We all have guilty pleasures. Some people like to play video games. Or watch Lifetime Original Movies. Or go on trashy reality TV-watching marathons.
Me? I like to read DIY home decorating blogs and troll flea markets and estate sales—and dream up ways to make the best of my one-bedroom apartment. So I was thrilled to write a roundup on new home design books for the December issue of BookPage.
The five books in the roundup are all a lot of fun to look at. And while, yes, some do include big-budget projects that are beyond most people’s grasp . . . each book definitely has ideas and inspiration for smaller projects, inexpensive projects and projects for renters.
This week we’re giving away two books from the roundup:
Home by Novogratz is a super-colorful and hip before-and-after book by Robert and Cortney Novogratz—parents to seven children, successful house flippers and HGTV stars. American Beauty by Thom Filicia (of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” fame) lovingly chronicles the renovation of the author’s home in the Finger Lakes. Both of these books would look great on your coffee table!
Here’s how you can win ‘em:
TO ENTER: In the comments, tell us the name of your prettiest book.
CONTEST DETAILS: One winner will be chosen by random.org from among entries received by 5 pm CST on THURSDAY, December 20. (We usually close entries on Friday, but we want to be able to mail the books before the holidays.) One winner will receive copies of the two books pictured in this post. Prize must be shipped to a North American address, and Rhode Island residents are not eligible. (Full contest rules here.) Good luck!
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ETA: Thanks to all who entered! Contest is now closed.
Any book by Mary Engelbreit. I own several.
Angels in Art, a beautiful book to just spend an afternoon with!
My prettiest/favorite book is “Downtown Chic” buy the Novagratz. Love love love that book and its sits front and center on my coffee table along with their bight and cheery “Family” rug!
Downtown Chic by the Novogratz and Domino, The Book of Decorating. I flip through them VERY often and they never get old to me!
For me its a tie…my homemade wedding album and a design book called Pad a guide for ultra living!
The essence of Chocolate is enticing and beautiful.
My prettiest book hard to decide. I have a basket with about 75 Christmas books and they are all so colorful and well read each year. I love to display them. One of my favorites would have to be the night before Christmas.
My prettiest book is “Miracle Lovely, Forever New–All of Rune’s World”. It is a Japanese book of the art of Rune Naito.
Old House Journal..and Better Homes and Gardens…
I would have to say Love Poems by Pablo Neruda is my prettiest book on my bedside table!
my faV toOOOO!!!!
“Georgian Bay.” A coffee-table photo book that’s not just pretty, it’s rugged gorgeous.
Love downtown. Chic!!
My prettiest book is ‘The fashion world of Jean Paul Gaultier’. I absolutely love the pictures of his creations.
Susan Susanka’s decorating books
My prettiest book is probably 1001 paintings you need to see before you die. Lots of good stuff in there.
My prettiest book is an art book with Chagall’s art.
My prettiest book is The Most Beautiful LIBRARIES in the World, photos by Guillaume De Laubier and text by Jacques Bosser.
This was a tough one. I had to look everything over, but I finally found it. It has to be my historical book on Niagara Falls, NY which has always been a favorite (and meaningful) destination for me.
My prettiest book is one I’ve had since I was a child called The Fairy Tale Book. The large book has the most beautiful and colorful drawings.
Mr. Penumbras 24 Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan. I love that glow in the dark cover!
My prettiest book is a vintage copy of Bronte’s Jane Eyre, which I treasure and keep on the top shelf away from little paws.
A book about Claude Monet.
My most beautiful book on my bookcase is a coffee table style Taschen book of Jeanloup Sieffe’s photography. It has striking black and white images. it was given to me by a “secret santa” at school, which was just fantastic.
Jericho,The South Beheld is my favorite but love books. Happy Holidays,to all faiths
The Little Prince. Bought for my son, Ryan, my little prince!
My prettiest book has a red satin cover with gold writing on the front. It is called The Splendors of Love-A Valentine Book of Love Poems.
Leon Uris book Ireland….
A book of Charlie Harper art.
Blue Dog by George Rodriquez
It is a very personal book for me.
I adore any book by Maira Kalman. She is divine.
TOYS Celebrating 100 Years of the Power of Play by Chris Byrne
~Merry Christmas Everyone
quilt books! My other passion (besides reading).
Among Trees
Pop Culture by Dan Epstein
The Art Forger BA Shapiro — I had beautiful thoughts of global museums & their contents as a read this book
I have so many vintage books I love it would be hard to pick one. I do love a copy of Germinal with a beautifully patterned cover.
A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan.
State of Wonder by Ann Patchett
My prettiest book is “The Pioneer Woman Cooks” by Ree Drummond.
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
One of my favorites is Shabby Chic by Rachel Ashwell
Crazy about cupcakes!! By krystina castella
Tuesdays with Morrie!!
Dentistry by Malvinas e ring DDS
Shabby chic by Rachel ashwell!
Israel by Fredrick brenner
A book with Imants Vecozols art (latvian painter)
Any of Kelly Hoppen’s books are absolutely beautiful! Eye candy at its best–plus super loaded with inspiration!! I never get tired of looking through them again and again…
My prettiest book is an antique called Irish Girl. Green cover with flower border. So cool.