Decorating Year-Round: Shaping Your Style Through the Seasons

Yes, this book complements the other BETTER HOMES & GARDEN book called: "STYLE BY NATURE". At least, I think so. I bought both books together and I have enjoyed reading both "Nature" books (by BETTER HOMES) very much. Example, both are hardback books, with gorgeous photos. The colors in the homes used throughout this book are just as soothing as the photos in the other BETTER HOMES book mentioned above. If you are the type of decorator that likes to look at pictures , in order to be inspired, then this is a very nice book to own in your library.

This book is more practical than some decorating books I've seen. It goes beyond just photos of beautiful rooms with commentary. The pages inside explode with colorful decor and practical ideas. One of the nice things I noticed is that there are sections where the author points out different components in the room (and there is literally a line drawn from that piece in the photo to the commentary about that design element). Sometimes I find it hard to think about what makes a room warm and friendly. I know it when I see it, but I couldn't really tell you off the top of my head. Since this book points those things out, it really draws your attention to those important details. The author also does a great job of demonstrating how small touches can transform a room as there are photos of the same room with a few things changed (perhaps a different duvet in the bedroom or adding some flowers during the summer). These subtle changes can really change the look of the room, especially if you want your home to reflect the different seasons. There are photos that show how you can bring the outdoors in and change the feel of the room throughout the year. What a wonderful idea to keep your room fresh! This book also contains information and ideas of how to make your own decorating touches - perhaps a picture gallery or a mirrored door that fools the eye. How about ideas on stenciling a room? The book goes beyond showing the idea, but also contains a materials list and instructions on how to complete the project. This book is a wonderful and practical resource for decorating ideas. And if you want to change up your rooms periodically without doing a complete makeover, you'll find this book very handy!

I figured this book would be full of ideas, and it is. I love it, and I know I'll use it for a long time to come. What surprised me a little was how absolutely beautiful the book was just to flip through. I felt like my blood pressure went down as I flipped from page to page. This is a sumptuous book with such lovely pictures and such practical ideas. I really like the fact that the book has so many little and non-crafty ideas I can do quickly .