like many of you i love perusing books for craft + art inspiration. often i turn to my bookshelf when i am looking for a particular technique or specific "how-to" + sometimes i pull down a book for pure inspiration without a project in mind.
if a book has a place in the craft/DIY/ inspiration section of my bookshelf it is because of the following:
- it contains interesting, yet simple projects
- there is beautiful photography where the projects take center stage (+ not just the props)
- i find a new-to-me technique that appears do-able (without needing a lot of new tools)
and perhaps most importantly:
- a few of the book projects must immediately make me think "oh, this gives me another idea". that, to me, is the trademark of an especially great project in that it leads my imagination to other ideas that i want to explore.
why these 5 books inspire me:
Amy Butler's Midwest Modern
i love the sense of style conveyed in Amy Butler's home that she shares with her husband, David Butler. I first became aware of this married duo through their editorial contributions to Country Living magazine several years ago. I remember in particular David had shown how to create and design a logo. this book is constant inspiration whether it be patterns, color, decor, storage ideas, or artwork.
etcetera-Sibella Court
i have often waxed poetic here about Sibella Court's books.
i never tire of flipping through this tome. the styling + objects are inspiration-filled. they give me ideas for craft and decor projects (this is not a how-to book) and i always get a little thrill when i see an identical vintage treasure that i own gracing the pages of her book. her books have encouraged my love of curating my important-only-to-me finds.
Tracy Porter's Home Style
a friend introduced me to a different one of Tracy Porter's books, Dreams From Home about 12 years ago. i had never heard of Tracy Porter and as i quickly flipped through it i thought "why would she think i would be interested in this type of decor style" ? it was a bit fussy, perhaps frou-frou. i kept the book for about 2 weeks, never cracking it open. returned it + thanked her for lending it to me.
fast forward a few years. i came upon a few of her books at the library and decided to give them a second chance. although still a more 'done up' style than i gravitate towards i found i could pull something out of the vignettes that suited my style. the layering. the shimmer. a project or two. i like neutral, natural tones, but i am also the person who is drawn to sparkly + shiny. and Tracy Porter is definitely all that. i found that when it came to this book "reading" the text was the most inspirational for me, as opposed to the photos. lesson: go where you think you will not be inspired + you may find yourself surprised.
Handmade Weddings - Eunice Moyle, Sabrina Moyle, Shana Faust
Kaari Meng owns the treasured French General shop in California. her aesthetic, styling and collecting sense are adored by many. although i have never been to her shop a secret thrill occurred when i once received an email several years back with the subject line "...Hello from Hollywood" and a short but kind note about how she liked my style + shop. for this book she captured snippets of the New York gem, Tinsel Trading, so those of us yet to walk through the doors can experience a bit of the delight from the comfort of our own homes. also included are beautiful craft projects, my favorite being the petite prize medals.
