The Creative Act: Books We Love

One of my favorite things about summer is that I finally find my way back to reading.

The pace slows a bit. Evenings get longer. There's a little more room to linger with a cup of coffee in the morning or spend an hour with a book before bed.

This summer, one of the first books I picked (back) up was The Creative Act by Rick Rubin—a thoughtful gift from my nephew Nicholas, who is one of those naturally creative people who always seems to be discovering interesting books, ideas, and perspectives before everyone else, not to mention always sharing the latest new music! (Thanks Nick!)

I'll admit, I loved the book before I even opened it.

As a designer, I'm a sucker for good graphic design, and the textured cover with its simple black circles immediately caught my eye. It's beautiful enough to leave out on a coffee table.

Fortunately, what's inside is just as compelling.

One of the biggest ideas I took away from the book is that creativity isn't reserved for artists. It's really about paying attention.

Paying attention to patterns.
To color.
To architecture.
To nature.
To the small details that most people walk past without noticing.

That resonated with me because it's very much how Happy Habitat began.

Most of my designs start with something I've noticed—a tiled floor, a shadow cast across a wall, a shape in a garden, an unexpected color combination, a detail from a building. The creative process isn't always about inventing something new. Often it's about seeing something familiar in a new way.

Another idea that stayed with me is the importance of making things because you genuinely love them, not because you're chasing trends.

When I started Happy Habitat, I wasn't trying to follow what everyone else was doing. I simply wanted modern, graphic blankets that didn't seem to exist in the world yet. So I made them.

Reading The Creative Act felt like a reminder that curiosity, observation, and making space for inspiration still matter.

And maybe that's what I've been thinking about lately when I talk about Throw Culture.

Not just blankets.

The rituals that surround them.

A favorite chair.
A dog nearby.
A great book.
A quiet hour.
A throw draped across your lap while you read one more chapter.

The small things that make a home feel lived in and life feel a little richer.