1 comments about Old & New: Combining Past and Present In Contemporary Homes.

1. This was an awesome buy. It gave me lots of ideas for decorating my aspiring eclectic home.

4 comments about The Cottage Book: Living Simple and Easy.

1. Reading The Cottage Book is a vacation in and of itself. Tons of windowsill sunlight, fresh indigenous flowers, classic patchwork bed quilts, exposed cupboards textured with china patterns from generations past and present, a perfectly positioned telescope, clothes line dried in the fresh air, vintage tablecloths draped over a table offering ice tea and croissants, and porches inviting us to spend a leisurely day enjoying the outdoors--all these things remind us that every cottage has a story worth living! Each cottage in this book is presented as unpretentious and practical, yet bright and beautiful, highlighting the simplicity, comfort, humor, and traditions found there. Particularly unique is the author's note of vibrant color introduced in each cottage room, either through unique fabrics or pieces or furniture. The book demonstrates clearly that the colors around us can have a powerful effect on our feelings and even outlook on life. A touch of vibrant color should be a basic element of any cottage home.



2. Fresh and "reader friendly".

   The varied cottages presented by Carol Bass have soul and depth of character. And, they have a usefulness, charm and vitality that makes you want to re-create those kinds of spaces for yourself.

   What does the American cottage, camp or bungalow tell us about what we add to our life when we have a little time to get-a-way? This book gave me a chance to peek into special homes that show a sense of multiple generations beautifully layered into one place at one time.

   What feels very timely today is the bold use of color and the variety of different styles and materials to make a place personal.

   The book is useful in creating a meaningful home.




3. Not so much a how-to book as it is a collection of homes to aspire to, The Cottage Book: Living Simple and Easy's combining of photographic examples and Carol Bass' prose transport the reader right into the cottages and their surroundings, with experiences beyond the visual alone. This is escapism at its asthetic best, a vacation-in-a-book. The title of the book is perfect, as are many of the featured rooms. Highly recommended for those who long to be close to nature and in touch with the past, with beauty all around as well. This is simply the best decorating book I've ever experienced. Inspirational!



4. I finished this book in a day. I found it easy to read and very inspiring. Just looking at the pictures gave me ideas about how I'd like my home to eventually look. Not a how-to or a book offering advice - it's a book to relax with, enjoy reading and use as inspiration!

1 comments about Coastal Style: Home Decorating Ideas Inspired by Seaside Living.

1. This is a good book on the basics of how to decorate a coastal home. For the novice in "beachy" decor or the landlubber who craves a coastal look in their landlocked home, it gives general information about paint colors, lighting, accessories, furniture choices, utilizing the natural beauty of the ocean view, and use of a variety of textures to enhance the seaside home. The photography is superb, but i found the colors atonal and drab at times and the distressed furniture and "shabby chic" look somewhat boring and unappealing. The authors' tone is quite sophisticated and they seem to write with a definite European sensibility and flair.

No comments about Florence de Dampierre French Chic: The Art of Decorating Houses.

5 comments about Cottage Style Decorating.

1. I only wish I could make my house look like this! This book has quite a range of different types of Cottage decorating, everything from Swedish to Shaker to Garden. It contains many ideas that I will be trying to emulate.



2. This is the first book I will pick up to get inspirations and ideals for cottage style decorating. Loads of colorful photographs really set this book apart from other books.



3. Beautiful pictures, nice ideas - my mom went gagga over it - cottage style is totally her. I liked it - but wouldn't look at it repeatedly.



4. I absolutely love this book! The pictures are beautiful, every page is a treat! It's definantly a good investment and really gets your mind rolling with all kinds of ideas for your own house. I highly recommend this book if you are into cottage decor!



5. I'm making the transition from rustic farmhouse to cottage. This book really helped me to see and understand what changes I need to make to accomplish this while utilizing many of the items I already have. It has a very organized presentation with short and easy explanations to achieve the look you prefer. I have looked at every page over and over again. The pictures are beautiful as well.

5 comments about Flea Market Style.

1. I live in suburbia, in a newer development where all the homes pretty much look the same. I am always on the look-out for creative ideas on decorating because I don't want my interior to look like it stepped out of one of the well-known home decor stores and catalogs. This book was an inspiring find! Lots of pictures and informative text...I have looked at the pictures over and over again. I'm not much into the step-by-step instruction books on transforming found objects so this book was right up my alley. For me, its purpose was served in that it filled my head and notebook with creative ideas for my home. A great book to look through before you head off to the nearest architectural salvage yard, flea market, or out for a day of garage sales.



2. Very creative and innovative! Low cost and stulish ways to add beauty and charm to your surroundings. There's alot of Flea Market & Junk mavens out there, but at an actual cost that's out of this world when you delve into it. Nice going!



3. i found this book on Amazon after searching for another by Emily Chalmers called Style On a Budget. I bought this one blindly and really loved the ideas. The photos and layout are beautiful and the ideas are creative and fun. i love the combination of colors used, which is lively yet still maintaining a mature ambience. I do think these "finds" are not as lucky for just anyone unless you are an avid flea market goer. But still it will help me keep me motivated, with eyes open.



4. This book has some really good ideas as far as example rooms set up for you to go gaga over, but only an upholsterer could really carry through with a lot of these ideas. It shows some samples of remarkable flea market finds though. I personally thought that a lot of the spaces that were set up in the book were too cluttered and not usable realistically.



5. This book rocks-it has funky ideas and is beautifully presented, not like many of the other recycled furniture books out there.I mean, do you REALLY want to learn how to make a distressed-finish-powder blue-decoupaged candlestick holder out of fence pickets?If so, this is not the book for you..this one shows how you can TASTEFULLY decorate your place with some original pieces and not spend a fortune.Accept no imitations-this book is awesome.

5 comments about Preston Bailey's Fantasy Weddings.

1. Preston Bailey is wonderful!! He is truly original and I love all of his books!!



2. I truly am enjoying this book! Preston's style is so inspiring I have shared it with several of my friends. The photos are beautiful and the information he shares with us is very helpful. I will buy all I can of his work. Thank-You Preston for sharing the gift God gave you with us. Sincerly, Sherry



3. I am an event designer and love making any room beautiful. I thought these pictures were beautiful but possible a little over the top. I don't recommend buying the book. It's wasn't worth paying full price.



4. Many people say Preston Bailey is over the top- and he is! Duh... I have an event production firm here in LA and we make reference to the authors ideas, then we tone it down a bit, add our own flavor and touch, and there you have it. The point of a book like this that everyone else here seems to miss is that you should NEVER recreate anything in a book- but rather be inspired by it.
   The point of my title is to draw a parallel between the ideas in this book, and the point of the high-fashion industry. When Dolce & Gabbana release a silver pleather jumpsuit in a runway show, they don't want you to actually wear that on the street; but rather, they want you to move in a more conservative version of that design that is usually toned down and sold in the store. It's like asking for a raise: ask for $2.00 if you really want $1.00...



5. This book is delightful.The talents of Bailey and his staff are vast. I recommend Fantasy Weddings to get your own creative juices flowing-very inspiring for professionals- or simply to enjoy as an escape to Fairyland.

2 comments about Bazaar Style: Decorating With Market and Vintage Finds.

1. I love this look and find it a fun and easy way to decorate, HOWEVER, I caution those less adventurous folks to find a more mainstream book for reference. This book focuses on the flea market, ethnic look which is not a look based on balance or anything cohesive...it's an "anything goes" kind of look which is perfect if you are just starting out and trying to put a home together with odds and ends available to you from friends and family. Since I am a huge garage sale, antique mall or tag sale fan, I love seeing how these type of things can be show-cased to look fun and stylish. Since my style is a mix of this bohemian style with antiques and newer, modern furnishings and accessories mixed in, I find it a good point of reference when I'm looking for new and fresh ideas.
   
   This is a wonderful book to spark some creativity and make your imagination run wild!



2. I never write reviews, but this book is just fantastic!
   I love unique and different things with lots of color, so this book is very helpful. I can use the things I have for a vibrant fun filled home.
   If you are an avid flea market, rummage sale, & import store shopper, you are going to really enjoy this!

5 comments about Tricia Guild Pattern: Using Pattern to Create Sophisticated, Show-stopping Interiors.

1. This book is absolutely gorgeous, inside and out. Rich and colorful, it's a feast for the eyes! If you design interior spaces or home textiles, this book will be an especially great addition to your collection.



2. You will not want to put this book down! If only I could magically transport myself to one of Tricia Guild's ethereal spaces...I would never want to leave. Opening this book is like taking a journey...it's an adventure in sumptuous fabrics, luscious colors and tactile textiles. Her patterns are romantic yet whimsical, and she masterfully juxtaposes modern and antique elements and motifs with themes of flowers and nature accented with candy colors! This book appeals to feminine sensibilities!



3. Out of all the books from Tricia Guild, this one is her very best, I think! I am a huge fan!!!



4. This book is eye candy offered at a great price! Wonderful photography, colors, and graphics.



5. inspirational and pleasant! an eye candy, a page turner, I could not get enough! Pages filled with interiors variations from vintage cottage to modern with a chock of color. Unexpected combinations of textiles and wall hangings mixed with truly amazing architectural details. the book is the celebration of eclectic style. Almoust every page shows a fantasy home, created with such ease, charm and playfulness - it's contagious.

3 comments about Nursery Style.

1. This is an amazing Nursery book, it does not matter if you are vintage, classic or modern in your taste. It's very instructive on how to create a one of kind nursery. Loved It! Beautiful rooms and ideas!



2. I found this book to be worth every penny. The inspiration in decor can be applied on any budget, which is the beauty of the authors' suggestions. I thumb through this book every night and seem to find something I hadn't noticed before each time I do. I love this publication!



3. I've flipped through many nursery books and this book is beyond compare. Buy this book if you're looking for modern beautiful and unique styles. The book does cover 'vintage' decor aswell but the authors have done it in a very current and modern way that most moms our time will love. It comes with design tips that help you cut your budget aswell. I feel that, if you're the type of parent that wants to decorate a nursery without it looking too childish or toys'r'us looking this books is for you. A fantastic find for me.