I love decorating books, and so I’m excited to be talking about my favorites today. There are affiliate links in the post. Also did you hear the news? Yvonne and Kelly are writing books of their own!! I can’t wait to get them in my hands! And now onto our favorites. The giveaway details are at the bottom of the post.
I am going to start with my book because… well… I wrote it, hee, hee. Yvonne and Kelly talk about it in the podcast. It’s the book I wish I had when I was learning how to decorate and it’s full of the things I’ve learned over the years.
If you want to learn paint techniques for using calk paint, get one of these Annie Sloan books. They are chocked full of very helpful step-by-step instructions.
COLOR RECIPES FOR PAINTED FURNITURE AND MORE: 40 STEP-BY-STEP PROJECTS TO TRANSFORM YOUR HOME
QUICK AND EASY PAINT TRANSFORMATIONS: 50 STEP-BY- PROJECTS FOR WALLS, FLOORS, STAIRS
The Giannettis really do have the magic touch! They have two amazing books that both Kelly and I recommend. They too are filled with gorgeous rooms and ideas. Patina Style is full of furniture with amazing patina. If you want to distress furniture, I like to refer to these photos so you can see what the real deal looks like. Some distressed furniture looks overdone. Look to real antiques to the look you are going for.
PATINA FARM – BROOKE GIANNETTI
PATINA STYLE – BROOKE GIANNETTI
A touch of farmhouse charm shows you how to give your home a farmhouse feel no matter where you live. The projects included are simple but lovely.
A TOUCH OF FARMHOUSE CHARM – LIZ FOREZ
This is a gorgeous and very large book that is a reference guide for me. It’s full of antiques and detail on detail. I don’t add this much to a room, but I like to add the kind of real elements you see in the pages of this book. Charles Faudree was the master!
CHARLES FAUDREE COUNTRY FRENCH LEGACY – JENNIFER JORDAN
Kathryn’s home is gorgeous and has been in many magazines.
CREATING A HOME KATHRYN M. IRELAND
This book is full of great ideas for how to fix up a space by styling rather than decorating it. Great ideas for inexpensive fixes.
STYLED: SECRETS FOR ARRANGING ROOMS, FROM TABLETOPS TO BOOKSHELVES – EMILY HENDERSON
I want to thank you for your support of our podcast. It’s almost always in the top 1% of the Design category in iTunes and we owe all of that to you! We’ve had over 50,000 downloads within the first 20 days, which has made us speechless, and that’s saying something. We know this is all because of you!!
To see all of my favorite books and favorite decor items, CLICK HERE.
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On my list of books to buy….French Accents! Thanks for the list of other recommendations.
K
My first book was yours, Anita!! I love it! Thanks for all the amazing inspiration!
I have collected many decorating books over the years!
I LOVE your book Anita! And I enjoy your podcasts too. I will look up Charles Faudrees book Legacy. And I pick up the tidbit of turning books around, although I’m not sure I could do that either! Ha!!!
Enjoyed this podcast with my cup of coffee this morning. 🙂
I’d like to add several of these to my book stacks.
I liked the tip refer to “real” antiques to distress painted furniture
I have your book, Anita, and it is wonderful!
I look forward to a new email each morning. Always interesting to me to see and hear your decorating tips.
Thanks, Anita! Great book suggestions!
BTW, your Patina Farm link is going to Patina Style. 🙂
Oh my goodness, thank you so much Julie!! I think I fixed it.
French Accents will be my first purchase when I’m able!!
I have followed yours and Yvonne’s blog for years. I am soooo enjoying your podcast and new found blogger, Kelly. My take away from podcast #12 is from Kelly, schedule a time to relax and read! Thanks for sharing your decorating book list. Some I have, some I do not so I’ll be creating a wish list.
Excellent idea Betty Ann!!
Since you are recommending these book, I can’t go wrong. I am going to treat myself tomorrow and get one!
Maryann
Thanks for doing the research for us!
Well my friend you know I have your book, I also have the so much for the giveaway opportunity. I invite you to stop by and enter my giveaway too. xo
Tip of the day – how to pronounce “posthumously”. LOL
I’m hoping there’s no such thing as “too many” coffee table books! Perfect to read, beautiful to look at, and use as risers everywhere. Now THERE’S a rationalization we can all use for buying more!
Ginger
I have a few French decorating books but didn’t know about the ones you mentioned. I love to read your blog and ordered your book to add to my collection. Thank you for all the wonderful articles and pictures.
Hi, although I have subscribed to numerous blogs before, this is the first time I’ve left a comment – and not just because of the chance to win a prize either ?. I really love French antiques, and whilst I have some, I don’t have a house full, so I restore/redo some furniture to mix in with the antiques. I think the best tip of the podcast discussing decorating books was to imitate true wear from antiques when distressing newer/painted etc. furniture so it looks more authentic and natural. It was pure serendipity that when I followed a link on Pinterest to your site that I then realised you were the author of the book I was looking at on Amazon yesterday! Looking forward to checking out your ebook and site in general and getting some tips on decorating from you.
Regards
Jeanine from Australia
Happy you found me Jeanine!!
I consider myself a decorating book stalker! Every time I see a pile of books in a styled photo, whether in a magazine, or decorating book, I always zoom in and check out what that owner is reading! To have a pod cast exclusively for decorating book recommendations was a great gift. I have a growing collection and already own Touch of Farmhouse Charm, but look forward to checking out the other titles!
Would love to add you book to my collection….Many great ideas!
All the books are delightful!
Growing up we used to shop at Faudree’s in OKC, Shepherd Mall!
I purchased Anita’s book because I wasn’t sure what French Country looked like, other than from her blog. I have enjoyed it. Some of the other books I’ve checked out of the library and enjoyed. Have so enjoyed all of these webinars and all you have discussed. Thank you.
Your book is beautiful!