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Design Rules: The Insider's Guide to Becoming Your Own Decorator

Author: Elaine Griffin
Publisher: Gotham
Category: Book

List Price: ~~$25.00~~
Buy New: $13.53
as of 3/13/2010 06:22 EST details
You Save: $11.47 (46%)

Seller: OB1S
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

13 reviews
Sales Rank: 34466

Media: Paperback
Edition: 1 Original
Pages: 272
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 7.2 x 0.8

ISBN: 1592405061
Dewey Decimal Number: 747
EAN: 9781592405060
ASIN: 1592405061

Publication Date: November 3, 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Features:

»	ISBN13: 9781592405060
»	Condition: NEW
»	Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Also Available In:

»	Kindle Edition - Design Rules

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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
The essential do-it-yourself guide from one of the top designers in the country that uncovers the secret home design rules used by the pros

Many design books are filled with lavish photography of perfect rooms that most of us can only dream of re-creating. Without any practical advice, the look is unattainable. That's where Design Rules comes in. Here, Elaine Griffin, one of the country's 100 top designers (House Beautiful), explains all the practical decorating standards that professionals use behind the scenes to create flowing, balanced, gorgeous design. Packed with helpful illustrations and hundreds of step-by-step tips, Design Rules includes essential advice such as:

Pick a pleasing color palette (that really works)

Correctly size their bedsize tables (so they don't tower over their beds)

Enhance the visual appeal of windowless rooms (so they're not dungeons)

Design furniture arrangements that function and flow

Style up even the most forlorn kitchens, baths and yes, basements and laundry rooms (honey, no space is too dreadful to be made ultra fab)

Brighten up their kitchens with a can of paint and a burst of strategically-placed color (location, location, location!)

Figure out which styles of furniture go together (there is a rule and it's easy!)

Make their own personalities shine throughout their homes (because they should)

And oodles more!

Design Rules is for the growing number of savvy, novice home designers who are well-versed in what good design looks like, but need advice on how to translate it into their own home. It is the home design bible people have been waiting for.

Customer Reviews:

Showing reviews 1-5 of 13

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A real book for real people February 20, 2010
shelly (Florida)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I've been into design for quite awhile and I have even done some rooms for friends and family, but reading most books and taken classes is technical to sit through at times. I read through this book at lightning speed and after about 10 pages I was finally able to design my living room so it was comfortable and pleasing to look at. I love this book and will be handing out copies to friends. Thanks Elaine for making the task of creating easy and painless. Though I will say I could use more pictures throughout for better explanation.

3 out of 5 stars

Not the best decorating book around February 17, 2010
bojj (United States)
This book has some helpful info on decorating basics. I found the lack of pictures to be frustrating, there were times I could not envision what she was describing, photographs would have been a big improvement. The cutesy language, honey, sweetie, girlfriend was totally unnecessary and annoying. Does she assume everyone who is reading this book is a female? I would look elsewhere if you want some really good decorating tips. Fortunately I got this book from the library so I didn't invest in buying it.

5 out of 5 stars

Design Rules January 17, 2010
Gullible
0 out of 2 found this review helpful

Purchased this product from Amazon, on line two weeks before Christmas, as a Christmas present,with a guarentee that I would receive it before Christmas. Book came parcel post AFTER NEW YEARS day,from an outside supplier. Not the greatest service in the world.

5 out of 5 stars

Any library catering to homeowners will find this a popular lend January 11, 2010
Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

DESIGN RULES: THE INSIDER'S GUIDE TO BECOMING YOUR OWN DECORATOR comes from a decorator whose sense of humor and knowledge of trade secrets and how to pass these to do-it-yourself home decorators makes for a powerful book. From how to pick complimentary colors that work under varying conditions to sizing room pieces and pairing different styles, DESIGN RULES assures a home will appear polished. Any library catering to homeowners will find this a popular lend.

5 out of 5 stars

Perfect guide for a room makeover (or two) on a budget! December 20, 2009
Ima Reader (New York, NY United States)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I just completed remodeling my kitchen and bath and this book made me feel like I had a designer offering me tips along the way! I was on a tight budget and found a contractor who only charged me labor but I had to buy all my own materials. It seemed like a good idea at first, as I already had found some floor tiles and cabinets at an auction that I wanted installed, but then came the countertops, back splash, sink, lighting, fixtures, etc. and I started to panic.

I saw a review about this book and ordered it right away. I only read the chapters on Kitchens and Bathrooms at first and found them to be super helpful. I ran out to buy more tiles to emulate a pattern I saw in the book. I also used it to help pick out a back splash material and storage solutions that I would otherwise never have thought of, and I was able to get my granite countertops for super cheap because I was confident enough with my homework to go directly to a wholesaler and explain the thickness and edging I wanted like a pro!

For those trying to do more with less this book is extremely helpful to use a reference when you have a vision but need a little help executing it. My remodeling came out on budget, but took a few extra days because I opted to do a little more than planned after reading the book (extra shelving and painting). I've also rearranged my living room and am now attempting to decoupage a sturdy, but ugly bookcase that I had originally planned to replace. Thanks, girlfriend!!!

Showing reviews 1-5 of 13

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