Doug's Rooms : Transforming Your Space One Room at a Time

Rating:
Summary: Great book!!!!
Review: I must start off by saying that I have never watched the show Trading Spaces, I thought it was a little strange turning over your home to your neighbor. The book however was a delight. I normally glance over photos to see if I like something and just stash it away with the other 5 million decorating books that I own. This guy actually had something to say. He showed pretty pictures but also gave solutions on how to achieve a great look home (one room at a time). I'm inspired by this book. He doesn't make me want to copy his ideas but really research my own with this book as a guide. Easy reading!!

Rating:
Summary: Solid Content - Lots of Ideas
Review: This is a rarity; a decorating book that you'll read cover-to-cover instead of just looking at the pretty pictures. Doug Wilson walks you through rooms he decorated (about 10 pages per room). He explains his thinking for solving different problems in the room and meeting the owner's needs. You really get good tips this way and it opens your mind to new possibilities.
The show piece rooms are very sophisticated with innovative paint treatments. Even though the results are not something I would copy, the way of thinking and getting ideas is quite useful.
The last 30 pages tells you how to do some of the effects (tissue paper walls, no-sew window valance, stenciling curtains, covering a dresser in fabric, making a padded headboard).
Wilson has a way with words, besides being Richard-Gere handsome and familiar to many from the TV decorating shows. I'm glad this wasn't just a quickie HGTV fan book. It really delivers some solid decorating information.