Getting lost in a good book is one of the best ways to find inspiration. This week we asked seven designers—Danielle Balanis, Katie Browning, Shauna Glenn, Heather Lucas, Teresa Mack Noval, Vani Sayeed and Sarah West—what titles light them up, so that you can add them to your own reading list.
Page-Turner
“[In Past Perfect], the vastly talented Richard Shapiro shares a manifest of astonishing design. Mr. Shapiro transforms already breathtaking domestic estates into masterpieces that seem as though they have been placed here from faraway worlds. Every image will have you literally sighing in sheer delight. Worldly finds and artistic compositions from all genres of time abound. This book inspires renewed ideas and modern concepts and takes me on a vacation.” —Teresa Mack Noval, ADC A Design Company, Lake Havasu City, Arizona
Travel Bug
“Most definitely, travel books. Traveling the globe in person can get expensive, and, you know, people would miss me. Although if I had the money, I’d live in a different country every month. I am super inspired by travel, so coffee table books that show me gorgeous images of the colors and buildings and culture of another country are almost as good as being there in person. I love the Assouline Travel series and how they do such a great job of capturing the essence of the cities and regions in their books. My designs are all about color and texture and global influences, so anytime I’m feeling stuck, I pull out one of those books and immediately the wheels start turning.” —Shauna Glenn, Shauna Glenn Design, Fort Worth, Texas
Lighting a Path
“James Turrell: A Retrospective is one of my favorite books to get inspired by because of how Turrell plays with our perception of light, space and atmosphere—key elements to my work as an interior designer. His use of light to evoke an emotional response in the viewer encourages me to create a more immersive design experience, focused on how people will interact with their environment through a room’s mood, depth and energy. The book is an exploration of the artist’s creative philosophy, and it inspires my creative process as a whole, constantly reminding me that spaces are not just about aesthetics but about how they are experienced on a sensory level.” —Sarah West, Sarah West Interiors, Los Angeles
A People Perspective
“I love books of all types, from coffee table books to paperbacks, and for pleasure, I love to read both fiction and nonfiction. My all-time favorite books are A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry, Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez and Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie. What I really enjoy is reading about the human condition, especially because what I do as a designer is create environments for people. This helps me understand in a wider sense their perspectives, feelings and desires, and I love that.” —Vani Sayeed, Vani Sayeed Studios, Newton, Massachusetts
Fashion-Forward
“I am, in fact, a self-proclaimed [photography] book hoarder. I pile them in slightly non-neat stacks throughout my home; it gives a layer of warmth. I play favorites. A few of these books I keep on repeat and visit them over and over again in my nightly relaxation bath. Loulou de la Falaise by Ariel de Ravenel [and Natasha Fraser-Cavassoni] is so many things all wrapped up and tucked behind a beautiful cover. It is visually mesmerizing, emotionally inspiring and completely captivating to see how beautifully [the accessories and jewelry designer] lived her life—she turned all pain to passion, and did it with such grace. Her style is on this celestial level, the outfits and concepts she pulls together are truly living art. I love to fit and conceptualize fashion into my design. The layers and electricity she situated into everything she did is a vibrant means of expression, and I am completely in awe.” —Danielle Balanis, Danielle Balanis Design, Birmingham, Alabama
Power of Storytelling
“The Kinfolk Home by Nathan Williams is a constant source of inspiration for us. It highlights the art of slow living and embraces simplicity, which resonates deeply with our design philosophy at Lucas Browning Design. The book offers an intimate look into homes around the world that prioritize personal stories, warmth and functionality over trends. Each space featured reflects the personality and values of its occupants, reminding us that the most meaningful designs are those that tell a story. Whether it’s through minimalism, organic materials or thoughtful curation, The Kinfolk Home champions the idea that a well-designed space is as much about how it makes you feel as how it looks. It inspires us to focus on creating interiors that feel intentional and lived-in, rather than overly styled or simply trendy.” —Heather Lucas and Katie Browning, Lucas Browning Design, Pacific Palisades, California
