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Rating: 
Summary: Look at the real picture
Review: As someone who has moved 20 times in the last 16 years (due to job relocation, divorce, and the ever-increasing costs of apartments), the trappings of a settled life have rarely been obtainable. As is too well known to many of us, apartment life does not lend itself to creativity manifesting itself in the removal of carpet or the ragging of walls in the newest shades of peridot and cranberry. And the homes displayed in many inspiring magazines are a cause for scorn to many struggling to simply keep the home one has. Ms. Foley's excellent work not only encourages thriftiness by advocating the use of furnishings already in one's possession, but demonstrates that the color schemes so often inflicted by rental managers can be soothing rather than monotonous. I have finally purchased a home after too many years of wandering, and have used many of the techniques she describes to make that home a place of comfort and calm rather than a collection of oversized boxes for the storage of "things". Her enthusiasm for the reuse of furniture, the salvaging of discards and those pieces abandoned in attics not only aids the environment but can help to preserve a sense of family continuity in a world where parent and child are often divided by thousands of miles after graduation. After the death of my grandmother, I willingly accepted the dusty contents of her basement; chairs and chests and other things that had been brought to this country by my Hungarian and Irish ancestors 120 years ago. No Christie's find could match the feeling of history stirred in me by those things, and Ms. Foley's book encourages such reclamation.
Rating:
Summary: Look at the real picture
Review: Colors/pigments originate from toxic heavy metals such as lead being red; purples or violets may contain both mercury and lead; yellow and orange may contain cadmium. You've heard of cadmium yellow with artists pigments. Additionally, darker, deeper as well as more fluorescent colors contain the more volatile organic compounds --VOC's. Some of us have been poisoned with VOC's. I, for one. Carpets made of synthetic fibers and vibrant colors in the USA may contain lots of toxic nerve poisons which are volatile and off gas into the air in our homes, schools, and businesses. On the other hand, the Natural Home is made up of white and greens because these colors contains less VOC's and hence, are better for our brain and nervous system. They bring us peace and tranquility. They keep our brains sharp and focused. We are not in a brain fog, as we may be with more toxic colors. BTW, organic solvents, like those in pigments, are also amongst the misnamed inert ingredients in economic poisons that kill or cause harm to pests be they weeds; insects (including ants, roaches and mosquitoes; fungi, bacteria or other pesticides; fragrances, perfumes and colognes; natural gas, gasoline, and plastics, plus numerous other products with which we are being poisoned every day. No wonder white and green bring us peace and tranquility. I salute The Natural Home by Tricia Foley, et al and encourage more people to read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Serenity Now!
Review: I too have moved often (26 times in 25 years). I am also a collector of old things, so I have accumulated a lot. I am also a Virgo which means I must have a connection with organic things. I am also originally from New Orleans which means I have a passion for the old, patinated, historical and verdant. Therefore, I loved Tricia Foley's philosophies. I have always loved color, but now I find myself wanting to unclutter and live simply. I've begun with my bed linens and clothing. Soon, my husband and I are relocating (another move!) and I want to incorporate much of the Natural Home in my new environment. While I will be unable to live with quite the sparcity of the homes pictured, the concept can certainly be modified to fit anyone's lifestyle. More? Less?, it's up to you. The book is a great starting place. Now I'm ordering Linens and Lace because I have chests full of antique linens,(my passion!), acquired thru family or collecting.
Rating: 
Summary: Natural means bleak?
Review: This is another book I purchased from amazon.com, based on client's reviews. I hoped to get something exciting, but, was disappointed. This book presents a "natural home" as bleak and colorless. The dominating colors are white and green. I don't think nature has only these colors in store. What about the riches of spring, summer and fall colors, the reds, blues, violets, oranges to name a few? The author has an aesthetic eye for displaying pictures. But all in all, I am returning this book for a full refund. I am disappointed because I did not get my money's worth.
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