Creating the French Look by Annie Sloan, softback published by Cico Books. ISBN 978-1-907563-95-9, price 12.99 available from www.cicobooks.co.uk

French interiors are so chic and sophisticated – it’s a look that many of us admire and want to replicate. This book identifies several looks we could emulate – divided into Chateau, Country, Provence and Paris. The latter are then subdivided into Rococo, Neo Classical, Manoir, Rural, Provence – Luberon, Provence – Riviera, Bohemian and Coco. The essentials are given for each style highlighting fabrics and decorative details. Part two looks at the elements of these styles for each room. Chairs, console tables, cherubs, armoires and more. This is more than just a style book, it also has details of how to create the look yourself. There are instructions on making unlined curtains with braid or how to crackle varnish a console. Discover how to line walls with fabric or antique a stone cherub and much more. This book is full of panache and the projects to create French style in your own home. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to create the French look in their home.

The Girl’s Guide to DIY by Jo Behari & Alison Winfield-Chislett, softback published by New Holland. ISBN 978-1-8477037540, price 12.99 available from www.newhollandpublishers.com

Subtitled ‘How to Fix Things in Your Home Without Breaking Your Nails’ this is a straightforward, practical guide to doing things around the house. So if you’re a girl who does not rely on men, or who has no man to rely on, use this book to get the things around the home fixed. Aimed at the beginner, this book is a basic guide to painting and decorating and using power tools. A difficulty rating grades tasks – there’s useful what you need lists and instructions. The book is illustrated with appropriate drawings and photographs. I now feel able to tackle most of the jobs around the house.

The Eco Friendly House – Green is Beautiful by Claudio Santini and Dafna Zilafro, hardback published by Images Publishing. ISBN 978-1-8647-0325-2, price 60 USD, 35.00 in the UK available from www.imagespublishinggroup.com

Santini’s imagery of beautiful sustainable homes is breathtaking. The book features some of California’s best architects and puts zest into the eco idea. If you have ever wanted to own or build an eco home – this will give you plenty of inspiration. Each chapter deals with a special area such as heating or lighting, written by Dafna Zilafro.

Perfect Neutrals by Stephanie Hoppen, hardback published by Jacqui Small. ISBN 1-903221-41-2, price 30.00 from www.aurumpress.co.uk

This book includes super swatch guides and all the neutral colours you can think of – yes it’s more than just off-white. Discover what to team up with paler colours, the art of tone. I love the topaz to terracotta section, sand to ochre and so much more. Vibrant, chic and homely styling can be yours at the flip of a page. Colourful, modern and sophisticated, this book is suitable for all decorators with taste.

Storage Style by Lesley Porcelli, hardback published by Aurum Press. ISBN 978-1-906417-13-0, price 16.99 from www.aurumpress.co.uk

Storage is the key to sanity in the home. everything neat and tidy and in its rightful place. From the home office to sorting your collection of whatever, to neat and tidy, organised spaces in every room in the house. If you are a clutterbug, you’ll appreciate this book. Timeless, classic, chic examples with excellent photographs, give you ways to organise your life and your home. A de-cluttering is said to be akin to detoxing the body, unclogging the mind and allowing a breath of fresh air to enter your life and home. Make the decision now to live the organised life. Previously published in the USA by Hearst.

The Natural Home by Judith Wilson, hardback published by Jacqui Small. ISBN 978-1-903221-97-6, price 12.99 from www.aurumpress.co.uk

This neat little book is full of colourful images of the natural look. So much more than just images, the text will encourage and show you how to change your lifestyle to encompass eco-living and make the right choices of materials, furniture etc. Natural neutral is the key theme. Materials include found, recycled and natural close to home sourcing. Stylish and good-looking describe this look and Judith makes it appear easy to achieve. This book also has a good resources section. If you are looking to live more in tune with the natural environment and forget hi-tech living, this is the book for you.

Kevin McCould’s Colour Now, softback published by Quadrille. ISBN 978-1-84400-699-1, price 9.99 from www.quadrille.co.uk

Subtitled ‘An expert guide to choosing colour for your home’, this guide claims to show you how to master colour and how to use it in a sophisticated way.

It looks like a paint manufacturers colour palette swatch. However, colours have been chosen that are harmonious with one another. Each set of 65 palettes comes with a quote on colour from well-known names – alive or dead. Whatever your style you will find a palette for your purpose. The majority of the palettes are quite subdued. I would not call it indispensable, but it is a useful guide if you are unsure of mixing and matching colours in the home.

Choosing Colours by Kevin McCloud, softback published by Quadrille. ISBN 978-1-84400-440-9, price 12.99 from www.quadrille.co.uk

This book begins with a technical guide to colour. It then tailors paint palettes to decorative schemes. It is very similar to Kevin McCloud’s ‘ColourNow’ by the same publisher. In this book you will find over 700 colour swatches combined into over 60 palettes. The colours are matched to commercially available paints. Colours for every style and room in the house.

Houses of the National Trust by Lydia Greeves, hardback published by the National Trust. ISBN 978-1-905400-66-9, price 30.00 available from www.anovabooks.com

Whatever your opinion of the National Trust, there should be no doubt that they have conserved some of Great Britain’s finest homes and gardens. Here they are shown in all their glory with appropriate text, excellent photography and a beautifully produced book. 

My copy was parting ways with its cover down the spine, so watch for that – it’s a heavy tome. 400 pages take you on a guided tour of the wealth of historic homes owned by the Trust. Discover fabulous interiors, breathtaking furniture, the eccentricities of the English, beautiful architecture and more. It is the perfect guide for armchair travellers and those that actually do the walking too.

Houses of the National Trust by Lydia Greeves, hardback published by the National Trust. ISBN 978-1-905400-66-9, price 30.00 available from www.anovabooks.com

Whatever your opinion of the National Trust, there should be no doubt that they have conserved some of Great Britain’s finest homes and gardens. Here they are shown in all their glory with appropriate text, excellent photography and a beautifully produced book. 

My copy was parting ways with its cover down the spine, so watch for that – it’s a heavy tome. 400 pages take you on a guided tour of the wealth of historic homes owned by the Trust. Discover fabulous interiors, breathtaking furniture, the eccentricities of the English, beautiful architecture and more. It is the perfect guide for armchair travellers and those that actually do the walking too.