Looking for a new book to add to your summer reading list? This week, we asked five designers—Saskia Blyth, Sarah Brown, Renée Gaddis, Martin Horner and Sarah Tract—what tomes every designer needs to read.
Psych 101
“I think every designer should read at least one book on human psychology because so much of our work has very little to do with choosing colors, fabrics or furniture. At its heart, interior design is about people. We’re often working with clients during significant life moments, asking them to make major financial decisions while navigating the stress and uncertainty that naturally comes with a renovation. Understanding how people think, make decisions and respond under pressure has helped me communicate more effectively, manage expectations, and build the trust that’s essential for a successful project. Books like Behave by Robert Sapolsky, The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman, and Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely all offer different perspectives on why people behave the way they do. They remind us that people don’t always make decisions logically, and that’s OK. The more I understand human behavior, the better equipped I am to guide clients through the process with empathy, confidence and patience. Great design isn’t just about creating beautiful spaces—it’s about creating an experience where people feel understood every step of the way.” —Saskia Blyth, Blyth-Collinson Interiors, London
A Business Blueprint
“Will Guidara’s Unreasonable Hospitality was a transformational read for us. It’s all about the power of building your reputation, and thereby your business, by offering your customers, clients and guests more than they expect. We already go above and beyond for our clients, and even so, there were plenty of takeaways for us. Though he speaks specifically about his experiences running [three-Michelin-starred New York restaurant] Eleven Madison Park, the insights Guidara shares apply to any business. We found it so inspiring we gave a copy to every member of our team.” —Martin Horner, Soucie Horner Design Collective, Chicago
Good Energy
“I am extremely intrigued by feng shui and the positive energy it can bring to interior spaces. I personally use multiple basics with design on a regular basis. Interior Design With Feng Shui by Sarah Rossbach and Feng Shui for Interiors by Lillian Too are both great books to start with. Simple things like keeping a clear, welcoming entryway, making sure the bedroom feels restful rather than like an extension of work, and balancing a room with a mix of natural elements can completely shift how a space feels and create positive energy throughout the home. I also buy The Interior Design Handbook: Furnish, Decorate, and Style Your Space by Frida Ramstedt for each of my design team members. It gives great basic information that you can look up and source from as you need.” —Renée Gaddis, Renée Gaddis Interiors, Naples, Florida
British Roots
“For me [an essential design book is] English Decoration in the 18th Century by John Fowler [and John Cornforth]—it is a continued source of inspiration, by one of the greats of English decoration. It offers an invaluable insight into the principles of classic English style, many of which remain just as relevant today. It explains some of the influences that helped to shape it during this formative era, and the role of craftsmanship, color and materials in creating elegant and comfortable interiors. All of this is very important in the homes I design today.” —Sarah Brown, Sarah Brown Interiors, London
Source Material
“When it comes to design books in your home, it’s important to have tomes reflect history before trends. I’d love to recommend a classic such as Donald Judd, [Phaidon’s] Le Corbusier: Le Grand, and Frank Lloyd Wright’s works. Any of these will allow you to understand eras of design and ultimately refer back to each era in how you design today.” —Sarah Tract, Sarah Tract Interiors, New York
