Decorate: 1000 Professional Design Ideas for Every Room in the House [Hardcover]

I must confess I have quite a collection of interior books, the ones with beautiful photos of people's homes.
The thing that surprised me upon settling down to look through my copy of Decorate for the first time, is how unique it is.

Its not at all like other titles I have on my bookshelf already. Its a weighty book, both physically and in the amount of information it imparts. It could so easily be overwhelming, yet the balance is kept and it is interesting, informative, instructional and inspiring, in equal measure.

The rooms are from homes around the world, which gives such a variety of styles from which to choose. The influence of different countries is evident yet the book retains an overall cohesiveness.

The photography is done in such a way that you feel a part of the rooms you are looking at and can almost imagine living in them, curling up on an inviting sofa, washing up a plate or two at the belfast sink....

I must admit to not always finding the text inviting to read in other decor books i own, and I tend to take in more from the photography alone. Yet here in Decorate the writing sections are laid out in such a way that you find yourself drawn into reading them, almost without trying!

I especially like the quotes (both in large type and smaller) dotted through out the pages and inside the front & back cover. I'm a quote loving girl, but as well as simply bring pretty to look at, the words within them are really helpful tips that stick in your mind.

There is a place for online decorating inspiration of course and especially blogs, which bring us so much on a regular basis (the author Holly writes one of the best herself) but then there is still equally, a place for books.
It seems easier to find the spark of an idea for your own decor when you can turn the pages at leisure with a nice cuppa and notebook to hand. I have only had my copy a day and already I have an idea for a fireplace and a bathroom wall.
Two things I had searched online for inspiration for- and not found.

Decorate is an encyclopaedia of knowledge that can't fail to inspire whatever your budget or period of home.

There are dream rooms to emulate, there are little touches to replicate.

There are also practical tips you can use with ease, ways to organise your belongings in a stylish way and recommendations on how to plan your projects to successfully fufill what you envision.

It will help you add colour and life to your home, in however small or large a way you would like.
I guess it's like having an interior designer all to yourself,whenever you need their advice you just need to open the book and turn the page!
- kathryn

I am very excited to finally own this long awaited gem of a decorating book.

My first impression was that this is a book of substance; at 288 pages it is not one that can be looked through in one afternoon. The quality of the cover and pages is high and I was particularly impressed by the many beautiful quoted by leading designers and stylists that run though the book. Photographer Debi Treloar has once again captured beautiful spaces in an effortless way - she understands how to maximise light and bring out the essence of interiors.

The book is perfect for people who are starting off with a blank canvas or those simply wanting to update their space. It is a reference book and you simply won't be able to read through it without coming away with lots of ideas, big or small to execute in your own home. Decorate is filled with advice from leading design experts around the world yet it has a very approachable tone thanks to the wonderful writing style of Holly Becker and Joanna Copestick.

The book is broken down into four sections:
1) Space Matters - a planning section that encourages you to take stock of what you have and what you assess your design needs to be. It has useful tips and illustrates points clearly through case studies. Floor plans are used throughout the book to illustrate furniture placements.
2) Setting your Style - this section encourages to find your unique style. It talks about where to find inspiration. I particularly love the section on creating mood boards. It is not only visually beautiful but very helpful to anyone wanting to create their own. This section then goes into various design styles (simple, natural, modern, flea market, colourful, floral, eclectic, modern glamour). Each style is illustrated by a home that represents that style as well as 10 guidelines/tips to achieve that look and feel.
3) Room by Room - this is a very practical section in that it has lots of very useful tips in planning each room of the house. Kitchen design, furniture selection and placement, storage solutions and creating functional work spaces are only a few of the topics covered in great detail.
4) Attention to Detail - this final section talks about the finishing touches and home accessories that make all the difference.

What makes this book stand out from so many of the interior books I own is that it doesn't simply show beautiful interiors that seem unachievable to many, but guides you through the process of creating your own space that reflects who you are. It is filled to the brim with ideas and inspirations and doesn't follow one particular style or design aesthetic. This book will be one that I know I will refer to for years to come as it doesn't follow current trends but encourages an individual approach to decorating a home that is timeless and unique to you.

I read plenty of interior blogs, magazines and books so I was eagerly anticipating receiving Decorate. I love Holly's blog (Decor8) and her book didn't disappoint!

It's full of gorgeous homes and photography but what makes it stand out is its usability. It inspires me to translate the ideas into my home and it will definitely be a book that I keep coming back to time and time again. It also features some of the best interior stylists, photographers and designers so its a real treat to see their work and get such good advice all in one place!

If you are an interior lover this is a must-buy, it's a pleasure to read, a constant source to refer back to and it will look gorgeous on your coffee table!

Thanks to Holly & her team, great book.

Chloe x