The Complete Idiot's Guide to Decorating Your Home

by Young, Mary Ann; Nussbaum, David

• ISBN13: 9780028610887
• ISBN10: 0028610881
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1997-01-01
• Publisher: Alpha Books

Summary

You're no idiot, of course. You hold the "best dressed" title at the office, you have a knack for accessorizing everyting from your office to your kitchen countertops, and you always manage to keep cool under pressure. But when it comes to decorating your home, you feel like dunking your head into a gallon of paint. Don't test color combinations on your body yet! The Complete Idiot's Guide to Decorating Your Home enables you to create a homey look without all the blood, sweat, and tears. From setting a realistic budget to understanding the tools of the trade, feel confident about home decorating. In this Complete Idiot's Guide, you get:

Author Biography

Mary Ann Young, an allied member of the American Society of Interior Designers, has been an interior designer for nearly 20 years, with extensive experience in both residential and commercial projects. She has designed private homes and apartments as well as created interiors for ski and summer resorts. She has also appeared on Lifetime television as a home interior consultant.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Making Your House a Home	1	(30)
1 You've Got Style: Flaunt It! Before you take the plunge, zero in on how you live and what you love.	3	(8)
2 From Castles in the Air to Down--to--Earth Decorating A quick course in room--by--room planning and realistic budgeting.	11	(12)
3 Tools of the Trade From scissors to software, a few basic tools will make the job easier.	23	(8)
Part 2 You Were Not Born a Decorator... But You Can Learn	31	(48)
4 Color: The Decorator's Most Powerful Tool Going beyond bland to find colors and combinations that you can live with.	33	(10)
5 Getting a Feel for Texture To the eye and to the touch, a combination of surface designs can define a space.	43	(8)
6 It's All a Matter of Balance and Proportion A well---arranged room is more than the sum of all its parts.	51	(8)
7 From Classic to Contemporary--and Country, Too Understanding how distinct period styles can blend into a personal environment.	59	(10)
8 Beyond the Basics--Resources for Novice Decorators You can find the professional help and information you need in many places.	69	(10)
Part 3 Getting the Goods	79	(70)
9 Furniture to Last a Lifetime Choosing the necessities and luxuries for form and fuctionality.	81	(10)
10 Possibilities Underfoot From painted floors to wall--to--wall carpet, the lowdown on floor options.	91	(10)
11 Walls that Work Coatings, coverings, designs, and accents for the finest surroundings.	101	(10)
12 It's a Material World A knowledge of textiles is the very fiber of design.	111	(8)
13 Opening up the World of Windows Curtains, draperies, swags--and the windows that they cover.	119	(12)
14 Lighting Up Your Life From table lamps to track lights, all the illuminating options.	131	(10)
15 The All--Important Accessories The little extras that make a big impact.	141	(8)
Part 4 Tackling the House Room by Room	149	(94)
16 Living Rooms to Actually Live In Avoiding the living--room--as--museum syndrome.	151	(14)
17 Dining Rooms that Whet Your Appetite Flexible spaces for grand entertaining and everyday eating.	165	(14)
18 Kitchens to Cook in--Even if You Can't From cabinets to countertops, the basics of the busiest room in the house.	179	(16)
19 Bathrooms with Practicality and Personality The fixtures and finesse for a hardworking space.	195	(12)
20 Bedrooms Big and Small Not just for sleeping! You and your kids need plenty of storage room and dressing areas.	207	(20)
21 Working and Relaxing: The Library, Den, or Home Office A multifunction space with multiple personalities.	227	(8)
22 Entries, Stairways, and Halls Making the most of places you might just pass by.	235	(8)
Part 5 Quick (and Easy--on--the--Budget) Makeovers	243	(28)
23 Give Your Kitchen a Fresh Look--Fast! An instant transformation using fabric and a little paint.	245	(10)
24 Brighten Your Bathroom Without Breaking the Bank Changing the view in the mirror without taking a financial bath.	255	(8)
25 Adding a Touch of Romance to Your Bedroom Here's what decorating can do--the rest is up to you!	263	(8)
Bibliography and Resources	271	(4)
Index	275