Category Archives: Home Interior/ Decorating

Simple Organizing

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Michaels, Melissa. Simple Organizing: 50 Ways to Clear the Clutter. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Pulishers. 2018.

SUMMARY:
With encouragement to reach the end goal in mind, author Melissa Michaels, of The Inspired Room Blog, shares her organizational skills in her newest book, Simple Organizing. While organizing, decluttering, focusing and purposing every room, the author shares ideas, thoughts, photographs and inspiration in reaching the goals. Pleasant to read, easy to follow, and beautiful to look at, this book provides simple yet highly effective ways to organize.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Such a charming and useful little book to attain the goal of a more organized home and in turn, life. Set-up in areas of the home, the book provides practical and convenient ideas accompanied by appealing photographs. Though perhaps not the most novel of organizational suggestions, the book is certainly inspirational. Perfect as a house warming gift, a wedding present, or even for personal use, Simple Organizing offers helpful and valuable tidbits and designs that are sure to make a difference.

RATING:
4 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Simple Organizing from Harvest House Publishers for my honest review*

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Simple Decorating

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Michaels, Melissa. Simple Decorating: 50 Ways To Inspire Your Home. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers. 2016.

SUMMARY:
Encouraging decorators to believe in their own signature style, blogger, author and decorator Melissa Michaels encourages, inspires and shares tips, techniques and designs for every room. In a compact yet filled-to-the-brim book of simple and welcoming fashion, Simple Decorating addresses moods, accessories, textures, spaces, styles and backdrops throughout the home. In short readable pieces complemented by beautiful photographs, this book has something for everyone to inspire style.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
In this clever, fashionable, design-spirited book, I found a variety of methods, patterns, trends and approaches to use in my own home. With ideas such as the use of different curtains, grouping items in threes, mixing linens, and dimensional displays, this book provided the quick pick-me-up my house needed. Gaining insights and ideas even from the photos, this little book set my decorative and creative vibes to work. Perfect to add to your own library or share as a housewarming gift, I truly enjoyed this book and hope to see more from this author.

RATING:
4.5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Simple Decorating from Harvest House Publishers for my honest review*

The Flower Workshop

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Chezar, Ariella. The Flower Workshop. USA: Ten Speed Press Publishing. 2016.

flwoerworkshop

SUMMARY:
Beautiful ideas, gorgeous arrangements, timely presentations and easily followed directions all accompany the stunning photographs in author Ariella Chezar’s new book, The Flower Workshop. Included designs range from simple to a bit more involved, as well as cover arrangements for wreaths, displays, celebrations and tables. All uniquely patterned for full enjoyment, flowers certainly add charm, sophistication, contentment and spirit to any location adorned. Known for her flower workshops, the author provides step-by-step instructions, advice and philosophy, and various options for success, all with beauty in mind.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Though by no means overly artistic, even I was able to easily and enjoyably create a masterpiece (in my mind anyway) for my front door. With years of experience in flowers, author Ariella Chezar effectively details how to design bouquets, vases, wreaths, garlands and arrangements to meet any needs and/ or grace any site. The photography only enhances a wonderful how-to book made for the novice yet embraced by the more advanced; this book is perfect as a gift or for personal use.

RATING:
5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of The Flower Workshop from Blogging For Books for my honest review*

Apartment Therapy

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Ryan, Maxwell. Laban, Janel. Acevedo, Melanie (photography). Apartment Therapy: Complete + Happy Home. USA: Potter Style Publishing. 2015.

SUMMARY:
apartmenttherapyWhether buying a home, decorating an apartment, cleaning up the bathroom, organizing the kitchen, maintaining the dwelling or just relaxing and enjoying your place, Apartment Therapy offers tips, guides, ideas and designs all coupled with gorgeous pictures to make your pad perfect. Even including such items as lightbulbs, artwork, table choice, hobby preferences and style supercharges, nothing is left unnoticed. Stunning!

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
With so many tricks of the decorating trade in one location, who could go wrong? Not a glitzy book but a functional, comfortable and useful book, the authors and photographer absolutely did it right! I loved all the ways to love your home, personalize your rooms, organize the furniture, and decorate with creative items. Browsing this book makes me want to redo my entire house (and I just may now). Written in a flowing, easy to relate to style, it is almost a coffee-table type book that begs you to open it again and again. Perfect!!

RATING:
5+ (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Apartment Therapy from Blogging For Books for my honest review*

Love the Home You Have

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Michaels, Melissa. Love the Home You Have: Simple Ways to Embrace Your Style, Get Organized, and Delight in Where You Are. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers. 2015.

SUMMARY:
lovethehomeComparing ourselves to others, expecting more of ourselves than we can give, never being happy with what we have, and making excuses for ourselves are some of the many reasons life can get us down. In her new book, Melissa Michaels encourages us to enjoy our many blessings, accept where we are in life and love the home we have. Full of ideas for organizing, redecorating, re-purposing, and de-cluttering, she couples those with motivation, inspiration and enthusiasm to help us overcome obstacles blocking enjoyment of life, specifically with our homes.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Not just another book on organizing and de-cluttering, Love the Home You Have is actually a wonderful resource to feel better about your mess. (LOL) With simple yet realistic decorating tips, personal stories, new views on expectations, and inspirational quotes and thoughts (“A well-loved home will always be a bit of a beautiful mess”), Melissa Michaels extends a smile, offers a hug and nudges you forward to success. I think the most encouraging aspect was the attitude-changing process of creating your own style, counting your blessings, opening your home to others with pride and not making excuses (for the piles of laundry, dirty dishes and pet hair). I actually do love my home, sometimes I just need a reminder.

RATING:
4.5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Love the Home You Have from Harvest House Publishers for my honest review*

Novel Interiors

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Giramonti, Lisa Borgnes. Terestchenko, Ivan. Novel Interiors: Living In Enchanted Rooms Inspired By Literature. USA: Potter Style Publishing. 2014.

SUMMARY:
interiorsNovel Interiors follows the inspiration that we don’t just read a great story, we inhabit it. With gusto and flair, Lisa Borgnes Giramonti enters the enchanting world of more than sixty literary classics to show how novels can influence a decorating style. From homey to eccentric, from Jane Austen to F. Scott Fitzgerald, many textures, colors, quirks, quotes and pieces make up each living area. Accompanied by stunning photography, this book definitely has some novel ideas.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
I love books including home decorating books. (There always seems to be a few tidbits and ideas I pick up to try in my own home.) Novel Interiors was full of new ideas and visually pleasing photographs. Many of the style ideas were inspired by classical books; however, some were not as connected to the theme. While I did enjoy the book for the decorating designs and architecture of the houses/ rooms, I am not sure the book followed the original intentions closely enough. The title of the book was perfect though and hit the target exactly.

RATING:
3.5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Novel Interiors from Blogging for Books for my honest review*