Customer Reviews

Trade Secrets From Use What You Have Decorating

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Ms. Ward once again presents a useful tool for those struggling with such basicdecorating dilemmas as furniture placement, window treatments, light & color, and floor coverings. In her first, invaluable, book she noted the ten most common decorating mistakes and how to solve them. This book recaps much of what was said in her first. The best points in this book are her true-life examples of problem solving. The primary flaw is the lack of photographs or detailed illustrations. Ms. Ward prides herself on giving useful decorating advice, which she does extremely well, as opposed to those coffee table decorating books that require huge outlays of money to achieve anything like the proposed results. Nevertheless, photographs would greatly enhance the text and the reader's understanding of the principles she espouses. Another flaw with the book is the title "Trade Secrets" - it is hardly a trade secret that Hold Everything sells organizers. A better title would be "Tips from Use What You Have Decorating." This book reinforces whot one has learned from the first, and I must say that "Use what you Have Decorating" is one of the best books in this genre.

This book has lots of easy, inexpensive tricks that only professional decorators know about.
I purchased it along with Use What You Have Decorating because I wanted to fix up my house but could not afford a designer. The results were amazing! Now my home looks more open, feels more comfortable and is really pretty! Even my husband says it looks great, which is a first.
The best part is that the only purchases I needed to make were new pillows for my sofa and a big urn for my dining room.

If you are short on money but want to give your home a whole new look this book along with her first are must-haves.

It is so refreshing to find a decorating book that you can use! I don't know about anyone else, but the "eye candy" variety of decorating book leaves me feeling frustrated and dissatisfied - much like a high fashion magazine!! Lauri Ward's new book may not be goregous - but after reading it, I made a few adjustments that made my home look a whole lot better. The section on outdoor furnishings was particularly helpful - and timely! Anyone who has approached a flooring showroom with the same trepidation as a used car showroom will feel better equipped after reading her chapter on floors! This book is a great resource.

As a practicing designer, I read everything I can get my hands on regarding design/decorating. This book is not the usual "designer picture book" with focus on one particular style. And it is not yet another "crafty person with more time than money book" either. Loaded with practical decorating advice you can actually use, this book is unique. Ms. Ward's advice on children's rooms was particularly insightful. Her color suggestions in lieu of the "primary colors" were right on target. This book is a great resource.

Read this new book by Lauri Ward and you will be able to walk through you home and make significant changes today! Ward's new book provides her readers and many devotees with her years of experience as an interior designer and founder of the successful Use What You Have concept. Her tips and "Trade Secrets" offer valuable information for the creatively challenged as well as the experienced decorator. Perhaps most important, in this book, she teaches us all how to have a more peaceful, meaningful, stress-free home. Today, who doesn't strive for that?

Lauri Ward's book is the perfect little weapon for all decorating problems, especially non-obvious ones! After reading her first book I was thrilled to get my hands on her second book and learn even more. I'm so glad someone out there has made me feel like I can take my home into my own hands. It's very rewarding to beable to fix my decorating problems in minutes whether I'm just taking a break from my work, or in an artsy mood. Thanks!

Lauri ward has done in again! This is the perfect follow up to her previous book. It has practical suggestions that are easy and have wonderful results. Thanks to Lauri's books I get compliments from everyone that enters my home. The best thing about her books: they are great for renters and mobile people. We are a military family that moves every few years. With Lauri's guidance on "the basics" I have avoided buying unnecessary pieces of furniture and have a classic, updated home. Thanks a million to Lauri Ward for these wonderful books!!!

This book is a wonderful resource for anyone who is interested in having a comfortable and good-looking home. The author breaks down everything - what to do and when to do it - so that it is easy to understand, even for those who feel challenged by interior design. The sections on storage, furniture, and kitchens and bathrooms are especially helpful for those who are afraid of making mistakes.

There are lots of easy to do suggestions in this book. The focus is redecorating quickly and spending little if any money. Ms.Ward, the author who pioneered the one day interior makeover concept more than twenty years ago, once again gives do-it-yourself home decorators more of her practical, affordable advice.
For those who liked Use What You Have Decorating or anyone who is interested in fixing up their home, this is a must-buy.

This book is in the "never wear white after Labor Day" school of design: it lists tired old rules that *never* should be broken. For example: always paint the ceiling white, use only one pattern in a room, only use white floors and white tiles in the bathroom (and no colorful shower curtain, either). I could give more examples, but the pattern is clear. In addition, her advice for families with children is absurd. As the mother of two toddlers, I did know whether to laugh or cry at her assertion that it isn't necessary to box up breakables when you have small children. What to do? Just put breakables up high, on a piano or a tall bookshelf. I have yet to see the toddler who couldn't scale either one in under a minute. I gave it two stars because it would be useful for people who want an attractive home and have no clue how to do it on their own. I suspect they would end up with something that had as much personality as a hotel room, but if you don't enjoy decorating, that might be considered a Good Thing. One final thought: look at the picture on the cover. She violates her own advice several times. Why?