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On Tuesday, I received an email from Karen, in Texas who wrote:

I am writing because I read your Design Discovery post and, like you once did, I am starting from scratch. I am a newlywed and we just purchased our first home, and I am overwhelmed to say the least. I went to the library to check out books and there were just so many choices and I don’t know where to start, so I was hoping that you could recommend a few books for those of us that are really, really green.

I’ve responded privately to Karen’s email, but I wanted to share the books that I recommended to her. As I mentioned in Design Discovery, until you’ve figured out what your design style is browsing magazines, books, and design blogs is one of the best ways to figure out what you like and don’t like. Your taste will continue to evolve and you can always make changes. The first book I recommended was Elle Decor Style and Substance because it contains beautiful photography of various types of interior design. Please do not feel intimidated by the homes featured, very few of us live that way, the book is suppose to inspire you, so look for ideas that will work in YOUR home.
The Martha Stewart Homekeeping Handbook should be in the library of all new homeowners. I give this book to family and friends as a hostess gift because it is very useful. How many times have you gone to the home improvement store, purchased everything you needed for a weekend project, and then got home and had no clue where to start? Or you paid a contractor $100 when it took him 5 minutes to repair something? Don’t you just hate that? Well, this manual will save you time and money. It pretty much answers any conceivable question that can come up–lamps, linens, pest control, wall repair–it’s all there, and the advice is easy to follow and understand.The Domino Book of Decorating is great for new homeowners because it offers decorating advice with a sense of reality. The book offers ways to decorate by mixing high with low, add elements of your personality, how to measure for curtains and explains which tables and chairs can be mixed together for the best effect. Written by the editors of Domino magazine, this decorating book is well-edited and is destined to become a collector’s item.
I never saw an episode of Queer Eye and Thom Filicia was not on my design radar until I saw photos of the home he designed for Jennifer Lopez for Vogue Living in 2006. I apparently dosed off again because I missed the launch of his book, Thom Filicia Style, but I have now arrived at the Filicia party and Thom’s book is full of useful design information and ideas suitable for new homeowners as well.
Bunny Williams is one of the best interior designers in America and her book, An Affair With A House is beyond inspiring. In the book, Ms. Williams takes us through her rescue of an 18th century New England manor house that she and her husband, antiques dealer John Rosselli refurbished in brilliant detail. If nothing else, the book’s step-by-step approach and tips galore will inspire you to tackle your design projects with gusto and help you understand that, just with everything in life, creating a home environment that is welcoming to others and comforting for your family takes time and patience. Good luck!

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