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.
The New Bohemians: Cool and Collected Homes by Justina Blakeney
The Tailored Interior Greg Natale
The Kinfolk Home
Retreat: The Modern House In Nature by Ron Broadhurst
Gardens At First Light by Stacy Bass
India Hicks Island Style
Abigail Ahern Color: Transform Your Home
Carrier and Company Positively Chic Interiors
Emily Henderson Styled
Casa Bohemia: The Spanish Style House
by Linda Leigh Paul and Ricardo Vidargas
Jeffrey Bilhuber American Master
Palm Springs Modern Living by James Schnept
Beekman 1802 Style: The Attraction of Opposites
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.