Recently, an interior decorator friend of mine mentioned that her business is as busy as ever. Apparently, people are spending more time at home, entertaining at home and putting more money into their homes due to the . . . recession? It surprised me at first but it makes a lot of sense, so I thought I’d highlight a few of the fun decorating books in the architecture and decorating section. 
Before I start listing all my favorite decorating books I’ll let you in on how I pick ’em… First off the style must be creative! Even if the room is decorated very traditionally give me a little color or a unique piece of furniture. Secondly, I like the books that picture homes in which people actually live. Bunny Williams and Charlotte Moss have published some beautiful books but give me shabby chic any day over a room that isn’t set up for FLOPPIN’!!
The decorating books that I enjoy most are inspiring. I enjoy books that give me fun ideas and show me how to arrange my furniture… by which I mean my life…. more efficiently… so I often mine apartment books. Even though I don’t live in an apartment, these books are generally a bit more casual and they illustrate functional ways to optimize space. One of my favorite books is called Apartment Therapy and also has an awesome website… check it out: apartmenttherapy.com
Another one of my favorites is an oldie but goodie entitled, Old and New. Although I’m usually not wild about miniature books, this book is so well done and practical that I recommend it to everyone. Old and New gives great examples of how to combine antiques (aka “hand me downs”) with modern furniture. Since most of us inherit our furniture from relatives, marriages and garage sales, it serves us well to refresh our skills in making different style pieces flow together in a room.
Are you looking for Do It Yourself ideas? The Recycled Home offers lots of inspiration for rethinking uses for materials 
and objects that are all around us. My favorite is an old shipping pallet that has been mounted on a wall and used to display plates… it is very French country chic! Also, if you have a chance to check out The Recycled Home, notice the super cool runner (aka rug) that was created from an assortment of Oriental Rugs stitched together.
Last but not least, my new favorite decorating book is called Downtown Chic, written by a couple, Robert and Cortney Novogratz, who own Sixx Design and have a fabulous flair for renovating old buildings as well as finding awesome sources for artsy, vintage and otherwise fantastic furniture and architectural detail. The first image on this post is from one of their projects and features a great garage door that opens and allows fresh air to come right in the kitchen. They have a website, Sixx Design, and they will have a show on Bravo that airs in January 2010… also, check out this other cool website recommended in Downtown Chic: Coco + Kelley
Have fun reading and decorating–Caroline
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