pieces!
Oh My Goodness!! I so need some Creative Inspiration. Been in our Home for 16 years, and because of some medical issues, I have boxes that haven’t even been unpacked… I have had the guys move the couches around a bunch of times and still can’t get to a point that I Love it. Doing better now, I’ve been trying to decide what to do first. What a Great Christmas Gift these Books would be. Thank You for offering these for the give away…
Whoa, I moved to a new house in August and none of the “old treasures” look quite right in the new abode. These books would work as a road map I think!
I am 75 and my husband is 86. We have just painfully downsized after 30+ years in our family retirement home, and I need help, with what to keep and how to arrange furniture and everything. We know that our ages and health this will probably be our last home, and we want it to be warm and inviting but also functional for aging and safety. We want our children, grandchildren (from Germany!), and great grandchildren to still want to come to see us and be comfortable in our smaller place. I love your style, Marian, and your collections, but sadly need to part with some of my collections. P.S. We love your cats! I look so forward to seeing what you are doing next and it takes me back to when we moved away from family with 2 young sons fro NC to Ohio to start a new adventure. I still want the adventures but now need all the help I can get!
omy!! i have all of these on my wish list. i just retired and this would be such a fun inspiration for my second act!
All of these books are wonderful and I would live to win them. I love your blog and your decorating style. Your home looks lovely with your Christmas decorations.
So much fun to see how others do this. While I am not much of a diy furniture person, I loooove, love, love to see how it can be done and what others come up with. Thanks for your ideas.
I am interested in updating my Christmas decorations now that my children are grown and I can choose more of the decor.
I have a lot of furniture projects lined up for when the weather warms up. These books will be very helpful for all of my projects. Thank you for the giveaway.
I would love the books, too!
Love your new About Me picture – it’s very flattering. Though I loved the cute walking pic-taken-from-sideways wearing your painting smock, too.
I would absolutely freak out with giddy delight if I won those books. Count me in with a big thank you for the generous giveaway!!!!!!!!
.. all so lovely
Wow six books of pure beauty!! I so hope I win! Thanks for having the contest. I love your blog and I love the fact that your willing to change up your Christmas decorating because of the cats, you are awesome!
I love reading blogs and looking at books for inspiration. Such lovely decorating ideas you have! May you have a blessed Christmas season.
Marian,
You are always so inspiring! I love how you raised the white flag:) and are decorating in a manner that works with pets and kids.
Thanks!
After being in my house twenty years, I’m realizing how dated all the woodwork is. The dilemma is that it goes with the house, since it is cedar-sided. I’d like ideas for minimizing the effect of the wood, or for inexpensively transforming some of it.
Love a good decorating book! And your layering for Christmas, love that you changed the look because of your cats! They seem like the life of the party now that they found their forever homes ❤️
Wow, could I ever use some design help!
I love decorating books! What a fun giveaway – and your new photo on the page is lovely.
I have to tell you that I was talking to a co-worker about your new kittens and your beautiful tree and she told me she uses citrus Listerine to spray on her tree and other things that she doesn’t want her cats to bother. Might be worth trying.
I always need help with furniture placement! Thank you!
Looks great so far! And fun giveaway too!
Books?? Yes, please!!
Looks like a great collection of reading material for a long snowy Minnesota winter!
Oh what a generous offer !!!
I need all the decorating tips I can get my hands on and this would be a great starting point.
Once I‘ve mastered my decorating issues, I can share these books with my friends. (provided I’m the lucky recipient)
Thank you for sharing.
I feast on DIY books and home decor magazines! I am always trying to evolve my home decor and become less “matchy-matchy”! I am sure these books will provide hours of enjoyment and inspiration! Thank you for offering the giveaway! Happy holidays and Merry Christmas!
I have been a colllector my entire life. Now it is time to edit the collections and “refresh” the look. After spending more than 10 years working full-time and completing a master’s degree, I am now luxuriating in time spent on what I call “fluffing my nest.” I can’t wait to start working on some furniture makeovers! Thank you for sharing your personal stories and beautiful photos to keep that inspiration flowing! Best wishes for a joyful holliday season!
Great giveaway-thank you for the chance to win!
My husband and I are preparing to downsize over the next two years. Decorating books would be so helpful in giving us an idea of what to keep for our next home. Great giveaway! ❤️
Valerie
I have several unfinished Christmas projects and need the books for inspiration to get them done.
Thanks for the opportunity to win.
In our new, smaller home my daughter and I have decided no decorating just to decorate. Each thing has to be something we love and/or that has meaning. Our dilemma is downsizing, organization, and storage while maintaining beauty and comfort. I know these books would provide great inspiration. Thanks for this opportunity.
These books look awesome….I would love to win. I also love your simple layering centerpiece. You always have the best. I still love your advent wreath in the ironstone mold. I have tried to recreate that for several years now, but yours looks so much better. Merry Christmas!
Thanks for some suggestions for design books.
We left a two hundred year old home and moved into a new condo. I have no idea how to decorate the whole place because I’m so used to living in an old space. I need help!
Your new picture on your blog is just beautiful! So natural and pretty. You have done some really excellent blog posts on decorating through the years. You are a treasure of a great decor resource! Thankful for your ongoing inspiration to all of us!
There are two books I think could help me. I would love to learn from your Design Doodle book. Perhaps an artist will come out in me! Also, the Christmas book could help me get out of my “same old routine as last year” design rut.
Thank you!
I just never seem to know where or when to add or delete in my home. It seems like I always have everything out and don’t change seasonally. Hoping these books cam help!
We are renovating a 1957 ranch home (on Instagram as 1957ranchrenovation) and I can use all the help I can get!
I would love to have a chance to read these books for some decorating help! Christmas is my favorite season to decorate, and I get in a rut and do the same thing every year! I also love the French decorating book. Would love to read and get some ideas in the French décor book. All of them look so fantastic, I could use them all. I live in a split level house, and 2020, My husband and I are planning some changes in our 1980s style house and could use some help with these books I think they could be a big help to me. Thanks for the giveaway.
I continue to struggle with my smaller family room-getting enough seating to encourage everyone to hand out while not have it feel cluttered or smaller than it really is. I also have not gotten the right balance in my master bedroom-I would like it to feel more like a sanctuary and inviting. I would love to see ideas from these books.
What great books!
I have trouble completing a project start to finish!! Ie. I still have my curtain panels cut out but not sewn for my guest bedroom. These books would hopefully give me the inspiration to complete the project!! ?
I have such a hard time deciding on colors or textures for my décor. I bet Amazing Furniture makeovers will give me lots of inspiration!
I would definitely like help unleashing my inner designer – she sometimes gets out, but she needs help!
I love how layering adds so much texture and coziness.
Excited for a chance to win this collection of books!! 🙂
What a great giveaway! I need to update our living room, dining room, and kitchen areas and have vaulted ceilings in all, so anything would be helpful.
Marian, I have read/followed your blog (as much as I am able) since you started. I love your writing style and all the photos. Your trip to Europe sounds so fantastic and I would love to go someday. Keep sharing and me inspired!
What a blessing it would be to spend the cold, wintry months reading and being inspired with these books!
I love Jamie Lundstrom’s book, Vintage French Décor. I have a shop where we regularly do paint workshops and it has given me great workshop ideas as well as helped me create some cool pieces for my home! I really want to explore your book Marian, I need a little inspiration and guidance to layout new décor for our home as we’re beginning a remodel project and lots will be changing!
I love decorating books. It’s been a long time since I bought a new one. So, it would be nice to win and have a new collection of them.
Thanks!
There’s always a need for books! Thank you for the giveaway!
Wouldn’t these be the perfect books to cozy up with on a snowy day like today?
Love these kinds of books. I could flip through them all day. There are a number of newlyweds in my family so these would be awesome to share with these new homeowners. Lucky the person that wins this great prize.
A lady for whom I was a caregiver for 10 years (and who, more importantly, became my ‘mom-by-heart’ and I her daughter) willed me her home. It was built in 1941 and is in desperate need of updating. It is the first home I have ever had of my own having rented my whole life and I could use all the tips, tricks and inspiration I can get. Thank you for the opportunity to enter the giveaway.
I love all your layering ideas! Thanks for the tips 🙂
Just moved into a new space – a condo in the city! Could use some DIY help with decorating, organizing, and design! I hope I win these books. Thanks for holding this giveaway. Love to read decorating books of any kind!
Still trying to turn our new nest into layers of pretty. I could use all the help I can get!
I am about to move and am not sure whether I will buy or build. I could really use these books for so many further needs in decorating. Thank you so much for this offer.
Absolutely adore DIY books and your blog!!
Thanks for offering such a wonderful gift and at Christmastime. One of the books may hold just the inspiration needed by the winner to guide their project. Your words are always filled with wisdom.
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I just need advice on how to marry my love of antiques and all things farmhouse and cottage with my 70s ranch style house that’s quite small….
I’ve been building a collection of decorating books but I don’t have any of these yet! They’ll be going on my Christmas list if I don’t win.
It is all very nice, but I am not into the Christmas mood yet. What caught my eye was you in a marvelous blue dress ( where did you get it??? ) with the sweet adopted cat enjoying his incredible luck.
Enjoy those moments of bliss.
Monique
The Gift of Gathering sounds fascinating. I love making my tables inviting and interesting for my family and events.
I just love books. And decorating. Two in one.
Oh…when I clicked the entrance, it told me to share a dilemma. My only real dilemma is that my house is super teeny. (Seriously, it’s just two rooms total…wall space is a premium.) I am a maximalist in a teeny house. And everything sparks joy.
Love, love love the DIY books!! I also love the Haviland Christmas plates, such pretty soft colors!!
ooooh I just saw that I need to comment on a decorating dilemma. Well, my problem is I love collecting so many different things that I have trouble displaying them in a pretty and uncluttered way. I would love some ideas for incorporating all the stuff without it just looking like ‘stuff’.
I really think this is a generous giveaway. What a perfect time to enjoy reading them as we are heading deeper into the winter season. Thank you for the opportunity to enter.
Layering well has always been a particular challenge for me. What a lovely collection of books. Thanks for the chance to win!
Oh how I could use some inspiration! I just recently moved 2500 miles to be nearer my sister-cousin for health reasons and tonight could not even find a can opener. I just want to decorate and feel settled into my new home and I know that these books would help inspire me to get there. (Your website helps)
I live in Ontario, Canada where we experience very cold winters. I try to do lots of layering as well, it feels more like a cocoon in winter. I moved into a newly built home one week ago and i know those books would come in handy as I try to organize my decorating thoughts. Thank you for the opportunity to submit my name!
I told myself that my financial situation and a broken wrist would not stop me from fulfilling my dream of making over my home. These books are perfect to provide me with ideas to do that. Thank you Miss Mustard Seed for giving me the confidence that I can do it and not to give up on my dreams.
I seem to be stuck in a decorating rut. These books will give me some ideas and inspiration to get unstuck!
Marian, I am unable to bring up any of the entries from the giveaway. Any idea why that would be other than the fact that my computer is rather ancient? I’m bummed.
Nesting after downsizing. We moved to a much smaller townhouse with a rectangular living room and we are still tying to figure out the best layout of furniture for the space. Looking for inspiration for every day living.
Love the layered look with soft blues, greens, and whites. Makes me think of a fresh winter snowfall.
While I layer my winter home with throws and rugs and blankets I never considered the visual layering of my vignettes! Thank you one more great idea-I know if I win the books there will be such riches and many more great ideas to come!
I’m hoping to win to find beauty and inspiration for our home and to share with my daughters and daughters-in-law, so that we can make our homes more inviting to open the door for company and more comforting for our families. And for us to enjoy the fun of creating at home.
I often feel “stuck” in a design rut! These books could certainly help me to get unstuck!
We have lived in our house since 2005 and still doesn’t feel like our ‘Home’. We don’t have a budget for renovations, but we do have beautiful antiques to paint, a sturdy couch to re-cover, wall art to put up, etc. Inspiration is what we need and the collection of books might just do the trick. God Bless!
What an awesome giveaway. Would love to learn more about painting furniture.
These books would be awesome to have. I’d share them with my daughter’s. I love to paint furniture!
Very generous giveaway! I would be thrilled to own any one of those books. I’m currently having a couch dilemma, so the first book would be first read. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
I love painting furniture and architectural salvaged pieces. I would love to learn more about ways to achieve textured finishes.
It’s always a constant struggle to take my huge stash of traditional collections from living in a house to adapting to decorating a newer condo (it’s been 15 years :). I’m also trying to pare down my stuff b/c I realize my kids will have to deal with it all someday. I think the initial problem is I haven’t settled on what my new look really is & I still want to use some of my old things. I’ve always loved all the old historical houses & yet I live in an uninspired condo. I like shaker, & french country, traditional, old farmhouse – not everything white though, & antiques. I really need those books….
I tried leaving a posting on the inset boxes, and nothing worked, hope this is the correct place, would love to have some beautiful ideas for living in a double wide mobile home for 6 months of the year in a sunny location…Florida.
I’m sure one of those books would help direct the “small” home decorator….thanks for the chance to enter, and am still enjoying your blog, (don’t instagram really) and details of your Eurpoean trip! Merry Christmas Too!
An old quirky house is always in need of inspiration and these would be fun to share with my design savvy sister-in-law who is recovering on a tough health journey
Not sure if this is how to enter the give-away I tried everything else. I just plain ole’ need some new inspiration. I live in a 1895 large Victorian, but decorate in a farmhouse style (not all white). I feel kind of stuck because I have to work with the beautiful but darker woodwork. Everyone loves my decor, but I need some tweaking. I would love to spend the winter getting inspired by these beautiful books. ♥
I live in an older house with smaller rooms and I have trouble finding places to display my things. I don’t have a fireplace with a mantle or a coffee table and it seems like once you put a lamp on an end table, there isn’t room for much else. I like my ‘things’ and I want to see them every day but I’ve gotten in the rut of only having a few things out and the rest packed away.
I do love furniture make- overs! After 50 years of marriage, I don’t need to do this but I LOVE to do this. All of these books strike a chord for me.
We recently moved into a house that is completely different from our previous home and I need some inspiration for decor and furniture makeovers. These books would be very helpful!
I am always looking for inspiration. And these books would be just the ticket!