Customer Reviews

Living a Beautiful Life: 500 Ways to Add Elegance, Order, Beauty and Joy to Every Day of Your Life

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

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...

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.

Though some may off-handedly categorize this book as a Martha Stewart wannabe, it is very different. Instead of relying on perfectionism that requires a paid staff and a frantic pace to manufacture items for other people to admire, it focuses on making each day beautiful in small ways, which add up to the rituals and reality of how we live our day-to-day life. It leads the reader through deciding what is important in his/her life, where they spend their time, and what little things could be made wonderful. I had read this book and incorporated many of the ideas, when my husband was diagnosed with cancer, and was suddenly housebound. The idea of making his small world more pleasant and interesting and workable became much more important, and this book helped me examine and learn how to do that. Recommended for those people who need some ideas on reducing stress, or who want their homes to be havens of peace.

I read this book when I was a newlywed about 10 years ago. It was inspiring then and it is inspiring now. For those who comment that her suggestions are fluffy and out of touch, I say take these suggestions with a grain of salt. This is not a precise checklist on how to live well. You don't need to do things exactly the way she says. The whole point of the book is to make a day-to-day activity - however bothersome, meaningless, or mundane - a ritual. And that means making it special and enjoyable in whatever way you can, even if it is just decorating that shoebox where you store all of your bills that need to be paid.

She advocates living on a higher plane. Making things enjoyable and memorable involves all of your senses and can prevent you from the frustrating feeling that life is passing you by.

Needless to say, I enjoyed reading this book and it can be very inspiring to those who just want to make their environment a little nicer.

I got this book second hand from my sister during some extremely hard times for our family. I wanted a life filled with more grace, some beauty to inject into the tragedy of basically becoming homeless with a 6-month-old baby in tow. I did find a bit of inspiration in the pages, and I'm guessing that if I were to try and read it again today, now that our circumstances are much better, I could use some of the informaton and ideas. But at the time it all seemed so frivilous, expensive, and hopelessly out of step with Real Life.

It's obvious that Ms. Stoddard has never actually spent a day without money (or family money), no matter what her claims to the contrary. Her idea of beauty appears to be buying things to make your house more beautiful. I was looking for simple things I could do to uplift my hopelessly depressing surroundings, and got "ideas" like buying fountain pens and expensive European writing papers for jotting down notes because they feel nice to write with. Um... with WHAT money?

It's also obvious that she has no small children in the house, because many of her non-purchase ideas are things like "relax with a book," "relax with a cup of broth," "relax by writing a letter," and so on. As mother of a 6-year old boy, I have long since left "relaxation" in the dust.

Here are a selection of her ideas which, if you actually had some of these things already on hand, might work for you... or not:

Put on an attractive apron and unwind by freshening up the house. (Of course, she suggests Laura Ashley aprons)

Dust and clean your books regularly, changing their jackets to match the season. (I don't even know what this means)

Have a family picture taken once a year and have it framed. (Maybe I can get a cheap frame at Ross and just leave the beautiful people in it?)

Serve simple foods like fresh asparagus or creamy, perfect Brie with French bread hot from the oven. (Simply expensive)

Garnishes can be a part of the recipe -- arrange sliced veal on a bed of braised spinach with thin slices of lemon tucked between the overlapping slices. (Veal is gotten from tortured calves and expensive)

If you love beautiful bed pillows, as I do, stack them two or three deep against the headboard. (Even if you made them yourself this would be about $10-15 per pillow, x 11 pillows (how many she has) = $110 minimum just for BED PILLOWS.)

...even when discussing simple things like not letting the telephone bother you in the evening she manages to slip in the tidbit that "our favorite vacation spot is on a tropical island where the rooms have no phones". While discussing back pain she makes sure to give all the luxurious details about her custom-made Canadian maple four poster with Lattoflex supports. There is a paragraph in the bath chapter discussing how her father was vice president of Elizabeth Arden and how their cabinets were "filled with Blue Grass and all the Arden creams, lotions and powders." Is she trying to impress someone, or does she really think everyone has access to these things?

The kicker for me was this: I wrote her a letter explaining our unfortunate circumstances and my desire to bring more calm and beauty to our home. She was pleasant enough in her response, saying that she hoped things would be better for us soon and to just do what we could for the time being.... but then she said... "Perhaps you are just jealous of those who have more?"

I put the book away and have not looked at it since... well, until tonight in order to write this review. In opening it up and skimming through it again, I see that my memories of the book as being "The Rich Woman's Guide to Happiness" are indeed correct. I have never forgotten what Ms. Stoddard said to me, and I cannot forgive the disconnect it shows between her own life and the majority of the world.

So again, if you have cash to spend on Laura Ashley aprons and no children to be bothered with while having a bubble bath with imported French soaps, then this book is for you.

I read this book in l995 before there were so many decorating
shows on TV. This worked for me so well because I came out
of a home where these kinds of things were not taught. It
was a primer for "gracious living". I'm not saying I learned
to do everything in the book...but it set a tone, a pattern
that has helped me along.
Perhaps the most important thing was to help set a homey
feel in my life. I'd been single for more than 18 years and
didn't know how to properly nurture myself, much less another.
Using some of these tips, I began the process. Was it just
a miracle that I met my husband-to-be within 2 months? I don't
know..but we're starting our 10th year together. I see
Alexandra as part of that home healing path for me. Not everyone
needs this book, but for those who do, I think she does
a great job.

I really love this book; it appeals to the senses, with vividly described ideas for pleasures that anyone can treat themselves to - whether it be a painting, a daily journal, a soft blanket, a glass jar with flowers in it, a basket of fresh fruits and vegetables, a bubble bath... there are plenty of ideas. It's about gaining greater appreciation for the things around you, and taking conscious steps to surround yourself with beauty and things that please you. And no, many of these things don't require you to be wealthy to do them.

"Living A Beautiful Life" provides simple do-able touches for making your life a little more special. Alexandra Stoddard's ideas do not involve complicated projects using special ingredients or materials that you can only acquire in New York City and Beverly Hills--or for a ridiculously outrageous price from her own store. I discovered her book when I a broke writer and continued to incorporate her ideas when I was a broke grad student. "Beautiful Life" is arranged with special ideas for the main rooms in your home--living room, bedroom, kitchen, bath. Ms. Stoddard's conversational style makes it an easy read, and each chapter includes "grace notes"--simple things that you can do without spending a fortune. In a sense, she encourages ordinary people to experience the zen of decorating--doing something special for yourself, doing some tiny extra to make things a little more attractive. Her ideas are as simple as putting your apples or lemons in a glass bowl in your refrigerator instead of hidden away in the vegetable drawer. Writing with a fountain pen or picking up a seal and sealing wax for a special addition to personal notes really do make thank-yous feel like less a chore. She provides great ideas for getting organized without making it feel like work. Much better than anything I've seen from Martha Stewart!

I love nothing better than to scorn this type of book--the "the-whole-world-will-be-better-if-you-just-have-a-bubble-bath" world of Martha Stewart and Alexandra Stoddard. However, I have to confess, when I'm having a bad day, it IS soothing to read through this book and just believe that, were I to have a lemon squeezer placed just so on my kitchen counter with fresh lemons next to it, all would be right with the world. I can dream, can't I?