The Complete Idiot's Guide to Decorating Basics Illustrated

by Young, Mary Ann

• ISBN13: 9781592571758
• ISBN10: 1592571751
• Edition: Illus.
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-03-02
• Publisher: DK Publishing, Inc.

Summary

You're no idiot, of course. You know your ho-hum home could use a little sprucing up. But when it comes to defining your style, you don't know neoclassic from modern. You can make yours a home sweet home! Packed with inspiring pictures and tips from decorating pros, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Decorating Basics Illustrated is a great how-to resource for the design-impaired. Book jacket.

Author Biography

Mary Ann Young has been an interior designer for nearly 20 years. Her designs for private homes and apartments are found in Boston, New York, Florida, and Vermont. She has created interiors for well-known ski and summer resorts throughout New England and has appeared on Lifetime television as a home interior consultant. Mary Ann earned a Bachelor's degree in textiles and designs from the University of Vermont

Table of Contents

Part 1: Not a Born Decorator? You Can Learn!	2	(38)
Style: It's All Around You!	4	(12)
Where Does Personal Style Come From?	6	(1)
Cultivating Your Style	6	(1)
Selecting a Style That Works for You	7	(3)
Rustic and Refined	7	(1)
Traditional	8	(1)
Clean and Sassy	8	(1)
Eclectic	8	(1)
Flea Market Style	9	(1)
Historical Decorating Styles: Beauties with a Past	10	(3)
Neoclassical	10	(1)
Colonial	10	(1)
Victorian	11	(1)
Baltic	11	(1)
Arts and Crafts/Art Nouveau	12	(1)
Modern	12	(1)
Postmodernism	13	(1)
Country	13	(3)
American Country	13	(1)
English Country	14	(1)
French Country	14	(2)
Decorating 101: Elements of Design	16	(10)
The Power of Colorful Thinking	17	(3)
The Effect of Warm and Cool Colors	18	(1)
Color Wheel	19	(1)
Color Schemes	20	(1)
Getting a Feel for Texture	20	(2)
A Matter of Scale and Balance	22	(4)
Forms of Balance	23	(1)
Weight of Balance	24	(1)
Creating Harmonious Balance	24	(2)
Decorating Essentials: What You Need to Know	26	(6)
Tools of the Trade	27	(1)
Priorities: Matching Your Plans with Your Wallet	28	(1)
Tackling the Tough Questions	28	(1)
One Room at a Time: Where to Start	29	(1)
Prioritizing Projects: Essentials or Options?	29	(1)
Planning Like a Pro	29	(3)
Help for the Novice Decorator: From Magazines to Cyberspace	32	(8)
Mail-Order Catalogs: Great Ideas for Free	33	(1)
Magazines: Interiors by the Pros	34	(1)
Books: Interiors for Reference and Redos	35	(1)
For the Serious Amateur: Back to School?	35	(1)
Media: Television and Home Videos	35	(1)
The Online Age	36	(1)
Rooms on View: Retail Stores and Home Tours	36	(2)
Calling on a Pro	38	(2)
Part 2: Decorating from the Floor Up	40	(66)
What's Underfoot? Oh, the Possibilities ...	42	(8)
From Nature's Store: The Warmth of Wood	43	(1)
Grass Is Greener	44	(1)
A Comfortable Choice: Carpet	45	(1)
Art Underfoot: Area Rugs	45	(1)
The New Artistic Use of Vinyls	46	(1)
Durable Choices: Tile, Brick, Stone, and Concrete	47	(1)
Tricks of the Trade	48	(2)
Walls with Wallop	50	(8)
Paint, for the Perfect Complexion	51	(2)
Plethora of Paper: Wallcoverings for Every Taste	53	(2)
Fabric Walls with Flair	55	(1)
Woodwork: From Molding to Boards to Wainscoting	55	(1)
Dramatic Walls with a Solid Feel: Tile, Stone, and Brick	55	(1)
Tricks of the Trade	56	(2)
Home Furnishings with Flair	58	(10)
Furniture: The Original ``Software'' and ``Hardware''	59	(4)
Sofas and Chairs That Sit Well	59	(3)
Slip-Covered Seating	62	(1)
The Case for Case Goods	63	(2)
Learning the Local Joints	64	(1)
More Than Wood for Case Goods	64	(1)
A Handy Buyer's Check List	65	(1)
Tricks of the Trade	66	(2)
Living in a Material World	68	(12)
Getting to Know Fibers and Weaves	69	(1)
Decorators' Favorites	70	(2)
Fabric Throughout Your Home	72	(5)
Making a Pillow	74	(1)
Sewing a Slipcover	75	(2)
Artful Combinations	77	(1)
Tricks of the Trade	78	(2)
Windows That Say Wow!	80	(14)
A World of Windows	81	(1)
The Well-Covered Window: Draperies or Curtains?	82	(4)
Neat Windows: Shades, Blinds, and Shutters	86	(1)
Final Touches: Trims and Tiebacks	87	(3)
How to Measure a Window	90	(1)
Tricks of the Trade	91	(3)
Putting Your Home in the Right Light	94	(12)
The Basics of Lighting Design	95	(1)
General	95	(1)
Task	96	(1)
Accent	96	(1)
Decorative	96	(1)
Kinetic	96	(1)
Sources of Lighting: Fixtures	96	(1)
Today's Styles and Shapes of Lighting	97	(5)
Selecting the Source: Types of Bulbs	102	(1)
Lighting Tips Throughout the House	102	(2)
Do-It-Yourself Project: Make Your Own Lamp	104	(1)
Tricks of the Trade	105	(1)
Part 3: One Room at a Time	106	(70)
Living Rooms You Can Really Live In	108	(10)
How Do You Live? Assessing Your Personal Style	109	(1)
Arranging the Living Room: Finding a Focal Point	110	(3)
Living Room as Family/Great Room	113	(1)
One-Room Living	114	(1)
Dual-Purpose Furnishings	114	(1)
Adding Architectural Character	115	(1)
Dividing the Large Living Room	115	(3)
Dining Rooms: Not Just for Dining Anymore	118	(10)
The Beauty of Diversity	119	(1)
Stylized Sets Without Stuffiness	120	(1)
The Mismatched Set: As Varied as Your Guests	121	(1)
Add Character to a Set of Mass-Marketed Chairs	121	(1)
Chair Styles	122	(1)
The Dining Room as a Library	123	(1)
Small-Space Dining	124	(1)
For All Your China or Pottery: Storage and Display Pieces	125	(1)
Accessories for a Festive Atmosphere	125	(3)
Kitchens: The Hub of Today's Home	128	(10)
Planning for an Efficient Kitchen	129	(2)
The Work Triangle	129	(2)
Zone Planning	131	(1)
Cabinets That Work for You	131	(1)
Cabinet and Wall Paint Combinations	132	(1)
Elements of an Eclectic Kitchen	133	(1)
The Indispensable Pantry	134	(1)
Special Effects	134	(4)
Paint Effects	134	(1)
Tile Tricks	135	(1)
Add a Fireplace	136	(1)
Concealing the Refrigerator	136	(2)
Bathrooms to Linger In	138	(10)
Real Bathroom Style: Planning, Prioritizing, and Pricing	139	(2)
Space-Saving Ideas for a Small Bathroom	141	(1)
Small Luxuries That Add Big Pleasure	141	(1)
Lighting and Color Considerations	142	(1)
Today's Bathroom as Retreat: Feng Shui Decor	143	(1)
Adding Pizzazz to the Sink, Countertop, and Vanity	144	(1)
Turning a Dresser into a Vanity	145	(3)
Bedrooms to Match Your Moods	148	(10)
Arranging the Bedroom for More Than Sleeping	149	(1)
You and Your Bed	150	(2)
Mattress Matters	151	(1)
Creative Headboards	151	(1)
Styles and Colors for Everyone	152	(3)
Contemporary	153	(1)
Classic	154	(1)
Country	154	(1)
Creative/Eclectic/Bohemian	154	(1)
The Bedroom as Home Office	155	(3)
The Home Office	158	(10)
Your Work Style: What's Important for You?	159	(2)
Businesslike Basics	161	(2)
Furniture	161	(1)
Storage Options	162	(1)
Lighting	163	(1)
Where to Put Your Office?	163	(2)
A Specific Room?	163	(1)
A Tucked-Away Space?	164	(1)
Special Touches for Your Home Office	165	(3)
Quiet, Please!	165	(1)
Lap of Luxury Items	166	(2)
Other Significant Spaces That Might Be Overlooked	168	(8)
Making a Memorable Entryway	169	(1)
Fashioning a Foyer with Flair	170	(2)
Stairways That Are Special	172	(1)
Hallways with Pizzazz	173	(1)
Creating a Hobby Hideaway	174	(1)
Creating a Place for Solitude	174	(2)
Part 4: The Finishing Touches	176	(28)
Accessories to Make Your Room Sing	178	(8)
The Art of Display	179	(2)
Hanging Pictures and Mirrors	181	(2)
Living Art: Plants and Flowers	183	(1)
Hang the Unexpected	184	(1)
Signature Details	184	(2)
From the Decorator's Desk	186	(8)
Creating Rooms with a View	187	(1)
Inviting Guest Rooms	188	(2)
Setting a Table with Style	190	(1)
Signature Details	191	(3)
Functional Storage and Stylish Organization	194	(10)
A Place for Everything in the House	195	(5)
Living Area	196	(1)
Dining Area	197	(1)
Bedrooms	198	(1)
Kitchen	199	(1)
Baths	200	(1)
Storage Solutions in Small Spaces	200	(2)
Signature Details	202	(2)
Part 5: Quick-and-Easy Room Makeovers	204	(59)
Kitchen Redo: Minimal Effort for Maximum Effect!	206	(8)
Transform with Paint	207	(2)
Walls	208	(1)
Cabinets	208	(1)
Floors	208	(1)
Appliances	209	(1)
Tile	209	(1)
Ease Hard Lines with Soft Goods	209	(1)
Ten Instant Makeovers for Your Kitchen	210	(1)
Advanced Do-It-Yourself Kitchen Projects	211	(3)
Bathroom Brighteners That Won't Break the Bank	214	(8)
Refresh Your Bathroom with a New Coat of Paint	215	(1)
Soft Materials for Easy Cover-Ups	216	(2)
Windows	216	(1)
Banners	216	(1)
Slipcovers	216	(2)
Shower Curtains/Towels	218	(1)
Ten Easy Ways to Perk Up Your Bathroom	218	(1)
Wallcovering Tips	219	(1)
Projects for the Advanced Do-It-Yourselfer	220	(2)
A Fine Romance: You and Your Bedroom	222	(41)
Painting a Romantic Story	223	(1)
Set the Mood for Romance	224	(1)
Soft Goods for a Soft Atmosphere	225	(2)
Set the Tone with Intimate Lighting	227	(1)
Ten Easy Ways to Add Touches of Romance to Your Bedroom	228	(2)
Projects for the Advanced Do-It-Yourself Seamstress	230	(2)
Appendixes
A Resources	232	(5)
B Templates and Other Tools	237	(20)
C Glossary	257	(6)
Index	263