Rating: 
Summary: Waste of time
Review: This book has dumb dialogue and so few pictures it's a shame to call it a design oriented book. The swell line is adorable and I believed this book to be something that would play off of that. It did not. It had absurd ideas, bland drawing, boring writing, stupid stories and little reference to anything related to interior design or the swell line. DISAPPOINTING. Don't waste any money or time on this book.
Rating:
Summary: NOT SWELL AT ALL
Review: This book is an amusing, tongue-in-cheek read, but that's it. Only a professional stylist or someone very, very artistic could carry off these decorating ideas successfully--anyone else will just look like they're having an indoor yard sale.It's a cute read for a young woman in her first apartment, but unlike Rowley's first Swell book, which I loved and found very useful, there's very little practical help in this one. If you're seriously looking for decorating ideas, take a pass on this one.
Rating:
Summary: Is this for real???
Review: This book was a disappointment. There is a small handful of good ideas (ie. using frayed denim as a bedskirt, paintng one wall a bright color and the rest of the walls white, hanging hooks on the bedroom wall to hang your outfit for the next day, etc.). However, the remaining totally absurd ideas, the constant suggestions of having a bar/minibar throughout various rooms of the house, the abuse to books (nevermind perhaps reading the books and enrichening oneself), and the flippant suggestions to just have your carpenter come over and do the work made me think the authors are just a bunch of arrogant mindless rich witches most likely on drugs. Not everybody can afford to own a place or hire a carpenter/contractor, especially during these times. The real creativity lies in making something wonderful with little resources. I also did not appreciate the broad generalizations they make and hold as truth, such as stating it is a known fact that people who can cook cannot make a good cup of coffee. Ehhh? I don't think so. This was the most irritating book to read, and I had to force myself to read it through to the end. I really felt like burning it when I finished reading. And I consider myself pretty open-minded.... It's amazing how much crap gets allowed to be published.
Rating: 
Summary: Swell!
Review: This book was so much more fun to read than any other (home/interior). It gave me ideas true to teen spirit and inspired ideas true to ME. Much better than the original Swell book, the contents were organized well and practical tips for decorating were scattered throughout the book to keep away boredom. Not for people really into crafty home decorating though-although it may give new perspective.
Rating: 
Summary: Cute gift or coffee table book, but...
Review: This makes a cute gift. It's colorful and fun (like other "Swell") items, and a cute concept. It's a quick and sometimes humorous read. However, I found the prose a bit forced, i.e. trying too hard to be "zany" and "edgy," and the contents seemed a bit random. To me, it read like a book that was just cranked out by the authors due to publishing pressure (following the success of their original book). The authors even mention a couple instances in the book where they were trying to find inspiration in order to finish certain sections, and there are a few editing errors (typos, grammar). The authors also make several references to alcohol/bars/hangovers, which I found a bit odd (due to the # of times)... Maybe I'm just getting old (38). This book would likely be best for gals seeking ideas for college dorm room or first apartment, etc. Not so good for someone looking for more realistic/mature (albeit fun) home decorating inspiration. In sum, I liked the pretty cover more than the contents. [Note: Check out Target for the new line of "Swell" home dec items designed by these authors--colorful, very fun, reasonably priced--the design aspect is really these ladies' forte.]
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