Bohemian Style (Paperback)

~ (Author) "The dictionary defines "bohemian" as "an artist, or writer, or anyone who sets social conventions aside..." (more)
Key Phrases: junk shopping, bohemian style, loose covers, Duncan Grant, Vanessa Bell, Fryern Court (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Tired of buying your furniture in giant warehouses an hour's drive away and struggling with assembly instructions once home, only to see the same table on the same rug in your friends' houses? Well, don a neckerchief and white blouse, pour a glass of plain old red table wine, put on some Billie Holiday, and prepare to reject "the dull conformity of mass taste and manners."

But first, read the opening chapter of interior designer and author Elizabeth Wilhide's Bohemian Style, "Artists in Residence." It's a succinct, erudite history of bohemianism as seen through the lives and often communal homes of 19th- and 20th-century artists such as William Morris, Augustus John, and Dora Carrington. The walls, floors, ceilings, light fixtures, fireplaces, and everything else in these artists' domiciles--country cottages, studios, even gypsy caravans--not only kept body and iconoclastic soul together, but also became surfaces to paint, tile, sculpt, drape, and draw. So--no money for canvas this month? Paint the landscape on the kitchen wall, then. Anything, except the status quo, goes here.

The remainder of the book is devoted to the how of bohemian style: how to paint (including how to make your own paint), applique, mosaic, tile, collage, dye and drape textiles, even turn found objects into art and light fixtures. The emphasis here is on the quick and easy--how to dash off a wall treatment in an afternoon, say. That said, it should be clear that type A personalities may very well find the decorating ideas in this book frustrating, even a shade slapdash. They're not bohemians.

A book delineating how to decorate in a style that is by its nature personal and idiosyncratic may seem a contradiction in terms, and in many ways it is, but the how here really consists of seed ideas, ruminations on how bohemians would do it, and tips for making your own visions come to life successfully. Note that there are no step-by-step instructions here; beginners will have to go elsewhere for those. Or make up their own.

With its colorful, full-page photos of historic and modern rooms that exemplify the bohemian aesthetic and its intelligently written text, this is a book that can change the way you think about home décor and even how you live in your home. --Stefanie Durbin --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

What is Bohemian style? Bohemian Style is economy-minded but never dull. It’s lively, idiosyncratic, exuberant, attention-getting, and above all, intensely decorative. Bohemians know how to create style on a shoestring, improvise furnishings from cast-offs, and conjure up magic from the mundane.



Bohemian Style is packed with resplendent examples detailing the origins of this innovative style and its influence on design today. This inspirational guide covers the entire history of Bohemian style, from the cooperative endeavors of William Morris and his circle to Augustus John and members of the Bloomsbury Group to the major influences of Picasso, Modigliani, and the Beats.



Bohemian Style provides fantastic alternative paint techniques; one-of-a-kind approaches for walls and flooring; tips for utilizing “found objects” in design; examples of ways to use soft furnishings; and even advice for taking Bohemian style outdoors. Dozens of inspirational color photographs combined with clear, understandable text makes this a never-ending source of ideas for free spirits to tap into, experiment with, and create an exceptional look all their own.





• Dozens of innovative, striking ways to create imaginative alternative living spaces

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill (September 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823005364
• ISBN-13: 978-0823005369
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 8.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #534,107 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Color, Imagination, Inspiration...., March 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Bohemian Style (Hardcover)

Just received this book...am ever glad I ordered it. Review online does not do it justice...or, it was just what I needed right now to inspire me to go nuts decorating. The photos are colorful beyond description, lots to study in each one; makes one feel brave as far as putting things one already has together & looking for a few more great affordable "finds" to pull it all together.I am going to devour this book and then go nuts in my home. Not for the taupe & Bassett furniture crowd but if you want to decorate with imagination this book is a great kick in the behind to help you get your place fixed up the way YOU'VE always imagined it & not apologize for it either. I'm off to read & start my projects....

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars unique, beautiful, colorful decorating, February 23, 2006

By	anglitorra - See all my reviews

My husband and I are both artists of sorts, and like a profusion of handmade and vintage things in our home. Being a newly married lady having to set up housekeeping for the first time, I have read whatever books I could find on decorating. I found most advocated the kind of stiff, minimalist, store-bought look my husband and I so strongly wanted to avoid.

This book has been a great help to me. It has practical instructions for making things yourself, giving different alternatives for unconventional wall treatments and floor coverings, and other methods you can use you can make your space your own.

It provides interesting historical background on everything from the embroideries William Morris had in his house to the historical use of floor cloths. It has some very lovely pictures of how artists have chosen to decorate their homes.

The book does not advocate chic modern minimalism, nor does it advocate a fluffy country style of decorating. So far, it has been one of the most useful books on the subject of decorating I have found. It is one of the few that give practical instructions on how to make things to suit your tastes, rather than simply advice on where to buy them.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Style, June 1, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Bohemian Style (Hardcover)

When decorating my new spacious home in upstate NY, I was interested to move away from the classic traditional style that I had used in previous residences. I picked up this book and was inspired. You too will be surprised by how simple, versatile, and beautiful the Bohemian style can be, according to the author's guidelines.