1 comments about Stencils with Style : Creative Ideas for Applying Patterns to Every Room.

1. Lovely photographs. Problem is the title suggests it is a book of stencils, or so I assumed: "creative ideas for applying patterns....." Just lots of pretty photos. Returned it, the only purchase I ever have returned to Amazon, and I am a frequent buyer. Now I am looking for a book of stencils from which I can make templates to "apply patterns..."

2 comments about Decorating With Paper & Paint: Combining Decoupage & Faux Finish Techniques.

1. I highly recommend this book to the novice or experienced decoupager. Rhonda Rainey has very thoughtfully compiled a very user-friendly guide. What impressed me most, in comparison to many other decoupage how-to books, was how clearly everything is explained and layed out in order to complete the featured techniques. Not only that, there is an easy to understand, not too technical overview of decoupaging at the start of the book. The print is very readable. All the materials, tools, and supplies needed are pictured and listed which is very helpful. Last but not least, her creative ideas with combining decoupage with faux finishes are the most appealing designs that I have seen compiled in one book. I have many other decoupage books but I regard Decorating with Paper and Paint as my decoupage bible.



2. Twenty-six completely different, gorgeous and remarkably easy techniques are shown in glorious, large photos, and with very complete step-by-step instructions.

   If you have (or want to have) anything to do with either working with paper or paint, stamping, embossing, decoupaging, gilding, scrapbooking, or pressing flowers or leaves, you will use these techniques for the rest of your life in millions of ways, and never tire of the creative possibilities uniquely yours with professional, stunning results possible every time.

   I've only begun to get into paper crafting in the last few months, and I had no problem re-creating the techniques into projects of my own, and into three of the eighteen projects she gives to kick-start creativity with the demonstrated techniques. This book will be a favorite for years to come! It's for the person who is only thinking about trying this type of craft (by the time you're done perusing this book, you'll jump in and start doing!) all the way to the person who has done this stuff for years, as the inspiration is powerful...

3 comments about The eBay Home Makeover: Buying Confidently, Redecorating with Style--The Complete Guide to Transforming Your Home Online.

1. Just like stumbling across a treasure on ebay, I happened to see this book at a bookstore and immediately took the "buy now" option. I absolutely love this book! It has great photos; they look like real rooms from real homes - not stuffy staged shots. I have bought a few things off of ebay but I really didn't know the extent of the home décor items available. This book list "power sellers" whom have good ratings and sell great home decorating items. This book addresses shipping issues, relevant decorating tips, and do-it-yourself projects. I highly recommend this book.



2. I love browsing on eBay, but hadn't thought about using it in my decorating efforts. This book opens your eyes to the wealth of objects (often one-of-a-kind) on the auction site that you can use to transform your home.
   For beginning eBay users, the book covers registration and tips for browsing and buying so you get the most for your money. It includes a buyers guide with lists of power sellers and the types of things you can count on them to offer. This is reassuring if you are nervous about making your first purchases.
   Anyway, this book is a great alternative to searching flea markets and estate sales looking for great deals for your home.



3. I am in the process of decorating my new apartment and thought this book would be a great idea. Not only are the photos of poor quality but the so-called decor is awful. I do not recommend this book for anyone who wishes to decorate stylishly. Also, the book is not that informative about buying on eBay.

1 comments about Country Floors Decorating With Tiles.

1. The title of this book explains its contents exactly: decorating with tile. It is primarily a book of beautiful photographs of all manner of tile installations, with some information about the history, manufacture and use of tiles, and their sources. To me, this book is for inspiration and design ideas only. It has no information about or instructions for installing tile, what tools are required, or anything else to do with installation. It gets five stars because it does exactly what it intends to do - showcase tile - and does it very well.

1 comments about Desert Retreats: Sedona Style.

1. This was another purchase that is a must have for anyone that loves the Desert Southwest and Sedona. What can one say of one of the most beautiful places on earth. The Red Rocks and the homes and scenery are magic.
   
   Great purchase!

2 comments about Designing Your Home on a Budget: *Knowing the Rules and How to Break Them All * Finding the Bargains * Loving the Results!.

1. "Style is not what you have, but what you do with what you have." So begins Designing Your Home on a Budget, a book by Emilie Barnes and Yoli Brogger that serves up a cornucopia of ideas.
   
   "To maintain a rich look on a not-so-rich budget, we suggest shopping with the 25-75 rule in mind," the authors say. "That is, the bulk of your décor can come from very inexpensive sources and even be of poor quality - but your `cheap chic' treasures should be balanced with a few pieces of real, lasting quality. At least 25 percent of your furnishings and accessories should feature quality materials and workmanship - a beautiful walnut chair, a fine-art piece, or a lovely bed to balance your discount-store linens, junk-shop mirror, and import-store blinds."
   
   Partnering with decorator Yoli Brogger, Barnes gives freedom to use the home as an artistic canvas to express the uniqueness of the individual. "We're all unique, made up of different backgrounds, ethnic histories, and lifestyles," Brogger writes. "And we're all much more interesting than we think we are. So start expressing your uniqueness in your home and decide to love what you have."
   
   Designing Your Home on a Budget briefly provides the basics of home décor and then gives permission to break the rules. In addition to shopping retail, decorators are encouraged to seek special pieces from a variety of sources including grandma's attic, estate sales, secondhand stores, and trading with friends.
   
   Now a grandmother, Barnes was 17 when she married and set about creating a beautiful home "on no budget at all." She described, "In those days Bob and I eagerly accepted castoffs and hand-me-downs. We wracked our brains for ways to transform these mismatched basics into a cozy, welcoming home. We spray-painted an old wrought-iron garden table for our kitchen. We moved the same little potted plants from kitchen to living room to bedroom. We rooted around behind charity shops for interesting discards we could hang on the walls in place of the art we didn't own."
   
   Like an over stuffed chair, Designing Your Home on a Budget is stuffed with practical suggestions for recycling items for your individual purposes. Make ottomans and side tables from travel trunks, trays, or toy boxes. Use kitchen canisters in the utility room for dog treats, or in the study for office supplies. Hang anything on the wall from musical instruments to vintage clothing. Place patio furniture inside, and indoor pieces outside. Employ sheets for table cloths and curtains, and incorporate collections as part of the home décor.
   
   The theme in Designing Your Home on a Budget is to create an environment that is welcoming, inviting, makes comfortable, attracts attention, and stimulates conversation. Seventeen chapters include: What's My Style; How to Think (or Rethink) a Room; Kid Chic; and Decking the Walls. Inspiring quotes are sprinkled throughout, and chapters conclude with a list of Bright Ideas.
   
   Emilie Barnes is a familiar author with 60 books to her credit including More Hours in My Day and The Twelve Teas of Christmas. Her husband, Bob is the author of What Makes a Man Feel Loved. Together, the Barnes clocked decades of marriage and parenting, battled her cancer, and are the founders of More Hours in My Day time- management seminars. Designing Your Home on a Budget is appropriate for newlyweds setting up housekeeping or for veterans itching to paint something artistically fresh on the canvas of their home. - PeggySue Wells, Christian Book Previews.com



2. Emilie Barnes, author of 60 books, together with Yoli Brogger has written a comprehensive and practical guide for people who want a warm and beautiful house but don't have the money or desire to spend a lot of money to attain the "look."
   
   From discovering your own personal style and loving what you already have, through decorating rules and breaking those rules, we're brought on an exciting journey in finding our focus and making beautiful living spaces that reflect our individual needs and comfort. And it doesn't have to cost a fortune.
   
   The tips and techniques are logical but not always the things people spend a lot of time thinking about when "pulling a room together." You'll find help with tools needed for a project, information about fabric choices, learn how the addition of candles and lamps bring warmth and light to a room, great window treatments, clever inspiration for walls and many other ideas for every room in your home.
   
   Armchair Interviews says: Whether you're experienced or a novice in home decorating, Designing Your Home on a Budget will help you achieve what you want, with less hassle and less time spent on the project.

1 comments about A Home Within.

1. As you travel through the beautiful illustrations and cozy words of this book you will feel a warmth in your heart. I keep this treasure on my coffee table to entertain my soul. After all, your home is where your heart is. The author and illustrator of this book are business partners but what makes there creations so beautiful is that they have been good friends for a long, long time. How wonderful! Thank you Roxie, and thank you Shelly.

1 comments about Feng Shui for the Workplace.

1. i recieved this book from a co worker as a gift and it was very helpful in finding balance and harmony in a hectic workplace. I recommend it highly and feel it can help you transform the most stimulating environment to a serene dwelling.

1 comments about Fabric Magic.

1. I've had this book for over ten years, and have made several projects from it. It probably is not ideal for those with only basic sewing skills, as the projects describe proportions rather than measurements (so that they can be adapted to any home), but I have had good results. As a book to inspire, it is wonderful. Paine has created beautiful interiors and has many creative ideas for transforming spaces with fabric.

1 comments about Feng Shui for Success & Happiness.

1. "One Joy Scatters a hundred griefs" Chinese proverb.
   By opening his preface with this quote, Richard Webster lays the basis of Feng Shui down. He has a theory that you have to be happy before any kind of change can take place.
   He touches on what a 'shar' is, how to overcome even the smallest problems with Feng Shui remedies and explains the 'magic square'.
   This book is nicely illustrated with line drawings and examples of 'pa-kua mirrors' (which should only be used outside), trigrams and the Magic Square. He also includes the Cycle of Production of the Five Elements (fire, earth, metal, water and wood) and the Cycle of Destruction of the Five elements. He is very thorough and even a rank beginner can understand it.

   I would recommend this book for someone who is interested in Feng Shui and wants to have a basis to get started.

   
   Richard Webster explains thoroughly what Feng Shui means, how you can affect small changed in your life and how Feng Shui will help you. He includes a couple of case studies from people he has worked with toward the end of the book as well.

   From reading this book, my interest in Feng Shui is more piqued and I will be reading other books to get more information.