Rating: 
Summary: To Identify & Start Working With Your Own Decorative Style
Review: *The Paris Apartment* is the perfect book for the (perhaps slightly artsy) person who loves the myriad luxurious looks of days gone by. The book is not for the complete beginner, as Claudia Strasser definitely seems to direct her book to those who already know that they prefer a slightly cluttered luxuriousness to a stark modernity. (Although I believe that those who prefer the latter can learn a lot from her techniques.) The book is also not for the insecure, as Strasser does not sit down and load the reader with facts, dimensions, rules and schemes. Instead, her book is a friendly inspiration to those who already have an inkling for what they like and simply need a few helpful ideas and few suggested techniques to get them started.Strasser fills her book with lovely inspirational and historical quotes and illustrations, but perhaps the most helpful things about it are the informational boxes in which she gives the reader helpful tips on how to achieve many of the looks within: tints and washes, dying fabrics, wall stencils, drapes & valances, duvet covers, reupholstering, rinceau, furniture refinishing, flea market savvy, restoring a chandelier, etc. These boxes, for me, truly make this book "Romantic Decor on a Flea Market Budget," as they show the reader how to *make* many of the items in the book. Books that feature flea-market finds usually only take their readers halfway, as once the readers are at the flea-market it lies upon to fate for the perfect objects to cross their paths. *The Paris Apartment,* however, demonstrates to its readers techniques that allow them to take control of at least some parts of their decorative destiny. It is certainly possible to pay someone to do these things or to go out and buy a $600 duvet cover, but it is infinitely cheaper to do them oneself. Something about Strasser's tone in the text *does,* however, occasionally make one feel as though she is a bit amateur-ish. Part of me wanted to feel as though there were a slightly more authoritative voice behind this book and its ideas. However, I also believe that the authoritative voice one might feel as though the book lacked on occasion is in some ways in opposition to the free-flowing concepts of creatively exploring one's own decorative style that *The Paris Apartment* embodies. The book, in some ways, rejects "authority" and serves, instead, as "decorative friend," making the reader feel as though s/he is exploring his or her own taste with a fellow adventurer in the decorative arts.
Rating: 
Summary: A beautiful, imaginative approach to inexpensive decor
Review: Ms. Strasser has put together an incredible reference tool for budding -- and budget-minded -- home decorators. The book is small enough to throw in your pack when you head to the flea markets and auctions she writes about, and contains enough DIY information to take the mystery out of the process.
And even if you're not decorating yet, the illustrations and photos are so beautiful that they might inspire you to get started. I eagerly await her next offering
Rating:
Summary: I like this book!
Review: Beautiful pictures, clever graphics and interesting stories about people in New York City who successfully re-create the retro style Parisian apartment in their modest quarters. I like this book so much I won't lend it to anyone for fear of not getting it back!
Rating:
Summary: Paris in Florida
Review: First, I think it is important to point out that this book is more of a romantic idea and style, and yeah -- you probably won't find a lot of apartments in Paris that are decorated like this, so comparing it to REAL Paris apartments is a little unfair... Having said that, this is a perfect book for someone who is especially creative and artistic. I already had an idea of what I wanted, and had decorated quite a bit. However this book really gave me a reference. If you are willing to look, and are up for a search you can decorate for less the $1,800 but you do have to put effort into the hunt. Flea Markets, Garage Sales, Discount stores like TJ MAXX and Ross's if you have them in your area have been a wonderful source for me. If you are a romantic and a dreamer -- this book is for you
Rating: 
Summary: Strasser's Paris Apartment a disappointment
Review: Having traveled extensively in France and appreciated the wonderful decor throughout that beautiful country, I was disappointed. If you can shop in New York or Paris, you can put this book to good use for its shopping references. If you know artists who work for free or if you are an artist yourself, you can execute some of Strasser's ideas for under $1800 for the type of apartment makeovers featured. For the rest of us, better pictures, better details, more inspiration appear in House Beautiful's "Small Spaces".
Rating:
Summary: Imaginative, inspirational, and original
Review: I absolutely loved this book! She has incredibly practical (and affordable) advice on creating beautiful, sumptuous rooms. The before and after pictures are very inspirational, and makes you think "I could do that!" You will want to redecorate every room after reading it. I can't wait to visit her store in NYC.
Rating: 
Summary: not worth it
Review: I bought this book and now I am returning it. I think it has some good general ideas - e.g. how to paint your apartment, how to select things at a flea market, etc. But the pictures of actual results are uninspiring. This may simply be a difference in taste, but I think the author, whose book aims at relatively young people, decorated apartments very much in granny style. If you see the pictures, you'll know what I mean. The bottom line: the general idea is great, but the implementation is uninspiring.
Rating:
Summary: Down to earth, gorgeous and practical
Review: I finally found a book that is down to earth and practically helpful. Instead of showing me things I could not possibly create like other "fancy" decorating books, this one gave me a new way to look at my own space and actually change it for the better. It shows before and after pictures that show you how even the worst spaces can be turned into dreams without spending an arm and a leg. I took the book to Australia with me and ended up having to buy 5 more copies for friends there that loved it and had never seen anything like it. Can't wait for the next one.....more inspiration please!
Rating:
Summary: Down to earth, gorgeous and practical
Review: I finally found a book that is down to earth and practically helpful. Instead of showing me things I could not possibly create like other "fancy" decorating books, this one gave me a new way to look at my own space and actually change it for the better. It shows before and after pictures that show you how even the worst spaces can be turned into dreams without spending an arm and a leg. I took the book to Australia with me and ended up having to buy 5 more copies for friends there that loved it and had never seen anything like it. Can't wait for the next one.....more inspiration please!
Rating:
Summary: Paris in Florida
Review: I love old, glamourous things, pieces with history and beauty. There are plenty of them in this book, but as a decorating guide, I found it a little too rich for my taste. Some rooms are over the top, and some, to me, are hideous! But taste is a very individual thing. Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic books are more my style, I think.
| 
