Customer Reviews

Christopher Lowell's Seven Layers of Design: Fearless, Fabulous Decorating

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

I enjoy Christopher Lowell's television show, and found his book equally terrific! The advice about interviewing and working with an interior decorator is worth the cost of the book by itself. The projects are challenging but definitely add to your home's look without putting you in the poorhouse. The best thing about Christopher Lowell? He starts with *paint*. Paint is cheap, and can simply be painted over without incurring thousands in re-dos and "buying mistakes." Paint also makes a huge impact, and you don't have to change furniture or buy expensive accessories.

It's not brain surgery, but home decorating can reduce the most self-assured woman to a tearful wreck. This book can either be followed to the letter or used as a springboard to other decorating books and magazines. Christopher's breezy writing style and easily understood explanations make the most fearful home decorator ready to finally pick up that paintbrush and get busy!

Decorating Man, Christopher Lowell has hit a home-run with his new book, "7 Layers of Design: Fearless, Fabulous Decorating." This "how-to" decorating book is full of wonderful photography (before, during and after a project) and great ideas for any room in a house. He covers all the basis with style, spark and creativity. I found his style to be very modern (but, not too modern. I.E. silver, and black lacquer) hip and full of spaces that everyone would LOVE. His work is simple but, still very impressive. I really think that the "average" person could re-create many of the elements that Lowell introduces. I found myself really drawn to his color choices, design elements, and creative touch. It's a great book for someone looking to add a lot of spark and polish to a room. Great resource!

Of course we all love Christopher, but I'm not praising his book just because I think he's fabulous. His book provides us with hands-on material we can read and re-read until we completely understand. The book explains each of the 7 layers of design and makes it sooooo simple to decorate an entire room. He also has instructions for projects and they're so easy to understand. You'll love the chaise lounge in the back! The book is written the way christopher talks. It's fun, and easy to understand. He even gives you a list of basics to have in your "tool box"! If you're planning on re-decorating a room this book is essential!

i've browsed through tons of interior design books in my day, and while i wouldn't say that christopher lowell's taste is anywhere near mine, i would still recommend this book as one of the first books you should buy for decorating help. i can't recall any other decorating guide for non-professionals that is as comprehensive as it is with instructions on how to piece a room together from top to bottom, and the "layer" concept is a very helpful thinking-tool.

the vast majority of design books out there that claim to describe the principles in design are either very limited in scope (such as 'be cute and space saving') or far too abstract to show you how to join the different layers of a room together using the principles they describe in a systematic way (such as choosing a color scheme or keeping the architecture of the room in mind). in other words, christopher's 7 layers helps you integrate both the macro- and micro- levels of design in a room, no matter what your taste or style.

this approach would be especially helpful for those of you that are very object-oriented when you start a designing project--by this i mean that you focus on the "stuff" (whether furniture or decorative accents) that people fall in love with when they decide what has to go into a room. if you understand how the 'layers' function, you'll be able to piece together a room-canvas that will really show off what you want on display!

Christopher Lowell does an excellent job of showing a series of logical steps to decorating a room. Yes his own personal taste is very "busy", but no single person has taste that appeals to everyone. If you prefer pastels to saturated color, or few decorations to many, there's nothing in this book to stop you, or even discourage you. No matter your goal (and only you can choose that) this book will take you through the steps to get your room looking the way you want it, from the walls and floor, to the plants and lighting. It's equally applicable to a Victorian living room or a Colonial bedroom, or a Japanese style office (all rooms in my house). I highly recommend it.

If you can only buy one book on decorating, this is the one. Mind you, I am writing this as a total neophyte decorator. I bought a fixer upper and had never decorated before in my life. Christopher seems to have taken all of the thought work out of decorating and left you with the fun. I especially love his recipe for picking colors. I've followed it for my living room, hallways and bedroom. They look absolutely fabulous. Doing that gave me enough confidence to venture further on my own with color and voila- I have a beautiful and happy house. Mind you I am still in the process, but so far he's been right on with everything he's said, from ceilings to floors.
Oh, and this is a totally FUN read. Not too wordy and definitely not boring. This is written by someone who has found his niche and LOVES it.

What appealed the most to me about this book was the common sense approach and simple designs used throughout the book. Following the author's advice, the room you redecorate will be functional, practical and should not take your life savings to complete. Personally, I did not care for the author's sense of style and colour co-ordination, but the reader can always substitute these elements with their own perferences. It is the technique that is important and the author does have some excellent ideas. Room accessories are also a personal choice, but the book does contain some great suggestions, and I particularly liked his ideas on flooring. Overall, the book has many suggestions and though not all may appeal to the reader, there are certainly a great many that will leave you thinking, " What a terrific idea, I never though of that." The author has a simple, no-nonsense approach to a project many inexperienced "do-it-yourselfers" consider a major challenge.

At first look, I thought the book was just a repeat of the show. But when I actually sat down to read it..I realized he goes into more of the detail I have always wanted on the show! I have small children, so merchandising above windows & cabinets is something I can do! I just read some of the previous reviews & am not certain if they have really READ the book or SEEN the show. He is always commenting on the Art of restraint & how a lot of little stuff just looks like clutter! I was intrigued about his web site after reading the book. I found that it too has details on how to do certain projects. He has so many ideas that his book is already due for a sequel! By the way, I just love the picture in the introduction! He looks so serious & so unlike the funny guy he is now. He looks maybe twenty-two=)

I picked up this book because I know nothing about design and had hoped this would be a gentle introduction to some of the basic ideas. Unfortunately, there is very little of the sort in this book. About the only two useful things I took away from this book are: approach the design process in stages (and don't jump stages) and how to pick neutral paint colors. What is most amazing is what the book leaves out rather than what it includes. Is this an introductory book? What's faux finishing? Why do I need an appendix to see what's in his toolbelt? Why the conservative emphasis on neutral colors? A couch is only $1000 why do I have to plan to keep it for 20 years by going with a style and color that (probably) won't go out of date? How do I tell when a room is balanced or when an element needs more emphasis? How do I decide whether I need new architectural elements? What if I don't LIKE crown molding?

The actual seven stages of design are laid out in the first 50 pages of the book (which you could easily browse in a bookstore). The remainder of the book details various projects. Unfortunately, these descriptions aren't very good. He often describes things that there are no photographs of. (How am I supposed to judge whether the ceiling he picks out works with the rest of the room if there is never a photo of the completed ceiling?) And there is often very little description of the motivations that lead to various design choices.

Lowell offers one particular method of design: creating a theatrical showcase for people who collect a ton of trinkets. If you live in an apartment, if you prefer a more minimalist aesthetic, if you are interested in more daring designs, or even if you are just interested in learing more about the theory of design so you can express YOURSELF rather than just mimicking some famous designer, then this book won't be of much use to you.

For fans and non-fans alike of his Emmy award winning show, this decorating book instructs you in 7 basic steps how to correctly decorate any style of room. Lavishly photographed and well put together to be understood clearly, you'll not be sorry to have made such a purchase. It will surely be used repeatedly as a reference. I really loved this book!

Christopher has a unique way of combining style on a budget, but most importantly he understands the creative process that many of us wish to unleash in ourselves. Your creative juices will flow just browsing through the pages. Highly recommended for everyone. YOU CAN DO IT!!