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Among the many things I collect are vintage and out-of-print design books which are an endless source of inspiration for me. I love learning about how some of the most innovative design legends approached the decorating process, seeing their bodies of work and reading about their philosophies on design.  Some of these more obscure vintage design titles can be quite hard to find but I’ve had great luck on eBay which is where I found most of the books that I’m sharing here. Below are a few of my favorites which I consider must-haves for any designer or design enthusiast. They’re filled with invaluable design advice and so many of the rooms featured in these books are still so timeless and relevant today. I’m sure you’ll find them just as inspiring as I do! 

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Billy Baldwin Decorates & Billy Baldwin Remembers

Known as “The Dean of American Decorators,” Billy Baldwin, who counted  style icons like Diana Vreeland and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis as clients, was the original mix master of old and new, believed that good taste has no price tag and the one decorating rule he lived by is that it’s OK to break the rules in decorating.  His book Billy Baldwin Decorates (1972) is his ultimate handbook to decorating, filled with how-to information and lots of practical design advice and tips. Billy Baldwin’s work has been a huge personal influence for me and this book is like my decorating bible! I’ve refered to many of its chapters over and over again throughout the years. Another book I have, Billy Baldwin Remembers, (1974) is more of a personal memoir where he shares the influences that helped shape his aesthetic and chronicles many of his design projects with funny anecdotes and entertaining client stories as well as lots of invaluable insights on decorating along the way.

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Parish Hadley

The design firm of Parish-Hadley represents one of the most dynamic designing duos to ever exist. Sister Parish, with her more traditional and feminine aesthetic, and Albert Hadley, whose design sensibility was decidedly more modern, joined forces in 1962 and together these two were nothing short of genius. In addition to designing homes for some of America’s most elite families (like The Rockefellers, Astors & Paleys), Parish-Hadley was lauded with numerous international design awards and celebrated for their versatile yet timeless design style. The  Parish Hadley book  gives us a glimpse inside some of the incredible homes they transformed and is chock full of visual inspiration.

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 Colefax & Fowler

Colefax and Fowler was established in the 1930s by Sybl Colefax and John Fowler and was considered one of England’s most preeminent design firms. The eponymous book Colefax and Fowler : The Best in English Interior Decoration  (1989) highlights their work which reflects an affinity for faded chintz, tasseled curtains, fine antiques, cozy upholstery and classic English style. The photos and text focus on their approach to decorating covering everything from the conception of a room, their use of color, pattern and print as well as their unique paint techniques.

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Mark Hampton on Decorating

The late and esteemed Mark Hampton apprenticed under the tutelage of designers David Hicks and Sister Parish before starting his own firm in 1976 and going on to become one of America’s best-known decorators.  The basis of his book, Mark Hampton on Decorating (1989,) is a collection of his columns  for House & Garden that share his philosophies on design including the use of color and accessories, furniture layouts, the essential elements of a room and so much more. He also shares how readers can incorporate his design principles into their own homes and all of the text is accompanied by beautiful watercolor renderings of his work.

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Decorating with Color

Carleton Varney went from being a schoolteacher to a protege of the iconic Dorothy Draper and is still the president of the Dorothy Draper company today. His design style embraces vibrant colors, bold patterns, large scale floral prints and unusual contrasts that are surprisingly fabulous and beautifully chronicled in his  1972 book Decorating with Color. This book is filled with vivid illustrations and fun Q&A’s with helpful tips and advice on how to use color as your most important decorating tool. It’s one of my favorite books and the color combinations shown inside are so inspirational!

I curated a vintage book collection where you can shop these and more of my favorite, hard to find design books on eBay. I also curated collections of other vintage home decor products and trends I’m obsessed with like Blue & White Porcelain, Chinoiserie, Vintage Tabletop, Chic Seating and more. You can see all of my collections here. Happy Shopping! xoxo

Promotional consideration for this post provided by eBay. All opinions are my own. 

1 Comment

  1. Just as wonderful on the outside as on the inside! Love having these books on the coffee table…these have so much character!