Modern Americana - by Max Humphrey (Hardcover)

About the Book

Designer Max Humphrey gives every reader confidence to create their own stylish digs using things they collect, buy, inherit, or dumpster-dive for. Americana design elements that can fuel personal decorating styles from classic American country to urban lofts and everything in between. Photos and personal anecdotes highlight collectibles and DIY-ables from Max's design and styling portfolio--such as such as bandana wallpaper, botanical prints, bunk beds, clocks, old maps, gingham and plaid everything, Pendleton blankets, camp vibes, and vintage signs. The book features casual to custom and higher end furnishings and includes design elements from a range of Humphrey's interior design projects from East to West Coast.

Book Synopsis

Do-it-yourself décor inspired by iconic patterns, classic fabrics, sentimental items, and the Americana style.

Designer Max Humphrey gives every reader confidence to create their own stylish digs using things they collect, buy, inherit, or dumpster-dive for. Americana design elements that can fuel personal decorating styles from classic American country to urban lofts and everything in between.

Photos and personal anecdotes highlight collectibles and DIY-ables from Max's design and styling portfolio--such as such as bandana wallpaper, botanical prints, bunk beds, clocks, old maps, gingham and plaid everything, Pendleton blankets, camp vibes, and vintage signs.

The book features casual to custom and higher end furnishings and includes design elements from a range of Humphrey's interior design projects from East to West Coast.

Review Quotes

"Something tells us that fans of Moonrise Kingdom and The Royal Tenenbaums will swoon over this book by designer Max Humphrey. Using maps, plaid and gingham, Pendleton blankets, vintage signs, alarm clocks and more, Humphrey crafts folksy spaces tinged with nostalgia. Settle in, pour yourself a drink and prepare to feel very cozy while reading."--Katie Friedman "HGTV" (12/9/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"With many Americans fully embracing hygge in the age of social distancing, your interior design-loving friend will very much appreciate a copy of Modern Americana: a new title celebrating all the home decor trends that inspire feelings of nostalgia and comfort."--Lila Nordstrom and K.W. Colyard "Bustle" (1/7/2022 12:00:00 AM)

"... rich compilation of interior design inspiration ..."-- "Mountain Living" (11/1/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"If you love camp-inspired decor, don't miss [Modern Americana], which is full of creative ideas. ..."-- "Country Living" (9/1/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"Th[is] newly released book ... explores Humphrey's design approach and reinterprets it for those who have a DIY spirit or simply love the joy of discovery."--Jessianne Castle "Big Sky Journal" (7/29/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"... a visually driven tome that emphasizes heritage, nostalgia and the pure pleasure of collecting."--Arianne Nardo "Business of Home" (6/14/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"BUY [THIS] NEW BOOK BECAUSE IT IS SO GOOD."--Emily Henderson "Style by Emily Henderson" (5/18/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"Flipping through Modern Americana, one gets the feeling that they are on a visual treasure hunt. Humphrey is a maximalist, and his spaces make a strong impact. But he doesn't just fill a room for the sake of filling room--every piece of vintage furniture, every antique object, is a component that comes together to tell a larger story. "--Rachel Gallaher "Gray Magazine" (5/10/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"... a new book that's about to be your Modern Americana gospel. Broken down into the basic elements of this traditional design approach but with their fresh, contemporary interpretation, the book will leave you feeling equipped to apply a (fresh) bit of Americana to your own home in no time. Not to mention, just flipping through the pages of fun visual displays of Americana design will give you the mountain dream home meets Wild West wanderlust fix you didn't know you needed."--Hadley Mendelsohn "House Beautiful" (5/1/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"If interior design is all about getting into your comfort zone (in a stylish kind of way), then I think [Humphrey] hit this one out of the park."--Barbara Beem "AntiqueWeek" (4/21/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"Max Humphrey gets it. We don't want our do-it-yourself home projects to look less than professional, but we also don't want to live in a perfectly staged magazine spread. The Portland interior designer's rooms are - you can't avoid the word - 'homey.'

Humphrey's frank, fun and uplifting voice can be found throughout the new book ...

Consider this book 208 pages of ideas to turn your attic and basement castoffs into a home that looks timeless with a bit of the Wild West, as if you shopped with one of Humphrey's idols: Ralph Lauren."--Janet Eastman "The Oregonian" (3/1/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"Leave it to interior designer Max Humphrey to reveal what it takes to pull off a modern Americana aesthetic. Think pointers on decorating with gingham, old maps, flea market treasures, and custom furnishings--all with a focus on crafting an interior that feels layered and lived-in. "--Monique Valeris "Good Housekeeping" (2/26/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"Max is real design disruptor, where things look pulled together and full of inspiration but with an underlying rebelliousness that still feels fresh. His new book Modern Americana is whimsical and utterly delightful."--Emily Henderson "designer, TV host and New York Times Best Selling author" (3/1/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"... colorful Magnolia by way of Wes Anderson."--Rebecca Foster "Foreword Reviews" (4/6/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"These are homey scenes with clean lines, fluffy textures, period pieces, and folksy touches.
The book's Instagram-ready images are its true star; a narrative is fashioned in the way that they move from materials to placement to in situ enjoyment. Cozy and quirky, these interiors bring to mind a relaxed, colorful Magnolia by way of Wes Anderson. Don your flannel and denim and curl up on a window seat to soak up the pages' rustic charm."--Rebecca Foster "Foreword Reviews" (4/6/2021 12:00:00 AM)

"Modern Americana ... showcases the elements of the style he loves -- one that he happily adapts to all age groups and all settings, from beach houses to brick-walled urban lofts."-- "Western Art & Architecture Magazine" (2/1/2021 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

Max Humphrey spent ten years in LA designing homes all over the United States. In 2016, he moved to Portland to launch his own design firm. He has been featured in Architectural Digest, Domino, Dwell, The Wall Street Journal, and as one of Apartment Therapy's design change-makers. Max was also featured as a 'Next Wave' designer in House Beautiful Magazine and has been named one of Country Living's 100 most creative people. He lives in Portland, OR.

Chase Reynolds Ewald has been writing about design, travel, and lifestyle for 25 years. A graduate of Yale and the Graduate School of Journalism and U.C. Berkeley, she is currently Senior Editor of Western Art & Architecture Magazine. She resides in Tiburon, CA.