Flanigan, Marie. The Beauty of Home: Redefining Traditional Interiors. Gibbs Smith. Jul. 2020. 240p. ISBN 9781423654667. $45. INTERIOR DESIGN
Architect–turned–interior designer Flanigan is known for her holistic approach to timeless design informed by a home’s architecture. In her first book, she shares her creative process for uncovering and showcasing the beauty in our lives. Chapters are devoted to these nine building blocks of design: architecture, composition, character, palette, illumination, detail, simplicity, depth, and surprise. For more than a dozen projects, she presents principles and applications, all illustrated in large, captioned photos. She discusses evaluating form, light, and material and successfully uses repetition and layering to add both comfort and delight to a home. The style gravitates toward an uncluttered look with subtle contrasts and a limited color palette. Though harmony is the overall goal, Flanigan judicially ­­uses juxtaposition to create additional interest. A resource list includes architects and builders for the projects featured. ­VERDICT Anyone trying to emulate Flanigan’s refined, somewhat stark look will enjoy learning her methods and also poring over the inspiring photos. Those seeking a bolder, homier look should see James T. Farmer’s Arriving Home.—Bonnie ­Poquette, Milwaukee

Lambry, Robert. The Draw Anything Book: Over 200 Simple Step-by-Step Drawing Sequences for All Kinds of Things. Quarry: Quarto. Sept. 2020. 176p. ISBN 9781631599811. pap. $16.99. CRAFTS
French artist Lambry made a name for himself in the 1920s and 1930s with a series of drawing lessons created for children that emphasized the use of simple lines and shapes to create recognizable objects. His distinctive approach to drawing is once again available in this book, which brings together 200 “lessons” gathered from Lambry’s work. Beginning with using lines to create simple objects and concluding with the symbolism of lines in art and the use of color, this guide offers a lot for aspiring ­Picassos to digest. While there is no denying the vintage charms of this cheery manual, the instructions that accompany each of the drawing lessons can sometimes feel a tad laconic, and a section covering supplies would have been a welcome addition. Who knew you might need a plumb line and builder’s level in addition to paper and pencils in order to draw? VERDICT Fun for fledgling artists of all ages, who will find plenty of tidbits of creative wisdom to be gleaned in this affordable and helpful guide.—John Charles, formerly of Scottsdale P.L., AZ