Mailbox Tuesday/ Book Review: House Beautiful's The Home Book

I know that seems like a weird title for a Mailbox Tuesday, but the book is actually one that I won in the DAILY contest at The Book Trib!

You see everyday they post a giveaway contest of books that were not claimed by winners of the weekly drawings (also on the main page). I can't believe no one claimed this book, and really thought I would never win it (just goes to show ya!).

I was shocked when the book arrived- I didn't realize it would be a Coffee Table Sized book (a) and weigh about 20 lbs (b)-okay, really it's 5 lbs, no lie!

This is a SUPER everything book that is really hard to describe! Released in 2008, it has 464 information-packed pages and more than 500 gorgeous color photos, providing you with a very UNIQUE home design reference guide!

The book grabs you at the opening line: Everyone has a Beautiful home in Them.

Seriously, this book is SCARY good! I looked at the opening page above, then closed book to go back and answer the phone. I come back and RANDOMLY flip open the book and it falls on a pix of the PERFECT picture of the kitchen redo my mother and I had just discussed for our kitchen. WOW- even the colors were right on. You know you're gonna love the book from that moment on!

The volume begins by taking a hard look at the bones of the house: its site, light, and layout. Armed with those basics, you’ll know which elements you can improve, and how to work around those that can’t be changed. I liked the pages with sample blueprints of 1 and 2 story houses. They help to allow you to visually the rest of the house when looking at the pictures in the book, AND provide great starting points if you are deigning your own house!

From there, develop an overall decorating concept based on theme, color, furnishings, wall and floor coverings, and accessories—each aspect of design receives detailed coverage. I loved that they had designer primer pages like "Soothing Paint Colors" (see pix below), "Types of Sectional Sofas" (who knew they're were SO many?), "Mixing accent fabrics and paint to starter fabric" (really loved this one- helps you mix stripes, patterns and textures to a sample fabric- great to help get your design off it's feet!

Finally, go through the house room by room to see what remarkable transformations you can achieve in every space, from the entryway to the home office, the kitchen to the foyer. Now you knew I was gonna have to show you some great examples, right?

Check out this converted closet to office space- can't you just see that in a guest or craft room?

And how about this gorgeous entry way ? Who woulda thought to put a small magnolia tree on an entryway table? Us Southerns think of them as HUGE 100 year old trees, we don't really think of them as decoration INSIDE!

Look at this kitchen island. I know you're saying so? NOW, think of it in your craft room....See how COOL would THAT be- baskets underneath with supplies and a wide table to work scrapbooks on, cut out fabrics, layout kids crafts, you catch the drift! PLUS, LOVE those bar stools!

And lastly, check out this bathroom design. Those are vintage HANKIES on the 3 towel racks. isn't that just the NEATEST idea? Super way to display them!

The Home Book reflects House Beautiful’s exciting style: fresh, bright and accessible, filled with insider tips from today’s top decorators, and bursting with practical advice for real people. AND I can;t recommend it highly enough! YOU NEED this book if you are starting out or just looking for new ideas!