Home Swell Home

This book was so much more fun to read than any other (home/interior). It gave me ideas true to teen spirit and inspired ideas true to ME. Much better than the original Swell book, the contents were organized well and practical tips for decorating were scattered throughout the book to keep away boredom. Not for people really into crafty home decorating though-although it may give new perspective.

I love Cynthia Rowley and Ilene Rosenzweig's "Swell" series. I have every edition and must confess that I am a bit of a "Swell" addict. I found "Home Swell Home" really up my alley. I love home design and decorating. I love Cynthia Rowley. And, I love illustration (which is very glorified in the "Swell" series). This great book is a mix between Martha Stewart (traditional) and modern chic. I find each idea very creative and while some thing's I would never attempt (way too "out-there") but there are many ideas that I have and WOULD do. I love their sense of fun about everything. From throwing a dinner party - to painting a room. It's all done with a sense of style and humor. I really love that and I will always try to bring that into my design and home.Love the entire "Swell" series and I will continue to follow their work for as long as they do it.

Just like it's mama publication Swell: A Girl's Guide to the Good Life, this isn't a bible--it's for inspiration. CR and IR remind you that your place is a reflection of you--so why not make it just as kooky, fun, crazy, and yep, swell, as you are? You're not going to read this book on the way to Home Depot to pick up exactly what you're going to buy to re-do your bathroom. You're going to read it and be inspired to think up your very own ideas. What could be more swell than that?

Cynthia and Ilene's book is great because it captures the Swell spirit from the original Swell. I love that they get inspiration from everyday life and show the reader that is does not cost a fortune to redecorate. The book is about getting away from what's in and what's out; what's uptown, what's downtown and show us it's all inclusive. The best part is that the book has illustrations instead of photographs so they encourage us to use our imagination instead of trying to copy what somebody else has created.

These two Swell-villistas definately took their fun loving spirit from "Swell: a girl's guide to the good life" and placed it back into this new "girl's guide" But don't be fooled, it's not just for chicks. My manly-man buds LOVE this book almost as much as I do. This book is FILLED with room ideas that can fit even my budget. Not only that, but their room/decorating/living ideas are NOT ANYTHING LIKE all the other "interior decorating" books out there. It's not about a couch in the living room, bed with a (boring) headboard, bathroom with guest towels book. These wonderful feme fatals take the "rules" of decorating the same way they take on life: SHAKEN AND STIRRED with a healthy dash of humor. anyone who wishes they were a secret agent, rock star, fashionista, or even a rugged outdorsey camper will get what they're looking for in this book. I can't stop reading it (along with the original SWELL). Oh, and it helped me redecorate as well ;-)