A wise man once said, “No object is so beautiful that, under certain conditions, it will not look ugly.” When it comes to designing our surroundings and making our homes reflect our style, perhaps this is just what we are afraid of.  And, perhaps, rightly so.  It is easy to become overwhelmed with so many choices, trends and stylistic options.  Likewise, in the process of creating our perfect space, it is not uncommon to become bogged down in the details and forget about our “big picture” plan.  As the aforementioned quote suggests, any item can begin to feel like a poor choice when accompanied by the wrong companion pieces and a mismatched atmosphere.  If this dilemma sounds like a familiar one, September’s book picks have just the help you are searching for.  Flip through the pages of these fabulous interior design volumes and you are sure to find help developing your own perfect style along with all the inspiration you will need to transform your space.

At Home: A Style For Today with Things from the Past by Suzanne Rheinstein (Rizzoli, Amazon.com, $34.65).  If it is interior design eye candy that you are after, this book is perfect for you. Suzanne Rheinstein, a leading interior designer and owner of one of Los Angeles’ most renowned home furnishings centers, showcases her mastery of the trade with understated yet decadent interior spaces.  Muted color palettes paired with a careful blending of old and new create breathtaking rooms that are sure to inspire.  The juxtaposition of ornate and simple showcases beautiful antiques while still feeling fresh and new.  Chock full of stunning photographs of Rheinstein’s work, this pick is a must have for design lovers.

Right Sizing Your Home by Gale C. Steves (Northwest Arm Press, Amazon.com, $14.93).  This book focuses on the art of making all areas of your home work together by redefining spaces.  Essentially, it helps you make your home fit your life.  “Right sizing is the concept of working with what you have, by making better use of existing space,” Steves writes.  The book is straightforward and gives specific instructions on how to “right size.”  For instance, there are sections such as “how to measure,” “how to make a floor plan,” and “how to create a furniture plan” and a chapter with advice on how to maintain the transformation once the right sizing is complete.  Loaded with pictures, quizzes, lists and guides, Right Sizing Your Home is a hands-on planner for creating your ideal space — a particularly great choice for DIY enthusiasts.

A La Carte by Sherrill Canet (Printed Leaf Press, Amazon.com, $45.50).  This book showcases the duality of the author’s design style and will certainly serve as an inspiration to all.  Within the pages, Canet’s love for antiques and the historical aspects of design meet her ability to use her creativity in fresh, new ways.  Heavily laden with pictures of both interiors and outdoor scenes as well as some historical photos relating to Canet’s story of her love of design, this beautiful volume would make a lovely addition to anyone’s interior design library.  Pointers such as “creating a home full of charm” are invaluable for anyone looking to find their own style.   The author’s personal home is also included.  A La Carte is a great choice for any design lover looking to find inspiration.

Timeless Elegance: The Houses of David Easton by David Easton and Annette Tapert (Stewart, Tabori, and Chang, Amazon.com, $40.95).  This gorgeous coffee-table book provides a peek into the career of one of the country’s preeminent designers.  Both an interior designer and an architect, Easton narrates with the ease and grace of a storyteller while still providing readers with a bit of a design education.  The book follows various projects in Easton’s career from concept to completion, including pencil drawings and watercolors by James Steinmeyer illustrating the depth of the design process.  Easton’s love for all things beautiful unfolds in the beginning pages of the book as well.  From New York apartments to a country estate in Virginia to sleek modern retreats in Aspen, Easton’s work has enough formal elegance and classic style to evoke the inner designer in us all.