I’m currently working mostly from home, which means I’m spending more time in my flat than I ever have before. Combined with the endless interiors inspiration on this here website, I’m starting to feel a wee bit dissatisfied with my space.

Whilst the bones of my flat are good (I put in a new kitchen and bathroom several years ago, both of which I still love) I need to create a inspiring work space, I’m desperately in need of some stylish solutions, it’s about time I put up some pictures and nearly every room needs a finishing touch or two.

In order to get started I’ve dug out some interiors books I already owned and invested in a few new ones. Following are my current top five picks. They’re all heavy on the visuals and mostly feature a relaxed, creative style. As always, please do share yours in the comments box below, it’s likely I’ll be in this planning stage for a while…!

Creative Space

Great for nosy types (like me!) this book provides a peek into the studios and homes of creative types living in the word’s coolest cities. If nothing else it’s made me OK with the fact that there are teetering piles of magazines and books all over my flat. I’m not messy, I’m creative, OK?!
Creative Space by Francesca Gavin

A Place Called Home

With chapters covering every room in the house, as well as colour palettes, storage and how to display your stuff, outside space and finishing touches, this book by Sydney-based interiors stylist Mr Jason Grant is a beautiful visual sourcebook providing endless inspiration to create a laid-back personality-packed home.
A Place Called Home by Mr Jason Grant

Flea Market Style

Divided into two parts, part one is a guide to the range of secondhand stuff that’s out there whether your style’s retro, modern, country, minimalist or eclectic. Part two shows you how to put it all together, room by room. Be warned, this book will give you a serious eBay/carboot/charity shop habit.
Flea Market Style by Emily Chalmers

The Selby Is In Your Place

Todd Selby goes to interesting people’s homes and takes photos of them and their favourite stuff for his blog The Selby. The Selby Is In Your Space is like a greatest hits compilation of his favourite visits. My favourites are Erin Wasson’s thrift-store furnished loft and Helena Christensen’s Victorian-Americana Greenwich Village apartment. Plus there’s a page of stickers. I love stickers!
The Selby is in Your Place by Todd Selby

Living In Bali

Just to be clear, I don’t live in Bali, but I do love Balinese style. Whilst my East London flat in no way resembles a Balinese villa I plan to apply some elements of Balinese style to my home, including white walls, wood furniture, colour-pop cushions and by transforming my bathroom into a spa-like retreat.
Living in Bali by Anita Lococo