5 comments about The Complete Book of Decorative Painting.

1. This book is truly deserving of the word "complete" in its title. Novice and experienced decorative artists alike will benefit from the wealth of information presented. I'm sure it will become one of the most-often used books on my shelf.



2. This book is the finest book of its kind I have ever reviewed. It is a step-by-step guide to decorative painting that is easy to read and follow. This book is a must for your reference library of decorative painting materials. With this book you have a master teacher at your fingertips. The photography and detail is outstanding and shows the care and thoughtfulness that went into the completion of this work of art. The color-coded pages make it easy to find and follow illustrations you require; and I agree with the comments on the back of the book by Priscilla Hauser and Donna Dewberry.



3. Ms. Leigh's book, unlike so many others entitled 'complete,' is the genuine article, and comprehensively surveys the many styles and techniques used in creating decorative paint effects for craft. Whether you are a complete beginner (like myself) or an experienced artist, this is the only resource book on the subject you will need. Beautifully illustrated and written in Ms. Leigh's informed and engaging style, The Complete Book of Decorative Painting is as enjoyable a read as it is a valuable guide to painting. Each technique is illustrated with step-by-step instructions (including technique tips such as how to hold the brush and recommended types of paint that many other publications overlook), an honest evaluation and rating of the skill required for each (so the novice painter can select projects more likely to produce satisfactory results), and interesting details on the origins and historical development of individual styles. If you get the chance to see Ms. Leigh in person, as I recently did, do so. She is as engaging in person as she is in print. Long a Martha Stewart wannabe, I was genuinely surprised as how simple some of these techniques actually are, and found Ms. Leigh's instructions clear, comprehensive and easy to follow. I recommend this book without reservation to anyone interested in decorative painting.



4. Tera Leigh's Complete Book Of Decorative Painting (1581800622 ...) tells how to use color basics, brushes, and techniques to create professional quality results in crafts, home decoration, and projects. From lettering and faux finishes to brush techniques and antiquing options, this uses a reference and question/answer format along with color photos to encourage easy experimentation.



5. The Author, Tera Leigh, does a fantastic job "breaking down" decorative painting. The pictures and descriptions are fantastic. If you are contemplating starting decorative painting or just need a great reference, this is for you. Everything is broken down step by step and the diagrams, demos, and descriptions cannot be beat!

4 comments about West Coast Bungalows of the 1920s: With Photographs and Floor Plans.

1. I loved this little book. It's small, but every page contains a photograph of the exterior and at least one floor plan. In many cases, alternate floor plans are also provided. Wilson designed classic California bungalows. His designs are under-appreciated, and in many cases inspiring. If you live in or lust after a California bungalow, you'll spend hours pouring over the ideas and plans presented in this book. I consider it a must-have for the library of the bungalow enthusiast.



2. E. W. Stillwell and Company was an architectural firm in Los Angeles that started business in 1906 and rode the West Coast building boom, eventually creating their own book of house plans. This little booklet is a reprint of their 1919 plan book.
   
   It's a fun read, with 50 house designs offered in its 64 pages. It's a small book, measuring only 6" by 8" and the print is small, but easily legible.
   
   Some of the homes offered by this firm are very attractive and a few are the classic California bungalows with the oriental peak on the gabled roofs. A few of the houses in this book are really quite unattractive. Many of these houses are quite spacious by 1919's standards, measuring 1,000 square feet or more. A few are the more modest worker's homes, with 700 - 800 square feet. It would not be difficult to take these designs and "puff" them a bit, making them large enough for today's needs.
   
   There are a dozen pages of extras, including testimonials from happy buyers, a street scene of these homes lined up like little soldiers in Pasadena, some financing information and my very favorite part, "Age of The Bungalow," a poem written by Ethel Brooks Stillwell (wife of the architect?).
   
   The photos are pretty clear, the floorplans are easy to read and fun to study and the print is also quite legible and dark. For the price (six dollars), you can't go wrong.
   
   Rose Thornton
   co-author, California's Kit Homes



3. I was a little bit disappointed in this book. I guess I didn't realize that this is basically a reprint of a catalog, all in black and white. I had hoped for some color photos of interiors and exteriors.



4. Great little book on an interesting subject. Lots of detailed drawings and descriptions right out of the old advertising brochures from the 1920's. It would have been nice to know the size of this LITTLE book - I might not have purchased it even at the very reasonable price. It left me wanting more and at a more convenient size.

5 comments about For the Love of Old: Living with Chipped, Frayed, Tarnished, Faded, Tattered, Worn and Weathered Things that Bring Comfort, Character and Joy to the Places We Call Home.

1. I loved Mary Randolph Carter's book American Family Style so much and this book seemed to me like a part two of that original book. Although this book wasn't filled with pictures of her family it was filled with the same warmth and comfort as the original. Even though it may not be filled with exactly the things I might put in my own home it is something I enjoy reading. You can tell the author truly LOVES these lost, rusty, beautiful things. I truly can appreciate that.



2. This book is beautiful. It is a coffe table copy. One you want to use for display. I was drawn with interest to someone who sees beauty in such old things. The book is very unique. I'm glad I have a copy.



3. I always love this author's books even though she tends to decorate even shabbier than I do. This particular book is just a work of beauty for the coffee table, I love the cover. There is a blue opera chair inside that tears at my heart with its beauty. I love inside the covers, the way she tells a story about her family and about why she sees beauty in some of the most beastly things. It is always interesting to see how others decorate and I believe Ms. Randolph-Carter is a green decorator indeed, taking recycling of old things to a new level.



4. I received this as a gift on Christmas. The cover was absolutely lovely. I couldn't wait to look inside. YIKES! The photographer did a terrific job, the book itself is very pretty, great colors, could make a lovely coffee table book. However the content is TERRIBLE!!! . I agree with the reviewer that all those pictures of the tatered dolls and other items/artifacts are very creepy indeed. Frankly it just looks messy, gloomy & dusty. I adore old things, books, beautiful photographs and antiques but this book is horrible. Unless you have seen this book in person and like it, DO NOT waste your money. I cannot imagine paying 50 dollars or even the amazon discounted rate. Buyer Beware on this one....



5. Oh Mary...........we love you so.
   The book is an inspiration to us all. I can only get through a couple of pages before I have to head for the nearest "junk" or antique shop to get a fix.
   If you like this book, you will like all of her great books. You will not be disappointed.
   I can't wait for the next one to come out!
   Hurry, Mary.......we can hardly wait.

2 comments about 50 Ways to Paint Furniture: The Easy, Step-by-Step Way to Decorator Looks.

1. This book gave me lots of ideas for painting furniture without a lot of artistic talent. A+ there. However, many of the techniques list one type & color of paint with no discussion of why or possible substitutions. Some discussions at my local painting store gave me more insight.



2. I was having a hard time getting started painting furniture. I highly recommend this book for beginners like myself. My first projects are painting over furniture that has already been painted. They were painted black and I didn't have a clue whether it was possible to paint a lighter color on top. With the tips in this book, and with a good paint primer, it IS possible! The author has kept her instructions down to the minimal most important tips. So, I'm not overwhelmed by it. I love how she photographed all the necessary supplies and tools on one page. She has another book she co-wrote that I looked at in the library; it features full rooms of special paint techniques. That book is overwhelming for me. '50 Ways' shows small pieces of furniture, which is very manageable for the beginner, like me. I highly recommend this book!

5 comments about Complete Step-by-Step Upholstery.

1. I have an old leather chesterfield couch that needs to be repaired in sections. I have no doubt that this is going to be a great help. The projects are all step by step with great color photographs. It also goes over all the tools needed. If my project turns out half as nice as the pictures I will be thrilled.



2. This book directs the reader through several projects, beginning with a very simple one to one that is quite complicated. Covers a wide range of techniques, and displays each step quite clearly with many good photographs. The book is particulary valuable for upholstering antique pieces with materials similar to what would have been original to the piece. There is not a piece of foam used in any of the projects. Some upholsterers find that the vegetable fiber is more difficult to smooth out than foam, particularly for the inexperienced student. But if you want to see traditional techniques beautifully illustrated, this is the book for you.



3. This is an excellent resource for beginners and experts alike! Great photos and step by step instructions.



4. I purchased this because I am interested in starting upholstery. This book is European & the techniques are rather old fashioned. They use "vegetable fibre" as stuffing? The sources are all in Europe. Maybe if you are a purest, this might be a interesting historical reference. Not for a beginner.



5. This book is precisely for the beginner who wants to know how to do upholstery the traditional way -- not simply slap a piece of foam in place and call it a day. The steps involved may put some people off because it seems to be a lot of work. But upholstery IS a lot of work; and done this way, will last more than one's lifetime. If you are someone looking for shortcuts, then this is not the book for you. If you are interested in learning proper techniques that will stand the test of time, this is definitely a great reference -- you won't be disappointed.

4 comments about Provencal Escapes: Inspirational Homes In Provence And The Cote D'azur.

1. This magnificant book consists of photographic studies of some 22 homes in the Provence and Cote d'Azur regions of France. These homes are primarily older (as much as 300 years) that have been seriously redecorated to make them into jewels of plesant styling.
   
   For the most part, the redecoration of the homes has been to retain (or return to) the styling of the time they were built. Magnificant old beams show off well with modern appliances and decorations. The traditional outside of the houses hides the modern interiors. The original builders could not have imagined things we take for granted such as electricity that now has been fitted into their houses.
   
   Redoing an old house is easily as expensive as modern construction, so these houses have not been done for cost savings but for other reasons like living in a part of history.
   
   While this book concentrates on this region of France, many of the techniques used in these houses could well be applied to houses in the United States where old houses be they farm or city center can be made into something unique and wonderful.



2. This book oozes with charm! The homes featured in this book are very old and beautifully brought back to life by its owners while respecting the history and integrity of these buildings. The title "Provencal Escapes" is appropriate since this book lets you escape into a dreamy and ancient world of Provence. The photos are gorgeous and you feel that you are actually walking through some of these homes. This book is a must for any fan of Provence or just of beautiful escapes. I highly recommend it!



3. A nice inspiration source for charming, rustic country french design. I wanted more out of the book though - perhaps photos of full rooms rather than vignettes of tables and kitchen counters. It makes it hard to get a sense of design style without a full room effect in my opinion. The book does ooze charm and if you have other books on this style and just want a little extra something this would be ok. If however you really need a good book to learn all about french country style I would not suggest this one.



4. This book has given me many ideas for my own provencal escape in the country and takes me to a place in my mind that makes me feel calm.
   This is a special book.

1 comments about Do It Yourself Home Improvement: Step by Step Guide to Home Improvement.

1. This is a very good book. However, no one book can cover all the intricacies of home improvement and construction. So it's best to try to look at the book you're thinking of buying before you purchase it. Try a bookstore or library if possible.
   I have purchased the following books and found them to be very helpful to me:
   Do It Yourself Home Improvement: Step by Step Guide to Home Improvement;
   Ultimate Guide to Home Repair & Improvement (Ultimate Guide);
   New Complete Guide to Home Repair & Improvement (Better Homes & Gardens);
   Encyclopedia of Home Maintenance & Repair - This is a black & white book, but has very good explanations, especially of electrical.
   Popular Mechanics When Duct Tape Just Isn't Enough: Quick Fixes for Everyday Disasters (Popular Mechanics) - This is kind of a "Hints from Heloise" for the home fix'r up'r.

2 comments about Decorative Furniture with Donna Dewberry.

1. Donna Dewberry is an amazing artist who shows you step by step how to create beautiful decorations on furniture in your home. Decorative Furniture was written with the beginner painter in mind. Everything is made simple, and it starts from square one.

   Decorative Furniture starts out by showing you what materials you will need to complete every project in the book. Amazingly, it isn't a huge list of materials. Donna Dewberry strives for simple, yet extraordinary projects. She also shows you what brushes are needed and how to load them with paint.

   This book also covers basic one-stroke painting techniques, such as how to make a vine, leaf, or flower. Even if you already know the one-stroke painting techniques, this serves as a very useful reminder of how things should look.

   My favorite part of this book is how it teaches you how to do special effects such as giving a piece a textured look, such as the project on page 32. I plan to start this one soon!

   As with all Donna Dewberry's books, don't feel that the projects are only for furniture. You really can use the same techniques, and patterns on nearly anything you wish to paint!




2. Great book for anyone who thinks they can't paint freehand! Donna Dewberry is the master of instructional simplicity when it comes to showing just how easy it is for anyone to do decorative painting. A+

2 comments about Elements of Design: Elegant Wisdom That Works for Every Room in Your Home.

1. WHAT A MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT FROM ONE WHO IS SUPPOSE TO BE A GOOD DESIGNER...IT IS OBVIOUS NINA CAMPBELL IS TRYING TO DRUM UP NEW CLIENTS AND BUSINESS WITH AN EYE TOWARDS THAT 60'S AND 70'S "stuff". SHE IS FOLLOWING THE TREND RIGHT AT THE MOMENT HOPING TO CAPITALIZE ON THE RETRO MOVEMENT.....SHE SHOULD STICK TO WHAT SHE IS KNOWN FOR...
   
   THIS BOOK IS NOT A GOOD REFLECTION OF HER TASTE OR ABILITY.........TOO BAD..
   
   I WOULD RECOMMEND TO SAVE YOUR MONEY AND NOT BUY THIS BOOK...IF YOU WANT TO SEE IT GO TO THE LIBRARY OR THE LOCAL BORDERS AND LOOK....



2. The book is filled with practical ideas for highend decorating using the best quality items. The illustrations are excellent and really do help point out the concepts trying to be taught. With time and effort the look can be achieved. I like that it moves us away form the HGTV look of beige and minimalism.

1 comments about Textiles for Residential & Commercial Interiors.

1. There is oodles of info in it, however, it is the absolute driest book I've ever had to read. I actually love the majority of my textbooks. As a design student, I expect a book to have nice color photos, beautiful layout and an organization that is more appealing. This book needs help! How about a graphic design professional to work the layout and photos, maybe pay a little extra for some color pages (it looks like it was printed on a copy machine as is) and maybe someone to edit the copy so it is more palatable and less tiring. When I know I need to catch some zzzzz's, I just open this book and try to read a few paragraphs.