Decorating Details: Projects and Ideas for a More Comfortable, More Beautiful Home: The Best of Martha Stewart Living

This book is very typical Martha, if you like her style you;ll like this book. I do think some of the craft stuff would be easier and cheaper to buy than make but I think you always have to remember above all it's an idea book. And yes, a lot of Martha's stuff tends to be expensive but you can achieve that look if you buy (I borrow from the library) some of her books and take them with you when you're shopping! Anyone can duplicate some of the most expensive rooms and furniture as long as you put in the time to research and shop around and have a clear picture of what you're looking. I'm the kind of person who likes so many styles (from modern to country) I use Martha's books to help me streamline my ideas and create a cohesive room.

This book is the follow-on to "How to Decorate," Martha's first book. This book concentrates on the small details: how to display pictures, how to arrange your collections, and so on. The introductory chapter on how to display pictures and photographs is particularly good, giving ideas (complete with beautiful photographs) on how to display pictures and explaining principles such as where to place pictures, how to arrange them, and why certain arrangements of pictures work in certain places and not others. The book emphasizes Martha's trademark, which is finding inexpensive but beautiful pieces at garage sales, refinishing them, and adapting them to new uses. Many of the ideas she presents, such as refinishing an old footstool and turning it into a stereo stand, are practical and attractive.

In the long line of excellently crafted books, Decorating Details qualifies as very useful, quality speaks highly for Martha. Detailed photos on top quality paper, have become a mainstay with her books. The book covers pictures, tables & stools, lamps & shades, shelves, screens & mirrors, and pillows & throws. Each section has detailed instructions, for making in making lamp shades there are detailed photos, as well as, written instructions for drafting, decorating, and making a lamp shade. Decorating Details give simple and easy ideas for decorating any space.

Martha Stewart has such a wonderful way of making decorating seem easy and fun. DECORATING DETAILS has an easy insightfulness to it that makes decorating a simple and beautiful expression of who we are.

I really like this book. The pictures are beautiful, and the projects are mostly down-to-earth. Anyone could make the lampshades or pillow covers from the instructions she gives. I thought the shelving and picture-hanging sections were particularly helpful.