Do you have favorite books lining your shelves that you enjoy keeping around for good company? Curling up in a chair with one of these dear friends is a perfect way to spend the afternoon in winter. Over the weekend I perused the shelves of a local used bookstore and found these two treasures (for less than $2). Flipping through their fragrant pages, I stopped at the copyright page with astonishment to find these books were published ten years ago! Fascinated by this strange attraction (I rarely can stand to look at decorating books more than 2 old), I began musing over what makes a good design book have staying power through trends and fads. Well, for me, in this case,its Atlanta Bartlett one of my current design icons, and Ryland Peters & Small the publisher of both these books: The Comforts of Home and Floral House.
Its compelling that each book is filled with light, pastel hues, white washed flooring which seem to put these ahead of their time. Or maybe its my fascination with simple, modern romance and touches of feminine florals that feeds my attraction for these timeless treasures.
What is your take? Can you read past issues of magazines or design books past their prime? What is your attraction to good reads that never fade?
images: heather spriggs thompson for gathering spriggs
Heather
Love this post. Ryland peters and small are my favourites. They have the photography that captures me.
I have Atlanta's book, it's called Relaxed Home here. Infact I was just looking at that bathroom page at the weekend!
I have not come across the Floral house one but it looks lovely.
Some of my favourite tear sheets from magazines were from the early 2000's.
Love Kat x
Posted by: Kat | January 05, 2011 at 09:08 AM
These looks beautiful! Sometimes I actually only scan the shelves for the Ryland, Peters & Small wordmark... no matter what the topic, their books are so inspiring and absolutely gorgeous!
Posted by: Daniella | January 05, 2011 at 10:11 AM
Just the other day, I picked up an old shelter mag (I have stacks and stacks and stacks) and leafed through it. There were so many images I loved and lots of good decorating advice. It seemed so current, so I guessed it was only a year or two old - when I checked the date, I was surprised to see it was from 2002! I love rereading Rachel Ashwell's and Mary Engelbreit's(have them all) books. And images from Domino - oh how i miss Domino. . .
Posted by: kristie@thedecorologist | January 05, 2011 at 11:26 AM
Yes. Kat! that is soo interesting that the early 2000's had a thing going on that captures us. I didn't own a home at the time and was travelling a bunch during that period so I never took the time for magazines or books at that time but now looking back can see that they capture my heart even now. Thanks for stopping by and I would kill to see some of your tear sheets!
Posted by: Heather | January 05, 2011 at 11:35 AM
Me too, Daniella! In fact ever time I see a RP&P book I think of you. I actually thought of you during this post as one of the few bloggers I know that uses past images from books and mags! you continue to inspire me. thanks for stopping by again!
Posted by: Heather | January 05, 2011 at 11:37 AM
How I would love to come sit with you, Kristie, on a cold rainy day like today and sip tea and read through your stacks of shelter mags! I would love to see your recent bookmarks!
Posted by: Heather | January 05, 2011 at 11:50 AM
Oh I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks of books as old friends! I tend to stockpile all sorts of books and magazines, and the style doesn't seem to affect whether I love them or not... does that mean classic design & beauty doesn't go out of style?!
Posted by: Emmy | January 06, 2011 at 12:52 AM
I have come so close to buying The Comforts of Home so many times, I can't tell you!
One of my go-to always-fun-to-leaf-through books is Emily Chalmers's "Flea Market Style." I can let it sit on the shelf for a couple months, pick it up again and it still seems so fresh to me.
Posted by: lisa h. | January 09, 2011 at 06:37 PM