Holiday Book Gift Guide

Anyone who steps foot in my home understands my obsession with books. One of the first projects in my home was to put built-in bookshelves to hold my collection of books- which also reside in my office, more in a box in my garage and some in the attic. I am a book-hoarder so it is very natural for me to put together a gift guide of the books I have on my Christmas list!

My first collection of books for the gift guide are from one of my all-time favorite designers, Kathryn Ireland. I am so inspired by her ability to mix patterns, color and texture and I think she is just so much fun to watch on Million Dollar Decorators. I had a little encounter with her which I blogged about here. I love that her rooms are gorgeous but so live-able and functional which I think is so important in design...no one lives in a magazine! Here are three books by Kathryn Ireland which I think would be amazing additions to any collection!

Kathryn Ireland Timeless Interiors

Creating A Home

Classic Country (pb)

I have also been loving this book for a while but haven't added it to my collection yet. This mother/daughter duo inspire me to endlessly beg my daughter to be an interior designer....I don't think I'll be as lucky as these two who share the passion for design....although my daughter would relish the idea of being my boss one day!

Good Bones, Great Pieces: The Seven Essential Pieces That Will Carry You Through a Lifetime 

I am a daily reader of the design blog decor8 by Holly Becker so I just have to include her beautiful book here...

Decorate: 1,000 Design Ideas for Every Room in Your Home

Or how about this from an iconic designer of our time, Barbara Barry...

Barbara Barry: Around Beauty

Why don't I own this one already??


The Perfectly Imperfect Home: How to Decorate and Live Well

And truth be told, I need my Nate fix now that his show has been retired....boo hoo!

The Things That Matter

Did I miss any? Let me know what some of your "must have" design books are as I'd love to add them to my wish list! Hopefully Santa is listening!



Also, today I am heading over to one of my favorite stores, C Wonder- I think they have some amazingly stylish stuff at pretty good prices! I hope to pick up lots of last minute gifts for some people on my list (aka me) Also, if you head over to C.Wonder and shop today through the 13th they are having an amazing sale: 40% off sale items and free shipping over $100! Use code SALE40. I'll share some pictures of what I find there tomorrow!

Fave Fabric Pattern: Suzani!

While on my shopping hunt for multiple client projects, I have quickly fallen for the Suzani pattern that I am seeing everywhere!

Fab Suzani Fabric

While Suzani is my new love, it is far from new! This decorative tribal textile from Central Asia (countries like Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan...no Borat jokes, please!) is far from new. In fact, the oldest surviving Suzani's around are from the early 18th and 19th centuries.

Gorgeous Print from ZGallerie!

Gorgeous Print #2 from ZGallerie

So what makes a print a Suzani? Some common elements of the Suzani pattern are sun and moon disks, scrolling vines, tulips, carnations, irises, fruits and sometimes fish and birds. What makes my heart go pitter-patter are the vivid colors coupled with the swirly vines which just seems to breathe life into a room. Check out this guest room in Kathryn M. Ireland's home with an antique Suzani pillow. (You might know her from a little show called Million Dollar Decorators!)

Kathryn M. Ireland  Guest Room

 Here is one of the Suzani patterns from Kathryn M. Ireland's glorious fabric line. Those colors are soooo insane!

Amazing Series of Suzani from Kathryn M. Ireland...Love!

Just in case that is out of your budget....here is some affordable Suzani for the home....

World Plus Suzani Curtains

Have you found any Suzani that you love? Do you already have some Suzani in your home? I am trying to wiggle some in my house somewhere!!

Disclaimer: I am not being compensated by any person or company mentioned in this blog....these are all my own thoughts and finds....although if they would like to compensate me...I love being compensated in products! ha, ha!

BTW- I was totally over the moon to find out that I actually won the Mustard Ceiling giveaway for the Olive Leaf stencil that I told you about the other day! Now I just have to decide where to stencil and which stencil to pick....hmmm...I might need your help- that'll be tomorrow's post!