Decorating Book Recommendations

Here's what designing women (and men) really want: to curl up in front of the fire with an inspiring book.

By Anne Krueger
(Prices listed are retail. Visit Shopzilla to comparison shop for the best price.)
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Diamond Baratta Design
For 25 years William Diamond and Anthony Baratta have been a dynamite decorating duo, dazzling folks with their visual feasts. In this book they show off 24 of their most amazing projects, full of bold color, vivid designs and their signature playfulness. Bullfinch; September 2006; $55
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The World of Ornament
Okay, it’s not every day we drop $200 on a book, but this 15-pound tome (literally!) is packed with amazing patterns and designs from throughout history — from ceramics, textiles, jewelry, stained glass and on and on. Page after page of Egyptian, Roman, Greek and Etruscan motifs that you can use however you want! The accompanying DVD holds high-resolution scans. Incredibly inspiring. Taschen; May 2006; $200
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Tricia Guild Pattern: Using Pattern to Create Sophisticated, Show-Stopping Interiors
This inspiring books is brought to us by Tricia Guild, the founder of London’s Designers Guild. Her bold wallpapers, fabrics and home furnishings have delivered an eyeful of pattern and color since the early 1970s. Here she uses her own work to show us how to use pattern with confidence in every room. The book is divided into floral, painterly, geometric, classics, silks and tropical motifs and has plenty of hands-on tips for creating your own colorful spaces. Rizolli; October, 2006; $40.
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Crossing Boundaries: A Global Vision of Design
Confirmed minimalist Vicente Wolf is all about simplicity and sophistication. You may know Wolf as the designer of Luxe hotel in L.A. and the homes of the rich and famous, but he is also an amazing photographer. Here he draws design inspiration from trips to Ethiopia, Syria, Borneo and beyond. Monacelli; October, 2006; $50
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6 Steps to Design on a Dime
Those crazy creative folks on HGTV’s Design on a Dime TV show — Summer Baltzer, Charles Burbridge, Kristan Cunningham, Spencer Anderson and Dave Sheinkopf — give us six do-it-yourself techniques to redecorate — all with a budget of $1,000. HGTV, January 2006, $19.95, paperback. Available in the HGTV MarketPlace Buy now