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.

Taunton’s Shelves, Cabinets and Bookcases, softback published by The Taunton Press. Available in the UK, ISBN 978-1-60085-049-3, price 12.99 from www.thegmcgroup.com

Every house has to have shelves – but do you know how to build them correctly? Do you know how to build shelves to hold the weight of heavy books? This book will show you how and so much more besides. Find six ways to edge plywood, beautiful shelves, how to outfit a closet, install a kitchen and more. An invaluable guide written by experts for home DIY.

House Beautiful 500 Makeovers, hardback published by Hearst Books in the USA. Available in the UK, ISBN 978-1-58816-694-4, price 14.99 from www.thegmcgroup.com

Subtitled ‘Great Ideas and Quick Changes’ this vibrant book will turn your house into a beautiful home. Find ideas for colour, furnishings, positioning and that magic touch to bring it all together. You could get room envy staring at the beautiful photographs. 

This book is separated into seven chapters comprising Balance, Simplicity, Impact, Function Details, Colour and Quick Fixes. You should be able to gleam ideas to use in your own home and to reinvent your rooms for a fresh look. The book shows that sometimes all you have to do is alter the details. 500 ideas are represented on 480 pages in landscape format. 
I do think that this would have been better with before and after pictures as the book does not actually show you how to create the look nor does it give suppliers or resources. However if you have the ability to look and create, or simply wish to dream, this will satisfy your inner yearnings.