Customer Reviews

Home Therapy: Fast, Easy, Affordable Makeovers

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Her top 10 decorating mistakes in the first chapter are good info. But then the rest of the chapters are about different clients and their makeovers. Too much time is spent describing the room (this lamp here, this picture there) both before and after....and not enough description of HOW she knew to put what where to make them better. The before and afters are dramatic, and it's amazing what can be done with what one already has. But she doesn't impart enough direction to the reader on how to know what would go good where.

I own Lauri's two other books and am a big fan of "Use What You Have" decorating. The things that I did not like about her latest book, "Home Therapy," for one, are the use of black and white photographs in her "before" pictures. It was really hard to see the details in these shots. Second was the use of too much description. (I know what you're thinking-how could there be too much description?)Lauri goes into lots of details about the clients' rooms and I found myself flipping the pages back and forth to try to see everything she was pointing out. Very confusing. If I were going to recommend one of Lauri's books it would definitely be her first one.("Use What You Have Decorating.")I love it and have bought it for friends.

I did not like the layout of this book at all--particularly annoying was the fact that you had to turn pages between the "before" and "after" room drawing layouts-they should have been either put on facing pages or on the same page.

Also, her first book worked well because it seemed to focus more on average people with decorating issues, this book was definitely skewed towards people with scads of money like the people with the view home in Laguna Beach, who practically had walls made of windows--hardly what the average person is looking to showcase!

I would borrow this one from the library, but buy her first book.

I have been looking forward to Lauri Ward's newest book. I am a huge fan of her first book, "Use What You Have". I have noticed that the pictures in that first book were beginning to look dated. This book, Home Therapy, shows many great up-to-date photos and explanations of the "whys" of the arrangement steps. The only small flaw is that the book shows several "after" rooms with a rug angled out into the room rather than the rug following the lines of the furniture arrangement. As a decorator myself, I do not care for that technique. Otherwise, Home Therapy is a great addition to your collection of decorating books.

The book was informative laid out well with great ideas. The problem is the use of black and white photos for the before pictures and color for the after. I found it distracting and a less than credible way to have her makeovers look impressive. It is my opinion that before and after pictures should be the same...either black and white or color not mixed. With that said I do not believe home decorating is a black and white photo situation.

I've read all of Lauri Ward's decorating books and Home Therapy is the best one yet.

There are beautiful color photos that show how Ms. Ward redecorated 25 homes of people, ranging from young to old, with all having very interesting stories to tell. There are even floor plans that clearly show the before and after arrangements of the rooms.

Home Therapy is a winner!

It's disappointing when the all important concepts of scale and proportion aren't discussed, terms missing in her previous books as well. How can arrangement design be effective without an understanding of scale and proportion?

Art is hung too high over the sofas in many cases drawing the eye to the space between the art and the top of the sofa; art overpowers the furniture below it in many of the rooms giving an oppressive feeling; the size and format of the art is not considered in scale to other pieces in a grouping; nor is much thought given to format and proportions.

Buyer beware.

This book had great before and after photos, something I always enjoy perusing. Having the background on the clients made the situations realistic and the solutions practical. I can see why they called it Fast, Easy and Affordable Makeovers, nothing looked too costly and there was great advice offered.

Author Lauri Ward definitely catches your interest in her book, "Home Therapy," by using real stories of real decorating concerns of many different clients. People young and old; living in small spaces, large spaces, having freedom in finances or little to spend all blend together and find a solution in her work.
In each chapter we are introduced to people with a specific decorating problem and shown the solution. It is done with words, sketches and pictures of before and after.
I love seeing the final outcome. The problems are identified in detail, corrected and once the solution is completed the final result is told and shown.
This book has some great decorating ideas; but the nice extra here is the personal touch that Ms.Ward gives by allowing us to share personally in her interaction with her clients. In doing this we can relate to the problem and even see where it may apply in our own decorating dilemmas. A great book, packed full of decorating problem solutions, colorful pictures and a personal warm touch. Recommended.

For anyone who is short on time and looking for great changes to make in your home (depending upon your personal situation and life stage), run to buy this book. Compeling stories that we can all relate to along with detail drawings and beautiful photography that inspires, make this a must have for any decorating diva. Let's face it...we all like examples and what better deal than detailed "how to do it instructions" with photos to help us make our homes beautiful. Lauri Ward's book is written with sensitivity and inspiration. Don't miss it!