Junk Style (Hardcover)

by Melanie Molesworth (Author), Tom Leighton (Photographer)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
For those who have always had--and used--junk, the juxtaposition of the words junk and style is an acknowledgement of what they've always known: useful and attractive objects don't always have to come straight from the furniture showroom. Melanie Molesworth enumerates the ruling principles of Junk Style on the back cover:

1. It doesn't have to match.

2. Don't get attached to an object's original function.

3. Use junk as an accent.

4. If you frame it, it's art.

5. White cures all ills.

6. One is an eyesore; five makes a collection!

Though some of the "junk" pictured wouldn't be out of place in an uptown antique shop and the designer practices rule #5 so assiduously that some of the shots call to mind the sterile interior of an idealized World War I-era hospital, practitioners of secondhand chic will still find Junk Style a useful guide. In particular, there's a good range of interiors pictured, from some that look like funky converted garages to the expensively spacious and light-filled. Not too surprisingly, Moleworth's junk looks great in both. --Barrie Trinkle --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
Carbooters and charity shop frequenters already know junk style. That shabby elegance that can so become someone else's outcasts. 50s aluminium cookware with its gentle battering has a homely, lived-in look. A chair kicked by many feet has a worn patina unfound on modern pieces. Curtains and tablecloths with their gentle, frayed appearance. The range of items that comprise junk style is unending. Whatever appeals to you can be turned into an unusual addition for your home. So what if it's chipped, scratched or slightly rusty? This is the appeal and stylist Melanie Molesworth, in conjunction with photographer Tom Leighton, shows you all the tricks of the trade to use and display your finds to perfection. Every room, inside and out, can provide homes for these old items and often the most mundane of articles can be transformed into something extra special with a little guidance. Once you've read this no skip or antique market will be safe - you'll find all sorts of individual treasures out there which Melanie will tell you how to make the most of. - Lucy Watson --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Ryland Peters & Small (January 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841722235
• ISBN-13: 978-1841722238
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 8.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #235,110 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully photographed with great ideas, January 8, 2002

By	Leanne Anderson (Central Coast, NSW, AUSTRALIA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Junk Style (Hardcover)

I love this book! As an avid junk collector (much to the humour of my family!) I found this book to become one of my favourites.
I have read this book so many times- there are just so many inspiring pictures in this book. The book contains many different interiors and all different types of junk style. A great book.

28 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars chock full of fabulous ideas, October 21, 1998

By	[e-mail] - See all my reviews

This review is from: Junk Style (Hardcover)

IF YOUR HEART BEATS JUST A LITTLEFASTER WHEN YOU HEAR THE WORDSGARAGE SALE, BARN SALE OR YARD SALETHEN YOU MUST HAVE THIS BOOK. FULLOF WONDERFUL WARM COUNTRY DECORATINGIDEAS. ONE OF MY FAVORITES!

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful photos!, December 31, 2001

By	"seversister" (Acworth, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Junk Style (Hardcover)

There are a couple of things that could have made Junk Style better and appeal to a broader audience. Most of the pictures are set on a stone or hardwood floors, and I can only think of one that was set on carpet. I'm not a big fan of carpet, but that is what I have to work with in my house and would have liked to have seen what other have done with junk finds in carpeted rooms. I would also like to have seen more pictures with colored walls. The author seems to have a strong bias towards white walls, at times making the rooms seen somewhat lifeless and sterile.

With the criticism out of the way, I'd also like to say that Junk Style was very inspriational to me. I read through it twice in the first day that I received it. The photos are gorgeous and some of the finds inside are quite worthy of jealousy. I would recommed this to anyone who enjoys spending time at yard sales, flea markets, and other second hand stores.