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

Get the Look: Patterned Rugs

Here’s an assortment of amazing rugs in a wide range of price points. Some you’ve surely seen before, but I love them so much that I couldn’t leave them out. I recently purchased one of these rugs for our playroom-turning-family room. It has lots of colors, the pattern is more geometric than free form, and it’s not expensive. Anyone wanna guess? (There’s a clue in the Montage: Patterned Rugs post.) Also, look for a couple of designs for which you see the original and it’s much lower priced knock-off. (Hint: They’re both stripey.)

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Shopping Guide

Colorslick Rug by Emma Gardner Design
Fresca Rug With Deer, $90-$1,225 at Burke Decor*
Carnaby Swirl Rug, $320- $2,360 at Company C
Ringo Rug, $199-$899 at Crate & Barrel
Gandia Blasco Books Rug, $2450 at Velocity Art & Design
Mums and Asters by Kim Parker from The Rug Company
Delphinium Rug by Emma Gardner Design
Gandia Blasco Big Green Rug, $1,280-$2,450 at Velocity Art & Design
Vibe Rug, on sale for $98 at Chiasso
Dashes Multi Rug, $49.95-$899 at Crate & Barrel
Greg Natale New Regency Corfu Rug at Designer Rugs
Faroh Rug in Blue & Brown Hues, $90-$1,225 at Burke Decor*
Cream and Clay Muna by Madeline Weinrib
Bias by Bernabei Freeman at Designer Rugs
Linear Rug, $99-$749 at West Elm
Vixen Voyage Chinoiserie Rug at Designer Rugs
Stick Leaf Carolina Fleece Rug, $24.99-$129.99 at Target
Midtown Rug, $299-$599 at CB2
Ming Rug in Ultramarine, on sale for $1,860 at Company C
Crossroads Rug, $109.99-$2,284.99 at Target
Nani Marquina Cuks Rug, $3,200 at Design Within Reach
Angela Adams Betty Honey, $314-$1574 at Velocity Art & Design
Paul Smith Swirl Rug from The Rug Company
DwellStudio for Target Garden Pattern Rug, $139.99 at Target
Peacock Dark Rug by Matthew Williamson from The Rug Company
Feather Lash Rug by Twinkle Living, $1764 at Design Public
Mulberry Megan Tibetan Rug by Madeline Weinrib
Turquoise Mandala Rug by Madeline Weinrib
Angela Adams Spike Pool Rug, $314-$1,574 at Velocity Art & Design
DwellStudio Home Dots Rug, $660 at Design Public
Sellarsbrook Yellow Rug by by Suzanne Sharp from The Rug Company
Starflower Blue Rug by Edward Barber & Jay Osgerby from The Rug Company
Sycamore Rug by Marni from The Rug Company
Seeds Runner by Judy Ross, $900 at 2Modern
Feather Pattern Rug by Thomas Paul, $270-$1,464 at Burke Decor*
Wire Rug, $299-$599 at CB2
Smarties Rug, $550-$3,850 at PlushPod
April Blooms, $210-$1,325 at Company C
Pitter Patter Monet Rug by The Rug Company
Metallic Botanical Rug, $109-$799 at West Elm
Zigzag Rug, $39- $649 at West Elm
Coral Dhurrie by Thomas Paul , $150-$814 at Design Public
Flower Grey Rug by Moroso Sardinia, $9,908 at Velocity Art & Design
Amoeba Squared Rug by Emma Gardner Design
Briza Rug, $249-$999 at Crate & Barrel
Do-Lo-Rez Rug by Nani Marquina, $30024 at Plushpod
Ikat Pile Rug, $349 at CB2
Fire Island Rug by Emma Gardner Design
Medici Rug, on sale for $1,950 at Company C
Pebbles Rug, on sale for $198-$398 at Chiasso
Turquoise and Back Orleans Rug by Madeline Weinrib
Zumi Ivory Rug, $199-$599 at Crate & Barrel
Organic Waves Rug, $79.99-$139.99 at Target
Istanbul Rug by Emma Gardner Design

* Deal Alert: Use Store Adore coupon code “ADORE” to save 20% on all orders over $150 at Burke Decor. Visit Store Adore for more deals on fashion, beauty, gifts, and home furnishings.

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