Open Your Eyes: 1,000 Simple Ways to Bring Beauty into Your Home and Life Each Day

Rating:
Summary: A true teaching book
Review: I borrowed this book from the library, and having finished it, I'm now going to buy it so I can keep referring to it. This is the first "decorating" book among the many I've read that really explained decorating/design principles rather than beguiling me with photos (although I liked her photos, too, especially the attic retreat). I was interested to read another reviewer's comment that Ms. Stoddard was talking down to her readers. Several years ago I thought that too when I read "Creating a Beautiful Home." I remember feeling resentful and thinking, "Oh, sure, if you have money..." In this book, however, I came to understand that she's not dwelling on what you spend on things but rather things you can do to enhance your daily life that don't depend on money. I particularly appreciated the exercises Ms. Stoddard gave and her anecdotes about her own teacher. And her explanation of the Golden Mean is the clearest I've ever read.

Rating:
Summary: The tone is a turnoff
Review: I don't know how she continues to generate a new book year after year, but here's another fabulous book to add to your Alexandra Stoddard collection. Less philosophical than her more recent books. This one relies more heavily on her experience and insight gained from her many years of work in interior design. Great idea book!

Rating:
Summary: boring, boring, boring
Review: I just purchased this book at a local store and I plan to return it. My interest was caught by the book's title and what it promised, but I should have read one chapter (and maybe these other reviews) before purchasing the book. The writing seems choppy and rather overblown in its descriptions. For example: "Standards for aesthetically pleasing proportions are scientifically logical, achieved by following mathematical rules that date back to the civilization and architecture of ancient Greece." Wouldn't it have been simpler to write: "Mathematical rules established in ancient Greek architecture are used today for creating pleasing proportions"? Even though I was very interested in learning about proportions, the ponderous writing style kept me from completing chapter one. It's too bad that Ms. Stoddard did not have a good editor to guide her in using simple English to explain what I'm sure are useful ideas.

Rating:
Summary: A pleasant experience
Review: I really like the way Mrs.Stoddard writes, very clear, simple and full of delightful details for the readers to understand what she means. You don't have to have a lot of money to live a beautiful life, just commonsense, beauty thoughts and a will to truly express yourself in your everyday life. This book, like all the others that I've read written by her, were a delight to read and a very good guide for those who want to improve their day-to-day life, paying more attention to minor details that really make a difference. Congratulations, Mrs.Stoddard, on your words, your thoughts shared with us, the way you put the words, tha quotations that you use as examples, the presentation of the books.I'm a big fan of yours and if I have the opportunity one day, I'll attend one of your lectures. Thank you for sharing your ideas with all of us.

Rating:
Summary: excellent book
Review: very informative. a pleasure to read. alexandra is a postive person and it shows in her words. great pictures of her own home...