Let's Ask Michael : 100 Practical Solutions for Interior Design Challenges

Rating:
Summary: A Delightful Read
Review: After reading this book decorating makes so much more sense. Michael really gives straight, concise answers to common decorating problems in a very well put together book. It was a delight to read. The graphics and photographs were great. The book is divided into several chapters, each one focusing on a specific room of the house, bedroom, kitchen, etc . It's extremely organized and very helpful. This would be a good general reference book to have on hand as pretty much all styles of decorating are included in this very informative book. Anyone who has seen Michael Payne's show on HGTV knows what a great personality he has, and it really comes through when you read this book.

Rating:
Summary: Let's Ask Michael : 100 Practical Solutions for Interior Des
Review: An interior designer and the host of Home and Garden Television's Designing for the Sexes, Payne answers questions he has received as a result of the design guidance he gives on his show. Although the show's premise is to get couples to compromise on their design preferences to create mutually satisfying room d‚cor, here he primarily solves individual design challenges. Payne answers questions concerning every room of the house-bedrooms, bathrooms, dining rooms, kitchens, hallways, home offices, guest rooms, and libraries-and he illustrates his advice with color photographs. His practical, down-to-earth approach to design recommends this book for public libraries of any size.

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Summary: Unaffordable Decorating
Review: Another decorating book for the wealthy. It is unfortunate that no consideration is given to the needs of those who are not millionaires. Unless you have an unlimited budget, don't waste your money on this one as it will not provide you with any useful information.

Rating:
Summary: Everything: In It's Right Place
Review: As a modern movie character once quipped, "You are not your possesions". But in our modernist material world, we do seem to link our personal identities to the sofas, cars, clothes, and pets that surround us. This being said, it is best to keep good company as far as our "stuff" allows and Michael Payne's book is a veritable popularity guide to the world of stuff and decorating. Packed with details and laid out in bright colors with lavish style, this book is a treasure. Brilliant.

Rating:
Summary: Easy to Understand & Pratical Answers
Review: At last an easy to understand interior design book offering a lot of worthwile information. Michael Payne delivers the same informative solutions "Designing For The Sexes" offers. This book walks the reader through design projects in such a way everything becomes possible.

Rating:
Summary: Easy to Understand & Pratical Answers
Review: At last an easy to understand interior design book offering a lot of worthwile information. Michael Payne delivers the same informative solutions "Designing For The Sexes" offers. This book walks the reader through design projects in such a way everything becomes possible.

Rating:
Summary: Great...but not excellent
Review: I bought the book and just received it a couple of days ago. Although I am not finished reading it, so far so good. The book is a compilation of emails Michael has received during the years about decorating problems or disasters people have had and he offers recommendations on what to do in each situation. He includes pictures for every email showing how to solve the problem. The book is divided by rooms of the house, but not into subcategories (like paint, furnishings, tile, etc), so you will need to read every single email to check if what you are looking for or need help with is there.
I do think he offers excellent advice to the emailers, but I was looking for something more general, which can give you answers to EVERY day situations. Many of these homes have particular architectural obstacles, which you probably wont encounter in your average home. I had bought another copy for my mom's birthday, but I am returning it. I don't think she will need that book. I'll get her another decorating book.

Rating:
Summary: A Five Star Salute
Review: I first stumbled upon Michael Payne's TV show in the midst of a messy divorce that amongst other things, was founded in my wife and my inability to compromise. In contrast with my matrimonial disaster is Mr. Payne's book, a literary haven of balance, understanding, and peaceful resolutions. Problems are solved and egos soothed in a series of creative solutions, all of which are brilliantly illustrated in the pictures and design of this book. Although geared towards a house-owning audience, the decorating advice in this book can be applied to any living situation, from the lowliest college dorm room to the finest Hollywood mansion. A five star effort by Mr. Payne et al. Not four. Five. Well done.

Rating:
Summary: I LOVE IT!
Review: I just got my book and have to tell all the Michael Payne fans out there that you've got to get it! It's beautiful, informative and great to have on the coffee table for when guests come over! Some of the emails are hilarious while others are quite helpful! I love it!

Rating:
Summary: WIsh it had more examples
Review: I love to watch Michael Payne on "Designing for the Sexes" so I looked forward to reading this book. I was a bit disappointed in the format in that I had a pretty good idea of what Michael's responses to e-mails would be from watching his show. There was some useful advice but the book would benefit from more visual examples. Budget concerns were hardly addressed so it's hard to know how practical some of the answers would be to the average homeowner. It's a light and enjoyable read and might offer readers a bit of inspiration, but the book doesn't serve as a how-to for serious remodelers.