Rating: 
Summary: The Organized Home: Mindful Living with Style
Review: This little treasure of a book turned out to be much more than I expected. Scattered amid the practical and the stylish is a sense of humor that keeps the tone peppy and fun. Advice like "not putting a mirror in the dining room at a level where you catch yourself in "mid-chew" had me both howling and nodding my head in agreement. In the middle of kitchen organizing ideas, Koll & Ellis admonish us that "ancient powdered oregano" will do little to enhance our cuisine! (How old are YOUR spices?)Immediately, they helped us solve a problem we have had for years. Not being blessed with an entryway or foyer of any sort, I disliked having guests walk right into the living room. We had installed a hardwood entry section cut into the carpet, but it still lacked definition. After reading this book, we changed the way the furniture was arranged, added a few items and "created" organization and a "space" where there was none. We turned our sofa with the back perpendicular to the doorway. This created a long barrier to walking right into the room. On the wall opposite the sofa back, we put a console table with three woven storage baskets with lids on the bottom shelf, adding tons of DVD storage. This gave us a "zone" that ushered guests into the room in a structured and organized manner. You will especially like the Cool Weather/Warm weather tips. There are sidebar notes on most pages, and excellent photographs which show real, liveable rooms, not show houses. Examples of new fresh ideas of storage abound. This book got us thinking...Being organized is the result of being mindful. When you think about it, it doesn't take that much longer. The authors suggest to us that neatness creates order,calmness and a positive energy. Keeping the kitchen counters free of unnecessary items and clutter has made ours more fun to use. This can apply to your refrigerator, medicine cabinet and junk drawers! You will love this book, and it will spur you on to think of your own ideas for organizing your home and creating a home. This book would make an excellent gift for friends and loved ones. It should be "Standard Issue" for Newlyweds and new homeowners!
Rating:
Summary: come out from under the clutter!
Review: When I learned that Casey Ellis and Randall Koll, both excellent writers
whom I read in the San Francisco Chronicle, had written a book about
organizing your home, I was thrilled. Seven years after I had moved into
my darling San Francisco apartment I would finally be organized! I pre-ordered the book as soon as it was available and in a short time it
was at my door, waiting for me. I opened it and looked at the cover,
flipped through the pages a bit. The organized bookcases on page 69,
the pocket-sized office on page 116, and the mud room on page 134 -
soon this organized beauty would be mine (granted, I have no mud
room, but I'm ready to move to Vermont to have one). Fast forward two weeks and I'm digging through piles of papers,
laundry, junk, trying to find the book. I finally found it and read through.
I need this book! The photos are lovely, the writing is clever and
amusing, the tips are great for anyone - small apartment or big house!
If you buy one book about decorating, buy this one!
Rating: 
Summary: Very Functional For Everyday People
Review: Yes...Lots of Ikea stuff in this book which makes it super functional...I have read so many magazine articles and books but have no idea where to go and get the stuff they suggest. Here it is simple! Ikea and Flea markets. Look, if you are rich and foo foo and can afford all of that kind of stuff then this isnt the book for you. If you are a regular middle class person on a budget but in search of the finer more organized way of living, then get this book. Also givesinspiration to be a party giver without just throwing some chips on a paper plate.
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