The Practical Encylopedia of Good Decorating and Home Improvement

Just finished volume one, rounding out the A's of decorating. The above amazing photograph illustrated the following areas of decorating........

CHAPTERS TITLED:

1. Accessories + Accents: How to select decorations to bring your room to life. Including: how to work wall magic, select well designed objects, use compatible styles, work with color and scale, decorate for height, copy a color scheme, capture a mood and use shelves to unify groupings, use floor cushions, select and use pillows, choose the right plant and the do's and don'ts of area rugs.
   
2. Additions: planning based on needs and expectations of the family. Including: floor plans, sketching, and remodeling design.
   
3. Air Conditioning: How to achieve comfort control with out breaking your budget.
4. Alcoves: How to use small areas in a dozen exciting new ways.
5. Aluminum: How to work with aluminum in and around your home.
6. Ambiance: How to unify a room around a striking piece of art.
7. American style: A decorator's guide to American furniture.

FAVORITE EXCERPT:

'Select accessories; don't acquire them. If they're assets, their choice requires patience and discrimination. If you feel you must gratify a relative or friend by displaying his gift, give it a bedroom placement unless it is something that will truly enhance the beauty of the rooms where guests will be received. Don't be kind and put a gift painting on the mantel unless it's right there; store Aunt Emma's once fine teapot in a closet.'

These books are highly entertaining and surprisingly helpful! I am starting to consider a shag rug on the wall and a card table in my living room......what do you think?

all images: The Practical Encyclopedia of Good Decorating and Home Improvement (get your own copy here)