William Pahlmann used writing as a way to communicate his ideas about decoration to a wide audience. He intended for his writings to be generalized guides to taste and the principles of interior design rather than "how to" instructions for do-it-yourself decorating. In both his writings and public talks, Pahlmann argued that there was absolutely no substitute for professional interior designers when it came to questions of how to properly decorate public and private spaces. Designers had the proper training and experience to handle issues that arose in interior design, such as knowing where to obtain furnishings and materials, coordinating colors and textures, understanding traffic patterns, and being able to tailor spaces to suit clients' needs.

Pahlmann used his writings and speeches as platforms for educating audiences about the role and function of professional interior designers.

Pahlmann also felt that educating general audiences about style and taste helped streamline the process of interior decoration by helping them figure out what they wanted out of interior spaces. Good taste and style were not just subjective measures of good and bad. Pahlmann argued that they were an integral part of functional design, allowing for the creation of objects and interiors that were durable, aesthetically pleasing, cost effective, and immune to shifts in popular fashion. If people understood taste as Pahlmann outlined it, they would save themselves time and money when it came time to decorate. More importantly, good taste helped interior designers create spaces that made clients feel comfortable and secure. Pahlmann hoped that educating audiences about taste and style would lead them to want interiors that in some way improved their lives.

In addition to his successful syndicated column "A Matter of Taste" (see Series 14, Matter of Taste) and numerous other magazine and newspaper articles, Pahlmann planned to write books that outlined his design philosophies and gave advice to general audiences. With the help of Margaret Cousins, (who served as managing editor of Good Housekeeping and later as an editor for the publisher Doubleday) Pahlmann wrote several manuscripts which he submitted to various publishers. These book drafts carried titles such as "Pahlmann Primer," "Decorator Secrets," and "A Matter of Taste."

Despite several attempts the only book Pahlmann got published was The Pahlmann Book of Interior Design. This work was a comprehensive statement of his ideas on design and taste, illustrated with photographs and drawings of his own work or that of his employees. The Pahlmann Book of Interior Design first appeared in 1955 and was reviewed favorably by the popular press as well as within the field of interior design. The book's success led to two subsequent editions (1960 and 1968) as well as numerous reprintings. The Pahlmann Book of Interior Design became Pahlmann's written 'magnum opus' because it highlighted some of his most prominent work and the ideas behind his design concepts.

The Books Series provides primary documentation of William Pahlmann's successful and unsuccessful attempts to write books about his ideas and philosophy regarding interior design. It sheds a certain amount of light on the creative process involved in the writing of The Pahlmann Book of InteriorDesign and Pahlmann's unpublished works. The series also provides information about the commercial and legal issues Pahlmann dealt with in his attempts to write and publicize books. The materials found in this series provide insight into the reasons for the success of The Pahlmann Book of InteriorDesign and reveal why Pahlmann's other book proposals never made it to publication.

The Book Series contains manuscripts and proofs of both The Pahlmann Book of Interior and his unpublished works, and copies of The Pahlmann Book of Interior Design. Drawings and photographs intended for use as illustrations in both The Pahlmann Book of Interior Design and his unpublished works are also found in this series. Correspondence, financial documents, and notes pertaining to Pahlmann's literary endeavors are included in this series as well.