Feeling at Home: Defining Who You Are and How You Want to Live [Hardcover]

Alexandra Stoddard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 22, 1999

Most decorating books omit the most important element of the home: you. Does your home reflect who you really are? Feeling at Home focuses on this most essential aspect of decorating: creating a home that is truly your emotional center. Every room and object should answer your needs and make you feel more human and whole. Alexandra Stoddard gently leads us through a process of self-attunement and self-expression in which we discover not only our practical needs, but also our yearnings--perhaps a sunny spot for reading; a colorful nook for ironing; an inviting place for paperwork. She urges us to question the rules and to never "pre-compromise" by talking ourselves out of our true desires. With imaginative and practical examples from her personal and professional life, she helps us discover countless ways to express ourselves at home and instantly feel comfort, pleasure, and ease.

Why settle for merely being "in" our homes when we can be "at home?" Feeling at Home puts us on the path to home as we've always dreamed it could be.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Stoddard (Open Your Eyes) is a well-known interior designer, but her books mine a territory that's closer to self-help than color schemes. Her latest volume urges readers to look at themselves and their homes with a new consciousness. Through a text liberally laced with both personal anecdote and queries (from "How well are you getting along with your spouse?" to "How much time do you spend eating?"), Stoddard guides readers through a process of self-exploration, then encourages them to reshape not only their houses but the way they spend time there. What she calls emotional comforts, such as order and color, are enhanced along the way, while unrewarding chores, spaces or possessions are pared down. The result, she convincingly affirms, is a more delightful, less demanding life. Stoddard has a genuine gift for thinking creatively about interior spaces; too often, though, she returns to themes well covered in past booksAher own and others'Aor collapses into vague silliness ("If in the past you found no satisfaction in emptying the garbage, transcend the garbage pail, rise above it"). However, the book bubbles with an infectious appreciation of even the smallest domestic pleasure and an inspiring awareness of the spiritual and emotional life of a house. (Oct.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Stoddard (Open Your Eyes, The Decoration of Houses) explains that this is a "guide to help you live an inner-directed, dynamic life every day in your private haven." She successfully shows how to create an attractive, comfortable home by examining one's lifestyle, personality, and interests. As is her style, she interweaves anecdotes, both personal and professional, with her decorating advice. Recommended for public libraries.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; 1st edition (September 22, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688159052
• ISBN-13: 978-0688159054
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 0.8 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,564,192 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Author of 27 books, Alexandra Stoddard is sought after as a speaker on the art of living the good life. She has inspired millions of listeners and readers with such books as Things I Want My Daughters to Know, Choosing Happiness, You Are Your Choices, and Time Alive. A mother and grandmother herself, she lives in Stonington Village, Connecticut, with her husband, Peter Brown.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

100 of 102 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Discover for yourself what makes you feel at home, November 2, 1999

By 

C. Bell (San Antonio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Feeling at Home: Defining Who You Are and How You Want to Live (Hardcover)

A must for those of us who want to love our homes more. More than a collection of decorating ideas and tips, you embark on a journey of what meaningful living is to you. Alexandra asks her readers to keep a journal as they turn the pages of a book that provokes thoughts and insights into one's own preferences. Remarkably, you feel as if Alexandra is guiding you in person instead of through words on pages. Included is an in depth interview with one of Alexandra's clients, narrative on 15 essential elements of emotional comfort, helpful recommendations for balancing time and ideas on cultivating creativity. These concepts are interwoven with revealing personal and profeesional experiences as well as pictures of Alexandra's New York apartment. This book is great alone or as follow up to "Decoration Of Houses" and "Open Your Eyes". Enjoy!

82 of 83 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pure Stoddard, November 3, 1999

By 

"ronnie-tex" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Feeling at Home: Defining Who You Are and How You Want to Live (Hardcover)

I think when most people read Alexandra Stoddard for the first time they either love her books and become a loyal reader or they really dislike her writing style. At least that is what I get from some of the other Stoddard book reviews. I fall into the category of "love her books." Whenever I need to be uplifted or just want a brief escape, I open one of Alexandra Stoddard's books. I always feel inspired. This book was no exception. What I enjoyed most about this book, was keeping the home journal that she suggested. It has been a great tool and made reading the book even more fun.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Feel happier without even leaving home, March 12, 2000

By 

Nancy Mayer (san francisco) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Feeling at Home: Defining Who You Are and How You Want to Live (Hardcover)

I always enjoy Alexandra Stoddard's books and this one is no exception. From the beautiful, juicy layout colors to the message, she is a writer filled with grace. Her ideas are wonderful, practical, easy to do, not necessarily expensive and even if you do absolutely nothing but recline on the sofa and read this book, you'll fill uplifted. However, I encourage you to answer the questions she raises because you will learn a lot about yourself and your needs and priorities. There is also a GREAT transcript of interviewing a client family--you get to see how she deals with truculent family members.