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Welcome to the
Your Home Reading Room, a collection of our favorite books on home
furnishings, interior design, and other matters of style. Click on the blue tags
to order any of these books directly from Amazon.com, and keep coming back to
learn what’s new and notable in the Reading Room.
P.S. Older reviews are archived at the bottom of the page.
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Sarah Susanka's 1998 book, "The Not So Big House," is one of my favorite books on home design –
as much for its sanity, as its beauty. In "Creating the Not So Big House," Susanka offers even
more specifics on implementing the philosophy that quality trumps quantity every time. Forget
about the McMansion or starter castle, she urges. Choose integrity. Build smaller but better;
incorporate excellent design and the best quality materials you can afford.
While Susanka's first book was clearly influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie style, this
one's more eclectic. She covers all style bases with 20 new house designs available for purchase
– and five adaptations from her best-selling first book. Susanka's goal is to make beautiful home
design accessible to more people. If you don't need a big house and do love good design, you'll
want both of these beautiful and inspiring books.
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Creating the Not So Big House:
Insights and Ideas for the
New American Home
Sarah Susanka, Grey Crawford
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The Not So Big House, A Blueprint
for the Way we
Really Live
Sara Susanka with Kira Obolensky
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This handsome book appears to be about architecture, but its appeal goes much further.
Architect Susanka addresses too-big homes that fail to satisfy, suggesting more realistic
dwellings that are beautiful and meaningful. You don’t have to be building a new house to
fall in love with this book. Its words, photos and suggestions will move you to re-think the
way you live in your existing home (especially if small) and make it work better for you.
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If you've ever wanted to learn more about a particular design era or period decorating in
general, this is the book for you. Miller divides interior design into half-century periods,
beginning with the 17th century, then provides a lavishly illustrated directory of current
fabrics, wallpapers, paints, tile and flooring to complement each period – along with listings
of all the manufacturers. You, or your decorator, can find sources for the items you covet, or
you can use the examples as a guide in shopping for more readily available (and less expensive)
alternatives.
This book is more than an incredible shopping resource. Just browsing provides an education in
fabrics, floor coverings and more – and you can browse it endlessly. You can't help but learn
about the colors, textures and patterns that are most appropriate for a variety of periods. And,
with 400 pages and 2,300 beautifully printed pictures, you'll find yourself becoming very clear
about what you like and dislike. If you are building an interior design library, this book is
highly recommended.
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The Style Sourcebook
Judith Miller
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Home Comforts: The Art & Science
of Keeping House
Cheryl Mendelson
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A surprising best seller that treats housekeeping as both an art and a science. The author learned
her respect from her Appalachian and Italian grandmothers, and it’s returned by readers who find the
book fascinating and emotionally rewarding. Mendelson knows there’s satisfaction in a clean and
realistically ordered household. Her veritable encyclopedia of homemaking helps you prioritize all
your chores and put them in perspective, so they are neither overwhelming nor neglected.
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Arts and Crafts style developed in England in the late 1800s as a reaction against
fussy Victorian design, but when the style migrated to the US it was transformed
into the more austere American Mission style. Today the two terms are often used
interchangeably -- probably because both were based on honest craftsmanship and
good, simple design.
Despite its title, “In the Arts and Crafts Style” leans toward the American Mission
version. In the spirit of its subject matter, the book is simply written, but beautiful.
Over 150 exquisite photos capture the rich wood, glowing lamps and subtle-hued colors
and accents that define the era. Intensive views into the homes of Arts and Crafts
collectors, a wonderful bibliography and lengthy resource list add depth to this study
of American Arts and Crafts style. This book is a terrific resource for both novice and
experienced fans of the style.
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In the Arts and Crafts Style
Barbara Mayer
Photos by Rob Gray
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Classical Furniture
David Linley
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With an introduction by H.M. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother,
this illustrated introduction to classical furniture – written from
the viewpoint of a modern master of the style – is a superb study
of a vital tradition in design. Mr. Linley surveys classicism from
its origins in ancient Greece, through its 18th century golden age,
and beyond. Architects Kent, Holland and Adam are discussed, and
designers Chippendale, Hepplewhite and Sheraton are celebrated.
A directory of furniture patterns showcasing the evolution of different
styles is included, as are many imaginative ways to link old and new
design in present day interiors.
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Lillian Too is the world’s foremost writer on the
subject of Feng Shui, the Chinese philosophy of arranging
your environment for maximum well being. Her books have been
translated into 15 languages and made the bestseller lists
worldwide, including USA, Malaysia and Singapore.
This book really delivers, with 168 practical ways to
improve the positive energy of your home, office and
relationships. Flip to any page for easy-to-use advice on
harnessing positive energy -- from placing your bed for
undisturbed sleep, to seating dinner guests for optimal
conversation. Rather than bogging down her text with theory,
Ms. Too keeps this problem-solving reference light with quick
paragraphs and beautiful illustrations.
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Lillian Too’s Easy-to-use Feng Shui,
168 ways to success
Lillian Too
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The Victorian Home: The Grandeur
and Comforts of the Victorian Era,
in Households Past and Present
Ellen M. Plante
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“The Victorian Home” by Ellen Plante is an informative,
richly illustrated book that investigates the era’s history
and culture, while explaining how to adapt Victoriana to modern
living. A room-by-room format with detailed suggestions and
evocative photographs that are sure to inspire fans of Victorian
elegance and warmth, or anyone else who wants to create a special
haven.
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Click here to go to the Reading Room Archives 
Archive Contents:
Adirondack Style Ann S. O'Leary
Art Deco Interiors Patricia Bayer
Country Interiors: Room by Room Carol Meredith
Express Yourself with Color Linda Hallum and Heather Lobell
Formal Victorian (Architecture & Design Library) Ellen M. Plante
The French Touch: Decoration and Design in the Most Beautiful Homes in France Daphne de Saint Saveur
The Furniture Guy's Book Joe L'erario and Ed Feldman
Home Design Guide Barty Phillips
In The Neoclassic Style: Empire, Biedermeier and the Contemporary Home Melanie Fleischmann with Mick Hales
Shabby Chic Treasure Hunting and Decorating Guide Rachell Ashwell with Glynis Costin
Shabby Chic Rachell Ashwell
Sharing Nature with Children Joseph Cornell
Working from Home Paul and Sarah Edwards
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