The Bottom Line
Pros
- The range of styles should suit almost anyone needing decorating inspiration.
- Many of the spaces looked high-end but could easily be imitated on a budget.
- The visual aids and decorating how-tos are valuable assets for readers.
Cons
- Several of the spaces are completely wall-papered, which is not necessarily easy or affordable.
- Those who lean towards a minimalist, modern look may not like the author’s more flamboyant style.
- The how-tos are brief and may not provide enough information needed to complete the project.
Description
- The first section, entitled "Designer Insider," consists of 16 pages of advice on such topics as space, pattern and lighting.
- The second section, "Rooms to Inspire," is more than 100 pages of photos and tips on a variety of decorated spaces.
- The third section, “How It’s Done,” is the DIY section and offers how-to photos and descriptions.
- The book also includes a small "Resources" section and an index.
Guide Review - Book Review: Let's Decorate by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen
Any decorating book that contains within its title the words “easy” and “affordable” just begs me to buy it. This book was no exception. And while I wouldn’t call most of the author’s examples “affordable” on a very strict budget, a reader could easily work around that.
From a bathroom covered in painted doodles to a hallway gallery carpeted with synthetic grass, I thought that the designs featured were fresh and inspiring. Not everything was to my taste (especially the synthetic grass) but the design was so well implemented that it all worked. And hey, if the author’s clients liked it then so do I.
Not only is the design refreshing and ranges from more traditional to less so (recall synthetic grass carpeting), but across the bottom of each focal page the author points readers to how-tos located in the back of the book. And a full third of the book is dedicated to how-tos, which is great for someone who wants to duplicate the author’s entire design, or equally great for someone who just wants to know how to correctly paint a wall. If only all designers would make it this easy for us to copy their fabulous work!
