I love trawling blogs, Instagram and Pinterest for interiors inspiration (obviously!), but sometimes nothing beats stepping away from the screen, sitting back with a cuppa and browsing a good old-fashioned book. And there’s a raft of interesting new home and design titles coming out at the moment, so I thought I’d take this opportunity to round up some of my favourites.
I’ve focused on books that showcase the kind of simple, timeless spaces and relaxed living that I love, and that I know you love too. All are packed with advice, tips and ideas to help you craft a mindful, considered home, along with beautiful photography; many also encompass peeks at gorgeous interiors around the world. They’re the kind of thing that you’ll keep on your coffee table or shelves for years to come and dip into again and again. And, with Christmas on the not-too-distant horizon, they could make wonderful gifts for yourself or any of the design lovers in your life…
1. Soft Minimal: A Sensory Approach to Architecture & Design by Norm Architects
Written by the team behind one of my favourite design studios, this thoughtful manifesto delves into how we can create pared-back, tactile spaces and objects that enrich our wellbeing and quality of life. Each chapter focuses on a different theme such as ‘light’, with essays, stunning photography, and case studies showcasing some of Norm’s beautiful projects around the world.
Out now (£55) – order a copy here
2. HAY by Rolf and Mette Hay, edited by Kelsey Keith
Published to coincide with the Danish brand’s 20th anniversary, this visual monograph explores HAY’s origins, design ethos and evolution to date, from its collaborations with the likes of IKEA and SONOS to its close partnership with Herman Miller. Alongside musings on Scandinavian design and the importance of functional objects, there are interviews with renowned designers such as Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, Nipa Doshi, Stine Gam and Enrico Fratesi.
Out now (£39.95) – order a copy here
3. The Art of Living With White by Chrissie Rucker
The follow-up to The White Company founder’s first book, For The Love Of White, is a must for lovers of calm, neutral decor. Inspired by 10 extraordinary homes, it brings together styling tips and simple rituals for seasonal living, with plenty of ideas to help you inject warmth and personality into your interiors, make the most of whatever space you have, and appreciate the joys of spring, summer, autumn and winter.
Out now (£35) – order a copy here
4. Own Your Zone: Maximising Style & Space to Work & Live in the Modern Home by Ruth Matthews
Written by my lovely friend Ruthie of interiors blog Design Soda, this practical guide shares how to create a multifunctional home that strikes the perfect balance between work and leisure, without compromising on style. It’s packed with advice on how to break your space into distinct zones, illustrated by photographs of real-life examples (some by yours truly!), and will prove invaluable to anyone who spends some or all of their working week at home.
Out now (£18) – order a copy here [AD – affiliate link]
5. Rewild Your Home by Victoria Harrison
This practical and inspiring book by interiors expert Victoria Harrison explores how biophilic design can make your indoor living environment healthier, happier and more relaxing. Her simple tips and fun projects cover maximising natural views, greening up your windowsills, using nature-inspired colours and patterns and much more, helping you to establish a connection with the wild throughout your home – whether you live in a rented urban apartment or a spacious country house.
Out now (£18) – order a copy here [AD – affiliate link]
6. Pretty Small: Grand Living with Limited Space by Gestalten
From the best ways to manage storage to adapting rooms for use at various times of the day, this book shows how to embrace small-space living and deal with the limitations of today’s increasingly compact homes. There’s a great mix of real-life inspiration and practical guidance, covering hidden storage compartments, ingenious bike mounts and everything in between.
Out now (£35) – order a copy here
7. Candles: A Modern Guide to Making Candles by Ebi and Emmanuel Sinteh
This wonderful celebration of candles comes from the founders of lifestyle boutique Our Lovely Goods and introduces you to the basic techniques of candle making, from selecting the wax to scent blending. It also contains 17 seasonal, sustainable projects to try at home (taper candles, scented tea lights, aromatherapy candles and more), all supported by beautiful photography and easy-to-follow instructions.
Published on 27th October (£15.99) – pre-order a copy here
8. The Sensory Home by Pippa Jameson
Written by stylist Pippa Jameson, The Sensory Home explores how layout, colour, texture, scent and lighting can be used to create a calming or stimulating environment to suit your unique needs, including for neurodiverse individuals. There are quick wins and longer-term solutions, together with sensory checklists for each room of the house to help you identify the cause of unconscious stress, whether it be a cluttered kitchen, a dimly lit home office or an unsupportive sofa.
Out now (£20) – order a copy here [AD – affiliate link]
9. Japanese Interiors by Mihoko Iida, with contributions from Danielle Demetriou
Written by the executive features editor of Vogue Japan, with contributions from Tokyo-based British writer Danielle Demetriou, this insider’s guide explores the myriad styles of private Japanese homes. The residences on show include minimalist urban apartments, mountain escapes and traditional dwellings, as well as homes designed by top Japanese architects such as Kengo Kuma, Koji Fujii, Arata Endo and Takamitsu Azuma. It’s a beautiful love letter to the country’s interior design ethos, exploring its enduring influence, its deep links with nature and its continuing evolution.
Out now (£59.99) – order a copy here [AD – affiliate link]
10. Slow Escapes: Rural Retreats for Conscious Travellers by Clara le Fort
If, like me, you dream of swapping the city for somewhere quieter and more remote, then this book is for you. In it, sustainable tourism expert Clara le Fort introduces hotels, guesthouses and other hospitality venues around the world that embrace slow living, celebrate local crafts and produce, and support the landscapes and communities around them. Although officially a travel tome, it’s packed with inspiring rustic interiors and beautiful architecture, from converted monasteries to transformed windmills.
Out now (£40) – order a copy here
11. Patina Modern: A Guide to Designing Warm, Timeless Interiors by Chris Mitchell and Pilar Guzmán
Over the course of six home renovation projects in New York and the Hamptons, Chris Mitchell and Pilar Guzmán have developed a simple yet very effective formula: mixing modern design with timeworn materials to create spaces that are pared-back yet warm, layered yet clean, current yet timeless. Here, they share their decorating principles, tools and tips, from using black as an accent colour to creating a cosy lighting scheme, illustrated with examples from rooms they have created themselves.
Out now (£26.99) – order a copy here [AD – affiliate link]
12. Living in the Forest by Phaidon
Another great choice for those yearning for a bit of escapism, this beautifully photographed book celebrates contemporary forest homes around the world. Each built to exist harmoniously amid the trees, the 50 properties showcased on its pages range from a playful treehouse at a spectacular height to an ingenious sustainable hideaway that leaves no footprint. There’s also a wonderful array of different woodland landscapes on display, from urban jungles to the snow-covered evergreen slopes of Norway.
Out now (£29.99) – order a copy here [AD – affiliate link]
13. Arranging Things by Colin King
In this upcoming book, New York stylist Colin King shares his insights for composing objects into simple, sophisticated vignettes that add beauty and meaning to our everyday surroundings. Through a series of anecdotes and visual essays, he unpicks his intuitive and deeply personal process to show how he works his magic on coffee tables, mantels, bookshelves, windowsills and more. He also meditates on scale, proportion, palette and texture, and discusses how considered displays aren’t about buying new things but looking at old favourites with fresh eyes.
Published in early 2023 ($50) – pre-order a copy here
14. The Mediterranean Home: Architecture with a Southern Touch by Gestalten
Encompassing architecture, interiors, decoration and furniture, this wide-ranging book celebrates Mediterranean living and explores its ongoing influence on home design around the globe. Its pages feature an array of stunning spaces, from rural farmhouses to city pads, showing how they interweave form and function, blend the inside and outside, and pair traditional features with more contemporary elements.
Out now (£45) – order a copy here
15. House London by Ellie Stathaki and Anna Stathaki
The work of writer Ellie Stathaki and photographer Anna Stathaki, House London showcases 50 inspiring interiors in the UK capital, revealing the amazing variety and vision that lie behind sometimes quite ordinary facades. The properties range from humble terraces to extraordinary conversions, but each and every one is a wonderful example of how design can be used to create a unique and characterful space. And to give you a taster, one of the gorgeous homes that I’ve covered before is among them…
Out now (£30) – order a copy here [AD – affiliate link]
Please note this post contains affiliate links (all clearly marked), which means I will receive a small commission on any resulting sales. You won’t pay any more by clicking on these links than you would by visiting the websites directly.
Top image by Abi Dare; all other photography via the respective authors and publishers
These all look beautiful – my Christmas book wishlist has just rapidly expanded!
There are so many great-looking titles coming out at the moment!