When I was at one of the lowest points of my life, color saved me. I started my color journey over a decade ago with a pack of Pantone postcards and walks around my neighborhood, and now I have the privilege of writing about color full-time. It’s amazing what a change of perspective color can bring. I hope that the books on this list spark something within you to add more joy to your day to day. Because life is too short not to have fun—especially with color!
This is one of those books that you pick up in a bookstore and don’t want to put down because it’s just too beautiful. The pages are thoughtfully crafted, and the projects make you see just how chic DIY can be when you do it correctly.
I loved the hybrid of crafting with colorful facts and tips on how to use a specific color. The first time I read the book, I immediately wanted to start making and adding color everywhere!
What began as an Instagram hashtag and project collection (#CrafttheRainbow) that quickly went viral has become a showstopping book, offering a rainbow of completely new project ideas. Learn how to make playful party decorations, luscious flowers, amazing cards, and sophisticated wreaths, garlands, centerpieces, and more than you can imagine-all with nothing but the creative power of paper. Sought-after designer Brittany Watson Jepsen is known for the unusually imaginative and amazingly beautiful designs she creates for her website and host of clients (including Anthropologie). In Craft the Rainbow, Jepsen walks readers through the easy basics of transforming simple paper-including tissue, crepe,…
This is a book that I go back to time and time again because no matter how many times I flip through it, there’s always something new that inspires me.
It’s fascinating to see the exact color on the color wheel in a real life finished design. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve picked it up for palette inspiration! Plus there’s a deeper dive on color psychology for so many colors that it helps me think about color with intention.
The Designer's Dictionary of Color provides an in-depth look at 30 colors key to art and graphic design. Organized by spectrum, in color-by-color sections for easy navigation, this book documents each hue with charts showing color range and palette variations. Chapters detail each color's creative history and cultural associations, with examples of color use that extend from the artistic to the utilitarian-whether the turquoise on a Reid Miles album cover or the avocado paint job on a 1970s Dodge station wagon. A practical and inspirational resource for designers and students alike, The Designer's Dictionary of Color opens up the world…
What were America's first prisons like? How did penal reformers, prison administrators, and politicians deal with the challenges of confining human beings in long-term captivity as punishment--what they saw as a humane intervention?
The Deviant Prison centers on one early prison: Eastern State Penitentiary. Built in Philadelphia, one of the…
As someone who studied history and who loves color, this book is the perfect hybrid of color with depth! Not only are there several unique shades of colors (it goes way beyond ROYGBIV), but the origins and historical context of them were fascinating!
It really helped me learn so much more about color. The biggest takeaway is that while sometimes people tend to view color as something for children, this proves historically how great of an impact it has on humans.
One of USA Today's "100 Books to Read While Stuck at Home During the Coronavirus Crisis"
A dazzling gift, the unforgettable, unknown history of colors and the vivid stories behind them in a beautiful multi-colored volume.
"Beautifully written . . . Full of anecdotes and fascinating research, this elegant compendium has all the answers." -NPR, Best Books of 2017
The Secret Lives of Color tells the unusual stories of seventy-five fascinating shades, dyes, and hues. From blonde to ginger, the brown that changed the way battles were fought to the white that protected against the plague, Picasso's blue period to…
Even though this book skews to the more academic side of color, I think it’s a must-read for anyone who wants to have a deeper understanding of color. I loved the deep dive into how color relies on visual perception which can vary from individual to individual or because of the colors surroundings influence.
This book helped me train my eye to understand color better and to have a deeper understanding that my version of a color and your version of the same color could be completely different.
The 50th anniversary edition of a classic text, featuring an expanded selection of color studies
"The landmark 1963 book by Josef Albers . . . isn't just for aspiring artists. Its mesmerizing illustrations are a revelation for anyone interested in color theory and human perception."-Pilar Viladas, New York Times
"A visionary work."-Malcolm Jones, Newsweek
Josef Albers's classic Interaction of Color is a masterwork in art education. Conceived as a handbook and teaching aid for artists, instructors, and students, this influential book presents Albers's singular explanation of complex color theory principles.
Originally published by Yale University Press in 1963 as a…
Homes by Byrd examines the story of this father-son team, demonstrating their impact on the design of homes in Southern California and describing the hallmarks of their enduring style.
Byrd homes are archetypes of California living. Many elements of a Byrd Home, such as exposed wood beams, turned posts, rock…
This book is more than just a beautiful coffee table book! Of course it’s gorgeous and is full of beautiful photos and helpful interior design advice, but I think the biggest takeaway is how deeply personal color can be.
Creating a space that is uniquely yours can provide a sense of comfort even when the rest of your life isn’t ideal, and color has so much of a role in that.
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A deeply personal and compassionate look at home ownership and rentership through more than 50 rooms designed by interior designer, photographer, and Instagram star Dabito.
“Dabito’s work is sculptural and beautiful—everything feels like an art piece! It is elevated yet functional—my fave combo.”—Jessica Alba
Designer, photographer, artist, blogger, and passionate vintage hunter Dabito is beloved on social media for his creative use of color, space, and maximalist design style. Old Brand New offers readers actionable advice to layer spaces with meaning through refreshing décor and bold hues, whether you’re signing a lease or renovating or buying your…
Color can influence your feelings, affect your moods, control how you interact with your home, and even change how you feel about yourself. In this book, writer, photographer, and professional color consultant Rachel Mae Smith explains why color is so powerful and how you can use it to brighten up your world.
After a fascinating (and painless!) introduction to color theory, Rachel takes you step by step through your home, closet, and other aspects of your lifestyle, sharing simple, creative, and fun ways to add pops of your desired colors everywhere. Rachel's ideas are accessible, affordable, and designed for longevity—because when you mindfully choose items based on colors and styles that make you happy, you're more likely to love what you have.
It didn’t begin with Donald Trump. When the Republican Party lost five straight presidential elections during the 1930s and 1940s, three things happened: (1) Republicans came to believe that presidential elections are rigged; (2) Conspiracy theories arose and were believed; and (3) The presidency was elevated to cult-like status.
The first and only full-length biography of Hazel Ying Lee, an unrecognized pioneer and unsung World War II hero who fought for a country that actively discriminated against her gender, race, and ambition.
This unique hidden figure defied countless stereotypes to become the first Asian American woman in United States…
