The New Decorating Book (Better Homes & Gardens): Amazon.co.uk: Better Homes & Gardens, James D. Blume: Books

Synopsis

A beautiful and trusted guide, this is actually two books in one -- a stylish and inspirational dream book and a practical workbook that leads you through the decorating process. Nearly 500 idea-filled photographs help you to envision your own decorating plans; A quick-read format clearly explains the design basics, making it easy for your to get the information you want; Room makeovers demonstrate dozens of easy redecorating tricks you can adapt to your own rooms; Decorating workshops offer step-by-step instructions for such projects as making easy curtains; House tours show decorating solutions in action.

From the Author

It's YOUR Home
FROM THE BOOK'S INTRODUCTION: Growing up in suburban St. Louis, I had my feet (and psyche) firmly planted in our beloved farmhouse with its fields, orchards, and shade trees. I adored the place and the peace and privacy of its setting. But what I didn't understand until later was the extent to which my sense of home as an adult was being shaped by the sounds and images of those early years. I cozied my first apartment in the city with familiar elements: an old wicker chair, overflowing bookshelves, an Oriental rug, and, of course, a cat. Today in the home I share with my husband, Ron (and four cats), it's no surprise that I gravitate to our second floor with its low knee walls and vaulted ceilings--happy reminders of my snug childhood bedroom. Even some room arrangements hint at the past. A friendly cloverleaf of Adirondack chairs in our year-round porch recalls a similar grouping from our backyard in the 1950s. And when I sit at my bay window desk today and look out into the woods, I feel the same contentment that I knew as a child when I sat in another windowed nook overlooking a different stand of trees. Whatever their style, the most inviting rooms always start inside someone's heart. Decorating, you see, isn't really about decorating at all; it's about creating a home that nurtures and relaxes you by reflecting who you are and what you love. Think for a moment about the things that have shaped your vision of what a home should be. Maybe it's a bedroom hideaway lovingly recalled from your own childhood, a screened porch where you rocked away an afternoon at a vacation lodge, your grandmother's dining room where the family gathered every Thanksgiving--or a room you may only have visited in your daydreams. By conjuring up images of such favorite places, real or imagined, you can cut through the sometimes confusing array of decorating choices, avoid being swayed by mere fads, and, instead, develop truly personal settings that will always please your eye and speak to your soul. As you thumb through the pages of The New Decorating Book, we'll give you the decorating help and inspiration--but you have to bring the dreams. After all, it's YOUR home. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

An excellent source of on-going inspiration and ideas! 8 Jan 1998

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

As an amature decorator with an extensive library, this book continually stands out as my favorite. It provided great ideas the first time I read it over a year ago, and continues to inspire each time I return to it (unlike many others on my shelves that have grown tired). The pictures are beautiful, reflect many different decorating styles, and present them in realistic ways that make it easy to translate to one's own home. I'm on-line buying another one today, since I gave my own beautiful, hardcover copy away as a Housewarming gift for a fellow decorating buff!

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Poor picture selection 22 Sep 1998

I was excited to get this book after reading favorable reviews via amazon.com. However, I was disappointed once I got it in my hands. Pictures which should present an essence of a decorating book, are stuffed with cacophony of colors and styles, without any specific design in mind. From more than 400 pages of photographs only two pages are exposed in an aesthetic manner (257, 298). Majority of the book is a mish-mash of nothing and everything. After seeing poor pictures, I did not care to bother to read the text (there was no spacing between chapter title rows; letters run into each other, making it hard to read.) I would not advise buying this book and I am returning it to amazon.com. for a full refund.

My favorite decorating book. 16 July 1999

I looked at the last three reviews and decided to get this book. I'm so glad I did. I haven't begun to digest it all, but I've already spent hours just sitting and enjoying all the color photos. So far, I've used ideas to brighten up our outdoor deck furniture, rearrange the living room furniture, and now we're planning our big master bedroom redo for this all. What I like is the variety of ideas and the explanation of all the decorating basics. I know it's corny, but this book is sort of like having a decorator friend helping me. Thanks, Better Homes and Gardens.