Fine Print: The 15 Best Design Books of 2015

Although I hesitate to bring most forms of paper into my home—brochures, receipts, bills, press releases, invitations, business cards— I still love books. Especially glossy design books. I don’t leaf through them nearly enough, but I appreciate being surrounded by them. Our living room in Boston, like many traditional Back Bay condos,  has double built-in bookshelves flanking the fireplace, trimmed in traditional molding and calling out for impressive tomes.

 I used to save decor magazines, which filled the top shelves nicely, but with the advent of Pinterest et al, tear sheets are just clutter.  Besides, I now have enough coffee table books and small artworks to fill in all 16 shelves stylishly. Thanks to Rizzoli, who sends me all the best books, and the other publishers who send along design titles as well. I looked at all of them, and these are my favorite 15 design books of 2015.

Best Design Books 2015 Eddie Ross Mix

Eddie Ross Modern Mix

Best Design Books 2015 Carrier & Company

The New Bohemians: Cool and Collected Homes by Justina Blakeney

Best Design Books 2015 Greg Natale The Tailored Interior

 The Tailored Interior Greg Natale

fine-print-kinfolk-home

The Kinfolk Home

Best Design Books 2015 Retreat The Modern House In Nature

Retreat: The Modern House In Nature by Ron Broadhurst

Best Design Books 2015 Gardens At First Light By Stacy Bass

Gardens At First Light by Stacy Bass

Best Design Books 2015 India Hicks Island Style

India Hicks Island Style

Best Design Books 2015 Abigail Ahearn Color

Abigail Ahern Color: Transform Your Home

Best Design Books 2015 Carrier & Company

Carrier and Company Positively Chic Interiors

Best Design Books 2015 Carrier & Company

Emily Henderson Styled

Best Design Books 2015 Casa Bohemia

Casa Bohemia: The Spanish Style House
by Linda Leigh Paul and Ricardo Vidargas

Best Design Books 2015 Jeffrey Bilhuber

Jeffrey Bilhuber American Master

Best Design Books 2015 Palm Springs Modern Living

Palm Springs Modern Living by James Schnept

Best Design Books 2015 Beekman 1802 Style

Beekman 1802 Style: The Attraction of Opposites

Best Design Books 2015 Tricia Foley

Tricia Foley Life | Style: Elegant Simplicity at Home

Here’s what one bookshelf looks like at the moment. Note the back issues of Architectural Digest on the upper left shelf.

Styling Your Bookshelf With Design Books And Art

ARTmonday: Masquerade-Themed Artworks

I’ve never been to a true masquerade ball. The closest I came is a school fundraising auction I chaired with a Carnivale theme. I have a cute photo of myself and my friend/co-chair, artist Lee Essex Doyle (you can see her Venetian interiors here), but I can’t find it right now. She invited me to a Save Venice masquerade ball, but we skipped it. Oh well, there went my chance.

I started noticing a lot of photography featuring people with elaborate rubber animal masks, which I’ve been putting aside for a later post. Enjoy these masquerade themed artworks; perhaps you’ll find inspiration for your own year-end celebration.

mask-jennifer-ament-serena-and-lily

Jennifer Ament  •  Mask  •  Serena & Lily

Masquerade Ball Artwork At Society 6

 Courtneeeee  •  Masquerade  •  Society 6

Masquerade Ball Portrait Affordable Artwork

Five Foot Three Photography  •  Masquerade  •  Society 6

Masquerade Ball Masked People Painting

Ann Devito •  Masquerade  •  Saatchi Art

Masquerade Ball Portrait Affordable Artwork

Antonio Jose Guzman  •  Nancy  •  Saatchi Art

Masquerade Ball Portrait Photography

Azarii Gorchakov  •  Mask Graza  •  Saatchi Art

Masquerade Ball Portrait Affordable Artwork

Anna Ullman  •  Woman In Mask  •  Artfully Walls

Sunday Bouquet: Shaggy Green Mums and Art

Green Mums WIth Landscape

Photo by Marni Elyse Katz / StyleCarrot

I love to buy these green mums from Trader Joe’s. They’re not expensive, they last a long time, and the crisp, fresh green looks great with my favorite vase, purchased years ago from The Society of Arts & Crafts. Woodblock artwork on left is an Etsy find and the landscape painting on the right from the now shuttered Judi Rotenberg Gallery.

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Get the Look: 30 Perfect Pairs of Party Shoes

Is your New Year’s Eve outfit all squared away. I did the hard part for you, narrowing down your party dress choices from everything on the Interwebs to 75 perfect party dresses. If you missed it, click back because I know you will definitely find one (at least one!) you like.

What? You need shoes too? Must I do everything for you? No, that’s fine; that’s why I’m here. Here are 30 perfect pairs of party shoes from StyleCarrot partners. I went heavy on the glitter, but seriously, when else do you get to pretend your’e a princess? There are a few sexy blood red heels too, as well as cobalt blue, and the prettiest shades of pink pumps.

Dancing, dancing, dancing. I’m a dancing machine. (That’s sung. If you don’t know the tune, you are not a child of the ’70s.) Have fun!

P.S. The purse and jewelry are on you.

Holiday Party Shoes Dressy Heels

1 Hoss Burgundy Velvet Heels, $326 at Anthropologie. 

2 Jeffrey Campbell Gold Peep Toe Heels at Bloomingdale’s. 

3 Paola d’Arcano Cobalto Pumps, $398 at Anthropologie. 

4 Badgley Mischka Nude Peep Toe Pump, $245 at Zappos. 

5 Kenneth Cole Metallic Cage Pumps, $150 at Bloomingdale’s. 

6 Burgundy Glitter Pumps, $348 at Anthropologie. 

7 DVF Black Suede T-Strap Pumps, $262.50 at Saks.

Holiday Party Shoes Dressy Heels

8 Tracy Reese Glitter Heel Pumps, $278 at Anthropologie. 

9 Ted Baker Sequin Ballet Flats, $100 at Nordstrom. 

10 Topshop Dark Red Cutaway Bootie, $90 at Nordstrom.

11 Gunmetal and Gold Ankle Tie Pumps, $288 at J.Crew.

12 Paola d’Arcano Gold Pumps, $398 at Anthropologie.  

13 Studded Velvet Chunky Sandal, $450 at Tory Burch. 

14 Loeffler Randall Wavy Mirror Sandals, $295 at Saks. 

15 Turquoise Suede & Patent Pump, $248  at M. Gemi. 

Holiday Party Shoes Dressy Heels

16 Anaconda Printed Lace Up, $425 at Loeffler Randall. 

17 Dark Red Fringe Pump, $175 at Loeffler Randall. 

18 Cutout Peep Toe Metallic Heels, $298 at M. Gemi. 

19 Blush Slingback With Glitter Heel, $994.95 at Zappos.  

20 Pink Suede Pumps, $238 at J.Crew.

21 SJP Pink Satin Bow Pump, $395 at Neiman Marcus. 

22 Red Ankle Bow Strap Pumps, $328 at Kate Spade.

23 Silver Glitter Kitten Heel Pumps, $138 at Ann Taylor.

24 Via Spiga Platform Glitter Heels $275 at Bloomingdale’s. 

Holiday Party Shoes Dressy Heels

25 Nicholas Kirkwood Pearl Platform Pumps, $629 at Barneys.

26 Glitter D’Orsay Flats, $158 at J.Crew. 

27 Green Sequin Pumps, $328 at J.Crew.

28 Lauren Lorraine Rhinestone Bootie, $ 149 at Zappos. 

29 Jimmy Choo Floral Pump, $1,495 at Neiman Marcus. 

30 Giuseppe Zanotti Blue Mule, $450 at Neiman Marcus.