Rating: 
Summary: Wow, what a difference!
Review: This book has lots of easy, inexpensive tricks that only professional decorators know about.
I purchased it along with Use What You Have Decorating because I wanted to fix up my house but could not afford a designer. The results were amazing! Now my home looks more open, feels more comfortable and is really pretty! Even my husband says it looks great, which is a first.
The best part is that the only purchases I needed to make were new pillows for my sofa and a big urn for my dining room. If you are short on money but want to give your home a whole new look this book along with her first are must-haves.
Rating:
Summary: A Must-Have
Review: This book is a wonderful resource for anyone who is interested in having a comfortable and good-looking home. The author breaks down everything - what to do and when to do it - so that it is easy to understand, even for those who feel challenged by interior design. The sections on storage, furniture, and kitchens and bathrooms are especially helpful for those who are afraid of making mistakes.
Rating:
Summary: A great find that offers quick results
Review: This book is ideal for anyone who is busy, but wants their home to look prettier quickly. It covers prioritizing and organizing projects, explains how to fix decorating problems without spending money and points out what to look for and consider if purchases are necessary. Overall, it seems like a book that could be very useful to anyone who really wants to make the most of their things, no matter what they have.
Rating: 
Summary: Want a boring house? Buy this book.
Review: This book is in the "never wear white after Labor Day" school of design: it lists tired old rules that *never* should be broken. For example: always paint the ceiling white, use only one pattern in a room, only use white floors and white tiles in the bathroom (and no colorful shower curtain, either). I could give more examples, but the pattern is clear. In addition, her advice for families with children is absurd. As the mother of two toddlers, I did know whether to laugh or cry at her assertion that it isn't necessary to box up breakables when you have small children. What to do? Just put breakables up high, on a piano or a tall bookshelf. I have yet to see the toddler who couldn't scale either one in under a minute. I gave it two stars because it would be useful for people who want an attractive home and have no clue how to do it on their own. I suspect they would end up with something that had as much personality as a hotel room, but if you don't enjoy decorating, that might be considered a Good Thing. One final thought: look at the picture on the cover. She violates her own advice several times. Why?
Rating:
Summary: Want a boring house? Buy this book.
Review: This book is in the "never wear white after Labor Day" school of design: it lists tired old rules that *never* should be broken. For example: always paint the ceiling white, use only one pattern in a room, only use white floors and white tiles in the bathroom (and no colorful shower curtain, either). I could give more examples, but the pattern is clear. In addition, her advice for families with children is absurd. As the mother of two toddlers, I did know whether to laugh or cry at her assertion that it isn't necessary to box up breakables when you have small children. What to do? Just put breakables up high, on a piano or a tall bookshelf. I have yet to see the toddler who couldn't scale either one in under a minute. I gave it two stars because it would be useful for people who want an attractive home and have no clue how to do it on their own. I suspect they would end up with something that had as much personality as a hotel room, but if you don't enjoy decorating, that might be considered a Good Thing. One final thought: look at the picture on the cover. She violates her own advice several times. Why?
Rating:
Summary: Everyone should know about Lauri Ward
Review: This follow-up to Use What You Have Decorating is fabulous. Ward goes beyond glitzy magazine photos and shows the nuts and bolts of how to actually achieve these great looks. She really proves that good design is not about throwing thousands of dollars at a room. And she gives advice anyway can use, at any level of their decorating. And if you're disappointed that there aren't a lot of big colorful pictures to look at, then I suggest checking out a few children's books from your library. Otherwise, prepare yourself for a real treat from this classy designer.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Book!
Review: This is the most useful home decorating book yet! It explains how to correct the most common mistakes (I made them all!) and how to make a home look just like the ones in magazines. The chapters about furniture placement, lighting and accessories are real eye openers and supply loads of fast and easy ways to make rooms look really pretty. Anyone who loves decorating will love this book. (My living room, dining room, foyer, kitchen and master bedroom all look amazing now!)
Rating:
Summary: Mere placement
Review: While this book may offer good ideas on placement of furniture and wall hangings, what it doesn't consider is that many of us are restricted by outlets, cable hookups, windows, etc. There's only so much we can do to a room with these restrictions. So putting the tv on one wall may look better, but you may not be able to plug it in. Plus, it's all living rooms or family rooms, no bedrooms or office space. If you're looking for a book to help you maximize space and look like you know how to decorate, this isn't the book for you.
Rating:
Summary: The Original is always the best!
Review: With my dog-eared, battered copy of "Use What You Have Decorating" deteriorating from frequent use, I was thrilled to pick up a copy of Lauri Ward's newest book, "Trade Secrets from Use What You Have Decorating". Once again, Ms. Ward proves the adage that it's hard to top the original! Lauri Ward is the originator of the one-day redecorating concept, and this book shows why she's the best! While there are many imitators, none displays the uniqueness of Ms. Ward's style. Her knack for making anyone's "ordinary" furnishings look "extraordinary" is inspiring!
Like the black-and-white photos in her previous book, I found the line drawings stimulating my imagination into projecting what colors I could use in my home. Rather than imposing her views, Lauri Ward comes across as someone sincerely interestd in helping me make my home as comfortable and beautiful as possible. I feel as though when I'm done, I'll want to invite her over for coffee!
Rating:
Summary: The Original is always the best!
Review: With my dog-eared, battered copy of "Use What You Have Decorating" deteriorating from frequent use, I was thrilled to pick up a copy of Lauri Ward's newest book, "Trade Secrets from Use What You Have Decorating". Once again, Ms. Ward proves the adage that it's hard to top the original! Lauri Ward is the originator of the one-day redecorating concept, and this book shows why she's the best! While there are many imitators, none displays the uniqueness of Ms. Ward's style. Her knack for making anyone's "ordinary" furnishings look "extraordinary" is inspiring!
Like the black-and-white photos in her previous book, I found the line drawings stimulating my imagination into projecting what colors I could use in my home. Rather than imposing her views, Lauri Ward comes across as someone sincerely interestd in helping me make my home as comfortable and beautiful as possible. I feel as though when I'm done, I'll want to invite her over for coffee!
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