The designer’s Mind: Delving into the Best Interior Design Books
By Kanebridge News
Fri, May 26, 2023 2:45pm
4 min
4 min
There’s no shortage of design inspiration online but nothing beats the joy of spending an afternoon immersing yourself in a good interior design book. Edited, carefully curated and, above all, designed, these titles take you behind the scenes of some of the world’s most beautiful interiors in a considered way. Think of it like the difference between listening to a few tunes on Spotify versus releasing a thoughtfully crafted studio album. We’ve assembled our top six of interior design books on the market right now for your viewing and reading pleasure.
1. Interiors beyond the primary palette
Step inside the world of award-winning interior design duo Juliette Arent and Sarah-Jane Pyke in this, their first compendium of their work. A ‘best of’ over more than 15 years working together, it’s a masterclass in working with colour and pattern as seen through 18 projects from around the country. With a focus on the idea of home as sanctuary, this hefty tome offers insight into the mind of the designer with points on where to find inspiration, meeting client briefs and the importance of relationships. Thames & Hudson, $120
2 House of Joy
If there was ever a book title for our times, then this is it. With a subtitle of Playful Homes and Cheerful Living, this book champions fun in interior design, with bold and bright homes from around the world to delight and inspire. While there’s a good dose of the unexpected, like a disco ball in the garden, there’s no mayhem in these spaces. Instead, they’re beautifully executed to tempt even the most colour shy. Gestalten, $105
3. Abigail Ahern Masterclass
Some design books are beautiful to look at, and that’s it. This is not one of those books. A master of colour and pattern, UK designer Ahern offers a practical foundational guide to beautiful interiors, mixing form with function in her latest book, Masterclass. Find the inspiration you need to create a gorgeous home. HarperCollins, $65
4. Interiors Now!
Looking for a visual crash course in international design trends with longevity? This is the book for you. Featuring homes across the globe, from New York to Auckland via Avignon, the biggest dilemma for readers is settling on a style. Many of the projects are owned by designers and creatives, lending a dynamic edge to this tome, now in its 40th year. Taschen, $50
5. Home by the Sea
For many Australians, the ocean holds an almost hypnotic appeal. Home by the Sea by Natalie Walton lets you imagine, for a little while at least, what it’s like living the dream in a beach shack in Byron Bay. The book tours 18 homes in and around the region and the hinterland owned by artists, designers and makers. With photography by Amelia Fullarton, it champions the good life. Hardie Grant, $60
6. The Layered Interior
Released last year, this is the third volume from award-winning interior designer Greg Natale. Different in format from his earlier books, the eight projects featured are Australian but with a slight Euro-centric focus. The writing is conversational, almost intimate, inviting the reader into the most luxurious spaces beautifully captured by photographer Anson Smart. This coffee table tome is perfect for dreamers and doers alike. Rizzoli, $110
How can I improve my interior design knowledge?
To be an interior designer, most people have completed a bachelor’s degree or advanced diploma. However, anyone can improve their interior design knowledge by listening to or reading about the design process, as well as taking short courses in design from a reputable design school. Look for online tutorials or interior design books that provide step-by-step guides to creating beautiful spaces and follow interior design social media accounts to get you started. If you want to learn more, you can contact industry bodies such as the Design Institute of Australia for next steps.
What should I read for interior design?
While interior design is often considered a visual medium, there is a lot to understand about the way spaces flow and the balance of materials required. If you have a casual interest, look for design books that appeal to your personal style, which will offer tips on using colour, pattern and texture. For further information, opt for books explaining the main principles of interior design which will discuss questions of balance, scale and proportion, as well as form and function.
Can I teach myself interior design?
In an age where information on most topics is widely available online, yes, you can teach yourself the rudimentaries of interior design. However, a reputable course or degree will provide you with set tasks to test your knowledge and skills before going out into real world experiences. There are several options to qualify as an interior designers, including university and TAFE courses, as well as private colleges.
High rents and rising values are inspiring greater investor activity this year
By Bronwyn Allen
Fri, Jun 28, 2024 3 min
3 min
Advertised rents on houses and apartments have risen by more than 40 percent nationwide since the pre-pandemic period, with a shortage of rental homes and record levels of net overseas migration pushing weekly rents higher and reducing vacancy rates to historical lows, said Proptrack senior economist Eleanor Creagh.
However, Ms Creagh said the pressure in Australia’s rental market should ease over the next year as overseas migration falls, with the Federal Government expecting it to halve from here. Meantime, home values have continued to lift because the supply versus demand imbalance is now so great it is trumping the traditional dampening effect of rising interest rates on prices. Proptrack data showed the national median value lifted for the 17th consecutive month in May.
“Despite a rise in the number of homes for sale this year, strong population growth, tight rental markets, and home equity gains are all contributing to demand, while the supply side of the housing market has fallen short and as a result, home prices reached a fresh peak in May as robust demand has continued to push prices upwards,” Ms Creagh said.
More investors are in the property market this year due to strong rental yields and continually rising values. Ms Creagh said lending to investors had reached record levels in Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia, which are the strongest states at the moment for capital city price growth and rental demand.
Proptrack has published data showing the top suburbs for rental yields in both the capital cities and regional areas of each state, as well as the suburbs with the highest capital growth over five years.
Here are the results for the five mainland states.
NSW
The suburbs with the highest rental yields for houses in Greater Sydney are Killarney Vale 4.2 percent, Watanobbi 4.1 percent, Blue Haven 4.1 percent, Woongarrah 4.1 percent and Airds 4.1 percent.
In the regions, the top rental yields can be found in Broken Hill 9 percent, Cobar 8.5 percent, South Lismore 8.3 percent, Boggabri 7.5 percent and Moree 7.2 percent. The top suburbs across NSW for capital growth over the past five years are Finley 126 percent, Culcairn 123 percent, Hay 108 percent, Broulee 106 percent and West Wyalong 105 percent.
Victoria
In Greater Melbourne, the suburbs with the highest rental house yields are Wollert 4.4 percent, Coolaroo 4.3 percent, Dallas 4.3 percent, Koo Wee Rup 4.2 percent and Roxburgh Park 4.2 percent. In the regions, the best rental yields for houses can be found in Red Cliffs 6 percent, Mooroopna 5.9 percent, Numurkah 5.9 percent, Stawell 5.8 percent and Morwell 5.6 percent.
The top Victorian suburbs for five-year capital growth are Warracknabeal 119 percent, Orbost 108 percent, Beechworth 102 percent, Myrtleford 100 percent and Euroa 99 percent.
Queensland
The suburbs with the highest rental house yields in Greater Brisbane are Laidley North 6.1 percent, Laidley 5.6 percent, Churchill 5.5 percent, North Booval 5.5 percent and Russell Island 5.4 percent. In the regions, the top rental-yielding suburbs are Collinsville 10.4 percent, Moura 10.1 percent, Moranbah 9.7 percent, Pioneer 9.6 percent and Blackwater 9.5 percent.
The Sunshine State’s fastest-growing suburbs for home values over five years are Mount Morgan 157 percent, Woodford 126 percent, Dysart 122 percent, Mount Coolum 121 percent and Worongary 114 percent.
South Australia
The suburbs with the highest rental yields for houses in Greater Adelaide are Eyre 5.6 percent, Elizabeth North 5.6 percent, Smithfield Plains 5.6 percent, Munno Para 5.4 percent and Salisbury North 5.4 percent. The best rental yields in regional South Australia can be found in Whyalla Norrie 7.9 percent, Risdon Park 7.8 percent, Port Pirie South 7.8 percent, Whyalla Stuart 7.7 percent and Port Augusta 7.6 percent.
The top South Australian suburbs for five-year capital growth are Elizabeth Downs and Elizabeth North – both at 135 percent, Elizabeth South 127 percent, Elizabeth East 123 percent and Hackham West 117 percent.
Western Australia
The suburbs with the highest rental yields for houses in Greater Perth are Hilbert 6.4 percent, Medina 6.3 percent, Stratton 6.3 percent, Balga 6.3 percent and Dayton 6.2 percent. The best rental yields across regional areas can be found in Kambalda East 12.2 percent, Kambalda West 11.2 percent, Nickol 11 percent, South Headland 10.9 percent and Newman 10.7 percent.
The top West Australian suburbs for capital growth over the past five years are South Hedland 135 percent, Rangeway 116 percent, Darlington 115 percent, Cooloongup 114 percent and Spalding 113 percent.
