Product Description

No need for those design magazines cluttering up your house. Turn off those endless hours of decorating programs. Now all the world's design styles are captured in one place. Between these two covers you'll find 25 themes--medieval to contemporary, Japanese minimalism to Mexican exuberance--from which you will discover a thousand possibilities, all re-created within a realistic framework of modern life. Concise text defines each style and reveals everything you need to get "the look," from flooring to furnishings. More than 200 photographs, fabric suggestions, and color guides help you realize the brilliant hues of a Caribbean hideaway, the sensual sophistication of Moroccan bazaar, the casual elegance of a chic Parisian apartment, the opalescent airiness of Scandinavia--and 21 additional recognizable interiors. An indispensable sourcebook for decorating a period home in appropriate style, this is also inspirational for boldly redoing a room in an unconventional manner.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1599853 in Books
• Published on: 2000-08
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Amazon.com Review
Each chapter in The Ultimate Home Style Guide presents a fascinating history lesson while providing you with clear decorating tips. From the development of the textile and shipping industries to the deeper political and philosophical messages behind each style, the 25 different decorating themes are explored and celebrated in delightful detail. From medieval to modernist, the 14 style types in the "Historical" chapter highlight the individual characteristic of each time period and discuss the best methods for re-creating classic styles in a variety of budgets. Author Katherine Sorrell suggests items like cast-iron wall sconces, low-wattage bulbs, and plenty of large candles to set the appropriate mood for pre-electricity time periods. Floor coverings range from expensive slate tiles and parquet floors to easy-care woven mats and simply painted wooden boards. Each time period has specific colors, accessories, and textures that supply a particular feel--it may not be necessary to invest in pricey antiques and period furnishings if you use Sorrell's summarized suggestions. Global styles are equally interesting, from seasonal weather influences to an area's natural resources, regional styles are often rooted in simple, practical requirements. Scandinavians may strive to take advantage of any natural light, while Moroccans tend to create colorful and intimate spaces that hide from the heat of the day. The beautiful colors of the Mediterranean landscape are echoed on the walls and fabrics of houses, while the sophisticated French admire personal style above all else. Sorrell highlights each region gracefully, again emphasizing lighting, color, textures, and accessories to create a specific tone. With glossy photos, precise color charts, and page-long style summaries for every theme, you'll find equal parts inspiration and information within these pages. --Jill Lightner

From Library Journal
Few books present as wide a variety of decorating styles as found here, although Lawrence Schwin's Decorating Old House Interiors (LJ 1/97) remains an excellent source for American interiors. Sorre gives information on historic styles from medieval to contemporary and ethnic styles from European country to Asian, Latin American, and African. Each style is described in terms of development and influences, typical furnishings, treatment of walls, floors, and lighting, and color and fabric; the style is finally summarized by having key elements pointed out in a room. Sorre's chatty tone and advice on what to make oneself and where to look for furnishings make this book extremely accessible to amateurs. Experienced designers will also benefit from the well-presented and thorough information. Highly recommended for all types of interior design collections.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

The Only Interior Style Book You'll Need!
I have long thought that the interior decorating books on the market were very overwhelming. Not only are there so many as to confuse the regular consumer, but the contents of most can be intimidating and complex. Not so with this book! It is ideal for the novice or weekend decorator. What it basically does is separate the styles by their periods: Edwardian, English Country, Art Deco, etc. Then, it breaks down each one by giving a history of it and examples of classic pieces, even the "essential colors" of each period. Better yet, it includes useful tips on how to bring this style into your home. While it does not go into the "how-to" details (nothing about how to re-do your walls or floors, etc.), it is extremely helpful in helping the reader understand what elements are important in making the home look a certain way. It truly is an Ultimate Home Style Guide!

I love this book!
I'm glad I've purchased this book! While I read it, it was like a time-travelling experience. The first part of the book is about how the different historical styles have developed and it talkes about such interesting things as how the way of life affected this whole procedure. I've learnt here a lots of interesting things! But the main purpose of the book of course is to help achive a certain style whether it is Historical or Global. Whithin each Historical period (Medieval, Tudor, Baroque, etc.) and each Global style (English country, French chic, Mediterranean and so on..) you will find advice on creating the look; Walls, Floors, Lights, Colours, Soft furnishings, Accessoires, Fabrics, Furniture and at the end Summing up the style. I didn't buy this book because I wanted to redecorate but because the author has such a way of telling these information that it fascinated me...I wanted to know the story behind other cultures styles and other hisotrical styles. But when I redecorate next, I will definitely use this book. Very well written and well organized book, easy to understand and aims to help the non-professional, which in my opinion, does a great job!