Rating: 
Summary: This book could of been so much better...
Review: The Author is to me a hypocrite... She goes on and on in this book about cheap chic and decor on a budget, decorating an entire apartment for under 1800 dollars, but on her site, it is nearly impossible to find furinutre under $2000! The make overs turned perfectly fine apartments into rooms loaded withe ugly 50s and 60s garbage. I would highly recommend the garage sale decorator's bible by shelly kincad instead. It lacks photos, but the info is wonderful!
Rating: 
Summary: The Paris Apartment: Romantic Decor on a Flea market Budget
Review: This a beautiful book. I'd heard about it as a good source of ideas. I had been looking for a book that expressed my taste in decor, but I wasn't able to put my finger on what I was looking for. This book solved that. As soon as it arrived I wasn't able to put it down, the pictures are more than ideas, they take you to a place and time of early Paris, you can really day dream in this book. There is also helpful information on how to create the look of a romantic Paris apartment. I shared the book with a friend and she also could not put it down. I am very please and happy thatI was able to locate the book on Amazon.com and now have possession of this lovely book.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book truly captues use of textiles, color in Paris
Review: This book is a wonderful tribute to the Parisian decorating spirit! The photographs are truly inspirational; the address listings of the manufacturers is such a great help. The illustrations on how to repair lamps has also been of assistance. If anyone would like to incorporate Parisian style/Shabby Chic decorating styles to their home, this book has definitely got it. You will refer to this book very often. Great job!
Rating:
Summary: A Charming & very informative book....an inspiration too!
Review: This book is fantastic. I followed Claudia's tips and now have furnished the majority of my home with beautiful things....and very affordable as well. It's true...a little paint and fabric will go a long way. I am so pleased with the way things came together. I took before and after shots and WOW...what a feeling of accomplishment! I am disturbed that the previous person who reviewed this book referred to the author a hypocrite. Her opinion was that her store/website is expensive. Well, the book teaches us how to find beauties in the rough ourselves. She shares her secrets as well as her sources. What more could the average person ask for. Claudia has to make a living too.
Rating: 
Summary: Terrible book!!!
Review: This book is full of tacky and ridiculous ideas. This author is a joke. I can't believe she didn't pay me to read this.
Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful Writing
Review: This book is written with the very romantic notion (that I love) that home should be a beautiful haven from the outside world. I enjoy reading the nearly poetic way the writer describes her revamping projects. The flea market makeovers are good, and many things really can be fixed with a new coat of paint and a plush new cushion.
Basically, in this book, the writer (along with a group of people) redecorate several apartments which badly needed help. What is wonderful about this book is that each apartment is decorated to suit it's owner specifically, and that you are given many different ideas for mock-period decoration (Gothic, Rocco, Victorian etc).
So why didn't this book get a higher rating? Well, not all of the ideas are very practical (not that decoration is necessarily practical) but some of the ideas are not so good. For example, a bathroom is revamped by hot gluing glass beads to the outside of a tub. It seems obvious that the moisture build-up in the bathroom would cause these pretty baubles to fall off, or if you were able to afix them to the point of never being removed, you would have to pay charges when you moved out and your landlord had to replace the tub! Also, in many apartments you are simply not allowed to paint your walls, which is about 50% of the restoration work described in the book. It would have been nice if this book was more geared to home owners or if they showed methods which apartment dwellers could actually use without incurring the wrath of their landlord.
Rating:
Summary: Charming!
Review: This delightful little book is full of unusual ideas for turning ordinary apartments into luxurious salons without spending a fortune. Although not all of us have artist friends who will paint murals for us, there are still plenty of fun, chic ideas in this book. I love browsing through it!
Rating: 
Summary: Let's be clear here.
Review: This is an excellent book IF the reader is clear about what it's going to contain.It has one really outstanding feature: the idea that you can let your personal fantasy inspire the way you decorate and live. At a time when too many people are slaves to someone else's fashions and want what they're told to want, this is a breath of fresh air. How much more exciting to start by thinking "inside, I feel that I'm a Roaring 20's flapper!" rather than "well, I guess I should get something to match the plaid couch"! Having said that, it's true that not every photo in the book will appeal to you. After all, these are very personal looks she's showing. And yes, it helps a lot if you're at least slightly artsy or have gifted friends, although she does make a couple suggestions about getting artists to work for not-too-much-$$. Other caveats: -- this is absolutely not a hand-holding how-to book. If you want instructions on a paint technique or something, this isn't the place to get it. This book is about inspiration, not step by step instruction. -- yes, you can find real bargains on furniture and accessories IF you're willing to hunt for a darn long time. If going to yard sales is fun for you, you're golden. If you want your place decorated NOW, you're going to have to pay a bunch more than she's talking about. Again, buy this book for inspiration rather than because you want budget decorating tips. -- there should be more (and sometimes clearer) photos.
Rating:
Summary: Absolute must-have for the "posh" look on a budget.
Review: This is by far my favorite decorating book. It is filled with more hints and tips to get that "jewel box" or "genie bottle" effect than any I've read. If you are creating a very elaborate, whimsical living space and need some inspiration...this is the book to get! This is the book to bring out the fairy tale prince or princess in anyone. Wonderful budget advice also. I love this book!
Rating:
Summary: Lots of inspiration here
Review: This is one of my favorite decorating books. Lots of inspirational ideas for romantic rooms. The only problem is that I'm going to have to buy a second copy because my son's girlfriend keeps "stealing" mine.
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