Every item on this page was chosen by a Veranda editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
The 23 Best New Design Books Hitting the Shelves This Fall
Discover the vibrant monographs and encyclopedic volumes that deserve a spot on your reading list (and bookshelf) in the upcoming season.
As summer begins to wind down, we're dreaming of crisp fall days and cozy nights, many of them spent reading by the fire in our inviting libraries or sacred nooks with a literary-inspired libation. Thankfully, the upcoming season is ripe for a slew of new design books, many of them making our favorite designers first-time authors.
We're highlighting 23 books that celebrate the timelessness, diversity, and joys of design, from homages to storied style icons and revolutionary architects to reflections on the meaning and blessings of home to expert guides to help enthusiasts define their distinct style and create the dwelling of their dreams. You can pre-order all of these books now for an unforgettable, inspiring autumn of reading.
20th century style icon and philanthropist Bunny Mellon is famous for her perfectly imperfect decorating sense that prioritized art, comfortability, and lived-in-ness, along with her impeccably green thumb that created the White House Rose Garden. This new book offers an insider's view of the family homes she decorated, the fashion and jewelry collaborations she helped design, and the intimate life of the mysterious Mrs. Mellon. While she preferred to be behind the scenes in most everything she did, the monograph's three authors each offer their unique perspective based on the role Bunny played in their respective lives. Bunny Mellon Style debuts October 12.
With more than 50 years of experience in the industry, French interior designer Jacques Grange has worked with some of the world's most celebrated tastemakers like Yves Saint Laurent, François Pinault, and Aerin Lauder. Grange has an extraordinary ability to create breathtaking vignettes and make artwork feel approachable within a home. This immersive volume highlights 31 new residential projects by Grange and his signature design aesthetic. Jacques Grange: Recent Work debuts on October 12, 2021.
Janie Molster House Dressing: Interiors for Colorful Living
Janie Molster House Dressing: Interiors for Colorful Living
In her debut monograph, acclaimed designer Janie Molster shares her need-to-know advice for creating dreamy interiors that flawlessly reflect the owner's style and way of life. House Dressing: Interiors for Colorful Living serves as a masterclass on color theory and pattern play with Molster breaking down the elements of her own beautifully crafted projects to understand why the room works. House Dressing: Interiors for Colorful Living debuts on September 14, 2021.
While Versailles has inspired innumerable structures and sets, the French icon was inspired by a nearby chateau by the name of Vaux-le-Vicomte. Commissioned by Nicolas Fouquet in 1641, this stunning property was designed, built, and adorned by the best creatives of the 17th century, securing a place in Louis XIV's heart. The castle and its gardens heavily influenced the designs for Versailles and this stunning book offers an exclusive look at the vivid past and present of the historic destination that still inspires design enthusiasts, visitors, and film directors today. Vaux-le-Vicomte: A Private Invitation debuts October 5.
Philip Mitchell is making his debut as an author this fall with Collected Interiors: Rooms That Tell a Story. With a foreword by Bunny Williams and brilliant photos by Annie Schlechter, this first collection of the designer's modern maximalist design aesthetic is sure to be an instant classic for design enthusiasts everywhere. The book offers in-depth tours of nine homes peppered with plenty of applications and takeaways that will help readers develop their own well-collected interiors. Collected Interiors: Rooms That Tell a Story debuts October 5.
Lose yourself in the wanderlust offered by this dreamy new book depicting the design, lifestyle, and luxury of Windsor, a planned community on a barrier island in Vero Beach, Florida. This enchanting community full of lush landscapes and properties designed by the world's greatest designers was dreamed up by renowned New Urbanists Andrés Duany and Elizabeth Plater‑Zyberk who have perfected the art of elegant yet casual living in South Florida. Consider it the ultimate second home inspiration. Beachside: Windsor Architecture and Design debuts October 12.
Rose Tarlow's second book finds its roots in the designer's childhood home on the East Coast that was tragically burned in 1966. She offers an intimate look at her three current homes across Provence, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles to serve as, as Tarlow describes, "a treasure trove of precious memories and design inspiration for future generations, never to be lost again." Readers will be enchanted by her decorating prowess and ability to give new life to old things. Rose Tarlow: Three Houses debuts November 16.
Peter Pennoyer's artistic and architectural masterpiece in Hunting Valley, Ohio will be honored in a new monograph this year, titled, Rowdy Meadow: House Land Art. Inspired by Czech cubism, the home, gardens, and sculpture park is unlike any other house in the world, and Anne Walker serves as our trusty tour guide throughout every square inch of the 146-acre property. The book is filled with photographs by Eric Piasecki that document Rowdy Meadow throughout the seasons and features never-before-seen images of this spectacular, inspiring destination for design enthusiasts around the world. Rowdy Meadow: House Land Art debuts October 5.
The Well-Loved House: Creating Homes with Color, Comfort, and Drama
The Well-Loved House: Creating Homes with Color, Comfort, and Drama
Ashley Whittaker is another beloved designer that is adding "author" to her multidisciplinary job title in 2021. Her first book is exactly what devotees have anticipated from Whittaker, a celebration of color, comfort, and drama in design. The creative shares a collection of projects that span down the East Coast, along with sage advice for aspiring designers and neo-traditionalists like herself. Plus, you'll find a charming foreword from ceramicist, tastemaker, and Whittaker's neighbor, Christopher Spitzmiller. The Well-Loved House: Creating Homes with Color, Comfort, and Drama debuts September 21.
Vendome Press Dragons & Pagodas: A Celebration of Chinoiserie
Vendome Press Dragons & Pagodas: A Celebration of Chinoiserie
This brilliantly illustrated, whimsical history of chinoiserie is just the read you'll need as the leaves start to fall this autumn. Art historian, illustrator, muralist, and interior designer Aldous Bertram takes a deep dive into the Western art and design concept based on a largely invented vision of China, beginning with Marco Polo's immortalized trip east in the 13th century and its eventual role in inspiring the interiors of European palaces and Palm Beach entertaining spaces alike. The book is organized by theme, including porcelain, pattern, color, flora, and fauna. Dragons & Pagodas: A Celebration of Chinoiserie debuts September 21.
This highly anticipated monograph celebrates the inspiring life and works of architect Paul R. Williams. He became a master of many architectural idioms during his 60-year career and defined what gracious living meant for the mid century's rising Hollywood elite, all while breaking barriers as the first Black member of the American Institute of Architects. This tour of and reflection on Williams's most iconic spaces is written by his granddaughter and features exclusive full-color photography that will make you return to its pages over and over again. Paul R. Williams: Classic Hollywood Style debuts October 19.
Style Comfort Home: How to Find Your Style and Decorate for Happiness and Ease
Style Comfort Home: How to Find Your Style and Decorate for Happiness and Ease
Andrew Howard's first book is all about helping readers discover their own personal style and create a home that serves as a perfect backdrop for their family's biggest milestones, sweetest memories, and everyday life. This family-friendly book offers a fresh lens on building one's decorating prowess, bridging the gap between DIY and high-design to empower budding design enthusiasts to finally achieve the home of their dreams without sacrificing on comfort with the guidance of the designer, father of two, and constant source of comedic relief. Style Comfort Home: How to Find Your Style and Decorate for Happiness and Ease debuts September 21.
The first book about acclaimed architecture duo Ken Pursley and Craig Dixon, Finding Home honors the firm's mantra, "build beautiful things," by highlighting its breadth of work. Three styles of homes are featured in this book: rustic mountain escapes, dreamy retreats by the water, and elegant houses in town, with each house making its own unique statement and offering a fresh visual narrative. Readers will also find interior design inspiration from other top Southern creatives such as Suzanne Kasler, Phoebe Howard, and Circa Interiors. Finding Home: The Houses of Pursley Dixon debuts September 14.
Home: A Celebration: Notable Voices Reflect on the Meaning of Home
Home: A Celebration: Notable Voices Reflect on the Meaning of Home
Edited by Charlotte Moss, this collection of reflections on home from renowned writers, designers, actors, artists, photographers and activists is sure to offer fresh appreciation for our own dwellings that have meant more than ever to us in the last year. Readers can expect essays from Alice Waters, Stephen Gambrel, Julian Fellowes, Gloria Steinem, among many other inspirations in their respective fields. Moss was inspired by Edith Wharton's The Book of the Homeless, which served as a fundraising effort for children and refugees during WWI. This book will benefit No Kid Hungry, a nonprofit organization that supports the 11 million children experiencing food insecurity in the U.S.
Designer John Simpson is best-known for his work with the British royal family on their most iconic residences (think: Kensington and Buckingham Palaces), buildings at Eton College, and structures at The University of Notre Dame in the U.S. Building Beautiful brings Simpson's dreamiest, most dazzling projects all in one place and offers insight into the mind of one of the world's leading practitioners in New Classicism. You'll return to these pages again and again for inspiration and wanderlust fulfillment. Building Beautiful: Classical Houses by John Simpson debuts September 21.
Interiors (Green Edition) (Pre-order) Phaidon Editors, with an introduction by William Norwich
Interiors (Green Edition) (Pre-order) Phaidon Editors, with an introduction by William Norwich
The latest edition of Interiors: The Greatest Rooms of the Century will be featured in a rich, forest green this year. A collaboration between Phaidon editors and William Norwich, this tome features 400 immortalized rooms from the turn of the 20th century through today. Spaces range from the homes of Coco Chanel to Pablo Picasso to Jacqueline Kennedy and Meg Ryan, offering a comprehensive, world design history of the last 120 years. Interiors: The Greatest Rooms of the Century debuts September 29.
Inspired by the unimaginable year at home the whole world has experienced, Victoria Hagan's third book celebrates the meaning and significance of home along with the extraordinary beauty that can be found in our everyday lives. Featuring 12 homes from Napa to Martha's Vineyard, Live Now highlights Hagan's penchant for creating light, soothing, and serene spaces that offer refuge from the chaos of life outside. Live Now debuts October 19.
From Palm Beach to Shangri La: The Architecture of Marion Sims Wyeth
From Palm Beach to Shangri La: The Architecture of Marion Sims Wyeth
If you think you don't know Marion Sims Wyeth, this new book from Rizzoli will have you thinking again. The American architect is not only the progenitor of Palm Beach style but designed a handful iconic homes such as Doris Duke's Shangri La. This new book offers an in-depth look at Wyeth's genius and most brilliant creations that serve as modern-day palaces as well as the elegance and extravagance that defines the architecture, design, and lifestyle of Palm Beach for a truly inspiring read.
Collectors, mark your calendars, because Rose Uniacke's first monograph will be a limited-edition release with Rizzoli. The designer and antiques dealer is publishing a deeply personal book this fall that details the ins and outs of her own London home that she worked on with the formidable talents Vincent Van Duysen and Tom Stuart-Smith. Filled with photographs by Francois Halard, this soon-to-be indispensable guide to design will only sell 2,500 copies. Rose Uniacke At Home debuts October 5.
Dallas designer John Phifer Marrs offers a luxurious look at the world of collecting and how it influences one's interiors. Marrs not only celebrates the joy of collecting but he teaches the art of displaying one's finds throughout the home to make it a one-of-a-kind destination that reflects one's personal style, heritage, and passions. This book will help readers collect, edit, organize, and display no matter what they choose to collect, so long as it speaks to them. Interiors for Collectors debuts September 7.
Lauren Wicks is a Birmingham-based writer covering design trends, must-have products, travel inspiration, and entertaining. She’s obsessed with globally inspired textiles, hosting dinner parties, and French cocktails.
The 34 Best New Design Books for 2023
Harry Was "Embarrassed" of His and Meghan's Home
Our December Book Club Pick Is "AphroChic"
Cathy B. Graham on Her New Book