Faux Chic: Creating the Rich Look You Want for Less [Paperback]

Carol Endler Strebenz (Author), Genevieve Strebenz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2004

Why settle for a sponge-painted wall when you can design your whole house in faux decor? With this elegant and imaginative approach to faux chic, you can transform the most ordinary space into a true showplace-without breaking the bank. With phenomenal mother-daughter design team Carol Endler Sterbenz and Genevieve A. Sterbenz as your guides, you'll master the Faux Chic philosophy of style, color, comfort, and charm in no time-and make over your home in the process.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Polysterene beams mimic the heavy wood on rustic Provencal ceilings; a slipcover soaked in tea poses as aged upholstery; shoe polish masquerades as "accumulated grime" on dresser knobs; and tricks of paint do all manner of wonders in this decorating ode to everything faux. The latest design book from this mother-daughter décor team encourages readers to help the "secret melodies of your soul resonate" in rooms filled with a melange of furnishings, accessories, embellishments and color schemes evoking "the indomitable spirit of chic style" and celebrating "amiable clutter" and plucky do-it-yourself craftsmanship. Showcasing rooms both formal and casual, the authors lead readers through the kinds of decorating tricks-pinning costume jewelry on pillows, using cut-outs of wallpaper flowers for a homemade mural, "aging" walls and furniture with color washes and sponge painting-that look good in photographs but might, in real life, look like what they are: fake. But those who find themselves undaunted by potentially obvious counterfeits will find lots of ideas highlighted in numerous attractive rooms. The authors discuss the various techniques enthusiastically, but offer directions that feel somewhat desultory; "Creating Faux Striped Wallpaper on Faux Plaster," for example, might actually warrant step-by-step photographs. Still, this is a bright and quirky look at design tricks for the artistically inclined fan of romantic rooms and shabby chic.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Carol Endler Sterbenz is a well-known lifestyle author, syndicated columnist, and media personality. She is the author of more than 30 lifestyle and home-decorating books, including best-sellers like The Gnomes Book of Christmas Crafts and American Country Folk Crafts. She was founding editor-in-chief of Handcraft Illustrated, a leading home decorating and craft publication. She lives in New York City. Genevieve A. Sterbenz is a professional designer. She is the author of 5 home-decorating and craft books, has written for leading trade publications, and has worked as creative consultant and photo stylist for the nationally syndicated column ?By Hand.? Currently a spokesperson for Krylon?s Home D?cor and Kid?s Tuff Paint, she lives in Manhattan.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Quarry Books (October 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592531156
• ISBN-13: 978-1592531158
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,021,373 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Full-color photographs and thoughtful instructions, July 26, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Faux Chic: Creating the Rich Look You Want for Less (Interior Design and Architecture) (Hardcover)

The collaborative effort of lifestyle author and syndicated columnist Carol Endler Sterbenz and professional designer Genevieve Sterbenz, Faux Chic: Creating The Look You Want For Less is a gorgeous interior design guide which focuses on lavish, eye-catching, colorful layouts that won't break the budget. Full-color photographs and thoughtful instructions for everything from the technique of aged colorwashing walls, to sewing a lap throw, to creating framed murals, and more, makes Faux Chic an ideal choice as a source for interior design and decoration ideas which are as esthetically stimulating as they are simply fun to just page through!

5.0 out of 5 stars Great service from Amazon, October 3, 2011

By 

thatquiltingcatlady (Australia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Faux Chic: Creating the Rich Look You Want for Less (Interior Design and Architecture) (Hardcover)

My second hand book arrived exactly as described and I couldn't believe how cheap it was! Thanks so much for the great service.

0 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bom, mas não sei para quê, March 17, 2006

By 

Mauricio Hu (Brazil - Sao Paulo - SP) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Faux Chic: Creating the Rich Look You Want for Less (Interior Design and Architecture) (Hardcover)

Não sei para quê eu comprei isso, aliás, sei sim, agora lembro foi minha mulher que insistiu para comprar, logo ela que nem leu o livro depois. É mais uma daquelas coisas que compramos e depois não ligamos mais. Pelo menos servirá para decorar a mesinha da sala.