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

Fine Print: Best Design Books of 2013

One of the best perks of my job is the opportunity to review books. Although I’m wired 24/7, I love, love, love books; especially rich, glossy, design books. Luckily, I have substantial bookshelves lining my living room, so I kind of need them too. This year I received a number of impressive coffee table books, which line the shelves, and are stacked on the coffee table and the console table behind the sofa. I’m often running behind, so I haven’t had time to do individual blog posts on many of these, but that doesn’t mean I don’t think they’re great. Here’s a quick roundup of the best design books of 2013.

remodelista-julie-carlson

Remodelista by Julie Carlson (Artisan Books)
$37.50 at Anthropologie

axel-vervoordt-living -with-light

Axel Vervoordt: Living With Light (Flammarion)
$45 at Amazon

hollister-and-porter-hovey-book

Heirloom Modern by Hollister Hovey
Photos by Porter Hovey (Rizzoli)
$50 at Bigger Books

howard-slatkin-fifth-avenue-style

Fifth Avenue Style by Howard Slatkin
Photos by Tria Giovan (Vendome Press)
$60 at Abrams Books

irving-harper-works-in-paper

Irving Harper: Works in Paper (Skira/Rizzoli)
See my blog post here.
$45 at Rizzoli Bookstore

thomas-pheasant-simply-serene

Thomas Pheasant: Simply Serene (Rizzoli)
$60 at Rizzoli Bookstore

tom-scheerer-decorates

Tom Scheerer Decorates
Photos by Francesco Lagnese (Vendome Press)
$55 at Barneys New York

ronda-rice-carman-designers-at-home

Designers at Home: Personal Reflections on Stylish Living
by Ronda Rice Carman (Rizzoli)
$45 at Bigger Books

jan-showers-glamorous -retreats

Glamorous Retreats by Jan Showers (Abrams)
$50 at Barneys New York

martyn-thompson-working-space

Martyn Thompson: Working Space (Rizzoli)
$49.95 at Rizzoli Bookstore

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