Customer Reviews

Real Decorating for Real People

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

 

 

Decorating is not one of my talents. That's always been disappointing because I want my home to be warm, inviting and have that 'put together' look. But without expensive, professional help, I didn't think it could happen.

Now, however, help has arrived in the form of a practical book. It's Matt & Shari: Real Decorating for Real People. Shari Hiller and Matt Fox are the hosts of the popular program Room by Room on HGTV.

Matt and Shari take 10 rooms and not only analyze what's right and what's wrong about each room (and tell us why) but they also take us step-by-step, providing clear directions, through the decorating process. But there's more...the book includes directions for preparing a room before you begin your project. They also provide information about painting tools and actual tips for painting preparation.

And then there is Matt's essential tool kit. Too many times I've started a project and didn't have the proper tools. This book easily takes care of that frustration and time-consuming problem.

The photographs are beautiful and clearly tell the decorating story. The projects are economical and feasible for people like me who have little experience and virtually no talent. This is the ultimate guide in decorating for real homes and real people.

This is very easy to understand and follow book on decorating your home using layman terminology. Even a novice could follow it without any problem. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for redecorating tips and helpful hints.

As a decorating/home improvement enthusiast, I was very happy to preview this book.

Upon receiving it, my initial impression was overall satisfaction. The front and back covers are appealing. Nice colorful pages/photos. Good "getting started" information and tool "introductions". Information is easy to find because of the column layout used. Although much information is provided, the presentation isn't "wordy" and clumsy. The numbered "how to's" are wonderful. There are great before and after photos.

Again, the before and after shots are very inspiring. Unlike some other "manuals" from popular t.v. shows that don't give you enough information in a photograph to "recreate" the room in your home, this book gives you all the detail needed to complete the look and pull your home together.

My only "complaint" is in the reproduction quality of some of the photos. For instance; on page 6 the image of the authors/designers is not flattering--poor lighting. Pages 48, 162 & 163 the enlarged images do not show more detail...in fact they become more pixelized...defeating the purpose.

Besides this rather "knit-pick-ey" discovery, the overall feel of the book is quite satisfactory, and well reflects the feel of the t.v. program and HGTV personalities. I'm looking forward to using some of these ideas in my home.

Loved this book. FINALLY a decorating book with lots of pictures and specifics. Appreciated that it was divided up by different room types and that each room was critiqued by what was wrong and what was right and instructions for making the changes. This really is for REAL people.

I love watching Matt and Shari on Room By Room, and this book is a great extension of the show. I can almost hear the two of them kidding with each other while they did the decorating. I wasn't crazy about the fur pillow in the bedroom, but there are tons of ideas in the book that I can use to decorate my own home and you can too.

I've already recommended the book to my friends, and I recommend it to anyone looking for easy, attactive ways to perk up a tired room.

If you miss watching Matt and Shari on HGTV, this book will fill the void. There are tips laymen will easily be able to implement.

I love Matt and Shari so I enjoyed this book. I miss seeing them on HGTV so it was a way to look at how they decorate. Their style is the type of decorating that I LIKE.

Disappointing. Too much repetition. Not enough examples.