The New Smart Approach to Home Decorating (Paperback)

~ Editors of Creative Homeowner (Author) "Professional designers always begin a project by first analyzing the space with which they will be working..." (more)
Key Phrases: furniture templates, solid surfacing, top right courtesy, Smart Steps, Barbara Schlattman (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Part of a new series, this updated volume of a popular Creative Homeowner title covers the principles and practicalities of home decorating. By using scale drawings, furniture templates and sample boards, the authors encourage the reader to think like an expert by showing how to analyze space, shape and mood and use color, texture, lighting and other techniques to achieve a professional result. After an overview to planning and designing, chapters move on to lighting, flooring, wall and window treatments, furniture and room design as well as focusing on kitchens and bathrooms. Outside living spaces are covered with treatments for decks, porches and landscaping. Illustrated with more than 440 color photos with full explanatory captions, each chapter contains Smart Steps and Smart Tips to achieve each goal in easy manageable steps, and each concludes with a four-page Gallery of Smart Ideas that sums up each section. Rounding out the volume are a useful resource guide, glossary and an appendix of templates of furniture, fixtures, windows and doors to help readers draw up their own scale plans. With easy-to-follow text, coupled with instructive photos, the book provides a comprehensive overview and answers many queries the non-professional may have.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"This book offers home-decorating ideas aimed at conservative readers. More than 400 color photographs show simple traditional and contemporary home interiors. The text covers everything from basic room layouts to information on light bulbs. Professional de-sign terms and concepts are clearly explained"
-Betsy Lehndorff, Cadillc News, Scripps Howard News Service
April 24, 2003
-- Review

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Creative Homeowner (March 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580111432
• ISBN-13: 978-1580111430
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #277,097 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This item is part of The Smart Approach Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Technical Foundation, May 17, 2004

By	Trena (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

I am in the process of buying my first home (a condo) and have no clue about decorating so I randomly checked a bunch of books out of the library, including this one. At first I did not like it and found it boring and elitist. The decorating pictured was exponentially more expensive than anything I will ever be able to afford and way too fussy for my taste, and she constantly talks about using little nooks that you just happen to find in your enormous mansion (e.g., putting a desk on the stair landing...um, my bedroom is about the size of that landing!). There are no unused nooks in my 1100 sq ft condo, I assure you!

However, as I read through the whole book I realized that I was getting a very thorough education in the basics of home decorating--an education I didn't even know I needed. The book covers everything from very basic details such as what height bar stools to get depending on your counter height, to a comprehensive description of the types window treatments, to more technical information on the five different types of lighting, and onto esoteric remodeling considerations. When I reached the end I realized that it was the most informative resource I have looked at (and I've looked at a LOT of decorating publications at this point), and I ended up buying a copy.

This book's strength is *not* loads of pretty pictures with decorating ideas you can steal. I actually liked very few of the decorating ideas and can afford none of them. BUT, if you want to feel more confident implementing your own decorating ideas with an educated and technically-sound approach, I highly recommend it.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good tips for decorating, February 17, 2006

By	Dominique Paradis (Quebec) - See all my reviews

It is usually difficult to asses a decor book on the internet. I usually spend hours in a books store to purchase the right decor book. However I was very pleased with this one.. It contains a variety of decor information.. more like a course on decor... Well explained, good information, explaination of many techniques, and styles, good photos... A good buy.. only complaint the book was printed 2003, however decor styles and rules can be applied to general decor style..

Photos very stylish, good quality book... no regrets for purchase.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I've learned a lot from this book, February 24, 2004

By A Customer

Gee, Amy Hilliard was way too critical.
I think it's all in what you're wanting to get out of the book. This is a wonderful book if you're wanting to learn what makes a nicely decorated home. Elements such as color, patterns, scale, lighting, furniture, window treatment, etc. all play a role, and it explains how you can use each to your advantage. Then it also goes into each room of the house and talks more specifically about what's more important for that room. One thing I love about this book is that it's filled with pictures, that, as with all books, keeps me captivated. So the "smart approach" here is to learn what things your need to focus on in decorating your home and how to manipulate those elements so that it fits your own home and your own style.
I've yet seen another decorating book that is this thorough and concise.