Stylish Solutions

Rating:
Summary: Interesting although somewhat impractical. . .
Review: This book was not exactly what I had expected. Although the photographs are beautiful and the book is filled with interesting alternatives to common furniture items, it is somewhat impractical for anyone with budget constraints. Alternatives to regular furniture are suggested by top home interior designers and artists, which make them lovely and innovative, but beyond the monetary reach of most people (they include expensive antiques, etc). I had expected something a little more applicable to everyday life.

Rating:
Summary: Great idea book
Review: This is a great book to go to for inspiration when you want to give an ordinary room a unique twist. The focus on some of the often overlooked pieces like coffeetables and sideboards sets this book apart from other design texts, and make it possible to make a few small changes that could really enliven an entire room. The photographs are wonderful, and because each setting is so detailed, you can look at them again and again without getting bored. Not all the ideas are ones that I would want to apply in my own home (that would be impossible, after all). But they are all interesting spaces that I would enjoy exploring; I definitely can't say that for all design books. While this is not a budget-oriented book (and it doesn't claim to be), many of the ideas could be translated into something affordable; more 'vintage' and less 'antique', fewer luxury fabrics, etc. etc. There are a lot of examples of adapting salvaged materials, which appealed to my budget.

If you want advice on how to pull off an entire room, or want something very traditional looking ..., you'll probably want to look elsewhere. Otherwise, enjoy this book!