Home Rules: Transform the Place You Live Into a Place You'll Love

I'm not a decorator. I don't have an eye for colors and what matches and what doesn't. I must admit that every home that I've had, my mother has decorated for me. Nate Berkus and his book have allowed me to grow up and begin to decorate my house on my own. His ideas are so simple, but with an enormous impact. He details every aspect of home decorating to include painting as well as how to decorate mantels, bookshelves, and other places that sometimes aren't considered in home decorating. The pictures are very beautiful and full of color. If you are a fan of Oprah and especially Nate, then this book is a must have.

Making your home your greatest pleasure is a luxury we all need to indulge. Small luxuries, big dividends. Good sheets, plush towels, down pillows, and fine soaps make you feel pampered. Splurge on the highest quality you can afford, one special purchase at a time. Nate Berkus, "Home Rules" Nate Berkus was born in California and moved to Illinois with his decorator mother. He knew at an early age that he had the talent for design. He began at a young age by moving and placing furniture with his mother's direction. He graduated from Lake Forest College, and took a job with an auctioneer, and then on to an internship in Paris where he really developed his love for decoration. I am redoing my home and this book is invaluable. The book is divided into chapters "Inspirations, Color, Family Rooms, Small Spaces, Kitchens, Bedrooms, Bathrooms and Organizing. At the end of each chapter are Nate's `Home rules"-a simple list to follow. These are ten rules or ten questions or ten statements to ask yourself. For example in the chapter on"Color", "Rule number 2: Try out my rule of four. One color top to bottom can be a bore, two might work, three can be interesting, four adds up to a rich, sophisticated scheme." You learn how to organize your life and your home. The home rules are but one part of this book that is so helpful. You start to think "outside of the box", which "hue" is you, which look is you, what is your idea of luxury, and creating a grand scheme. How to map and plan your ideal room. What is important to you and to your family? This is a book that lets you know that you do not need a great deal of money to change your home. Color and a few pillows will do wonders. You can move from one area to the next according to your budget. My favorite chapter of all Is "The Bedroom". `'Make the bed luxurious and inviting. Serenity is key. Have lights on dimmers. Make your bed every day. You'll feel accomplished and organized right from the start. The photography is marvelous. The photographs are colorful, taking you from `before' to `after'; disorganized to the organized; from the simplest colors to the hues of a masterpiece. The principal photography was completed by Fernando Bengoechea, John Bessler, and Francois Dischinger. This is a book to keep on your coffee table, on your desk, or in your bag. I take mine with me while I am browsing the stores or Lowes, or Home Depot. Where ever you are, look around and take in the sights and colors. Ask questions of your friends or someone whose taste you admire. "Make the business of the day a pure pleasure". Highly recommended. prisrob April 7, 2006

After seeing some of Nate's Before and After decorating transformations on Oprah Winfrey's show, I did a search to find his book on decorating, assuming that he HAD to have a book. But no, not a single one, even though he kept appearing on the show, and I kept searching for the inevitable book which I figured HAD to appear. Well, now it finally has and,happily, it is just as wonderful as I'd hoped. For one thing, this is a guy who understands how to make very personal spaces which fit the person who lives there. Every one of his rooms are unique and each one contains personal touches, special momentoes or collections that are meaningful to the owner. These aren't rooms that not only delight the eye but made for living and, even better, they are often low maintenance and practical, even though they look luxurious. I particularly like the fact that Nate realizes that most people have lots of "stuff" (CDs, videos, photos, books, children's toys) and those items need to be stored somewhere - so there is plenty of emphasis on attractive storage solutions where all those extra items can fit, leaving the room looking uncluttered. This is also a guy who is not afraid to express his opinions (no wallpaper borders, please). Finally, I have to admit it...I'd have bought this book just to be able to look at that cover photo. Brings a smile to my face every time I do. I'm looking forward to adding it to my bookshelf, cover facing OUT, so I see that gorgeous face whenever I walk in the room.

What I love about Nate's book is that he is not afraid to give you HIS opinion of his likes and dislikes. That's what I want--someone to hold my hand and say, "This doesn't look good." He states in his book that he loves classic white subway tiles and that he's not a fan of a TV being on constant display in a family room or bedroom (unless it's the latest in technology). He even shares a few of his favorite color palettes with us. That's exactly what I wanted! HIS opinion. I love his style and want to incorporate his ideas into my home. Thanks Nate for giving us your opinions and guidance. I'll incorporate them for sure.

When I saw this book, I was glad he decided to publish a book of how to create/maintain your own unique style. I have seen him on a few episodes of Oprah and think he is a great designer, as he finds out what the owner likes/dislikes and uses creative ideas to transform inexpensive things into beautiful works of art. His sense of style proves that you don't need a whole lot of money to transform your living abode into an oasis worth coming home to at the end of a long, busy workday. His book features many great photographs, which will inspire you to find your own style. This book is great to get for your own reference and makes an outstanding gift idea for that friend of yours who may need a little help getting his/her place in order. For a guy like me, having difficulty organizing my things into a comforting style, I'm very appreciative of this book. I've been wanting to get a home lifestyle book for some time now and am glad I waited. The others seem to be a bit too "trendy" for my tastes, and Nate Berkus is a down-to-earth kind of guy who knows style...so thank you Nate for publishing this. Its a Christmas gift I am giving to myself this year.