There's a lot to love about the serene quality of minimalist interiors in this go, go, go! world, but the new book New Romance ($60, Gestalten) argues that it's actually country-house style that provides the best escape from our busy schedules. "The more self-involved and digitized our daily lives become, the more we surround ourselves with natural materials," write the Gestalten editors. "We crave things that have a more pleasant feel to them than the cold touch-screens we're constantly swiping away on." One such example from the book: the timeworn walls in designer Isabelle Dubois-Dumée's French château, left just as they are, peeling here and crumbling there. Hints of old floral wallpaper and swathes of bare sandstone blocks proudly tell the story of the home's past. When paired with lush potted plants, slim wood and wicker furniture, and touches of teal and bright white, the walls feel whimsical and charming, an intentional design decision rather than a forgotten renovation project. The best part? Leaving your walls in all their unfinished glory is absolutely free. So go on with your day—it's okay to do nothing.
