Section Two, The Specifics, demonstrates an array of creative approaches for walls, windows, floors, and furnishings suitable for any type of room. Readers will discover how to use special paint finishes and fabrics to create exciting wall coverings; innovative ways to bring new life to blinds, curtains, screens, shutters, and other window treatments; tips for choosing the right type of furniture to complete a specific room; and finally, how to combine all these elements together to create a harmonious, one-of-a-kind living space.

Finally, the all-important Finishing Touches section demonstrates how to choose the accessories and extra details that help reflect a particular look or style. Plus, this remarkable guide is packed with lavish photography and clear, insightful text that make it easy for readers to utilize these very same no-fail techniques in their own homes.

Perfect for veteran decorators as well as novices decorating their first home, Mary Gilliatt’s Interior Design Course is the definitive one-stop guide for creating interiors that are beautiful, unique, and totally one’s own.

Renowned designer John Wheatman shares his decades of expertise working with apartment dwellers, country homesteaders, and city sophisticates. His design principles are based on the philosophy that a living space should be functional, comfortable, and life-enriching. From displaying personal collections to incorporating light and nature, the author shows readers how to make their homes reflect who they are. Color photographs are included throughout.

Interior decorating is meant to be a personal business, but often designers have such a specific vision that they ignore beloved collections or mementos. In Meditations on Design, John Wheatman insists that it's those extremely personal items that make your home a work of art, and goes on to show a myriad of possibilities for display. Wheatman's vision is of a home that is never "done"--as he says in the first chapter, "Who you are and what you want to say about yourself is continually changing." With pages of lovely photos combined with thoughtful text, he does a great job of showing possibilities for both your home and your inspirations. Couches are low and comfortable, obviously meant for dogs and children as much as for swanky adult gatherings. Colors tend to be bold on the walls while neutral on the furnishings--after all, it's certainly cheaper to repaint than it is to reupholster. Living-room shelves are full of books, window treatments are minimal, and walls are consistently covered with the personal art collections of his clients. Whether your tastes run to chairs (his favorite), African masks, or Japanese pottery, Wheatman has a practical and low-maintenance way to show off treasures while integrating them naturally into the room. The close-up photos of statuary, gardens, and textured pottery will inspire readers to combine their own decorating schemes with day-to-day practical needs. --Jill Lightner --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.