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You can learn a lot about a person by what they read. As a child it was a special treat when I was able to go to the library or bookstore. In fact, going to the library and bookstore is still a passion for me today. I use books for inspiration, guidance or just to let my mind wonder… some of my current favorites are:

House Thinking: A Room-by-Room Look at How We Live
by Winifred Gallagher

From Booklist: Gallagher writes fresh and nuanced interpretations of the subtler aspects of life. In her latest work of creative synthesis and interpretation, she conducts a tour like no other of the American house, excavating its fascinating history and covert psychological influences. Humans are happiest in dwellings that allow us to both nest and perch, Gallagher explains, citing Frank Lloyd Wright. To assess whether a house succeeds in providing these qualities, she performs what she calls house thinking, analyzing the ambience of each room in houses old and new, urban and suburban. To set the gold standard, she describes various architectural marvels, including Edith Wharton’s Mount (Gallagher has a particular interest in writer’s abodes), whereas on the practical side, she recounts her own home-improvement efforts. As she assesses every aspect of every room, she offers compelling observations regarding women’s lives past and present, changing family configurations, our mania for possessions, and the dominating role televisions and computers now play on the domestic scene. As Gallagher casts our houses and private lives in a revealing new light, she reinforces our perception of home as a place that merits our keenest attention. Donna Seaman – Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Personal Note: I enjoyed this book because of its approach to home as a “place of power”. As the book cover state, “it is a psychological tour of the American home.” It demonstrates a new way in which we should think about and embrace our homes… illustrating the importance that our homes and environments play in the quality of our lives. It is not a book about decorating or style but a very  unique way to look at how our homes make us feel. The copyright is 2006, but it is a book and message that continues to be relevant today, and its philosophy of home has become a growing trend in today’s challenging economic time.

 

Colors for Your Every Mood: Discover Your True Decorating Colors
by Leatrice Eiseman

From Library Journal: Eiseman presents a comprehensive reference for the amateur and professional to use in choosing color schemes for interior decorating. She provides ways to identify responses to color, looks at color’s use in creating a mood, and provides different settings that can help inspire color choices. The psychological, sociological, and historical meaning of each color is then detailed, as is its use in particular rooms. Highly recommended for all interior design collections and public libraries. Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Personal Note: I have a passion for color and this book is an intriguing approach to color. It approaches color from the perspective of how color makes you feel. It illustrates the history as well as the personality of each color family. I think this book is essential as we embrace and tailor our homes and spaces to represent our own personal style and start to use our homes as a restorative, inspiring personal retreats.

These books can be found at Amazon.com or click on the titles above for an instant link to Amazon.com.