9 Best Books on Design: Professionals' Choice

We asked professionals Nadia Zотовa, Anna Muravina, Olga Kosyrevа, Zhena Zhdanova and Marina Sarkisyan about their favorite books. Although not all publications in the selection were published in Russian, sometimes it doesn't matter so much. The language of style and aesthetics is universal and understandable around the world.

Nadia Zотовa DESIGNER Creates residential and public interiors around the world. Founder of Enjoy HomeAround that Time. Horst at Home in Vogue

Valentin Lowford, Ivan Shaw, Hamish Boulz, photo by Horst P. Horst. 2016.

Collectible Vogue book immerses you in the history of houses and their owners: outstanding politicians, scientists, fashion and art figures. Each time I open the book as if for the first time, so impressive it is. “Around that Time” — pure inspiration in 20th-century style.

What's useful: leading fashion photographer of his time, Horst P. Horst, captured the most notable houses of the 1960s–1980s for Vogue, and the collectible book presents 350 of his photographs. The famous journalist Valentin Lowford prepared an essay on the inhabitants of these houses. The publication allows not only to enjoy beauty but also to understand the relationship between personality and interior.

Where to buy: in 'Republic' for 5387 rubles.

Photo: @hide_atsumi

Anna Muravina DESIGNER Executive Director of the Association of Interior Designers and Decorators, author of the book 'Recipes for a Happy Interior'Famous Houses, Castles, Estates

Mikhail Kharit. 2008.

Any building, like a hypnotist, can instill thoughts in us. In some houses we feel comfortable: the air is light, and the mood is good. In others, we feel uncomfortable. In some rooms we look at the world optimistically. In others, we feel pessimism.

What's useful: the famous architect Mikhail Kharit tells about the most famous houses of Russia and Europe, finding a connection with the owners' characters. The book will be useful to everyone who plans to build their own house or wants to make it more cozy. Thanks to simple tips, the interior will reflect your character.

Where to buy: the book is available online for free.

Zhena Zhdanova DESIGNER-DECORATOR Founder of the interior online boutique DivaDecor.ruModern Glamour: The Art of Unexpected Style

Kelly Westler. 2004.

Kelly amazes: unexpectedness and spontaneity are her main arguments. She is like a movie director who doesn’t spare time on casting actors and gathers only the perfect heroes for her script on set.

What's useful: Hollywood interior designer Kelly Westler loves mixing styles from different eras and adding unexpected elements. She talks about the creative process, for example, how a French-Chinese fragment of old wallpapers can lead to shopping in Paris and inspire the creation of a classic interior for the Maison 140 hotel in Beverly Hills. This book teaches to feel color, respect history, and sense details.

Where to buy: Amazon

The Chamber of Curiosity: Apartment Design and the New Elegance

Editor: Robert Clanton, Sofia Borches. 2014.

The book collects a collection of interiors combining old and new, classical and bold, timeless and ultra-modern. The eclecticism of these spaces is truly impressive, and the owners themselves are of particular interest, whose uniqueness resonates in every item, every shade, and every detail.

What's useful: this book has an answer to the main question that inevitably arises in everyone who loves looking at beautiful interiors — whose they are? From the most minimalist and thoughtfully designed to eclectic and exotic, the interiors reflect the personalities of their owners.

Where to buy: Amazon

Photo: @lilou_feather_Black and White (and a bit in between): Timeless Interiors, Dramatic Accents, and Stylish Collections

Serrie Kemble. 2011.

Color is the most powerful tool for creating a mood in an interior. Can one achieve a stunning effect with monochromy alone? Yes! This book by Serrie Kemble teaches how to use different materials, textures, and compositions to create contrasting or, on the contrary, soft yet multi-layered and voluminous interiors.

What's useful: the book will inspire lovers of classical black and white combinations. The well-known interior designer Serrie Kemble provides examples not only of her own works but also of projects by stars of modern design: more than 350 photographs and hundreds of spaces decorated in various styles. The book also includes practical advice on choosing color schemes, finishing materials, and decorative items.

Where to buy: Amazon

"Dream House"

Zhena Zhdanova. 2018.

Can you create the perfect interior without a designer? Yes, if you know the insights of professionals. That's what designer Zhena Zhdanova shares in her first book. This book is a clear guide to creating your dream home, and also a beautiful publication that I enjoy keeping on my coffee table.

What's useful: lots of practical tips, ideas, and life hacks on how to independently develop a smart apartment layout, design a walk-in closet, decorate a functional kitchen, and cozy bedroom. They didn't forget about the living room, children's room, and bathroom either: detailed instructions on how to choose materials, decor, and lighting for each space.

Where to buy: in online stores 'Labyrinth', 'Read & City', 'Ozon', price starts from 1500 rubles.

Marina Sarkisyan EXPERT Interior Designer, has been in the profession since 2005Golden Rules of Design. Kelly Hoppen Style

Kelly Hoppen. 2012.

The book turned out to be very useful for me at the beginning of my journey.

What's useful: the author of popular books on interior design around the world shares her own rules that formed over years of practical work. Colorful photographs will delight lovers of cozy atmospheres and inspire changes in their own interiors.

Where to buy: the book is currently unavailable in stores, but it's accessible online.

Photo: @sabinamamedbekovaHome, Sweet Home

Debra Nidlmann. 2015.

I like how the book is written: these are short essays with useful and valuable advice. And of course, wonderful watercolor illustrations!

What's useful: the book will be an ideal assistant for professionals in interior design as well as those who want to make their home cozier. Debra Nidlmann reworked her many years of experience working in Domino magazine and analyzed all imaginable types of interiors she had seen during this time. The result is maximally useful short essays.

Where to buy: the electronic version can be purchased on the MIF website.

Photo: @tatsianka_goncharovaColor Harmony in Interior Design

Marta Gill. 2005.

This is one of my first books, and it helped and inspired me a lot. It presents many various color solutions.

What's useful: the book offers more than 500 color combinations matching various styles — from calm and romantic to bright and energetic. For each color solution, Marta Gill selected interior photographs and provided brief recommendations and explanations to help recreate them in your own interior.

Where to buy: on the Ozon website for 969 rubles.