Even after decades in the design world, there is something about a good design book that never loses its magic.
Yes, we scroll Pinterest and Instagram. Yes, we save screenshots and inspiration folders.
But a beautiful design book is different.
It slows you down.
It invites you to study the details.
And it reminds you that a thoughtfully designed home is built layer by layer.
These are a few design books I’ve been reaching for lately—each one offering a different perspective on creating homes that feel beautiful, welcoming, and deeply personal.
American Beauty — Thom Filicia
Thom Filicia’s American Beauty is a look inside his upstate New York lake house, and it’s the kind of home that makes you immediately exhale. I love how he has really dialed in how he wants to live in this space - and each space feels intentional.
The spaces feel relaxed but refined—never precious.
Filicia blends rustic materials, classic American design, and a casual, fresh lakeside lifestyle to create rooms that feel authentic and comfortable. You can almost imagine a group of friends gathered around the kitchen island or sitting near the water after dinner. The home he designed feels like it belongs where it is - in upstate New York, he has captured details that feel like they give the home "roots" there.
It’s a beautiful reminder that vacation homes—and honestly all homes—should feel easy, personal, warm, and lived in.
Inviting Interiors — Melanie Turner
Melanie Turner’s work feels like sunshine.
Her interiors lean into Florida warmth and color, but always with a polished eye. There’s a wonderful sense of hospitality in her rooms—spaces designed for gathering, entertaining, and making memories.
The book is filled with homes that feel sophisticated and luxurious, with layered textiles, beautiful art, and thoughtfully curated collections. She is a master at mixing textures, and I think that is what really makes her interiors next level.
It’s the kind of book that makes you want to open the windows, pour a drink, and invite friends over.
Life Unstyled — Emily Henderson
Emily Henderson’s Life Unstyled is the perfect antidote to homes that feel overly staged.
This book celebrates personality, imperfection, and creativity. It encourages homeowners to lean into what they love rather than chasing a perfectly curated look. This book is so, so different from a typical design book, and knocks me back a bit when I am taking it all too seriously.
Collected art. Vintage finds. Personal mementos.
The result is a home that tells your story.
It’s a refreshing reminder that great design doesn’t mean perfection—it means authenticity. All the spaces just ooze personality.
Interior Design Master Class: 100 Rooms
This book is a treasure trove of inspiration.
Instead of focusing on one designer’s perspective, 100 Rooms brings together an incredible range of designers, each sharing a space and the lessons behind it.
You’ll see wildly different aesthetics—from minimal and modern to layered and traditional—and that variety is exactly what makes the book so valuable. Instead of a book created from a singular style or voice, 100 Rooms allows you to peek into the brains of many, varied designers.
Sometimes the most helpful inspiration comes from seeing how many disparate ways a beautiful room can come together.
Beautiful — Mark Sikes
Mark Sikes’ book truly lives up to its title.
His interiors are a masterclass in classic, colorful American style, filled with layered blues, crisp whites, natural textures, and timeless patterns.
Every room feels tailored and thoughtful, yet welcoming. There’s a sense of balance and harmony that makes his homes feel both elegant and comfortable. I love how he has used materials in unusual ways - upholstered game tables have a joyfulness that feels more casual and inviting. Everything he creates is extremely detailed and considered.
It’s the kind of book you can flip through again and again and always notice something new.
Why Design Books Still Matter
Even in a digital world, design books remain one of the best ways to spark ideas.
They allow you to:
• explore a designer’s full vision
• study how rooms come together layer by layer
• discover details you might miss in quick online scrolling
• gather inspiration for your own home
Sometimes the best inspiration happens when you simply sit down with a beautiful book and let your imagination wander. No screens, no pop ups, no distractions.
Because at the end of the day, creating a home you love isn’t about copying someone else’s space.
It’s about taking your time, collecting ideas, noticing what resonates with you, and slowly building a home that fits your life.
And great design books are one of the best places to begin.