Ms. Strasser has put together an incredible reference tool for budding -- and budget-minded -- home decorators. The book is small enough to throw in your pack when you head to the flea markets and auctions she writes about, and contains enough DIY information to take the mystery out of the process.

And even if you're not decorating yet, the illustrations and photos are so beautiful that they might inspire you to get started. I eagerly await her next offering

There were but two faults with this book. Firstly, it could have used more photographs, or at least captions to clearly indicate which photographs were a result of which techniques so that one doesn't have to read a whole page of text while trying to find a quick reference. Secondly, the author rather glibly assumes that one has access to patient friends who can paint murals and make stained glass for free. This may be a reasonable assumption in Manhatten, but it certainly isn't in Podunk USA and those in Podunk also want to live well.

(I must confess that I was also baffled at how everyone seemed to have a landlord who was perfectly okay with having the ceiling painted, the overhead light fixtures replaced, and the walls embellished with mouldings. Is it only in college towns that slumlords want their slums back in more-or-less the same condition they were rented out in?)

But on the whole, The Paris Apartment contains a wealth of jumping-of-points from which the active imagination can conceive of marvelous things to do with even the most awkward room.

It has one really outstanding feature: the idea that you can let your personal fantasy inspire the way you decorate and live. At a time when too many people are slaves to someone else's fashions and want what they're told to want, this is a breath of fresh air. How much more exciting to start by thinking "inside, I feel that I'm a Roaring 20's flapper!" rather than "well, I guess I should get something to match the plaid couch"!

Having said that, it's true that not every photo in the book will appeal to you. After all, these are very personal looks she's showing.

And yes, it helps a lot if you're at least slightly artsy or have gifted friends, although she does make a couple suggestions about getting artists to work for not-too-much-$$.

Other caveats:

-- this is absolutely not a hand-holding how-to book. If you want instructions on a paint technique or something, this isn't the place to get it. This book is about inspiration, not step by step instruction.

-- yes, you can find real bargains on furniture and accessories IF you're willing to hunt for a darn long time. If going to yard sales is fun for you, you're golden. If you want your place decorated NOW, you're going to have to pay a bunch more than she's talking about. Again, buy this book for inspiration rather than because you want budget decorating tips.

-- there should be more (and sometimes clearer) photos.

Strasser fills her book with lovely inspirational and historical quotes and illustrations, but perhaps the most helpful things about it are the informational boxes in which she gives the reader helpful tips on how to achieve many of the looks within: tints and washes, dying fabrics, wall stencils, drapes & valances, duvet covers, reupholstering, rinceau, furniture refinishing, flea market savvy, restoring a chandelier, etc. These boxes, for me, truly make this book "Romantic Decor on a Flea Market Budget," as they show the reader how to *make* many of the items in the book. Books that feature flea-market finds usually only take their readers halfway, as once the readers are at the flea-market it lies upon to fate for the perfect objects to cross their paths. *The Paris Apartment,* however, demonstrates to its readers techniques that allow them to take control of at least some parts of their decorative destiny. It is certainly possible to pay someone to do these things or to go out and buy a $600 duvet cover, but it is infinitely cheaper to do them oneself.

Something about Strasser's tone in the text *does,* however, occasionally make one feel as though she is a bit amateur-ish. Part of me wanted to feel as though there were a slightly more authoritative voice behind this book and its ideas. However, I also believe that the authoritative voice one might feel as though the book lacked on occasion is in some ways in opposition to the free-flowing concepts of creatively exploring one's own decorative style that *The Paris Apartment* embodies. The book, in some ways, rejects "authority" and serves, instead, as "decorative friend," making the reader feel as though s/he is exploring his or her own taste with a fellow adventurer in the decorative arts.

Having said that, this is a perfect book for someone who is especially creative and artistic. I already had an idea of what I wanted, and had decorated quite a bit. However this book really gave me a reference.

If you are willing to look, and are up for a search you can decorate for less the $1,800 but you do have to put effort into the hunt. Flea Markets, Garage Sales, Discount stores like TJ MAXX and Ross's if you have them in your area have been a wonderful source for me.

If you are a romantic and a dreamer -- this book is for you