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Summary: Help for the decorating dazed and confused
Review: I enjoy Christopher Lowell's television show, and found his book equally terrific! The advice about interviewing and working with an interior decorator is worth the cost of the book by itself. The projects are challenging but definitely add to your home's look without putting you in the poorhouse. The best thing about Christopher Lowell? He starts with *paint*. Paint is cheap, and can simply be painted over without incurring thousands in re-dos and "buying mistakes." Paint also makes a huge impact, and you don't have to change furniture or buy expensive accessories.It's not brain surgery, but home decorating can reduce the most self-assured woman to a tearful wreck. This book can either be followed to the letter or used as a springboard to other decorating books and magazines. Christopher's breezy writing style and easily understood explanations make the most fearful home decorator ready to finally pick up that paintbrush and get busy!
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Summary: No Fear Decorating
Review: I have read several decorating books and this one is by far the best. The author shows how to make "safe" decorating choices on expensive items (like furniture) and save the fancy embelishments for less expensive and more easily changed items. He also has great tips for how to pick colors for walls that won't scare off prospective future buyers and also blend well with the furnishings, whatever you may choose - even if you change them later. The first 1/3 of the book explains the "how tos" and the rest of the book shows real-life before and after examples of how to apply the 7 layer theory. The author is obviously a big believer in re-using, recycling, faux finishes, and flea markets to save money.
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Summary: I love this book!
Review: I was never much of Christopher Lowell fan until I became a stay at home mom. I started watching his show and now have read his book. His approach helps take the fear out of decorating. I love the fact that he is on a "no white walls" campaign. I'm a huge fan of painting walls and adding color. It truly is the cheapest way to warm up a room. Christopher is right when he talks about keeping your large furniture pieces in a solid, neutral color. I made the costly mistake of buying a sleeper sofa in a floral pattern print 3 years ago. Although I still love the colors, I'm not so crazy about the pattern anymore. Also, finding coordinating fabrics has been nearly impossible. Where was Christopher when I needed him?! It is too expensive to get it reapholstered, so I plan slip-cover it in a neutral fabric for a fraction of the cost per his suggestions. No other books break down decorating in such easy to understand steps.
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