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56 of 60 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Organzation for beauty freaks., December 25, 2000
This review is from: Living a Beautiful Life: 500 Ways to Add Elegance, Order, Beauty and Joy to Every Day of Your Life (Paperback)
Alexandra Stoddard refers to a time when she was a starving student, but from her description, she has never gone hungry due to not being able to afford food. If you don't have some spare cash left over at the end of each month, or aren't willing to stretch things a bit, this book may not be for you. However, considering that I once *did* go hungry for a brief period of time, earned pathetic paychecks and still cared enough about my surroundings to make tough (perhaps even stupid) decisions for the sake of my sanity, I simply roll my eyes at some of her claims and read between the lines. Suggestions in this book include considering decorative hat boxes for day-to-day storage, investing in a fountain pen rather than another few packages of disposables, treating yourself to flowers when you can, going into sumptous stores to get ideas (which I tend to use in more pedestrian stores when I actually start buying stuff :). And that's just what I can remember. "Living a Beautiful Life" gave me the foundation to really start thinking about my environment, what I wanted and what I didn't. Organization could lead not just to efficiency, but to beauty. I have friends who are slightly more destitute than I am. I have a friend who is a millionaire. I have friends who are inbetween and they all look at my home and marvel at the fact that they couldn't imagine me living anywhere else. And I don't think that I would have been able to do it without Stoddard's repeated encouragement, which seemed to be telling me that whatever it was I could do for myself, I was more than worth it.
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28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating, a slower tempo, it's up to your imagination, January 14, 2007
This review is from: Living a Beautiful Life: 500 Ways to Add Elegance, Order, Beauty and Joy to Every Day of Your Life (Paperback)
I came back to these descriptions and reviews to try and discover which of the Stoddard books to give my younger sister-in-law as she begins looking into interior design. But I was so struck by the negativity of some of these reviews given what I remember getting out of these books when I bought them. I am not a wealthy person by any means, but Alexandra Stoddard's ideas are anything BUT "out of touch with reality." So let me write a review that'll tell other people what to expect so they don't experience what I did when I came back. In the three books that I own, including this one, Stoddard's ideas are generally pretty practical. And with a little imagination on my part, I made them work for my budget. For example, I can't afford a crystal decanter set, but I can go to Bed Bath and Beyond during an end-of-season sale and buy a plastic pitcher (in a pretty color) to use on a plastic tray in order to refresh myself as I work at night in my arm chair. I suggest that anyone who reads Stoddard should listen to what she's saying instead of looking at the price tags on her own personal choices. Stoddard's the first person who even made me aware of "swivel rockers," and consequently, you can get an entire set very cheaply at JCPenney and in nice upholstery too. In one of her books, she discusses using a mini-refrigerator in her bedroom so she doesn't have to go downstairs for breakfast on certain weekend mornings. At first it sounds pretty extravagant. But you can also re-interpret this on a budget by trying a miniature tea or coffee maker in your own room, the way you might have seen it in hotels. Or even ask a friend to get you such a thing as a present for Christmas or your birthday if you can't afford it. Her books really stress the need for self-care, sometimes it isn't about buying what's necessary and sometimes you have to put your own well-being above other necessary items, or you get bitter, hostile and angry. So, while we can't all fit the mini-fridge into our budget (or our tiny rooms) and wake up to fresh cold milk and cereal in bed, come on folks -- you can get some great ideas with these books ... if you just use your imagination. What if you can't afford a personal florist to send you flowers every week or month? You can certainly round up some from your lawn. Don't have a lawn because you live in an apartment complex? How about a park? There are pine cones and other wonders just waiting to come home for arrangement. Sad that it's not a dozen roses every week? Hey, it's something natural and beautiful in your home and that's a start. The worst thing a reviewer can do is put down an author's book because they actually lack the imagination to riff off the ideas at their own level of income. Four Stars: This book could be more user-friendly and address lower-class decorating concerns. While it is unquestionably high-class and at-first-glance talks with high price tags; it is also classy and it will teach you a lot about how to make your home a comfortable and protective nest against the bitter world. P.S. I'm now going to read the three books I do own, so I can actually recall which is the best "starter" book to give a novice interior designer...
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26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Book For Everyone, February 2, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: Living a Beautiful Life: 500 Ways to Add Elegance, Order, Beauty and Joy to Every Day of Your Life (Paperback)
Alexandra Stoddard's work is special in so many ways. She's the only decorator I ever saw who teaches you to be brave, authentic and cheerful. If you can't afford a bunch of new dishes, then use the beautiful ones that have a few chips in them. She does! And she even uses those same dishes when she entertains the rich and famous. If it looks good and it feels cheerful then go for it. Can't afford a new dining table for a big party? Put a plank over two barrels and top it all off with a cheerful table cloth. Can't afford a fancy centerpiece? Why not keep fruits or vegetables in a bowl like the olden days? Can't afford a rich bubblebath? Why not put a little vanilla in the tub? Or lemon slices? She has tons of ideas (more than 500 actually because she throws in extras as a treat) for every economic situation. My husband and I moved here from Texas and I turned our condo into an extremely cheerful cottage with practically no money at all and I've had a TONS of compliments! Alexandra has you look at every aspect of your lifestyle. How do you treat yourself when you get home from work? Do you slap dinner together, or do you take time to really enjoy yourself with new recipes, a beautifully set table, and nice music? Taking time to REALLY live, gives you more time for contemplation and joy. Alexandra proves that over and over again in all her books. Just live well, and forget about the insecure jealous types who resent your efforts and joy.
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