THINGS I LOVE: FAVORITE DESIGN BOOKS ~ GUEST EDITION

We are thankful and proud to be able to share with you a twist on our "THINGS I LOVE" series. Instead of hearing the "same ole - same ole" from yours truly, please welcome Arcadian Lighting as our guest blogger today. Arcadian Lighting has been in the lighting industry for over 15 years, selling decorative home light fixtures and lamps on-line. They have quickly become one of the top internet retailers for home lighting products AND the best source for lighting fixtures and accessories at discount prices.

When they agreed to do one of my THINGS I LOVE posts, they chose design books, and I am so happy they did because I have never touched on this subject, but it is something I think is necessary to have in your book library. These books are more than coffee table decor: they offer advice, inspiration, and are in the very least a photography-filled feast for the eyes. I think Arcadian Lighting has come up with a FANTASTIC list of design books; an eclectic selection for sure, but all of them truly classics. So THANK YOU to Arcadian Lighting for being our guest...

"A list of things we love could not be complete without design books. There are design books we covet because of their beauty and inspiration, some that we return to over and over again for ideas for our next design project. Trying to narrow down our favorite design books is like Sophie's Choice - we just can't do it! So we tried to pick a selection of interiors -- old school and contemporary designers. We know we'll immediately think of 10 more books to add to this list so before we get carried away, so here is an abridged list of our favorite design books. You'll notice the majority of them are either from Taschen or Rizzoli, publishers of amazing books on art and design that are filled with gorgeous illustrations. Once you get your copies, grab a comfy seat, bright table lamp and mug of coffee and try not to drool on the pages!

Taschen (via)

Interiors, volumes 1 and 2, by Taschen, are a great resource and a must for any interior design enthusiast. Both volumes cover the gamut of interiors.

Taschen (via)

We had a hard time choosing between London Interiors and Paris Interiors by Taschen, but we decided to go with London. Both are filled with colorful rooms to inspire.

Amazon (via)

The influences of Bloomsbury are everywhere today in our love of layered patterns, colors and eclectic style. Charleston House is the most important remaining example of Bloomsbury decorative style.

Rizzoli (via)

The next three books are about three masters of interior design in America during the second half of the twentieth century. Albert Hadley: The Story of America's Preeminent Interior Designer covers the half century of Hadley's career, including the Parish Hadley partnership with Sister Parrish.

Decorati (via)

The second is about David Hicks (1929-1998), written by son Ashley Hicks, published by Rizzoli. We love Hick's geometric textile designs.

Rizzoli (via)

Known as the "Dean of American Decorating", Billy Baldwin (1903 -1983) mixed classical taste with modernism and brilliant color.

Decorologist (via)

Two of our favorite contemporary designers are Kelly Wearstler and Jonathan Adler. Kelly Wearstler's Domicilium Decoratus is a gorgeous tribute to the home and designer.

Hooked on Houses (via)

Jonathan Adler's Happy Chic just makes us smile. Gorgeous patterns and colors abound. He makes design and decorating feel attainable.

Did you enjoy reading this post as much as we enjoyed putting it together? Make sure to go to your local bookstore and grab a copy or two of the book(s) you love. Don't forget to sit by a bright light fixture so you can enjoy every beautiful image to its full potential!

Content provided by Arcadian Lighting, a site that specializes in top quality light fixtures at extremely affordable prices. Come visit us today!"

THANK YOU ARCADIAN ~  I hadn't heard of the book Charleston: A Bloomsbury House & Garden until now, and it looks like a book I would LOVE, so I'm putting it on my wish-list right now!