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Winter Home Tip: Gather Up Some Good Design Books {and a giveaway}

by | Jan 7, 2010 | Decorating Inspiration, Seasonal Decorating & Entertaining, Winter Decorating

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Winter Home Tip: Gather Up Some Good Design Books {and a giveaway}

Winter is the perfect season to snuggle up with a good book. And along with mysteries and novels, you can enjoy many winter hours looking at some great design books to inspire your next home project! I learn so much from looking at beautiful books and magazines.

Winter Home Tip: Gather Up Some Good Design Books {and a giveaway}

A Pair of Design Books Giveaway from Home Digz

Have you all been to Home Digz? Home Digz has a fun forum that right now featuring New Year’s Home Resolutions room by room. And for every comment you leave at Home Digz in January, you’ll be entered to win a pair of fabulous hardcover books to keep your home beautiful and colorful through the coming winter months ahead!

Check out these two beauties!

You’ll be able to enjoy many winter hours curled up by the fire with these two great books!

Winter Home Tip: Gather Up Some Good Design Books {and a giveaway}

Winter Home Tip: Gather Up Some Good Design Books {and a giveaway}

Visit HomeDigz to enter. But wait, there’s a bonus giveaway today!

THE INSPIRED ROOM :: BONUS GIVEAWAY:

To give you a little help finding the perfect design book for you, let’s discuss YOUR FAVORITE HOME DECORATING books in the comments.

For every comment with a book recommendation (tell me why you like it!) you share, I’ll enter you to win a $25 amazon.com gift certificate from me to you!

Then don’t forget to run over to HomeDigz to enter to win the two design books!

PS. If you are here looking for the linky, I messed up. Sorry. I will post it first thing early early Friday morning.

THANKS FOR SHARING SO MANY GREAT BOOK IDEAS! YOU CAN KEEP SHARING, BUT THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!


114 Comments

  1. Elizabeth

    I really like Flea Market Style by Chalmers and Hanan. I love the aesthetic and the ideas in this book. Thanks for the great giveaway! (and the link!)

    Reply
  2. Gina

    It’s not really a “book,” but I honestly use the Ballard Design catalog all. the. time., and I know a lot of frugal bloggers out there do too. There are so many fantastic ideas that can be remade on the cheap. I love their style and all the vignette ideas.

    Reply
    • Melissa

      I agree!! A lot of the catalogs (Ballard, Pottery Barn, etc) have great ideas to inspire more than just buying their products!!

      Reply
  3. My First Kitchen

    So funny. I saw your Tweet about sharing one’s favorite design book. I knew mine off the bat, came by to share, and found that you already were sharing it! Domino is seriously a slammin’ book that is absolutely necessary for people like me who require inspiration unless they want to live in a house with bare white walls and uncovered Goodwill sofas. Oh wait, I’ve already done that.

    Reply
  4. Kimm at Reinvented

    I am such a home decor magazine and book JUNKIE. I love Better Homes and Gardens special publications, like DIY Ideas mag, and 100 ideas under $100 mag. My favorite book right now is Design Rules by Elaine Griffin. It’s practical advice written in a delightfully conversational tone. I’d highly recommend it!
    .-= Kimm at Reinvented´s last blog ..Heavy Metal Mistake =-.

    Reply
  5. kim wheeler

    By far, my favorite decorating book is BHG New Decorating Book {all of them!}

    Reply
  6. Hana K.

    My favorite is actually the Domino book! I remember passing by it at B&N, picking it up, & then not being able to put it down. It’s filled with loveliness and inspiration.

    Reply
  7. Cathy

    I am a home dec magazine and book junkie. I really like Carolyn Westbrook Home and Antiques at Home. The latter has good suggestions for how to display and use collections (doen’t have to be “real” antiques).
    .-= Cathy´s last blog ..Sneak Peek – The Blocks Are Finished =-.

    Reply
  8. tiffany

    I really like From a House to a Home by Jemima Mills. I love her sweet, homey style and all the colorful, warm pictures. It’s really beautiful and just makes me so happy to look through it. Also, and a quite different style, I also like “the family at home” by Anita Kaushal.

    Reply
  9. Pat

    I love Ballard Designs, Pottery Barn and Wisteria catalogues. BHG and Domino are favorites too. So many resources, so little time…..and money.
    .-= Pat´s last blog ..~ Thank our Military! ~ =-.

    Reply
  10. Spring

    I am so new to THINKING about design, that I couldn’t name a book if my life depended on it! This site and The Nester are my two inspirations that have got me started. Being a book junkie in general though… hmm… maybe I need to start collecting a new kind of book!
    .-= Spring´s last blog ..I Love Christmas! =-.

    Reply
    • Melissa

      Yay! I am so glad you are new to thinking about design (and that you are coming here to learn!) It is SO much fun once you get a hold of some of the basics, have fun! And thanks for hanging out here!

      Reply
  11. Cindi

    My husband and I are beginning to look at house plans for our
    “empty nest” home! One book I have recently purchased is the PotteryBarn Home Book. Also, I have the Modern Country
    Book! My look is country/prim/shabby chic/French Country!
    Many thanks, Cindi

    Reply
  12. 31everything

    YAY! How exciting… my fav home decor book is: Flea Market Style by Emily Chalmers. I hope I win!!!! :)
    .-= 31everything´s last blog ..Jane’s Furniture Divas =-.

    Reply
  13. Laurel

    I think the Pottery Barn design books are like eye candy! Yum!

    Reply
  14. Whitney

    I do like the domino book – it’s very practical and inspirting. I also like Flip decorating, which is newer. Lots of good information!

    Reply
  15. 31everything

    Thanks Melissa. I entered to win in Home Digz giveaway too. Their site is really confusing! Ugh!
    .-= 31everything´s last blog ..Jane’s Furniture Divas =-.

    Reply
  16. Flower Patch Farmgirl

    I go back again and again to Flea Market Style – Cath Kidston and any of the Rachel Ashwell books. Both “oldies”, but goodies!
    (And I couldn’t agree more with the Ballard Designs and PB catalogs comment!)
    .-= Flower Patch Farmgirl´s last blog ..Cooped Up Cozy =-.

    Reply
  17. Bekki

    I don’t have money for decorating books, but I love to look through mags like Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, and window shop, there are always great ideas in store fronts. Other than that I just refer back to my college texts and notes. They are always helpful when designing something.

    Reply
  18. Amanda

    Hands down favorite: Pottery Barn books. They have such great ideas that you can really replicate yourself with cheaper items. :) My favorite one is the Kid’s Rooms edition. GREAT ideas!
    .-= Amanda @ This Is Mimi Leigh´s last blog ..1st Birthday Party Teaser =-.

    Reply
  19. Gayle

    I love Alexandra Stoddard and her book, Living a Beautiful Life. I have to come up with the ideas in my head, but I never fail to get inspiration from her books. It is a philosophy I think, and it helps me to remember to pay attention to the details and the simple joys in making a home.
    .-= Gayle´s last blog ..Just a Visit =-.

    Reply
    • Melissa

      Ah yes, a lady after my own heart. One of my favorites too!

      Reply
  20. suzanne

    Thanks, Melissa for the inspiration. I love to look at Mary Carol Garrity’s books, too for inspiration. I would love to go to her stores someday…..think I would love wandering around there!
    Thanks for always giving such fantastic nesting inspiration!

    Suzanne
    .-= suzanne´s last blog ..Renewing the accessories…. =-.

    Reply
  21. christtie

    Hmmm. I don’t have any favorites, because I am just starting to feel like maybe I could use a drop if style here or there.

    Reply
  22. Jennifer

    I have been swooning over the Domino design book ever since it came out but am not yet an owner. :) I SO miss the magazine!
    .-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Do you have a fairy? =-.

    Reply
  23. Jenn

    Does my comment count if I tell you my favorite design book is “domino: The Book of Decorating Design?” :) My husband gave it to me for my birthday last year and I love it because of the “rules” so to speak, that it provides…like how to determine rug size and placement, etc. LOVE it!

    Reply
  24. Stephanie Guida

    Candice Olson on Design…she is the best designer on the planet. I LOVE everything she does!

    Reply
    • Franki Parde

      You nailed it! I LOVE EVERYTHING that gal and her team do (nailheads included!) :-) May she never rest! franki

      Reply
  25. ChasingDavies

    I have and LOVE Domino, and also use the collection of old (and sadly missed) magazine photos on Flickr.

    http://www.flickr.com/groups/dominomag/

    I look at those a lot.

    I also recently got Style and Substance – the best of Elle Decor. This book is filled with lovely pictures of unique, yet classic rooms.

    And lastly, I like looking at Anthropologie catalog, store and online for decor ideas/rooms!

    Reply
  26. Mary

    I love the BH&G Cottage Style books- Nell’s Hills decorating books are awesome too” – Flea Market Style, BH& G Romantic Style, just to name a few.
    .-= Mary´s last blog .. =-.

    Reply
  27. Jasmine

    I have to admit that many of my fave magazines (in Australia, they’re Home Beautiful, Australian House & Garden

    Reply
  28. Jasmine

    I have to admit that many of my fave magazines (in Australia, they’re Home Beautiful, Australian House & Garden, BH&G) have so much design inspiration.

    I add post-it notes to all my favourites, and they end up having so many yellow notes sticking out of the sides.

    As a book though, a colleague at work once gave me a book called “101 Finishing Touches” for Christmas. Each page has a way to style your home, either with bits and pieces you have, or new little products. It’s such a nice little book that has given me practical advice and ideas to adapt in my own home.
    .-= Jasmine @ The Suburban Sentiment´s last blog ..Sensational Styling: Rebecca Thuss =-.

    Reply
  29. Anne

    I like Ruby & Begonia by Sara Toliver they have a bunch of different ideas for different styles you want to create.
    annemolino at hotmail dot com
    .-= Anne´s last blog ..2010 {Miss Claribles} =-.

    Reply
  30. Lindsey

    I’m loving Country Living’s ‘Simple Country Wisdom: 501 Old Fashioned Ideas to Simplify Your Life’ by Susan Waggoner. I spotted it at JoAnn Fabrics and had to bring it home with me. I can’t seem to get enough of it. Lots of beautiful home pictures plus tons of great tips on decorating and keeping a clean house. By far my favorite decorating book.
    .-= Lindsey´s last blog ..Living Room Holiday Decorations =-.

    Reply
  31. Minnesotamom

    I’m a big fan of the Pottery Barn series, just because I love their colors and those little 3-D images of the rooms they include–really helps you “see” a space.
    .-= Minnesotamom´s last blog ..Christmas-y Craft #1 =-.

    Reply
  32. Melinda

    Shabby Chic for me. I love the old chippiness and the soft color pallette.

    Reply
  33. Lora

    I love pretty much all of Alexander Stoddard’s design/decorating books. My favorite is probably Living a Beautiful Life. I love the way her books are so personal and I adore all of the *grace notes*.
    .-= Lora´s last blog ..Reality Check =-.

    Reply
  34. Emma

    Atlanta Bartlett’s Easy Elegance sits next to my bed – I have read it front to back several times but there is something about Atlanta’s writing and advice the just resonates with me. A lot of other design books I read you don’t seem to get that much out of, or I come out the other side more confused about what ‘style’ pigeon hole I’m meant to be shoved in this season. Easy Elegance is just that – no rules, it can be feminine if you want, it can be rustic if you want. Love.

    Reply
  35. REDNECK JUNKERS~

    Yahooooo! Heading over now to join the giveaway !
    smiles
    the Redneck Junkers

    Reply
  36. linda

    I get so much inspiration lately from some books from other countries…one I love just now is Living in Bahia. Regional Brazilian architecture and design…could eat it with a spoon.
    .-= linda@LimeintheCoconut´s last blog ..Chilly much??? =-.

    Reply
  37. Stacy

    I love the House Beautiful books – 750 Decorating and Design Ideas, etc. They are a compliation of all the best pictures from the magazine. Wonderful to look through for design inspiration.
    .-= Stacy @ Red Door Home´s last blog ..Who Knew? =-.

    Reply
  38. Gina

    I love the book Vintage Vavoom by the editors of Romantic Homes magazine and all of Alexandra Stoddards books on decorating.

    Gina

    Reply
  39. Nanci

    Wow…lots of good books suggested to look at. I’m going to run to the library and peruse the shelves to find my fav. Someone mentioned they didn’t have money for books, but don’t forget your local library. And if I find one I can’t live without, I’ll put it (or them) on my Amazon Wish List for later. I too am a decorating magazine and catalog junkie. It is in the blood isn’t it girls?
    I ran across some pictures clipped years ago from a decorating mag and thought “what was I thinking?”…lol

    Reply
  40. Michelle

    I adore “Camps & Cottages” by Molly Hyde English. And even though I may use it to help inspire my cabin decorating- this book is for everyone especially now in the winter. It is filled with lots of beautiful ideas to make any home nice and cozy like a cabin. One day if I ever make it to the West Coast, I hope to visit their store.

    Reply
  41. Julia

    Well, this is fun. I like several books that other people have already mentioned, but I’d have to say my all-time favorite has to be House Lust by Daniel McGinn, simply because that’s what inspired me to start my blog. I owe him big-time! :)
    .-= Julia @ Hooked on Houses´s last blog ..Sweetbriar: Alan Jackson’s $38 Million Mansion =-.

    Reply
  42. beth h

    I love my pottery barn, ballard design, wisteria catalogs… I tear them apart to add to my inspiration wall and design ideas book. I also like to read my feng shui book (which is kind of like a design book), it’s a challenge to do, but I like it!
    .-= beth h´s last blog ..not that it matters =-.

    Reply
  43. Katie

    Design Idea Book: Learning from Designer Showhouses. Gorgeous.

    Reply
  44. Dawn-Hydrangea Home

    Thanks for the recommendation on Home Digz. I will check it out! I used to have a bit of an obsession with decorating books. And I’ve been keeping it under control. My favorites were Tracy Porter’s books, Rachel Ashwells and anything Cottage. I know they’re all different styles but I love them all! I’m also very inspired by the Ballard catalog.
    .-= Dawn-Hydrangea Home´s last blog ..A great way to start the New Year! =-.

    Reply
  45. Darlene

    Don’t hate me, but I just love Martha Stewarts: How to Decorate. It is so classy.
    American Farmhouses by Leah Rosch is another fave.
    Oh, and I just love Sarah Susanka’s books:
    Creating the Not So Big House,
    and The Not So Big House…. not so much for decorating Style per se, but more of an overall approach to making decisions about your home.
    Enjoy! And thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  46. Cheri

    So far my favorite is _The Home Book_ from House Beautiful. It has great information/tips AND great pictures; I often see one without the other. Hmmm…I may need to browse through it again today!

    Reply
  47. Katy

    I like Nate Berkus’ Home Rules. His style is really relaxed and he gives good tips.

    Reply
  48. jan

    I got Rachel Ashwell’s new book, Shabby Chic Interiors, for Christmas and I absolutely love it. Highly recommend!
    .-= jan´s last blog ..easy diy topiary =-.

    Reply
  49. Lyndsy

    There are so many amazing design books out there for all different styles. Two of my favorites are The Way We Live, by Satfford Cliff and Old & New by Katherine Sorell. Both books give a wide variety of spaces with wonderful photography. The Way We Live really captures interiors and exteriors from all over the globe!

    Reply
  50. micaela

    i have a book called “tokyo style” that is full of such cool intereting pics! love it!
    .-= micaela @ hishouse;herhelp.´s last blog ..glass tile; lookin’ at w/ floor tile. =-.

    Reply
  51. Aimee

    I really like Rachel Ashwell’s Shabby Chic book, although it might be a little outdated. Will check out Home Digz! :)
    .-= Aimee´s last blog ..Flower Power =-.

    Reply
  52. Emily

    I like Pure Style Living by Jane Cumberbatch… it has beautiful photos AND words (a good read, not just to browse for the pictures). Plus, it is practical.
    .-= Emily @ Little Home´s last blog ..Homemade BabyLegs =-.

    Reply
  53. Anna

    Hmmm…to narrow it down to a favorite selection? I’d actually have to say the Domino mag. that is now no more (sniff, sniff, teary eyes…). However, I have not yet had my hands on the Domino book, which is most ridiculous of me, as I’m sure I’d love it!

    Off to put my name in the queue for that one, too! Cheers!
    .-= Anna´s last blog ..Thrifting and Citrus Jewels =-.

    Reply
  54. Christina

    My fave book is Cheryl Mendelson’s “Home Comforts” – my mom wasn’t a fabulous housekeeper so this book has taught me how to keep house!

    Heading over to comment on HOMEdigz now – yay Domino!!! I came in too late to ever see the mags, but I’ve loved what I’ve seen online from that mag!

    Stay warm!
    Christina

    Reply
  55. the BLAH BLAH BLAHger

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE the House Beautiful Small Spaces book…because I live in a teeny condo! It gives me great ideas for maximizing space!

    Reply
  56. Kaitlyn

    love love love…

    ON DISPLAY
    by lesley dilcock

    Reply
  57. Mary

    Love Amazon…it is the best bookstore out there!!

    Reply
  58. Kim

    I absolutely LOVE Domino: The Book of Decorating! I got it for Christmas this year and it is fantastic for a first-time homeowner! Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  59. Kelly

    My favorites are any of the Nell Hill books, as well as Neva Scott’s
    “Decorating Cottage Style”.

    Reply
  60. Carrie

    home swell home is one of my favorites. it’s just so my style and easy stuff that works for me even as a renter
    .-= Carrie´s last blog ..Link Love 01.01.2010 =-.

    Reply
  61. Stephanie

    Like so many others – I get much of my inspiration from magazines (Country Living, BHG, Cottage Living (RIP, sigh)), catalogs (Ballard & PB) and blogs (I’d need a page just to list all my favs!)! Now that I have a handy-dandy iPhone, I love to take pictures of inspiring things/ideas while I’m shopping as well. :)

    I collect vintage books about Christmas traditions/stories – and find these really inspiring as I love vintage Christmas – I’ve done a “German” tree w/candles (fake), “WWII” tree, and a 50’s tree. :)

    Reply
  62. Barbara

    I love all of them! I love to read them and use them in my decorating. But one of my favorites is French by Design, Betty Lou Phillips and one year for Christmas my nephew gave me Pottery Barn Home, also, a great inspirational resource.
    .-= Barbara´s last blog ..Interior Home Decorating Ideas for Comfortable Living =-.

    Reply
  63. Chrissy

    Design Rules by Elaine Griffin is my pick of the moment! I totally recommend it because the ideas are great and the information completely practically (well for the most part! :) )

    Reply
  64. Angela DeRossett

    Better Homes & Garden as well as Southern Living magazine. I love going through there and cutting things out to customize our home. We just moved in the past July to a major project home so I scour those books and the internet to add to “the book”.
    .-= Angela DeRossett´s last blog ..Valentine’s a Bust =-.

    Reply
  65. Lindsey

    I really like Domino’s book. It seems to have a lot of actual obtainable ideas. The cover makes it great to leave out as well.

    Reply
  66. Hopeful Homemaker

    I love to look at magazines. Country Living has been a long time favorite. I, too, love to look at catalogs from companies like Ballard Design, Pottery Barn, Wisteria, Cath Kidston, and so forth. I love Alexandra Stoddard’s writings, too. And anything that has pictures of white. I love white.
    .-= Hopeful Homemaker´s last blog ..Last Look at the Manger =-.

    Reply
  67. Lindsey

    I also really like Thom Felicia’s Style. It has great furniture arranging ideas. It is a good modern + classic reference.
    .-= Lindsey´s last blog ..Great Full Friday =-.

    Reply
  68. Kristi

    I love “Candace Olson on Design” I love her show on HGTV Divine Design and her book is great too.

    Reply
  69. Lindsey

    The Apartment Therapy book is good even if you don’t live in an apartment. It has lots of great small space solutions. It seems to be pretty modern style, if you are into that at all.
    .-= Lindsey´s last blog ..Great Full Friday =-.

    Reply
  70. Lindsey

    Last one! I checked out Kitchens: A Sunset Design Guide from the library and it has lovely kitchens to inspire you. If you like the magazine at all you’ll love the book. It has lots of different styles and is helping me figure out my preferences for when we decide to update our kitchen.
    .-= Lindsey´s last blog ..Great Full Friday =-.

    Reply
  71. Melanie

    I just bought myself The Home Book by House Beautiful and it is just lovely. I haven’t had time to go through the whole book but the pages are not fussy but sleek and it gives you top 10 designer tips. It is my favorite right now.
    .-= Melanie´s last blog ..Let’s talk accent furniture. =-.

    Reply
  72. Emily

    My favorite design book is Jan Showers Glamorous Rooms. She has such great style and the rooms that she designs are liveable without compromising good taste!

    Reply
  73. Marianne

    My favourite home design book is Ljust o Landligt by Anna Örnberg. The book is in Swedish (I am Dutch) but I love the pics.
    It is the Swedish Shabby Chic style.
    Here is a link to the publishers site
    http://www.semic.se/1100/1100.asp?ArticleId=9789155254308
    Bye,
    Marianne.

    Reply
  74. CashmereLibrarian

    I too adore all of ALexandra Stoddard’s books. But my recent fav is Style & Substance by Magaret Russell, editor of Elle Decor. Very inspiring with a representation of many different styles, high-end and simply cozy. I also like an oldie, Nell Hill’s Style at Home by Mary Carol Garrity. It gives me a lot of ideas on how to arrange my pretties and books for great impact. I once visited her store in Atchison, Kansas–so beautiful and also inspiring!

    Reply
  75. Mary Westgate

    I love sooooo many!!! But one of my favorites has to be Alexandra Stoddard’s Living a Beautiful Life…500 ways to add elegance, Order, Beauty and Joy to every day of your life. Thank you so much for doing this!!! You are such a generous soul! I lost my collection of books when escaping a domestic violence marriage so it is taking me a while to start over…thank you for these opportunities!!!

    Reply
  76. Jamie

    I love the books from Counry Living. I check them out from the library over and over again. My favorite one? Probably Shoestring Chic. Beautiful and practical ideas.

    Reply
  77. Phyllis Lindsay

    I love Country Living Magazine; they give me great ideas that are just my style.

    Reply
  78. black eyed susans kitchen

    One of the best things about coming in late with this comment is reading everyone’s suggestions. Now I have many new books to look for. One of my favorites is Collector’s Style by Better Homes and Gardens. There are some good ideas in this book about how to display a large collection….and I am all about the collection.
    Susan
    .-= black eyed susans kitchen´s last blog ..REVOLVING BEDSCAPES AND A PILLOW PARTY =-.

    Reply
  79. Linda M

    Count me in as another Alexandra Stoddard fan. Any one of her books give me lots to think about as well as ideas for every room!

    Reply
  80. Heathahlee

    I don’t have a book, but my inspiration notebooks are FULL of magazine pages from Southern Living, Better Homes & Gardens, Country Living, plus catalog pages from Ballard, Wisteria, and Pottery Barn. I have so many magazines and catalogs waiting for me to rip up! I really need to go through my notebooks and pare it down. : )
    .-= Heathahlee´s last blog ..Giveaway at Nesting Place! =-.

    Reply
  81. Rebekah Ray

    I’ve just been bitten by the design bug recently, so I’m fairly new at this – I like my Better Homes and Garden magazine.

    Reply
  82. Maureen

    I really like Junk Market Style…lots of neato ideas. Thanks for the giveaway and Happy Birthday Melissa.

    Reply
  83. Lisa

    Of fun! An Amazon shopping spree is heaven. :) Thank you so much for offering this. Right now, my favorite decorating book is Country Living Shoestring Chic. It is fresh with ideas and super fun to snuggle up and look at.
    .-= Lisa´s last blog ..A Thorn in My Side =-.

    Reply
  84. Lisa

    I enjoy your blog so much and love being a suscriber. A breath of fresh air in these cold winter months! Thank you!
    .-= Lisa´s last blog ..2009 =-.

    Reply
    • Melissa

      Thanks Lisa! :-)

      Reply
  85. Barbie

    I love pottery barn and BHG.

    Reply
  86. kristine gilbert

    I have just recently stumbled upon your website, The Inspired Room, and can I say that, well, I.AM.INSPIRED!!! I LOVE it!! Honestly, I checked it out because my ‘one word’ for 2010 (check out ali edwards blog) is
    “Inspire”. . .

    So, I will share with you, my favorite “decorating book” that I have gone to for the last decade, & always incidently at this time of year is when I feel most compelled to go through it again, in its entirety. . it’s called
    “A Place for Everything : Organizing the Stuff of Life” by Peri Wolfman, and Charles Gold (actually available on Amazon). I like it because it shows a variety of homes, a variety of ‘stuff’ & it inspires me to look at things differently. . .and besides, this time of year, a bit of organization is good.
    So, count me in & thanks for the opportunity to win! I look forward to the continued inspiration as I read your older posts!

    ~kris

    Reply
    • Melissa

      Thank you Kristine! Glad you are joining us at The Inspired Room! Love your word of the year :-)

      Reply
  87. kathy

    I don’t really have a book, but I love to look in catalogs like Ballard Designs and Pottery Barn…does that count? I also love design blogs and Rate My Space.

    Thanks for entering me.

    Reply
  88. stacy

    I have to say Domino. I’m also really enjoying PB as of late with their vintagey inspired looks. Your site has been huge for me, too, and has done more than books or mags to get me moving. So, thanks for that!

    Reply
  89. mary e

    I”m kind of changing my style so the gift card would be a perfect chance for me to get some new books! I’m going more streamline, coastal.

    Reply
  90. Grace

    It has been years since I read them, but they revolutionized the way I thought about my home and design in general at the time – that would be any of the books by Alexandra Stoddard. I think “Creating a Beautiful Home” would be a good recommendation.
    .-= Grace´s last blog ..Snow, Ice, and More Snow =-.

    Reply
  91. Sheila

    I love all of Alexandra Stoddard’s decorating books, not a lot of beautiful color pictures to drool over, but she is so personal and down-to-earth and really makes you make you think about your own life and relate your home decorating to it. I love Christopher Lowell’s “If You Can Dream It You Can Do It” and “Seven Layers of Design”. He has gorgeous ideas that are doable for the average person’s budget and still look like a million bucks. Love your blog, it’s always a breath of fresh air.

    Reply
  92. Elizabeth

    I have a small collection of home design books, but one of my favourites is an older one, Lynette Jennings No Compromise Decorating. She offers great advice for making choices (the love it or leave it exercise) with your stuff and not making compromises in your style. I also have several Pottery Barn books, but have had trouble finding their Living Rooms edition.
    .-= Elizabeth @ blue clear sky´s last blog ..Transitioning to Winter =-.

    Reply
  93. Erica Robinson

    I actually love the Domino book and I am dying to buy The Comfortable Home!

    Reply
  94. Kelly Netishen

    I love looking over home design books that are inspiring and full of beautiful photography. My current favorite is “The New Traditional”, by Darryl Carter. He gives wonderful decorating advice, and gives you confidence to follow your intuition when making your house your home. Not to mention, the pictures of his rooms that combine modern with traditional furnishings are beautiful!

    Reply
  95. Jeannine B.

    Okay – this is really sad – but the last home decorating book I purchased was the Trading Spaces book! I am now completely embarrassed – although I got some good ideas from it! I would love to win some new inspiration!

    Reply
  96. Joy

    The home decorating books in my living room book shelf are:
    The Family Home, Joanna Copestick, which I love for it’s laid back and practical style
    The Spirit of Loveliness, Emilie Barnes, which explains the benefits of a beautiful thought out home
    Style at Home, Nell Hill, which has lovely pictures
    .-= Joy´s last blog ..Strong Heart Messenger Bag =-.

    Reply
  97. Victoria

    I love so many books and I love decorating with books as well. One of my favorite design book are Junk Chic and French Country Junk Chic by Kathryn Elliott. She shows how to create one of a kind looks with unusual thrift store finds and paint treatments.

    Reply
    • Donna Scearce

      Hi Victoria,
      I saw your old post from January. I , too, am a huge junk chic fan. I have tried many of Kathryn’s ideas. In her book, after she moved to West Linn, OR — she had a beautiful stone “fireplace” fountain in her yard. I tried writing to the publisher to get some help on how to build the fountain itself, but no response. I did find a vintage fireplace fender or apron on ebay. I was hoping maybe one of your followers could offer some help w/ the fountain, measurements, etc.
      Much thanks,

      Love the blog,
      Donna in Memphis

      Reply
  98. Victoria

    My previous comment made no sense. I meant to say two of my favorite design books are…, etc. Sorry for the discombobulated comment!

    Reply
  99. Kristin

    I don’t really have a favorite decorating book yet, I’m kinda new at this decorating thing. First house and all…. But I would love to get my hands on the Pottery Barn idea books. They seem to be a design staple for kicking off DIY ideas. Thanks!

    Reply
  100. Jennifer

    My current loves are PB and domino, although I am finding great inspiration from Melissa’s archives. I really appreciate beautiful, timeless design!

    Reply

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  1. Winter Home Tip: Create Mini-Destinations in your Home - [...] inspiration for a good decorating book to enjoy in that cozy reading nook, revisit this post on great decorating…

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