Ever look around the walls of your home and think, "Blah!" Do you have Martha-Stewart envy? Do you buy decorating magazines by the dozen and just end up throwing up hands at the impossibility of the task of re-doing your home? Fret no more. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Decorating Your Home, Second Edition gives clear, easy-to-understand instruction to turn the most humble abode into a work of art. This brand new, updated second edition has even more photos than before to help you get a picture-perfect vision of your decorating dreams. An all-new chapter on decorating resources on the Web, as well as how to use such hot tickets as e-Bay to get that perfect item for your home at a perfectly low price.
Customer Review: Title is misleading, this book does not make decorating fun!
There is a lot of information in this book, but it does not go into depth about a lot of subjects. (Too many to mention here) I am not a novice, and a lot of information was either left out or not given. It is OK for just the basics, but the book to me is boring, especially with few photos (in the middle of the book) If I were going for the basics, I'd want a book that told me how many square feet a gallon of paint covered, or a roll of wallcovering covered. How about measuring for blinds, or draperies? If you would like a true how-to book try "Fabrique Technique" on fabric corrdination or "Use What You Have Decorating" on furniture placement. They're both informative and useful information that you can really use.
Customer Review: A decorating book with no photos!?????
I was a complete idiot for not reading the book's description more carefully before I bought it. Talking about decorating is OK, but you have to SHOW me something beautiful too. This is only HALF a decorating book, becauase it has no photos.
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21
January
How to work confidently with color, fabric, collections, furnishings, and accessories in a chosen style (French, modernist, traditional, Southwestern, country colonial).
Customer Review: Beautiful photos, but lacks enough ideas for the beginner...
If you are a beginner decorator, or a person just starting out in a new home, this book might overwhelm you. The reason I say this is because most beginners could never afford the expensive items and furniture photographed in this book.
The rooms photographed in this book are in the "classic" style--mostly.
The book does show the various color foundations in each room, though it does not go into great detail as to how to layer the colors themselves. For this reason, the reader may want to pick up a more "basic" book on COLOR first, such as "Color:The New Color Book" by CHRONICLE BOOKS, or "The Comfort of Color" by Susan Sargent.
Customer Review: Not such a great deal
The price may be cheap but you get what you pay for. I think that there are other books out there that do a better job of introducing interior decoration to first timers. This book did not show a wide range of design styles and the pictures are starting to look out-dated. Recommendation: Choose another book. Other Sources: If you want a better basic introduction to interior decoration, I suggest 1000 Practical Ideas for Home Decoration. This book even has tips for those who are design junkies. It has beautiful photographs, and many different styles are represented. Plus, the author has a great sense of humor. If you want to learn more about different design styles in particular, a good choice is The Ultimate Home Style Guide by Katherine Sorrell, or try the books from the Architecture and Design Library. They have books on styles ranging from Arts & Crafts to Retro Modern and from India Style to Mediterranean Style.
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20
January
Take a pictorial tour through seven houses, each soothing to the eye and soul, and with a unique approach to design. Boxed “Serene Secrets” suggest simple, quick techniques for transforming rooms; close-ups focus on the small details; and easy-to-make projects. “Simple redecorating solutions for creating calm, soothing home environments.”—Publishers Weekly.
Customer Review: Okay to be me
What I enjoyed most about this book is the insight that it gave into the lives and homes of real people. The author insists that each person should spend time exploring what they like personally, and developing decor around it. Home is where the heart is, and this book gives each of us inspiration to follow our hearts.
Customer Review: Serenity is as individual as you are
I loved the book because it gave me permission to follow my own instinct. There is a great deal of versatility to what works for each person. It's apparent from the assortment of homes - from small cottages to a beautiful chateau that no matter what the size of your home, each individual should follow their own style. Thank you for affirming my choices in decorating by knowing that I have surrounded myself with what makes ME feel serene!
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19
January
The perfect follow-up to Mary Gilliatt's Complete Room by Room Decorating Guide, this book takes readers through all the steps needed to decorate anything from a whole house down to one room, cleanly and basically with not only confidence and style, but heart and soul. Gilliatt takes homeowners through an entire house, helping them to consider what it is that makes them comfortable--both physically and emotionally--and considering all five senses: touch, sight, taste, hearing, and smell. Topics range from darkness when sleeping and quiet spaces for reading or resting, to comforts of different family members, flea market finds, and family heirlooms. Gilliatt shows homeowners how to find sanctuary in their homes whether they are spending time relaxing, entertaining, being with family or pets, doing hobbies, cooking and eating, reading, or any of the other activities that go into their daily life.
Customer Review: Advice for Decorating Your Manor House
This decorating books leans heavily towards the English country home and if you like that decorating style, then this book is for you. The photos are lovely. There's the stag's head over the fireplace, the china dogs on the mantel and paintings of race horses.
Although I found the reading a bit tedious, the section on home libraries and offices were appealing. I also liked one tip (instructions for converting a worn oriental rug into a floor pillow).
The book gives advice on choosing colors, lighting and window treatments. It's arranged by rooms (living room, entry hall, home office, etc.).
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18
January
Rich textural contrasts, intense colors, and strong design characterize this gorgeous guide that's filled with fabulous color photos and strikingly original projects, all clearly explained. Many are not necessarily round or even made to hang on the wall: the topiary of gardenias, fruit-and-nasturtium table garland, bridal headpiece, chair-back decoration, and banister garland all take the concept of wreath making to new design heights, lending elegance to very special occasions. For some everyday flair, try a horseshoe of succulents, a citrus fruit ring, or a driftwood frame. "The true craft of wreath making," says this talented floral designer, "is taking whatever is plentiful and inexpensive in nature and fashioning it into an imaginative decoration." --Amy Handy
Customer Review: Visually Stunning Wreaths
I was elated to peruse this user-friendly guide to making the most imaginative and beautiful creations I've ever seen in print. Each project includes a detailed list of materials and equipment needed and step by step instructions. The author includes full page color photographs of garlands, wreaths, table centerpieces, citrus fruit rings and other splendid creations, too numerous to mention. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in creating high-end wreaths for that special occasion.
Customer Review: Visually Stunning Wreaths
I was elated to peruse this user-friendly guide to making the most imaginative and beautiful creations I've ever seen in print. Each project includes a detailed list of materials and equipment needed and step by step instructions. The author includes full page color photographs of garlands, wreaths, table centerpieces, citrus fruit rings and other splendid creations, too numerous to mention. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in creating high-end wreaths for that special occasion.
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17
January
Seasonal ideas from the authority in country style
Book-of-the-Month Club Main Selection
Quick decorating ideas that bring a sense of the season indoors
Chapters divided by season
From the staff of Country Home magazine
Dust jacket printed on translucent stock
Customer Review: A pleasure for the eyes and a real treat for creative souls!
Featuring around 200 easy and beautiful decorating projects,complete with clear instructions and an invaluable resource guide to find supplies, this book, photograph after photograph also is a real pleasure for the eyes. Whether you are simply looking for country-style inspiration to decorate you home, or just enjoy creating beautiful yet affordable pieces for your home, look no more, this is the book you need. You will enjoy gathering pebbles from the beach, twigs and moss from the garden, and mixing them with an old crock, or treasured antique linen for your grand-mother, to create a stylish everyday look for your home. As an interior designer, this book is among my favorites and now belongs on my resource shelf in the office.My girlfriends have been known to borrow it as well, more than once. A must-have...
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15
January
top designers, decorators, architects, photograohers, and artists help you turn your home into the home of your dreams
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14
January
pages 579-768. Illustrated in color with some black-and-white photographs.
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13
January
Randy Florke--a Country Living contributor who has also been featured in the New York Times and on the Today show--presents the most accessible (and easiest) decorating primer ever created. His beautiful and affordable heartland sensibility, which he refers to as "anti keeping up with the Joneses," is irresistible.
Interior decorator and Country Living contributing editor Randy Florke hails from Iowa-and his inviting design style captures the warmth and homey appeal of heartland America. Every beautiful color photograph here presents real-life examples of rooms that radiate charm and practically invite readers to step inside and make themselves at home. Using a friendly, personal approach, Florke explores what he calls the "three muses" of design: comfort, economy, and color. Comfort resides in line-dried quilts and overstuffed sofas. Economy means items chosen from flea markets, thrift stores, or grandmother's attic. Country color is the faded blue of crockery and the pale shades of damask tablecloths. Anyone hoping to transform a home from ordinary to extraordinary will find thrifty and stylish ways to design. A Selection of the Homestyle Book Club.
Having traveled the world as a model, Randy Florke takes great pleasure in mixing his far-flung influences with those from his boyhood days on a Midwestern farm. His busy life includes a growing family and homes in New York City, Larrabee, Iowa and Sullivan County, New York.
Customer Review: Visually Pleasing, Inspiring, & Great narration
Loved everything about this book. He has a lot of interesting observations and ideas. I found it extremely inspiring for my home. We are a family of 5 with dogs and I appreciate his use of the found objects. Not only is it economical but if it withstood use by another family then it can take what we have to dish out. And on the plus side the older stuff is much more interesting looking. Highly recommend this book.
Customer Review: I Just Bought Another Copy
I'm liking Your House Your Home so much that I just ordered another copy for a friend who I know will love it also.
I thought it was the most practical and down-to-earth and realistic decorating book that I've ever seen. The photographs are beautiful, and the advice the kind of thing a real person can easily use.
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12
January
