Customer Reviews

No Compromise Decorating

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been waiting for this book since her last one came out. What took so long? This is just great. I feel like Lynette is talking directly to me. She writes about the decorating process but relates it to life, in general. What she has to say about how we all make compromises and end up with a home that doesn't seem to fit us rings so true. The photos in this book are gorgeous. I also like her real home makeovers. They are so obviously real homes. It's cool that Lynette went into real homes and did redecorating to prove that anyone can have a home that reflects the way they really want to live. This is a great book. There's nothing else like it and no one else like Lynette.

This book is not what I hoped it would be. It seems to be mostly a pep talk on how to avoid trying to make your house conform to other people's tastes. I don't need such a pep talk - the "getting to know me, getting to like me." What I do need, however, is pointers on how to make my house conform to my tastes. Clearly, Lynette Jennings is an excellent decorator - but I want her to tell me how she does it! The system she gives in this book she doesn't even follow. For example, she tells people to sort their furniture into what they love, what they think is so-so, and what they don't like at all. Then, when actually decorating their houses, she often completely ignores this list (and even says so on occasion) and uses furniture the owners of the house had been ready to discard. Another example, when she talks about putting colors together, she refers readers to the color charts in her previous book! I want step by step pointers on how to achieve certain looks. There is very little of that in here.

I'm giving this book the highest rating because Lynette Jennings consistently puts as much effort into her text as she does the beautiful pictures. She writes in a way that is intimate, comforting, and surprisingly informative: she is not interested in encouraging people to adopt design ideas simply for their popularity. Rather, she expresses strongly held convictions that design and decorating are tools by which one can create an environment that is deeply personal and reflective of one's individual tastes.

Reading this book made me aware of many decisions I have made about decorating that have been influenced by designers who are more concerned with being "edgy" or "correct" than what is genuinely pleasing to the homeowner. I have often imagined what other people will think upon entering my home and this is wrong. Your home has to be satisfying to you: for example, a black & white print may be "correct" in a particular scenario and many of us succumb to what the designers dictate which has something to do with a vague notion of "taste". Ultimately, if you don't like black & white prints, if they leave you cold, what would be the point in hanging one on your wall? Just to impress people, to show people that you have your finger on the pulse of what's "in" ?
Lynette Jennings is bold in her colour choices, uses big pieces in small rooms, and basically breaks so many "rules" that many of us have come to accept as givens. This is an excellent book.

Having loved Jennings' previous book, Straight Talk on Decorating, I plunged into this one with cries of glee... and quickly hit bottom in the dry pool. Ouch! I'd swear some of the photos of Jennings' own houses appeared in the other book, and there are far too many pages that consist only of a brief pull-quote in the Alexandra Stoddard "love yourself -- spend more on high-end housewares!" style.

The real disappointment, however, is the before-and-after case studies. All of these people have basically the same furniture: three bulky sofas, two bulky chairs, a gargantuan entertainment unit, and some matching tables. Move the sofas away from the wall, balance the entertainment unit with the largest focal point in the room, accessorize, accessorize, accessorize! And voila! The room looks just like a spread in a Better Homes & Garden decorating book, right down to the "flea market finds" that are conveniently available at a Marshall's or TJ Maxx near you. There is not one single funky, individual, or even mildly interesting room in the lot.

Why do I go as high as two stars? Before-and-after photos are always worth a star. But if you want to see rooms rearranged, Lauri Ward's Use What You Have Decorating is a more useful book with more interesting layouts.

As a complete decorating neophyte, who, when I've needed to decorate, have always looked outside, to others, to magazines, etc., this is exactly the book I needed. Jennings has given me the confidence to go with what I like, what suits me, and what makes me feel comfortable. Then she goes into structured detail showing me how to recognize my own style. To the decorating mavens out there - note that there are so many of us who listen far too often to others' advice to the detriment of our own style and comfort. Although this book has a "self-help" feel about it, the title clearly states what this book is about- Confidence in one's preferences and choices and how to go with them. Its focus is not color schemes and style as much as it's about finding the confidence in your own self to decorate how you want, regardless of whatever anyone else may think. Thanks Lynette!

This book initially threw me off. It is so different than most decorating books I have. You know the ones; you flip through the pages and find gorgeous rooms and decor. You don't have to read a word to get the gist of the decorating style and decide which components you love and want to imitate.

This book is different. I have never heard of this decorator, nor have I read or seen any of her other books. This is one you definitely have to read, but the text is in such big type that it does not seem daunting. I'm sure the big text helps to fill up pages, BUT I thought it was great for making the reading easy.

Now I would say the first half of the book is talking, teaching and some of it is kind of new-agey, get in touch with your home's feelings kind of talk which makes me grin...but that's okay. I like a little humor in my life! For those who think I am kidding, page 65, starts with "Learn How Your House Wants to Live." I want to learn how I really want to live in MY house! LOL

It does have good information and kind of gets you thinking in a different way. I like how the author recommends you categorize your furniture and accessories into Love It, So-So or Leave It. It does explain that her "Leave It" category means it is out unless you will end up with a naked room, sleeping on the floor or eating on the kitchen counter. So some "Leave It's" will have to wait to go out the door. Her recommendation is to make it tolerable by covering with a favorite tablecloth or with the most beautiful bed linens you can afford. I would give it a 3.5 star.

I stumbled across this book on amazon and had to have it. I just got it yesterday, and I've already read a lot of it. I love Lynette Jennings' attitude, and I feel she's writing directly to me. The book is very "empowering." In the book, Lynette also re-does rooms in the homes of real people. Boy, do those homes look real. I liked seeing that. Highly recommend.

Just what I was looking for. She shows a family how to cull out and keep what you love and make it look nice.

I found this book in the library and am now about to buy it. If you want to create a home that is a reflection of who you are, this book will be a wonderful asset. Lynnette is very helpful in determining your own
personal style, but you're going to have to put in a little thought. She also helps you to build the confidence to do it. However, it's not for everyone. For some the best thing to do is just to bite the bullet and hire a decorator.

Grab a cup of coffe & relaxc as you read this book. It is very informative & will help you implement your own style.It is as good ,if not better than her first book. I can only assume the bad reviews are from people who just looked at the pictures. I don't think you will be dissapointed with it but actually reading it would help! Thanks;