Vintage Style

Rating:
Summary: Somewhat disappointing
Review: A very Pretty book - yes. Practical book - no, not for me. I'm in the process of redecorating my whole house...these suggestions were a bit to "precious". If I had a country house or a beach house this would be perfect -- but for everyday living -- it leaves something to be desired. I wanted something a bit more "meaty" than crocheted hanger covers, and knitted throws and charming cloth bags for loose corn and lentils. As I said - very pretty but not for me.

Rating:
Summary: Not quite what I expected
Review: A very Pretty book - yes. Practical book - no, not for me. I'm in the process of redecorating my whole house...these suggestions were a bit to "precious". If I had a country house or a beach house this would be perfect -- but for everyday living -- it leaves something to be desired. I wanted something a bit more "meaty" than crocheted hanger covers, and knitted throws and charming cloth bags for loose corn and lentils. As I said - very pretty but not for me.

Rating:
Summary: Not quite what I expected
Review: A very Pretty book - yes. Practical book - no, not for me. I'm in the process of redecorating my whole house...these suggestions were a bit to "precious". If I had a country house or a beach house this would be perfect -- but for everyday living -- it leaves something to be desired. I wanted something a bit more "meaty" than crocheted hanger covers, and knitted throws and charming cloth bags for loose corn and lentils. As I said - very pretty but not for me.

Rating:
Summary: Somewhat disappointing
Review: As a big fan of the "Shabby Chic" books...I thought I'd try this one as well. I came away pretty disappointed. One of the biggest frustations with this book was that the text did not relate to the visuals on the page...Often the photo was several pages ahead or didn't appear at all. And I'd say visual references are pretty important when writing a decorating book. Am I supposed to imagine what this room looks like? The photos that do appear aren't very good...many left me wondering what they even were. If you like this style of decorating, stick to the Shabby Chic books by Rachel Ashwell. They are a much more inspirational and well written series--and the photography is much, much better.

Rating:
Summary: Somewhat disappointing
Review: As a big fan of the "Shabby Chic" books...I thought I'd try this one as well. I came away pretty disappointed. One of the biggest frustations with this book was that the text did not relate to the visuals on the page...Often the photo was several pages ahead or didn't appear at all. And I'd say visual references are pretty important when writing a decorating book. Am I supposed to imagine what this room looks like? The photos that do appear aren't very good...many left me wondering what they even were. If you like this style of decorating, stick to the Shabby Chic books by Rachel Ashwell. They are a much more inspirational and well written series--and the photography is much, much better.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful photography and some good decorating ideas!
Review: I really liked this book, but I would like to have seen more "content" ... Perhaps more detailed instructions on how projects were created. Also, there were some lovely descriptions of design elements of rooms that were not pictured. While the photographs were very artful and pretty, many did not fully show things that were described in the text. I felt this book demonstrated a unique style that was different from Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic style...but I think if you enjoyed the Shabby Chic books, you will enjoy this one too!

Rating:
Summary: LOVED THIS BOOK
Review: I THOUGHT THIS WAS A LOVELY BOOK.I FOUND IT TO BE QUITE PRACTICAL CONSIDERING IT WAS SORT OF SHABBY CHIC MEETS VICTORIAN.THERE ARE MANY BEAUTIFUL PHOTOGRAPHS WITH PLENTY OF GREAT IDEAS.I DISAGREE STRONGLY WITH SOME OF THE OTHER REVIEWS.PERHAPS YOU NEED TO BE A CREATIVE PERSON TO APPRECIATE THIS BOOK.

Rating:
Summary: Pretty, but a disappointment
Review: I was really looking forward to this book, but was disappointed by its narrow focus. I wish Kidston had shown more examples than just her own home. And while I did like her decorating style, it was most irritating to keep flipping back and forth between text and photos, trying to figure out if the picture next to the text was an example of what she was describing (and often it wasn't) or if the photo 3 pages ahead was really what she was describing. I came away feeling that I really hadn't gathered any usable information for my own home.

Rating:
Summary: What to do with flea market finds
Review: Unlike many of the other reviewers, I adore this book... to the point that I have had it out from the library for six months! (Yes, I know that I had better buy it soon, and, no, it's not overdue yet.)

Yes, this book is a bit precious. Yes, every single photo in the book features a 100% perfect room (right down to the eerily cute clothes hangers). But Vintage Style makes for delicious eye candy, and, more than that, it does have some nifty ideas.

For example, I've been using it to get ready to go out antiquing, as it has all sorts of ideas for making over old bits and bobs. Like me, you may see lots of old towels, old blankets, and old trims, but never seem to know what to do with them. Of course, you want to buy them any way. But if you also buy this book, then you'll know just what to do. You'll edge plain white towels with strong old cotton lace. You'll use old linen to make a crazy 50's roller towel.

The other aspect of this book that I enjoy is the fact that this book IS a bit precious. I respect the fact the Kidston wants to make every part of her life beautiful. Imagine that you had a lovely, vintage fabric covered ironing board. Imagine that you had charming slippers. I bet your life would be better! Mine certainly would.