The Layered Home: An Interior Design Book

The design influencer behind the Instagram handle A Spoonful of Benjamin presents an aspirational guide to transforming your living spaces into vibrant and cozy havens.

"If you choose one playbook rule, let this be your guide: Layers plus personalization create absolute spatial magic. Nothing else comes close." –from the Introduction

To magazine editor and stylist Benjamin Reynaert, more is more when it comes to the home. The more patterns and colors combined, the more preloved pieces scooped up at the right time, the more surfaces to display treasured objects, the more a house will feel like home. Layers are key to achieving this maximalist alchemy. It's not a look that can be bought all at once, but one developed over time, leisurely and with intention, as you stay mindful of your space’s personality. Most of all, layering a home requires listening to and respecting your own instincts and taste.

To help train your eye, Benjamin takes you on a journey through exquisitely decorated homes lived in by creative and curious people. From the United Kingdom and Paris to Delaware, Mississippi, and California, these homes artfully integrate patterns, colors, textures, art, furniture, and objects to create interiors that are as unique as the people who live in them. More than 200 photographs capture home tours of stunning maximalist homes, and Benjamin’s talks with his favorite tastemakers reveal tips and tricks on collecting, arranging objects, and modifying rooms over time.

Brimming with beauty and smart advice, The Layered Home shares how to curate interiors filled with warmth and endless visual interest by embracing abundance, imperfection, and craft. The end result: a gorgeous home that tells your unique story.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs