I am always looking for new design books to add to my collection, and this year some great new titles have been released.
Interior design books are much more than a source of inspiration for me. They’re a valuable resource, too. I am always looking for new books to add to my collection, and this year some great new titles have been released. It’s always fascinating to read about another designer’s approach to a project or to see an interior take shape from another perspective. I never get tired of looking at beautiful photos in a well done design book!
Any of these books would make a great holiday or hostess gift.
I really appreciate the Housepad App as a communication tool and an all-in-one resource for seamlessly maintaining a home on so many levels.
When touring this year’s Kips Bay Showhouse, one of the things I found really interesting was a display on the new Housepad App. Developed by Michael Bruno, founder of 1st Dibs, the Housepad app is an excellent tool for homeowners who want to stay organized and take a proactive approach to running their household. It puts a number of resources at your fingertips.
I know when I leave a client’s home after completing a project, it won’t look the same the next time I return. Little things like the arrangement of cushions or the placement of accessories may be off and I find myself wanting to fluff pillows or tweak other details. With the Housepad App, the homeowner can create room by room lookbooks so everyone from the kids to the cleaning staff knows how a room is meant to look. It’s a simple way to communicate in order to consistently have your home looking its best.
Another feature of the Housepad App is the ability to create to-do lists. These lists can be shared and assigned to family and staff who are then able to send notification when each task is complete. For a large household or one with an extensive staff, this can be a valuable time saver that keeps everyone on the same page and ensures important tasks are finished on schedule.
One of the most thoughtful features of the Housepad App is the ability to create a catalog of household items and appliances complete with invoices, warranty information, and instructions. So much more efficient than searching through files or binders if an appliance needs repairs! Additionally, you can store household emergency contact information, including details such as the location of shut off valves and fire extinguishers. The App even allows you to control a Nest thermostat, schedule maintenance calls with Handy, and keep a master shopping list with one-click Amazon ordering or just as a reference. All of these tools can be shared with members of the household from family to pet sitters to cleaning staff.
I really appreciate the Housepad App as a communication tool and an all-in-one resource for seamlessly maintaining a home on so many levels. It’s such a smart solution!
Design Seeds is a site that celebrates colors found in nature.
Design Seeds is a site that celebrates colors found in nature. Created by Jessica Colaluca, Design Seeds is a unique site that lets you explore color palettes based on stunning photos of everything from flowers to interior vignettes. Jessica uses her own photos or images submitted to her and creates custom color palettes based on those photos. Unlike automatic color generating programs, Jessica digitally creates each hue herself.
In addition to being visually quite beautiful, Design Seeds is a great resource for a variety of applications. Comparing the many palettes is really inspiring. It’s fascinating to see the images deconstructed to individual colors and to think of the many ways to incorporate them into an interior or other color scheme. Jessica has made the HEX code (a way of specifying color using hexadecimal values) available for each color, making it easier to digitally recreate a hue you may want to use. A good paint store should be able to match shades printed with a well calibrated printer.
Design Seeds is a great resource. I love to browse through the site and feel inspired by how different colors are paired. It’s a fascinating way to create a palette as well as a helpful visual tool to exemplify a vision to a client.
Design books are a great resource and something I love to collect.
Design books are a great resource and something I love to collect. I am always keeping an eye out for new releases that might be full of inspiration. While design books are an investment for me, they make great coffee table books for anyone interested in interior design. Here are a few new books I can’t wait to browse through.
Windsor Smith, Homefront: Design for Modern Living
I love adding to my collection of interior design books
I love adding to my collection of interior design books. There’s so much inspiration in all of these pages! Seeing what iconic designers are doing really makes me want to be a better designer myself. Books like these are an invaluable resource, allowing us glimpses at a wider world than we would normally see in our day to day lives and opening our minds to new possibilities. Here are some design books that would make a great addition to any design enthusiast’s home library.
As you all know, books are a passion of mine. Here are some recent ones that I’ve been exploring.
The beauty of Houzz, for me, is being able to accurately share my ideas and visions with general contractors, architects, and clients.
A few years ago, Adi Tatarko and Alon Cohen started a remodeling project that sparked a unique idea. After spending countless hours clipping ideas from magazines and books to plan their remodel, Tatarko and Cohen decided there must be a better way to gather ideas and plans in one place. Their desire for such a place led to the launch of Houzz, a website devoted to interior design, architecture, and home improvement. Since its launch in 2009, Houzz has grown to a collection of over half a million photos which have been used by members to create nearly two million idea books. The site has grown to include products, discussions, and networking to connect home owners with design professionals. Tatarko and Cohen certainly realized their goal of creating the perfect inspirational tool.
The beauty of Houzz, for me, is being able to accurately share my ideas and visions with general contractors, architects, and clients. It’s the perfect resource for articulating exactly the look, colors, and products I’m thinking of. It’s an unbelievable resource for finding inspiration and communicating ideas. It’s also user-friendly and simple to translate from an online idea to real-world use.
My own office will soon be renovated, and Houzz will definitely make it easier to share my ideas with my contractor. The office was originally home to a heating company and really has no character to speak of. I plan on using modern barns as an inspiration, creating an environment that isn’t overdone or distracting for clients, something subdued and tactful in design.
Modern farmhouse inspiration.More farmhouse-inspired ideas.A great work space!Another modern barn look.
I’m trying to decide between a concrete floor and a beautiful, traditional wood floor. Adding both to my Houzz idea book makes it easy to go over options with the contractor as well as see how my various ideas play off each other.
Concrete floor.Additional concrete floor design.Manior gray custom aged French oak floors.
I love the idea of using steel windows. It will definitely keep with the modern feel of my office while adding a unique touch and different texture to the space. I found great examples on Houzz!
Steel windows design.Another steel window idea.
For my fireplace, I want to go with a slab design. Each of the fireplace ideas I found on Houzz is very different in color, material, and texture, but they each convey the same smooth feeling from sleek lines. The truly difficult part is choosing between them!
Houzz even inspires accessories. Products listed on Houzz often include pricing and link directly to sources for buying. An idea book can include even small details or specific products, like these amazing shelves.
Earlier this year, I blogged about must-have books on interior design. Today I’d like to present a second list of must-have books!
Earlier this year, I blogged about must-have books on interior design. Today I’d like to present a second list of must-have books! These are great books for fall, mainly featuring iconic designers offering up new inspiration. Others, like GAIA, are beautiful coffee table books to dress up a room or give as gifts. Some of these are new and some are available for pre-order.
I’m sure as the new year arrives and trends come and go, I’ll have more fabulous titles to add to my must-have list! What’s on your reading list or coffee table right now?
Interiors Atelier AMBy the Light of the SeaCy Twombly: Fifty Years Of Works On PaperBarbara Barry, Around BeautyThe Age of Elegance: Interiors by Alex PapachristidisGAIAThom Filicia: American Beauty: Renovating and Decorating a Beloved RetreatSandra Nunnerley Interiors: A Global SensibilityDarryl Carter: The Collected Room: Rooms with Style, Grace, and History
