Where You Live: Great Ideas Year-Round -- Sign Up for A Better Homes and Garden Magazine Subscription.

Two Great Gift Ideas in One!

Better Homes and Garden Has Released its 

2011 New Decorating Book.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:

Leave your name and email in the comment box that follows this post! 

I will be drawing two names on Friday, Oct. 21; those recipients will receive a year's subscription to Better Homes and Garden Magazine.

WINNERS: ART BY KARENA AND NEVER ENOUGH THYME CREATIONS 

At first glance, you might think The New Decorating Book is geared more toward tantalizing the design preferences of a bolder, budget-oriented generation. Actually, and speaking overall, it is a book my grown daughter (and I refuse to age myself by divulging her years) would love. While I do think it really hits a BiG home run with the 25- to 40-year-old set, I need to square away something. There are definitely some informational tidbits and inspirational photos that surely will help and appeal to all ages! So if you do initially buy it for a son, daughter, friend . . .I encourage you to include some one-on-one time perusing the 300-plus pages! I did. It's fun, and it's worth it. Even if it some of it comes across as, more or less, of a reminder -- or as tips worthy of passing along to friends and family.

A bonus with all book purchases -- and this is separate from my October 21 drawing -- is a one-year subscription to Better Homes and Garden, one of my long-time favorite magazines. I love that!! A little lagniappe -- something extra to be had, as they say in 

New Orleans.

The New Decorating Book -- and it's so aptly titled -- is chock full full of decorating advice. Very detailed. Lots of photos. Extremely Approachable and Doable. Lots of DIY Ideas. Very Cool; Very Affordable.

Section One of the book includes chapters divided by rooms. Living Rooms. Dining Rooms. Entries. Family Rooms. Mud Rooms. Bathrooms. Work Spaces. And more. 

Section Two launches a tour into various home styles. Modern Cottage. Loft-style. Classic Bungalow. Today's Farmhouse. Fresh Traditional. Scandinavian Modern. And more. 

Section Three address the stuff you need to know. About Using Color. Tips on How to Make a Room More Livable. A Review of Materials. Shopping Tips. And more.

A LOOK INSIDE . . . 

 

 In the chapter about "Personal Mix," this photo -- which I'm drawn to --

gives traditional style a fresh new twist. The vintage desk, painted hot pink, 

is paired with a playful chair (Philippe Starck?) The yellow trellis print

wallpaper offers a traditional vibe in a fun way.

In the chapter about Small Spaces, editors address color and offer budget tips.

And they promise no one will think "budget" when you take their suggestions.

For instance, "add a full-length skirt to disguise a stained or weathered chair seat."

In the chapter titled, Savvy Remodel, the discussion here revolves around using a neutral color on the wall to allow for pops of color in the curtains, pillows, rugs and accessories.

In the Living Room chapter, editors address problem-solving window treatments. For instance, "widen a narrow window by surrounding it with curtains that hang outside the frame . . . . Add style pizazz with a bold fabric."

In Small Spaces, discover how to master color.

Editors say not to overwhelm a small space. Shop for a dusky yellow -- like Dijon mustard, beeswax or corn silk -- for a grounding effect. Since yellow visually expands a room, it's great in a hallway or foyer.

 As part of the chapter on Fresh Traditional, "bold curtain panels create a focal point in the kitchen." (The curtains also serve as a continuity design element, as the pattern is used in the dining room -- seen in an accompanying photo.) 

 Again in Personal Mix, editors share 10 ideas on how to get a new, fresh traditional look. 

One is to mix in bright colors, such as sunshine yellow, "to keep stodginess at bay." Another is to "tint it;" the additional of a soft pastel might just be the right touch.

Back in the Living Room chapter, find lessons on mastering the use of mixing patterns.

First, they say, it's important to build a color scheme. Also, consider the size of the room. Small patterns can disappear in a large space. Use color repetition to tie together patterns.

The Workroom Chapter includes the lessons and tips you need to know about when decorating. Here is a DIY -- do-it-yourself -- idea to perk up a sisal rug. "Select a simple pattern. Use painter's tape and a straight edge to create your pattern. Paint the design or, in this case, squares using interior semi-gloss paint. Dip a flat trimming brush into the paint and then pounce it on the rug vertically to cover each section. Work into the edges."

Need a headboard. Try this: Cut a headboard shape from medium-density fiberboard (MDF), which provides a nice surface for painting. Choose a large-scale stencil and then paint.

I just suggested this idea to a friend who was pleased to have the tip. So, when I saw it in the book, I thought I'd share it here in this post as well. Still in the Work Room Chapter:

Trace your artwork sizes onto kraft paper, cut them out and then hang with tape. You get to look at the arrangement and tweak it before you hammer.

Also in the Workroom are tips on how to achieve the best placement for furniture.

In this case, consider you have one free wall and one wide entry: 

"1. Use an L-shape sectional to focus on both the fireplace and television.

2. Arrange chairs to they don't obstruct foot traffic.

3. Group tables with seating.

4. Choose chairs that swivel."

Want to know about lighting for a dining room, kitchen and other spaces . . . well, this book has the information to share. In a dining room like this one, you probably want an overhead fixture (1), which should hang 30 to 36 inches above the table, typically speaking; recessed can lights (2) at their lowest settings can induce a bistro-like setting; accent lights (3) can highlight favorite china selections or collectibles; and task lamps on the sideboard or buffet (4) provide lighting for serving or ambiance.

The more I look at this book, the more likely Kate is not going to get this copy. It lures me in with color and lots of pattern mixes. Plus, it really covers it all: curtains, paint, lighting, art placement, various styles, after looks based on befores . . . . You get a lot of bang for the buck in this book. Guess I'll have to buy Kate her own edition. In fact, I want to share more with you all now. But, perhaps another time, yes?!an

If you're interested in this book, get it here:

 Hope you enjoyed a look inside. 

Be sure to leave your name and email below in the Comment Box to receive possibly a one-year subscription to Better Homes and Garden magazine. Drawing is Oct. 21, midnight.