Interior Design Books for Fall

By Stephanie Horton

Beautiful: All-American Decorating and Timeless Style (Rizzoli)
MARK D SIKES • $45
California designer Mark Sikes is known for rich colors, natural fibers and blending indoor and outdoor spaces. His buzzy blog—Mark D. Sikes: Chic People, Glamorous Places, Stylish Things (markdsikes.com)—inspired the idea for his first book. Rather than organizing chapters by projects, Sikes (whose clients include Reese Witherspoon and film director Nancy Myers) grouped them around his favorite color stories, such as “Blue and White Forever” or “Red My Way.” It’s proof of how any type of hue can transform a room. Click here to buy this book.

Mark-Sikes-Dining-Room — Mark Sikes gives a NYC dining room an unexpected mix of pattern and texture with Bennison fabric curtains, an antique Charles X cabinet and a rattan Lily Armchair by Soane, which he designed and named after his beloved French Bull Dog. (Photograph by Amy Neunsinger)

A House by the Sea (Abrams)
BUNNY WILLIAMS • $60
The newest volume by interior designer Bunny Williams gives an inside glimpse of La Colina, the Carribean retreat she built with her husband, antiques dealer John Rosselli. The book covers every aspect of their property in the Dominican Republic, from outdoor rooms and tropical gardens to the villa’s interiors. She includes tips on entertaining island-style along with stories from guests (including famed gardener Page Dickey) who have stayed at this extraordinary home. Click here to buy this book.

Bunny-Williams-Bedroom — The master bedroom at La Colina has turquoise Venetian plaster walls and an American four-poster bed. (Photograph by Francesco Lagnese)

Bunny-Williams-Portrait — Williams entertains often and serves most meals outdoors. (Photograph by Francesco Lagnese)

Bunny-Williams-Fountain — A fountain at one of the property’s lush gardens. (Photograph by Francesco Lagnese)

Bunny-Williams-Living-Room — In the living room, Williams covered the antique wood seating in sky-blue cotton fabric to provide a cool, relaxed feel. (Photograph by Francesco Lagnese)

A House in the Country (Vendome Press)
PETER PENNOYER & KATIE RIDDER • $55
Architect Peter Pennoyer and interior decorator Katie Ridder chronicle the process of creating their dream home on a six-and-a-half acre parcel of land in Millbrook, NY. The result is a one-of-a-kind Greek Revival-inspired house nestled into the rolling hills and farms of the Hudson Valley. A section of the book is devoted to the property’s woodland and flower gardens, which will inspire you to start planting and landscaping as well. Ridder’s fearless, dynamic color schemes coupled with Pennoyer’s classicism makes for a truly magical place—and read. Click here to buy this book.