The New Smart Approach to Home Decorating

by Fran J. Donegan and Kathie Robitz

The New Smart Approach(r) to Home Decorating is a complete introduction into the subject of interior design. In words and pictures, it explains everything a homeowner needs to know to design and decorate a house with professional results. Topics covered in the book include explanations and examples of the basic principles of design, space planning, layout, and arrangement; furniture; color, pattern, and fabric; window treatments; accessories; and...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1580111432
• ISBN13: 9781580111430
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Creative Homeowner
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 2.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 9.0" x 10.0"

Customer Reviews

Great for Non-Decorators

This book is a great education for those of us who lack any decorating knowledge. It explains how to use color, texture, fabric, lighting, the room shape/design, window treatments...etc. etc. to make your home beautiful. Even if you think you know how to use these things, this makes you think about them in an entirely different way. It's not an "idea" book, but a true home decorating how-to book. Based on reviews I actually bought another book and got this one to get the free shipping, but actually this book is much better. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to spice up their home.

A Smart Approach to Home Decorating

This book contained many ideas for a . Many photographs to show simple traditional and contemporary home interiors. The text covers everything starting basic room layouts to explaining everything there is to know about decorating a nice home.

Good Technical Foundation

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.

I've learned a lot from this book

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.

IDEA CENTRAL

Being a new homeowner with a house that needs alot of decorating, I was looking for a book to just give me ideas - lots of ideas. I wanted a book full of pictures. While there are books out there that delve into just kithens and baths, or family rooms or bedrooms, this book hits on everything. I think this book is good for someone just starting out - trying to find their style, tastes, likes and dislikes.