Rating: 
Summary: the best
Review: Someone was reading my mind when they put this decorating book together. It has EVERYTHING. I've gone through so many books that propose one philosophy or one style or some other very narrow topic. What I needed was THIS. I needed some grounding in interior design so I could understand how everything might go together in our own home. Few books explain anything beyond the author's own point of view these days. This one explains the basics so I can make my OWN decisions. What a breath of fresh air. I found just about every style in here but I agree with one reviewer who said there isn't a lot of "contemporary" in this book -- thank goodness for that. I laughed when I watched a recent Trading Spaces episode in which the homeowners and the host were yelling, "No contemporary!" My feeling exactly. I did notice that this book (a bargain, by the way) is a soft-cover edition of a book that came out five or six years ago, so that probably explains the overriding traditional and cottage feeling. Fine with me. I'm looking for classics.
Rating: 
Summary: Loud florals and lots of clutter
Review: This book is meant to be a comprehensive decorating guide and covers a vast array of subjects. The text does a decent job of briefly discussing various topics although it is far from comprehensive. In the section covering fabrics and upholstery, for example, I was a bit shocked to see that leather is never even mentioned (nor does it appear in the index). Unfortunately, this type of omission is typical. By trying to cram every decorating topic under the sun into 400 pages there is no subject that really gets the attention it deserves. Perhaps the biggest problem with this book is that it has such a strong "house style" that, despite their lip service to different styles, most of the rooms seem to end up looking remarkably similar. Virtually every room has either a loud floral print or a large vase of flowers dominating the room. And lots of clutter is usually found keeping those florals company. For those who love the country cottage style, I can see this book offering a treasure trove of great ideas and photos. For those like myself who prefer a cleaner, more contemporary feel there is little here of interest. The text is occasionally useful but the discussion on each topic is too shallow to provide a real blueprint. Overall, this book was a real disappointment.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely the best decorating book
Review: This is the best decorating book. I have the hardback version, and mine is getting a little worn out because I've used it for three years now. I just bought a couple of the paperback copies for friends as shower gifts. I got my copy as a wedding gift. At first I thought that I wouldn't like it because Better Homes and Gardens wasn't a magazine I was reading at the time but I was wrong. I love this book. It has all the big color pix any decorating book has but then it has so much more. I'm learning from this book. It's giving me depth of information so I can make my own decisions. It isn't dictating a style or point of view. This book seems very current in that approach. The proof is that I'm still using the book three years after I got it.
Rating:
Summary: Complete in every way
Review: I finally figured out why I love this book so much. It encourages me do my own thing and shows me lots of optional ideas. But unlike magazines or other decorating books I buy, this is teaching me about design-------not just showing me one great picture after another. I don't think they've wasted one word in this book. Every word says something specific. Just last weekend, we were changing the ceiling fixture in the dining room and weren't sure how high to hang it. I told my husband, well, maybe this book will have that info. It did! It has everything.
Rating:
Summary: Why buy the book?
Review: I bought this book on-line hoping to see photos of beautiful rooms and get ideas for my own house. The book does have lovely color photos of beautiful rooms, but I knew I had seen them before... This book uses photos from the magazines I subscribe to, like Metropolitan Home. It might be a good choice for someone who doesn't spend much time looking through decorating magazines, but for me, it was a disappointment.
Rating:
Summary: 4 years of use and counting
Review: I bought this book in 1998 and have loved and used it ever since. I have spent literally hours looking at the pictures for ideas. The text provides new guidance and insight everytime I read it. Like 98% of the other reviewers of this book, I would highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Author assumes I am smart & stylish but just need some info
Review: I hate to sound too New Agey, but I adore this book because of the obvious generosity of spirit of the author. Unlike books that talk down to you or dictate what style you ought to have, this book is written by someone who assumes I have intelligence, that I can understand design principles once they are explained, and that I have the style to do my own thing. How refreshing! This book covers it all and it educates me so I can do what I want with my own home, which, according to the book's introduction, is the whole premise of the book. Great photos throughout. I bought the hardback edition but it's out in paperback too. Just the best!
Rating:
Summary: The New Decorating Book
Review: This is one of the best decorating books I have seen yet!
It is up to date, Has some terrific ideas for every room in your house and is mostly made up of pictures! I am an Interior Designer and I just love this book! I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous Book
Review: I loved the photos and the helpful text - helped me to directly apply some of the suggestions in the book. A great buy.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent source for beginners
Review: After looking at LOTS of "how to" decorating books, this one was by far the most useful. It provided the incentive and direction I needed to tackle (with confidence) the rooms in my house that needed attention. Unlike other books, this one doesn't just spout out a bunch of rules w/little explanation. Instead, the author helps you figure out what YOUR style is and then helps you achieve that look in any given room. There is even help for those who have trouble defining their style at all (and fall in the "eclectic" category). Believe it or not, "eclectic" isn't as haphazard as it sounds and the author describes how to be consistent with that look without ever being boring. The author also makes you re-think the true uses of each room and helps you decorate accordingly. One of the added bonuses of this book is also the number of big, beautiful photos on every page which will help you both define your style and give you ideas. I Really can't say enough about this one - truly 5 stars!
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