Collector's Style (Better Homes & Gardens (Hardcover))

Rating:
Summary: Refreshiing, delightful, packed with info
Review: ...I love this book. I just bought it, but I have to say that the cover looks different than the one amazon is showing. Better. This is a great book for anyone who loves to decorate with collections. The book shows great houses of REAL people who obviously are into their "stuff" and know how to decorate with it. It's really great that the book shows lots of different decorating styles and different collectibles. Everything from fine antiques to Deco, Mid-Century, Fifties Funk. It's fun to look at, fun to read, has tips on specific collectibles, and LOTS of information on decorating with all that stuff you can't help but buy. The homes are realistic but unusual, so the book shows some surprises as you flip through it. If you love flea markets and garage sales and antique stores and ebay (et cetera, et cetera) chances are you will love this book. I find it inspiring and refreshing because it also gets away from the predictable, picture-perfect kinds of homes that are so been-there-done-that. This would be a good gift for people who are into collecting and decorating.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting, funky, stylish, weird, inspiring
Review: Full of surprises, this is a book I bought as a gift for someone, and then I liked thumbing through it so much that I bought myself a copy too. The book lets you "tour" real homes around the country, but it also provides lots of decorating advice and in-depth info on the collectibles shown in the homes. The book has everything from Fifties kitsch to fine antiques and shows everything from modern style to traditional. It's all about collecting and then decorating with what you love (versus decorating to fit someone else's idea of what's hot at the moment). A fun and funky book for anyone who loves their "stuff."

Rating:
Summary: cheerful
Review: I love this book, I love several of the collections (my favorite has to be the robots), and I just wish BH&G would publish a sequel. These aren't sterile environments and stuffy collections, instead there are bright, unusual, and FUN arrangements.

Rating:
Summary: I totally love this book
Review: if you are a collector, you will love this book as much as we do. It is intriguing to see how other people decorate with their collections. The book features styles that go from modern to traditional. I've shared this book with my design clients to show them that they can edit and organize their favorite collectibles to create well-designed rooms. Lots of good design information here plus tips on specific hot collectibles. This book is a real find.

Rating:
Summary: A great book about breaking the rules
Review: This is a great book about breaking all the so-called decorating rules. This book shows one do-your-own-thing home after another, each filled with its own unique collectibles. There's everything from fine (and pricey) Italian glassware to mid-century modern and tramp art and colonial treasures. And more. There is a lot in the book on how to decorate with and display collections. An interesting book packed with great photos and information.

Rating:
Summary: Very cool
Review: This is a very cool book for people who love their stuff. The homes are in lots of different styles. What I really like is the attitude of the book which is a bit about breaking the rules instead of having boring, picture-perfect rooms. A very refreshing take on design today.