This inspiring guide proves that it doesn't have to be difficult or expensive to decorate with charm and taste. Presented with an infectious can-do attitude and clear step-by-step instructions, Guntlow explains how to customize kitchens, bedrooms, living rooms, and baths, and offers ways to maximize storage space. Whether a home needs a massive overhaul or a 'quick-fix' solution to problem areas, this book provides dozens of unique possibilities.
Pauline Guntlow has been designing and renovating single-family homes professionally for more than a decade. She is a licensed contractor and owner of Brookside Construction in Massachusetts, where she lives. Pauline has authored the Storey book, Be Your Own Home Decorator. She is also a member of the National Builders Association and appears regularly on HGTV and The Discovery Channel.
Date Published 1/1/1997
Ratings
Rated By: A reader
From: Unavailable
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Comments: Super Reference This book is just loaded with great ideas that anyone can do. The advice is clear and practical, the instructions are easy to follow, and the cost for these clever improvements is very bearable. I bought several design books at once, and this is the only one that appears to have been written by a real person, as opposed to some pretentious Stepford wife. Many of the pictures contained in the book are of projects the author did in her own home and they look great. I am inspired.
Rated By: A reader
From: Unavailable
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Comments: Simple, clear, reflecting both your own style and budget And yes - you can actually have an easy time with this book. Simple, clear, reflecting both your own style and budget. Every room can be transformed - if you have the time and patience then go for it - get reading, get building, decorating, sewing - and your old home could have a new look in a short span of time. Thanks to my cousin Allie for such a stimulating gift!
Rated By: A reader
From: Unavailable
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Comments: Very elementary but had some useful tips of the trade Reading through this book I found the nature of the wording very elementary but useful to many individuals who have little technical knowledge. For intelligent members of the design world this is very disgusting. I really do recommend this book to beginers or do-it-yourself individuals that just want to have fun.
Rated By: Serina Laney
From: Ohio
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Comments: useful, practical This is my favorite out of the decorating books that I have purchased. It has simple, practical ideas in it that I can actually do. The suggestions are affordable and fit with life in the real world.(where most of us live anyway!0
Rated By: A reader
From: Unavailable
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Comments: Very disappointing. No new ideas; projects looked "tacky" This book was very disappointing. None of the ideas were terribly creative or unique. Many of the suggestions and finished projects looked unprofessional and "tacky". Also, there were many typing and editing errors in the copy I received.
Rated By: A reader
From: Unavailable
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Comments: A disappointment I guess it's because there are so many good decorating books on the market that this one stands out for its lack of quality, both in ideas and in execution of those ideas.
Rated By: A reader
From: Unavailable
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Comments: Use this book only in extreme emergency! Fortunately there are a lot of good books on the market. Personally, I don't see how this one got published. There is, in my opinion, a lot of wrong information contained in this book, and I would strongly advise anyone except the most decorating challenged to stay away from this publication. I am not a novice, but a professional with more than 20 years in the design field. I'm sorry to see that books like this get to market. For anyone wanting to decorate on their own try one of these books. Laurie Ward's "Use What You Have Decorating", Waverly's "Inspirations", "The Domain Book of Intuitive Home Design" or Jennifer Raffo's "Fabrique Technique." These are books in my professional opinion that will truly help the do-it-yourself decorator.
Rated By: Hannah M. Hurey
From: Seattle, WA
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Comments: Started Out Good and then Fizzled This book kept my attention for the first two chapters (15 pages). After that, it went downhill fast. There just didn't seem to be any new and exciting ideas that sprung out of this book. In fact, everything this book suggested I had either already tried without success or were so tacky that I wouldn't try them. Bottom line, don't waste your time.
Rated By: Alexandra
From: Warrenton, VA
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Comments: Very Basic If you are looking for an instruction manual on how to sew certain window treatments or how to cut/install molding then this book may be for you. As far as inspiring designs or color schemes this book comes up lacking.
This inspiring guide proves that it doesn't have to be difficult or expensive to decorate with charm and taste. Presented with an infectious can-do attitude and clear step-by-step instructions, Guntlow explains how to customize 
