No Place Like Home: Tips & techniques for real family-friendly home design [Paperback]

Stephen Saint-Onge (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2011

Stylish and practical designs for real families

From the many room makeovers he has done for magazines, newspapers, and television shows, designer Stephen Saint-Onge has a very real sense of what everyday families want and need from their homes. Unlike other decorating books on the market, his features products and projects that are accessible for everyday homeowners who are looking for stylish and practical designs.

Now, his scores of fans will thrill for No Place Like Home. With home designs that are budget-conscious, family-friendly, and beautiful, these inspiring projects mix traditional American style with modern comforts and convenience.

• Introduces creative tools and tricks that make a big impact on rooms
• Educates readers on various materials, furnishings, and accessories
• Stephen's style secrets for every room of the home

Full of creative advice, design tips, and renovation ideas, No Place Like Home shows real families how to create spaces that work in the real world.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'...packed full of practical tips... it feels like you're having a conversation with an expert rather than reading a book.' (Western Mail, April 2011).

From the Inside Flap

Stylish and practical design for real families

Renowned designer Stephen Saint-Onge has a very real sense of what everyday families want and need from their homes. As a father, husband, and homeowner, he knows that a home needs to do more than look nice to function for a family.

Mixing traditional American style with modern comfort and convenience, No Place Like Home walks you through Stephen's tried-and-true process for finding design inspiration in unconventional places—like films that may spark an idea or conversation about a style that you're drawn to—and guiding you to build a personal "Look Book" that helps you define your unique wants and needs. Drawn from his varied experiences from the many room makeovers he's done on television and in magazines, as well as the work he's done with private clients in their real-life homes, his hands-on design knowledge and time-saving tips empower anyone to live by his credo that "good home design has the power to change lives."

More than just beautiful photographs, No Place Like Home is a useful tool for anyone looking for creative direction on making a home truly livable and inviting. The first section helps you approach design by defining your style and determining your goals and budget; introduces creative tools and tricks that can have a big impact on a room; and educates you on various materials, furnishings, and accessories. The second section walks you through each room of the home, revealing secrets that Stephen has discovered in working with hundreds of families through the years. It includes not just living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens, but also home offices, kids' rooms, and multipurpose spaces.

Full of creative advice, design tips, and renovation ideas, No Place Like Home shows real families how to create beautiful spaces that work in the real world.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (February 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470585773
• ISBN-13: 978-0470585771
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 0.5 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #576,237 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Designer, author and photographer Stephen Saint-Onge is
The Home and Style Designer for the Everyday Family

Stephen known as "Designer Dad" - is now the new Contributing Home Editor for Family Circle Magazine and Familycircle.com.

His first book was released in February 2011 and sold out within weeks. It is now into its 3rd printing.

America's Home Designer firmly believes that "good design has the power to change lives."

In the past decade, Stephen has become an expert on the home and family-focused lifestyle in magazines such as Better Homes and Gardens, Cottage Living, House Beautiful, Elle Décor to name a few, as well as being on television on programs such as Oprah, The View, The Today Show, The Early Show, TLC and CNN.

In the present economic time, Stephen's creative work and empowering ideas for homeowners have never been more timely and in demand. He is one of the only designers that truly understands the needs of today's modern, American family because he is living the same life they are. Not only is he a nationally known designer, he is also a dad, a husband and a homeowner balancing creative work, a family and a welcoming home. House Beautiful magazine named him "one of the top fifteen designers in America." Homeowners and fans know him as "the home and style designer for the everyday family."

NO PLACE LIKE HOME is his first book. Stephen was excited to have the chance to not only write the book but also use his own photography. To him, this was a way to further illustrate how he sees home design and style from his own vantage point. "I have seen first hand how our homes affect our lives and how the simple things we can do ourselves can motivate us, inspire us and empower us not only to enjoy our home environments more but also live better lives," says the designer.

To learn more about Stephen, see more of his work and visit his creative blog visit : http://stephensaint-ongeblog.blogspot.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars disappointing May 18, 2011

By befree

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

From all the enthusiastic reviews, and the subtitle ("Tips & techniques") I expected more. Although I appreciate the author's style, and his skills as a photographer, and his down-to-earth values, I just didn't get much more than a pretty picture book with advice so broad as to be meaningless ("Lighting can really change the mood of a room. Pay attention to it."), or tips I've heard before ("Paint mis-matched thrift store furniture all white, to unify the separate pieces.") And what's with asking all the questions? "When selecting flooring, what do you like? Carpet? Tile? Hardwood?" I don't think this is helpful. The only section I really liked was the transformation of the bedroom with photos before, during, and after, with explanations of why certain furniture arrangements and decorating decisions did or didn't work. But that was just one 2-page spread.
So, few tips, no techniques. A disappointment

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best! March 1, 2011

By Robbie F

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Stephen Saint Onge has always been one of my favorite designers. I have loved seeing his makeovers on various TV shows and in magazines. When I saw he had a book coming out I couldn' wait to get it. I preordered one for me and 3 others for gifts...The book is outstanding. So many great pictures and so many fantastic and REALISTIC ideas. Stephen is truly an inspiration letting people know you can make simple changes without going broke. My husband and I have already started looking around the house to see what changes we can make! Stephen and his book are the best!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, accessible design book - I refer back to it often June 22, 2011

By Settlesome

Format:Paperback

This book delivered way more than I'd anticipated: I am not familiar with the author's TV program, and was expecting little more than some pretty pictures. Instead, this book is full of detailed, practical, useable advice on how to enhance your own living space, how to analyze your rooms, and how to build attractive rooms based on your own style and interests. I especially like that, although all of the examples are lovely, they look like *real* homes - not necessarily sterile/expensive show-room or grand-house material. After reading this book cover-to-cover in a few sittings, I refer back to it often. The tips are truly valuable and I've found that they stay with me, even months after reading them. Highly recommended!