Mary Emmerling's Romantic Country: Style That's Straight from the Heart

Finding this treasure at a used book store was quite a happy accident! Mary's books don't stay on their shelves long....and for good reason. This book is gorgeous - cover to cover - filled with fabulous decorating ideas as well as personal preference romantic notions and lists. I absolutely love it! This one's a keeper!

One of her best. The subject resonates with all of us, we want cozy and intimate and practical and affordable ways to achieve such. Her suggestions go straight to the heart. We can all identify with her view of her life now and how important it is to do the small things NOW!

Mary Emmerling does tell us A LOT about her own life - I felt I was kind of intruding, but she is obviously SOOOOOOO happy with her new husband - and who can begrudge her that? But the photos and the explanations of how things were acquired or made or modified to fit into the very lovely personalized homes - are really priceless! And she goes IN DEPTH into each home - 4 or more pages of writing and gorgeous photos of insides and outsides on each home plus a description of the people who own it. The groupings are very well planned, too - sections on simple cottages progressing to romantic, traditional and some rather elegant places - The reader who complained that the book is "too heavy" into Southwestern Style may be right - a lot of N.M. and AZ homes - I might have enjoyed more English Country or Seaside cottages, but there are many, many ideas and images here that can be adapted to any small house - I was feverish with enthusiasm after reading through the book the first time, and have gone back for inspiration many, many times since.

I have long been a fan of Mary Emmerling since viewing her style and decorating tv shows. I have never before purchased one of her books and I am very happy I did. It is a great book to curl up with in a chair with and make for a cozy afternoon read with a candle lit in the backround. The photographs are crisp, clear and stunning. There are many different types of country style offered in this book and I believe there is something to appeal to those with widely differing styles of country decorating tastes. What I found particularly great about the book was that it strays from the traditional view of romantic country with it's laces and at times overly frilly and feminine fabrics and accessories towards a widely diverse notion of what is romantic in decorating. It teaches each person to find what is romantic to them from their own life and heritage and to call upon that in finding your own style. Offered are many photos and decorating styles/themes to inspire. Also fun about the book are the many lists of things considered romantic. Better still...make your own list after reading the book! A great overall read to inspire and relax with. Thanks Mary!

This is a lovely book and the ideas are simple and warm and charming and the photos are beautiful. Mary has an easy approach to style that most people can relate to and enjoy. I was especially pleased that she makes note in the intro about the amazingly talented psychic Debra Ritchey from Fort Worth, Texas. I know many people that swear by her talents and psychic abilities and I am one of them.