Product Description
Valerie Parr Hill, décor expert, takes us from Thanksgiving to Christmas Day in her first book, DECORATING FOR THE HOLIDAYS.Valerie shows the reader how to make a home beautiful, welcoming, and festive, transforming any room into the perfect holiday setting with everyday items such as ribbons, ornaments, candles and fresh greenery.Includes special sections on gift wrapping, table setting, decorating the mantel and trimming the tree.Plus five-minute decorating ideas throughout. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Elegance Made Easy
I watch Valerie Parr Hill on QVC and have for a few years now. Even though I don't necessarily like all the products she brings to the network, I DO love her deep devotion, love and compassion for what she does.When you listen to her talk, you just melt into this calmness and want to do whatever you can to make your home as inviting and comfortable, and as beautiful as you can.Her tastes go from simple, natural products, to crystals and candle glow - it should fit in with everyone's tastes.As I read the book I found myself sinking into that "no place like home" feeling.I also love to decorate like crazy for Christmas, and she presents some great ideas.I also appreciate how they show her home decorated for Fall, as I feel we all need to fix up our front porches or steps with pumpkins, a pretty fall wreath on the front door, a fireplace mantle with some pretty garlands and berries, candles, etc.Fall is too beautiful to not bring some of it inside your home, and she shows you how to do that too.In this book, you will see the little details are what makes the presentations, and when it comes to Fall and Christmas decorating, the details mean everything.Get this book, read it and see if you don't finish it just loving Valerie Parr Hill, maybe not just as a decorator, but for what a truly wonderful lady she seems to be.

Not what I expected
While this book has a few (and I mean a very few) nice photos, most of the ideas are nothing to write home about. If you have any decorating experience at all or even a little imagination, then you have most of this book covered. I was disappointed to see most of the author's "ideas". I was so hoping for something new and maybe a little unconventional. Guess I'll just have to stick with HGTV for that.

A Pretty Good Book
This book has some really good ideas for special holiday touches throughout the home.It includes autumn decorating as well as Christmas.I used several of her ideas in my own home.

Simply Beautiful
I do not watch QVC and was not familiar with Valerie Parr Hill prior to buying the book.But, I bought it because Iwas so captivated by the great cover.The photos are beautiful and the ideas inspiring, yet simple.Do not let the Christmas tree on the cover fool you.The book takes you from Thanksgiving through the holiday season.A great little find to add to my book collection. ... Read more

Product Description
A COMPLETE GUIDE TO COOKING, DECORATING, GIFT -MAKING AND PARTIES FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON. BEAUTIFUL ILLUSTRATIONS. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Not appealing.
I thought from the title I would be able to do some creative crafting for the holidays. Not the case at all. I found the suggestions and the recipes not to my liking what so ever.

Small book
This book is a lot smaller than expected (length not depth). It does have a ton of good information - I particularly liked the decorating ideas. This must also of been written in the UK as this refers to all UK type food and traditions. Liked it - didn't love it.

A must have for any Christmas Lover.
This book has it all.Everything from decorating, preparing a meal, and more.And lots of pictures so that you know you're doing it right. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (1)

Great pics = great ideas!
I actually got this from the library first and like it so much that I bought it.Just loved the pictures which inspired some cool decorating ideas for a couple parties.If you can get it cheap, it's worth it! ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
everyone knows that the best Christmas is a white Christmas--a traditional celebration with snow capping the eaves, a fire roaring in the fireplace, and a mistletoe ball hanging in the doorway. Tricia Foley, best-selling author of Having Tea, Linens and Lace, and The Natural Home, brings back the magic of the time-honored customs, along with her own white-on-white decorating style, to create the kind of Christmas that will make treasured memories for years to come.
        With ideas for every room of the house, Foley shows how to borrow from the colors of nature in winter--pure white and evergreen--to dress up the house for the holidays. She includes simple yet timeless suggestions for draping greens over the bed canopy, hanging all-white stockings of every size and fabric, lighting with votive candles, candelabra, and sconces, and wrapping with handmade papers and raffia ribbons. For entertaining, White Christmas presents the perfect Christmas tea, with snowy linens and homemade scones. Helpful tip boxes cover Christmas lore, favorite tales, and Christmas crafts, and a resource section provides useful lists of addresses, related books, and holiday songs.
        For anyone who wants to make the most of the holidays, Tricia Foley's White Christmas is the ideal holiday decorating and entertaining companion.Amazon.com Review
The many shades of white, beautifully complemented by thevelvety verdure of evergreens and ivy, are a perfect choice forholiday trimmings--the decorations, the accents and accessories, thetable settings. Glowing with candlelight and sparkling with sun-kissedsnow, these pages are filled with glorious arrays of white andgreen. Noted designer Tricia Foley has a way with white: dozens ofelegant little ornaments, a creamware-bedecked table, a frosty treeencrusted with crystal and silver decorations, an all-whitegingerbread house, even a boxwood-swagged gauzy bed canopy. "Like aCurrier and Ives print or a snow-capped New England steeple," Foleyreminds us, "the image of the perfect white Christmas is firmly etchedin our minds." Her visual feast shows how truly stunning holiday decorcan be when planned in a symphony of whites. --Amy Handy ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Not bad, just not great.
I was looking for ideas, photos of a white Christmas, this book is ok
just not great.

If you love white, this is for you
Darling book filled with inspirational photos. If you are really into white, you will love all the fun ideas to try. It is one of those books you look at again and again for the beautiful pictures.

Lovely
This book was full of beautiful snowy white Christmas pictures.More pictures than projects, more of a decorating book.A lovely coffee table book, especially during the holidays. ... Read more

Product Description
- Reflects the most current trends in decorating. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Step-by-step
True detailed step-by-step projects for home decorating.Timeless designs for everybody.Another Singer hit book.

Good book for tackling it 'all' at home
Great summary book for many fabric-based decor items. Perfect for the homemaker looking for a designer touch.

Very 80's
Wasn't sure if I should rate this as a 3 or 4 star. It fits the purpose I bought it for; so I gave it a 4. I bought this book for how to make pretty folding chair covers. I haven't tried my hand at it yet but the instructions are very clear and their are alot of pictures for someone who is like me...a novice at best. I haven't touch a sewing machine since home ec. in middle school. Some of the projects look too much for me and I will probably not try them. Most of the decor in this book looks very old; 80's flashback old.

Step by Step Home Decorating Projects by Singer
A friend and I were searching for a sunburst window curtain pattern and it was not to be found.I found it in this book and she made one that looks beautiful.The book gave step by step instructions and it was so easy. I would recommend this book for many home decorating projects.It's wonderful!

singer home decorating projects
This is a very clearly demostrated how-to book.It offers great ideas and the directions to accomplish the projects.I find it invaluable.I have several how-to books and this is the best by far. ... Read more

Product Description
Discover the wonderful art of gourd carving and produce gourd-geous results in a minimal time! Gourds grow in all shapes and sizes, and no two are alike. This book shows you how to prepare a gourd for decoration, and then lets your creativity soar! Step-by-step photos and text demonstrate several techniques you could use, including carving, woodburning, painting, staining, stenciling, and pine needle weaving. The projects covered here include vessels, a hanging potpourri, and an adorable Santa Claus. Patterns are included to get you started, and a color photo gallery displays finished projects. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Beginners Onlly
I was sorely disappointed when I received this book.It should be clearly stated that this is a "beginners only" aimed at children.It was a waste of my money....Bonnie

Disappointed
This was the only gourd book that I have that I am totally disappointed in.I admire Sue Walter's gourd work but the book had 8 designs and patterns that I thought were some of her inferior designs.Maybe I was just expecting more from Sue as she is a great gourd artist.It was almost like she didn't want to share any of her great ideas but showed us the lesser ones.I wouldn't buy another book by her unless I hear rave reviews on it.The patterns were definitely gourd crafts and not gourd art.

SUPERB !!!
Sue has done it again. A wonderful book for the gourd crafter. Happy to have added this one to my library. Very creative art.

don't judge a book by it's cover,how true!
Very disappointed that this book did not have a actual gourd that was pictured on the cover "inside" the book!What a disappointment. I purchased this book for the eagle that was pictured on the cover.There was no pattern for such project.

Creative Inspiration
Excellent stimulation to be creative.Illustrated techniques provide creative ideas for all level of gourders. ... Read more

Product Description
From London's legendary Portobello Road to the humble neighborhood tag sale, the flea market is the destination of choice for savvy shoppers.
Part collector's guide, part decorating manual, Flea Market Style celebrates the marriage of two great passions--shopping and home design--and answers the important question that lies behind every purchase, big or small: What will I do with this once I get it home?
Best-selling authors Emelie Tolley and Chris Mead offer exciting new ideas for choosing and decorating with flea market finds, illustrated with lush photographs of a variety of interiors from formal to funky. Beginning with the basics of"working a flea," the authors offer helpful strategies for indentifying the genuine article
andgetting the best prices, ideas for new ways to use
collectible items, and hints on caring for them. Chapters are devoted to every major category of flea market
merchandise, from old textiles and paper goods to sports memorabilia, garden ornaments, kitchen collectibles, and major pieces of furniture, among others. With a resource section listing major shows and relevant publications, and eight unique projects that will cleverly allow you to transform your purchases into singular home accents, Flea Market Style proves that anyone can use flea market finds to give their home a distinctive, personal style.Amazon.com Review
Learning to "work a flea" is the key to successful secondhandbuying. Armed with the solid practical advice in this informative andstylish volume and inspired by the hundreds of handsome color photos,you'll discover both how to collect at these potential treasuretroves--located just about everywhere--and how to decorate with yourdiscoveries, whether your tastes run to old kitchen utensils,hand-painted china, antique books, vintage linens, or almost anythingelse to be found at the humble garage sale or the world's legendarymarkets. Seasoned flea tracker Emelie Tolley explains how to plan andexecute your hunt and then explores each major category ofmerchandise, from major pieces of furniture to assorted funkyknick-knacks, showing how collectibles--as well as plain old greatjunk--can be effectively incorporated into virtually any type ofdecor. If you haven't already been bitten by the urge to flea, you'resure to be an addict by the time you're done with this book. --AmyHandy ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

FABULOUS!
How in the world can anyone say the items in this book dont relate to each other. Sounds like you have NO sense of decorating! This book is one of the best books I have ever seen. It is unbelieveable all the ideas that are in this book! Definately a book I will keep and read over and over! Great ideas, inspiration and pictures, but only if you have an open mind and a creative style will you understand this book! Absolutely AMAZING!!!

decorating.....not
i ordered this book to give me some ideas and decorating tips, what i got are pictures of old flea market items, that have nothing to do with each other. didn't help a bit, and truthfully if it didn't cost so much to return, i'd return it in a second.

decorating.....not
i ordered this book to give me some ideas and decorating tips, what i got are pictures of old flea market items, that have nothing to do with each other. didn't help a bit, and truthfully if it didn't cost so much to return, i'd return it in a second.

Fantastic Photography that shows a variety of styles!
I am a fan of Chris Mead, and he didn't let me down with thisbook.I love the way many of the homes are decorated in this book.Ilove white walls, and I am thrilled to see so many of them in this book. For all those decorator's that say "Give your home warmth with wall color, " here is my rebuttal. I LOVE the peacefulness of white walls and this book inadvertantly demonstrates just how wonderful all the flea market finds look against a white backdrop. The styles provided in this book are varied and clearly loved by the home owners. A wide range of economic approaches are demonstrated in this spectrum of flea market finds.A fun, informative book with wonderful pictures to garner ideas.

I also recommend another book, Flea Market Decorating
This is a delightful book, but I also recommend a new book that's just out. It's Flea Market Decorating, which is full of fresh new ideas, especially about recasting old objects in new ways. For me, it captures thefun of going to flea markets and using those little treasures topersonalize my home. ... Read more

Product Description
French cakes are among the most luscious and spectacular in the pantheon of cake baking. In The Art of the Cake, authors Healy and Bugat simplify the art form and bring together more than 100 classic cakes, from the Marquis (kirsch-soaked chocolate genoise cake rounds stuffed with ripe peaches and whipped cream) to the Moka, made from vanilla genoise brushed with espresso, filled with coffee buttercream, and topped with chopped roasted almonds.

There are recipes for poundcake-, spongecake-, and meringue-based gbteaux,in addition to bavarians, charlottes, mousse cakes, and loaf and log cakes (like the classic Chocolate Yule Log). There are also over 40 recipes for frostings, glazes, sauces, and fillings. In addition, there are detailed ingredient and equipment sections, and comprehensive instructions on general baking techniques--everything from separating and whipping eggs to working with a pastry tube to the correct way to temper chocolate. The more than 400 step-by-step illustrations (penned by Paul Bugat) that accompany the recipes and the 32 pages of color photographs of these magnificent cakes will be enough to tempt any baker, amateur or pro, into the kitchen.Amazon.com Review
French cakes comprise a luscious repertoire. From the simplestpound and sponge cakes to more elaborate confections like theDélicieux (génoise layers filled with GrandMarnier-flavored buttercream and topped with a dark chocolate glaze)or the Moka (vanilla cake brushed with espresso, layered with coffeebuttercream, and capped with roasted almonds), each gâteau isheaven to eat.

But how to reproduce these marvels at home? Recognizing the need for a technically comprehensive yet approachableintroduction to French cake making for the home baker, cooking-schoolowner Bruce Healy and French pastry chef Paul Bugat have created atrue teaching book. The Art of the Cake will appeal to anyoneinterested in French cake making, but will be of particular importanceto serious bakers who have, perhaps, sought just this kind of work.

In the first of three parts, the book explores plain cakes, sponge andnut-meringue gâteaux, bavarians, charlottes, mousse cakes, logs,loaves, and more. Healy and Bugnat then offer more than 40 recipes forfillings, frostings, and finishes; notes on ingredients and equipment;a discussion of general techniques; and source listings. More than 400step-by-step illustrations help readers assemble a sponge log or pipemeringues, for example, and 32 pages of color photos reveal thefinished products in all their platonic glory. The authorsoccasionally overdilate on procedures and other matters, but ingeneral provide just the right balance of detail andconcision. Dipping into this near-encyclopedic but seductive guide, itwould be difficult not to feel the call of the gâteaux and makea beeline for the kitchen. --Arthur Boehm ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

The Art of the Cake is a work of art
I love this book! Not only are the recipes clearly written, but the pictures are beautiful. Just paging through the pictures reminds me of Saturday morning trips to the bakery in France with my dad (who still believes that eclairs are NOT for breakfast...WRONG). I want to go into the kitchen and start baking each time I open this book. Every year I make a buche de noel for Christmas; this year I may have to consider making one for Thanksgiving as well just to be able to try more variations. I'm sorry this has fallen out of print, as it's a great reference for really beautiful, classic, French style cakes.

The Art of The Cake
The pages are dull except the pictures. They need to be improved in term of the way they are written orf formatted.

Lovely book with incredible recipes
I purchased this book as a gift and it truly is a beautiful book indeed. The cakes are fantastic and recipes are understandable and easy to replicate. If you love to bake or know of an aspiring chef, this book is very worth while and is a great addition to any cookbook collection.

Religious Nuts are forewarned
I borrowed this book from the local library. One of the previous patrons must have been a religious nut because there is a picture of the cake Lucifer, with the following description and recipe. Yes, Lucifer. All the Lucifer words were crossed with a black pen. Some people....
On the other hand, Lucifer is only one of the many excellent descriptions and recipes of French cakes. It is definitely ten times better than the American Devil's Food (I hope that religious nut got fat out of eating this!)

The Art Of The Cake
A very infromative and user friendly book giving ingredient measurements in volume, imperial and metric quantities. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (2)

Farmhouses:Stylish Decorating ideas for the Classic Home
I was looking for ideas to build my own green farmhouse. Plenty to work with in this book.

I expected more...:(
Quite uninspiring. The inside jacket and the foreward were the highlights of this book. I was unimpressed w/ most of the rooms, it seemed like it was put together quickly....certainly not one of my favorites. Many rooms looked unfinished to me. The book does look nice on my coffee table....that's about it. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (2)

Gorgeous projects
The introduction includes a bit on the history of paper and the tools and techniques you'll need to complete the projects in the book.
Then you get to the projects. The projects use all sorts of paper, from tissue paper to card stock, re-purposed paper like from pages of books, newspaper or maps. They are diverse. Really showing this wonderful medium to it's best advantage. The projects are well explained with complete supply lists and templates.
Techniques include paper mache, folding, cutting, piercing, piecing, decoupage, sewing, folding curves and others.
Some of the projects are things you'd expect, pinatas, stab bound books, and photo cubes.
But then there is a lot of whimsy that would be wonderful for decorating. A cute airplane covered with old maps that would look great in a child's bedroom. A mobile of pretty little birds in patterned papers. Delightful decoupaged dimensional letters that would look good on a shelf. Many kinds of flowers made out of different materials, and a wonderful tissue paper wind sock that would blow and move very easily even indoors because it's so light.
There are also designs that are very stylish. Simply but impeccably made, they would look gorgeous in any home.
Lampshades, mobiles, candle shades, bowls, books, and sculpture, this book has a lot of great ideas.
I liked every project in this book, and found it inspirational for gift giving ideas, projects to do myself, and projects that I could do with my teens. My favorite projects are the Asian Flying Fish wind sock, the Airplane Mobile and the Simple Bowl.

Fun Papercraft Book
With so many beautiful papers in our local craft stores I couldn't wait to try some of the projects in Decorating With Papercraft by Clare Youngs: 25 Fresh and Eco-friendly Projects for the Home.With the help of just a handful of inexpensive tools and the techniques explained in the book, I was easily able to create some of the projects.When reviewing a craft book, I like to try out the patterns and instructions to see if they are easy to follow. I made three projects: a tea light lantern, a paper bowl, and a book page flower.

First I made the tea light lanterns using three types of papers. This is one of the easier projects, and it turned out beautifully.As described in the book, I sewed the layers together to give it a much nicer look.

Next, I made the paper bowl, not really meant to store anything, just a lovely simple form.I expected this one to be much more complicated, but it was not. It was a fun and easy project made with strips of paper that turned out very well, and now a special necklace rests inside.

The last project I tried was the paper flower made from pages of an old book.This one was a little more difficult for me because it had to be manipulated (and I am not all that patient), but the directions were very clear and in the end I like the way it looked.

I am not finished with the book yet because there are two mobiles, one with birds and one with airplanes, which I still want to try.The instructions in Decorating with Papercraft are clear, the diagrams and photographs are very well done, and there are quite a few fun projects for all skill levels.There are several projects that would be fun to work on with children, such as the paper garland and the festive piñata.
... Read more

Product Description
The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Cake Decorating contains all the know-how needed to make and decorate cakes that are incredibly simple, yet absolutely stunning. The book contains cakes for all occasions including birthdays, anniversaries, children's parties, christenings, weddings and more.All the most popular methods of icing and decorations are covered, from buttercream, fondant and chocolate to royal icing and marzipan. Detailed, easy-to-follow instructions explain the basics of preparing and using the different types of icing, followed by recipes for imaginative designs. Beginners will pick up the basics fast and experienced cake decorators will find inspirational new ideas. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Great step by step book
Love this book..Step by step you cant go wrong. Pictures go along with the steps...P.Soto, Boston Ma

Awful. For the hobbyist!
This book... Sorry to be so blunt... Is a total crapfest of candy covered monstrosities. 80% of the cakes are covered in candy pieces and many of the pages that require piping for the design offer an alternative "just stick candies on the cake." Yes, the book literally suggests this. It should be titled "Making cakes for kids parties... For dummies." or "How to make a cake that looks like you might know what you are doing." The designs are ALL gaudy except for about 3 cakes, and only a really young child would look right having these cakes at a party. I hate I spent my money on this. I am a Pastry Chef just starting out and I wanted to increase my knowledge and design ideas when it came to decorating cakes and I am glad that I know enough to dismiss many of these designs.

Don't be fooled by the pretty picture on the cover. The simplicity of that cake is not an art. It's a scapegoat in this case.

It's as good as it seems
This book is great, it has good and practical recepies and decoration tips. I love all the techniques that it contains.

GREAT CAKE DECORATING BOOK
THIS BOOK IS EASY TO FOLLOW STEP BY STEP DECORATING FROM THIS BOOK I LEARN LOTS OF THINGS THAT I DIDNT KNOW HOW TO DO I DIDNT EVEN KNOW HOW TO START TILL I GOT THIS BOOK I LEARNED ALOT .

Very Pleased
This book is very helpful for first-time cake decorators.I tried a few of the techniques used in the book and was very happy with the results. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (5)

Decorating Ceramics
Wonderful patterns!I have purchased 3 for my store, Pottery Camp Inc. and we find our customers using these daily for ideas!Definitely recommend for anyone involved in ceramics!

Great Studio Book
As a Ceramic Teacher I have found this book to be very useful in the studio. There are so many ideas and designs to look at, as the title says over 300 designs, simple and easy to understand. The designs are easy to follow for beginers and give great ideas as to how to lay out design work on ceramic. Advance students have followedsome of the ideas, adding their own designs to a more advance level. Anyone who has a studio with beginers this is a must..A great studio tool.

Great for Ideas
I really enjoy painting ceramics as a hobby and use this book every weekfor ideas and inspiration.It covers a wide range of subjects, from fruitsto flowers to lettering and animals, design specific for your ceramic pieceso you can get an idea what might look nice on a teapot, for example. Itis a great starting point to see how designs, shapes and colours worktogether.This book should be available in every ceramics studio!

Excellent instructions particularly for beginners.
Excellent instructions for beginners but not so simple that the more advanced painter will be bored.300 patterns with ideas for many more.I will be using this with Mentally Challenged Adults.I have a copy myselfand am ordering this copy for them to use.

Catálogo
Señores Gare: Me es grato poder comunicarme con ustedes y felicitarlos por su ceramica,que es muy linda,como puedo adquirir la revista Decorating Ceramics May 99, ya que através de internet no lo puedo hacer. ¿ SE podríaenviarla através de una agencia?, y yo mandaría los dolares. ¿Me puedenmandar su dirección e- mail y su casilla para poderles escribir? Mi nombrees Elizabeth Hendrickson de Solis. Huancavilca # 712 Y Rumichaca.Teléfonos: (593-4)414419, 413634, 406292,493954, 441754. ... Read more

Product Description

Directions are quite brief and occasionally too superficial, but most are adequate for these fairly simple projects, and patterns are included where necessary. Beginners can seek further help from the general instructions section, which helps clarify the basics of decoupage, fabric painting, wirework, polymer clay, and other common techniques. More advanced crafters will appreciate the quantity of pretty projects they can whip up--often in far less than two hours. --Amy Handy ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Not great
I have many craft books and this one has a few things I might make but I wasn't at all impressed with the ideas or the book.

two hour christmas crafts
Oodles and oodles of christmas projects is styles from country to victorian and on to asian and modern.The full page, full color photos of the finished items are great.There are even more ideas in the general instruction section.Great book! ... Read more

Product Description

• From practical to storybook themes, hundreds of imaginative, beautifully decorated rooms for kids—from infants to teens.
• Ideas themed for both girls and boys.
• Inspiration for paint colors, furniture styles, window treatments, bedding, creative storage solutions, and fantastically inventive play spaces.
• Special appendix gives guidelines for choosing child-safe furniture, fabrics, and accessories.

Customer Reviews (2)

Great Kids' Rooms Collection-Better Homes & Garden Decorating
I saw this book in Home Depot, but the price there was more than I wanted to spend.Amazon.com offered purchase options well within my budget.Great book!Great price!Great service from the vendor!

A lot of great ideas, but not nearly as many boys rooms as girls
I am a custom carpenter in Metro Detroit, and also have a couple kids of my own whose rooms I plan to redo, so I wanted an idea book for kids rooms.This book has a lot, and I mean a lot of great photos of kids rooms with a variety of great ideas.I had hoped to find more examples of playrooms, such as in basements, etc., but this book is approximately 95% bedrooms.The other drawback is that the overwhelming number of ideas are for infant and girls rooms.There are only a handfull of boys rooms featured.I was really hoping to find more ideas for my son's room, as well as additional options for my customers with boys.I would still recommend the book, and have drawn some great ideas from the content of this book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Innovative Ideas for Ordinary Items
I love to collect things, but I have found by displaying them in creative ways, it makes the item all that more precious to me.This book gave me clever ideas for items that had just been tucked away in a drawer.Now they are on display where everyone can enjoy them. ... Read more

Product Description
The French have a legendary sense of style that is synonymous with a joyous, sophisticated way of life, joie de vivre. Elegant and witty, French chic—a clever mix of classic and contemporary—sums up de Dampierre’s design sensibility. Using Edith Wharton’s The Decoration of Houses as a model, she provides advice on how to achieve this distinctive look. The fascinating French decorative history of such architectural elements as windows, fireplaces, and doors, along with basic design principles, is given to provide the origins of the essence of chic. Stunning photography of her home—from the striking entrance hallway with its leopard-pattern carpeted staircase to the sensual master bedroom enlivened with charming toile wallpaper and the resplendent gardens dotted with topiaries—captures the designer’s personal invocations of the best of French chic and empowers the reader to duplicate the experience at home. French Chic is the perfect guide for creating vibrant living spaces with flair. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Review
Very disappointing book.There is some good text and nice recipes but in my opinion the actual decorating is mediocre and I would classify it as French flea market decoration.The author's style is certainly not on a par with that of Charlotte Moss or Nina Campbell or Charles Faudree, in my opinion.Consequently, I would not recommend this book to someone who is really interested in outstanding interior decorating.

A Home which Defines French Interior Design
When a part is used as a reference to a whole, it is a synecdoche.What Florence de Dampierre has done with this book is to offer her own home as a synecdoche for a level of French interior design that is beyond the imaginations of most of us.Located in the remarkable town of Litchfield, Connecticut, and on a row of homes dating to pre-Revolutionary days, her home is a magnificent tribute to French design.Were the Comte du Rochambeau to show up by surprise, he would find the de Dampierre lodgings very satisfying indeed.Cardinal Richelieu himself would consider himself right at home (providing Rochambeau had already departed).

The fact is that French design works remarkably well in the Early American home.What makes this home - and this book - so remarkable is the cost-is-no-object approach.De Dampierre has approached the restoration of her home with a museum curator's attention to detail.Every molding, every fabric, every lamp...chair...table has received the curator's blessing.Whether you walk from room to room or flip pages through the book, you are struck with the obsession to detail that has produced it all.Day job?What's that?

My favorite room in this home, the conservatory, is only visible in the background in some of the photos.While it may not house any treasures of French interior design, it does provide a a garden setting refuge during the long New England winters.It is a glassed-in porch, designed into to the south side of the house, and it is filled with plants and garden furniture.Perhaps de Dampierre's next book will be about French gardens.After all, she has left little to write about chic French interior design.

Beyond Decorating
Florence de Dampierre French Chic: The Art of Decorating Houses
This is more than a decorating book. It provides a historical context for critical decorating decisions as well as accent pieces. It drives you to consider the whole in addition to each part. It eases you into considering the past as well as the future. The author does not force her perspective on you, she gently envelopes you with a sense of history, purpose and style -- all of which she takes very seriously while not taking herself so much so. As you read Ms. de Dampierre's book, you want to share each page with those around you. I found myself using post it notes marked with the names of family members and friends to call out pages I know will be of interest to them. I look forward to sharing sections, photos and historical background over the holidays and into the new year. Most importantly, unlike other decorating book, French Chic is not only a "coffee table" display book -- it is beautiful -- it is a work book. I makes you want to try new things. Her use of decorative candles will have you rushing to your local candle shop to duplicate the sense of punctuation Florence de Dampierre masters in her own home. While some decorating books or magazines frustrate with an over-the-top, can't possibly do attitude about them, Florence de Dampierre's casual elegance, backed by photos and notes on exactly how to go about incorporating very specific items into the spaces of your home, had me carrying the book around the house while pushing furniture with one knee and balancing pictures, candle sticks and pillows any way I could. This book will not be collecting dust, any time soon.

Three books in one !
This comprehensive decorating book opens with a quick tour of de Dampierre's elegant house, but then embarks on a historical journey describing French style and its influence on the United States, including the ties between America and France through Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, two giants of American history, who returned from visits to France shortly before the start of the French Revolution, and who brought back crates of objects, furniture and books, in addition to many ideas for the newly conceived America.
In the second chapter, de Dampierre uses her own house as a starting point. Here, she explains and suggests various decorating ideas, coupled with period prints and reference photographs from France. She discusses the history and use of floor plans, wall color, doors, windows, fireplaces and lighting fixtures, all with an eye to their use in France, and how they can be incorporated into the American house.

Then there is a more comprehensive visual journey through her own house;this is more than just a guided visit through her domain--she is constantly explaining the decorative elements in a historical context, interspersed with advice. This chapter includes French-inspired menus and recipes, enlivened by photos of Dampierre's own table settings, which are inspirational enough for their own book.

French Chic is more than just a decorating book. It is a book on the history of decoration, entertaining at home, and tips for affordable and accessible decorating.You will finish the book with a much deeper understanding of the history of decoration, and many of the reasons behind elements that we take for granted in today's houses, plus some useful recipes, and inspiration for table settings!

French Chic is a Treasure
French Chic is a treasure because it bridges the divide between the great French historical tradition of interior design to practical design for today's home. Many interior designers develop complicated and elaborate interiors only a billionaire could afford. De Dampierre gives the reader beauty and design with historical tradition, yet it is something that most households can acheive and afford on their own. This is the practical bridge that Martha Stewart acheived with cooking and household items; de Dampierre does this with interior design. The book is filled with practical advise and suggestions that help you find what you need. If you want the luxury of French style in your home, but want it to be consistent with American life today, this book is a MUST HAVE. BOFFO de Dampierre. ... Read more

Product Description
"Living with Light" takes its inspiration from the northern hemisphere, where winters are long and light is at a premium, and techniques have been developed to make the most of every available second. The style of Scandinavian interiors has evolved from the people's connection to the seasons and nature. Pale, painted rooms with bleached floors reflect as much light as possible, even in winter when deep snow acts as a reflector during the short hours of daylight. Windows are solidly triple-glazed to keep the heat in so, with no need for heavy curtains, they can be simply swathed with fine fabric. Chapter by chapter, "Living with Light" elaborates on creative ideas for decorating the Scandinavian way, using pastel colours as well as the traditional muted palette, unusual fabrics and display techniques that focus on everything from flowers to kitchenware. The homes featured in these pages are traditional or crisply contemporary, and some have interpreted the look in a uniquely personal way, but all are based on a central theme of making spaces light and airy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Swedish Style Shines in ThisBook
I am very pleased with this book as it shows good examples of the use of light and a light hand in decorating Swedish style for the average homeowner. There are abundant photos and the text explains the concepts without being overly technical. This book has examples that the reader can borrow from to create a Swedish atmosphere in their own home. I look at this book again and again.

Light of Inspiration
"Living With Light: Decorating the Scandanavian Way" is a beautifully photographed interior design book that features some of the decor ideas that make the most of the Northern light that is so dearly treasured in the short summer months in cottages in Sweden as well as British upscale homes.The materials, color palettes, and rooms are illuminated by the pictures and the minimal text adds some detail to the images.I would have given 5 stars if I had seen some photos of how all this summer-oriented decor worked in other times of the year; it would be very interesting to see how this interior style changes to embrace the darker times of winter and still bring in natural light.

Beautiful to look at while providing good decorating tips
Not only are the photos beautiful as they capture the heart of Swedish style but they also teach how important light is to this type of decorating. The text that goes along with the photos aptly describes how to accomplish Scandinavian decorating in your home.

A lovely book of coffee table quality anyone would appreciate owning and reading.

Giving your home a sense of light, air, and space
In Scandinavia, with its long and dark winters, few qualities are a prized in homes as light.The vivid color pictures in this book how light is emphasized, withbleached floors and white walls, white benches, white tablecloths, and glass and mirrors that send light glimmering in the rooms.

Scandinavian decorating emphasizes plain walls and clean lines. They try to bring the outside in pots and vases of flowers.

The pale gold of rattan is sometimes the only color in a room. "Many homes in Sweden have an antique chandelier with crystals that sparkle as they slowly move in the air, but even a single crystal hung at a window will refract any stray beam that comes it ways, often throwing glorious rainbowsacross the room into the bargain" (p 120). ... Read more