3 Inspiring Art & Design Books on My Nightstand This Minute I Am Loving

How is that such a word nerd has forever had a love affair with pretty picture books and shelter magazines? Oh, child, THAT is a discussion for another day! Today’s 3 Inspiring Art & Design Books on My Nightstand This Minute I Am Loving shares honest opinions about books I cherish which were gifted to me for review.

It is always a pleasure to introduce you to worthwhile reads, pretty picture books, and inspiring design guides to ignite the imagination and share wisdom. Today’s line-up is quite an eclectic one so be prepared to travel from India to Tennessee to Pittsburgh!

Inspiring Art & Design Books on My Nightstand This Minute I Am Loving

1. Favorite Art Book: INDIA

What rare treasure lies within this timelessly exquisite book of travel photos by Vienna-based photographer Andreas H. Bitesnich. How I would love to see India someday!

Are we truly gazing at present-day India with its modern complexities, suffering, ever-evolving democracy, and rich spirituality in this new title?

Indeed, we are. But the lens through which we see these things is sort of everything, yes?

Timelessness & Presence

This title brings us breathtaking photos of wild Indian elephants, fanciful architecture, and ethereal temples as well as snapshots of poverty.

As I spent time with the artful images (and one cannot help but spend time since they invite lingering), there was this sense of both timelessness and PURITY OF PRESENCE.

Such purity is likely to stir or disarm you maybe because it has become somewhat remarkable in busy, techie, modern Western life.

To be purely present is to empty ourselves of yesterday, to free ourselves of tomorrow’s cares, and to consent (without expectancy) to a natural rhythm pulsing in the now.

Seeing Purity

As I considered these thoughtfully captured spiritual seekers and moments of modern urban sprawl, PURE PRESENCE perpetually bubbled up into my consciousness.

Perhaps I am sensing the purity of Bitesnich’s own presence to his subjects in the stirring photos.

While many of the images of India whisper nostalgia with a contemplative quality and others maintain a quietude with modern gritty texture, they all seem to speak with a sacred honesty.

I’d love to hear about your emotional responses to the images or about your own travel to India. Allow yourself to be immersed in the culture here:

3 Favorite Art & Decor Books

2. Favorite Modern Country Decor Book: CITY FARMHOUSE STYLE

Mercy, me…how I love this modern country interior design book!!!!

I had the wonderful opportunity to vacation at ‘Storybook Cottage’ this summer, a darling 800 square foot property in Leiper’s Fork near Franklin, Tennesee with interiors designed by deeply admired stylemakers, Dave and Kim Leggett, author of City Farmhouse Style.

City Farmhouse Charm

So I can tell you with authority, that city farmhouse style is 100% THAT RICH fresh flavor of timeless farmhouse style that makes you wanna hunker down at home!

Just wait until you see photos I snapped of charming farmhouse interiors in Tennessee!

So Many Flavors of Farmhouse

In this inspiring volume of interior design, you’ll be welcomed with rare hospitality into 14 properties from Hollywood to Brooklyn where interiors have been creatively infused with modern country style.

The interiors you’ll find within the book are anything but one-note, and we’re treated to design advice about paint colors and even secrets about where to snag unique finds.

3. Favorite Memoir Book: WORK IN PROGRESS

It has been too long since I have posted design from Leanne Ford, and there is a simple reason: it’s a day and age a blogging fairy on the prairie can’t simply decorate her blog with photos of inspiring rooms without owning rights to the photos or securing permissions (and as I blog every single day as a one woman show…there’s little time for corresponding with all those publicists and jumping through a million hoops).

What a thrill to hear from Leanne and Steve’s publicist about their memoir available for preorder now. I read my advance copy cover to cover on a beautiful summer day in our courtyard and was so moved by the warmth and candor of these HGTV stars of Restored by the Fords.

Work in Progress is a super easy read with its casual, conversational structure. By the end, you feel as though you enjoyed a visit with cool friends who want to share their resources and laugh as much as possible. (When I find friends like this, I want to hang on to ’em.)

The Fords: Up Close and Personal

Here are three surprising things I learned about the siblings. (I’ll try not to spoil ALL the fun since I want you to read their memoir!)

1. For both Leanne and Steve, faith plays an important role in their approaches to creating, living, achieving, and thriving.
2. While the spaces these creatives renovate and reveal always ooze cool factor, the innovative siblings seem uncommonly down to earth, surprisingly humble, and cool-yet-nice.
3. While these HGTV stars are driven, both seem to hold career successes lightly and resist taking themselves too seriously…an admirable killer combo.

YOUR TURN: What books are on your nightstand this minute?

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Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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