On the Nightstand: Fall Edition

By Kate Riley October 5, 2012

I like to read before I go to bed each night after I catch up on the news.  After all the serious stuff, I look for something lighter to nod off to sleep to and I turn to design books and shelter magazines a lot.  Here’s a roundup of some of the books I’m enjoying right now. 

books on nightstand

 

blue house beautifulAn ode to my favorite color is BLUE from the pages of House Beautiful which includes tips on decorating room by room and highlights accessories, furnishings, color pairings, and blue hues expressed in all variety of motifs. 

BLUE explores every shade that’s been used by decorators including paint colors and fabrics, and you’ll recognize spaces by Steven Gambrel, Tobi Fairley, Phoebe Howard, Miles Redd and many other talented designers. 

 

  blogging for creatives .

Blogging for Creatives is a helpful guide for any person (crafting, food, photography, art, design, etc.) who wants to share their creativity through blogging.  The book tackles most of the basics you’ll need if you’re just starting out including the technical side such as choosing a platform, design tips for your blog theme, and tips on writing good content, monetizing, and promoting your blog.  It’s great for beginners or those who’d like to use their blog to better promote their talents.

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first apartment

I’ve been a fan of Kyle Shuneman for years (read our spotlight interview here) and I’m so excited about his first book.  Kyle is a master at creating stylish spaces on a budget, and The First Apartment Book is perfect for those just starting out or living in small spaces, and all of us who love clever interior design.

Kyle highlights ten different styles of decorating from Preppy to Bohemian and he coaches you through simple ideas from fabric backed bookcases to repairing chipped furniture.  Congratulations Kyle!

 

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marrakech by designFor anyone like me who loves Moroccan patterns, Marrakesh by Design by Maryam Montague is a beautiful book filled with all the colors and ornamental features attributed to this style of design. 

Inside, you get a history lesson behind the architecture including the classic design elements in the medinas and courtyards plus tips on how to decorate with Moroccan furnishings and accessories.  It’s a new favorite for its detailed and beautiful imagery of the intricate patterns this region is famous for.

 

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the french dog

I bought The French Dog by photographer Rachel Hale for myself and my dog loving daughter, and she and I agree the pooches on these pages are the cutest!  

The author moved to France with her husband to capture the personalities of all breeds of posing and playing on the streets of Paris and in the French countryside.   Heartwarming and happy, it will bring a smile to all canine lovers!

 

.bhg color 

Color: The Complete Guide is one of my favorite BH&G publications that’s come out in the past few years, it’s an insightful guide for anyone who struggles with how to decorate with color.   The book analyzes everything from color inspiration to space related challenges and gives an in depth primer on color analysis. 

It will help anyone get away from the ‘play it safe and choose tan’ state of mind with confidence, you can read my full review from earlier this year right here

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We take turns reading to the kids before bed and these are the two we’re reading to them now.   (The set of leather bound versions of many classics like Twenty Thousand Leagues are on sale right now for $10 each at Barnes & Noble when I was there earlier this week.) .

kids books

 

 

awkward family photosAwkward Family Photos is based on the hit website and I just had to buy it when I spied it in the bookstore because I think it is totally hilarious.  

The book is filled with strange portrait poses, matching outfits, and annoyed faces of family members, and I’m sure I can dig up a few from our family’s past that would fit right in.  :)   It would make a funny holiday gift for an in-law !

 

     

I finally picked up this year’s Christmas Ideas magazine this week and loved every single feature!  I’m so happy to see favorite bloggers like Jennifer, Paul, Melaine, and Marian’s beautiful decorations on the pages! 

christmas ideas magazine

 

Any good reads on your nightstand (or Nook/Kindle) that you’re loving ?   I’m looking for some great fiction or a good biography, got any recommendations? 

 

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12 comments

  1. Ooooo, I need to check out “Blue.” I’m trying to figure out how to incorporate more of that color into my home.

    Right now I’m reading “An American Heiress” by Daisy Goodwin. I imagine it to be what an Edith Wharton novel would be like if it was written by Carrie Bradshaw, but I’m completely caught up in the descriptions of fashion, architecture and the exploits of dollar duchesses from the late 19th century. The book is a couple of years old, but I definitely recommend it if you go for that sort of fiction and you haven’t read it yet.

  2. I want to say a big thank you!! I have now ordered two copies of Awkward Family Photos as the joke gifts we exchange on Boxing day… thinking I might order Awkward Pet Photos too!

  3. This summer I was lucky enough to have read two very good fiction books. The first one, “Night Circus”, by Erin Morgenstern I was completely enchanted with and the second one, “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn was intriguing and suspenseful.

    I’m currently read “Cloud Atlas” by David Mitchell and am really enjoying that as well.

    Thanks, Kate, for your book suggestions. I am eager to check them out myself!

  4. I’m thinking the Blue book for me and the Awkward Family Photos for my hubby. He’d get a kick out of that!

    Thanks for sharing!
    Shirley

  5. I always enjoy your ‘currently reading’ posts. Definitely will be checking out the Color Guide book and Awkward Photos looks like fun. As far as suggestions for fiction, Pat Conroy is one of my favorite authors and I think Beach Music is one of his best. For non-fiction, I lost quite a bit sleep while reading Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand – a real page turner plus a history lesson on WWII! Oh, one other I try to get everyone to read is The Art of Racing in the Rain – loved that book!

  6. I love that book The French Dog! The author is a New Zealander (like me! Yay for our small country!) and I bought the book to sort of relive our recent trip to France/Italy. I fell in love with the architecture over there and love how integrated people’s dogs are in their lives – I saw dogs in department stores, supermarkets, on the trains and even on the plane!!!
    Though personally I preferred the architecture in The French Cat, as a dog-owner I had to stay true!

  7. I love that book The French Dog! The author is a New Zealander (like me! Yay for our small country!) and I bought the book to sort of relive our recent trip to France/Italy. I fell in love with the architecture over there and love how integrated people’s dogs are in their lives – I saw dogs in department stores, supermarkets, on the trains and even on the plane!!!
    Though personally I preferred the architecture in The French Cat, as a dog-owner I had to stay true!

  8. Sorry about the double commenting : ( – broken mouse and it likes to quadruple click some things on its own… how embarrassing!!

  9. I always recommend The Fault In Our Stars by John Greene & Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. Two of the best I’ve read this year!

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