Jeffrey Bilhuber's Design Basics: Expert Solutions for Designing the House of Your Dreams

by Jeffrey Bilhuber, Annette Tapert

From one of the most respected and recognized names in the field of interior design comes an empowering book which demonstrates that great design is accessible to everyone.

A beautiful house is something we all deserve, but it often seems beyond our ability to achieve. With the appealing, accessible message that great interior design is as simple as knowing your own taste, Jeffrey Bilhuber's Design Basics demystifies the decorating process. He

- how to construct an inviting furniture plan
- how to establish a relationship between your belongings
- how to approach painting with liberation-not trepidation
- Materials and how to bring personality to your rooms with unexpected fabrics and finishes
- how to use your house to invite joy into your life

With a list of tried-and-true designer-tested paint colors, and over 100 color photographs, Jeffrey Bilhuber's Design Basics is a sublime and inspiring sourcebook, perfect for the first-time decorator and anyone who has dreamed of hiring her own interior designer.

Genres: Design, Nonfiction, Interior Design

208 pages, Hardcover

First published November 22, 2003

Reviews

[Kimberly Martin]

I started at chapter 4 planning on only reading that and chapter 5, but kept on reading to the end and went back to the beginning and finished. It has solid decorating ideas and pretty pictures of interiors. Most were a little too formal for me, but they showed his design ideas well.


Here are some of my takeaways:

I really like his idea of having a card/games table with upholstered dining height chairs with it in the living room.

Pretend like you're a piece of furniture to see where it would like to go in a room.

Leave about 15" between a sofa and coffee table and no less than 3' of backup space behind chairs that face a desk or dining table.

In bookshelves, set aside one shelf at the same location in all of your bookshelves to put your décor on. Paint the back of that display shelf a different color so the objects pop.

If you want to paint a room a dark color, you can lighten up the room with white, beige, or ivory furniture.

To add the look of crown moulding in a room with low ceilings, place a 6x1" plank directly on the ceiling and paint it the same color and sheen as the ceiling (high gloss ceilings can also raise the height of the room visually).

Carry a color or shape from one room to the next (like extra dining chairs in the living room or entry or with pillows).

Color and Pattern Triangulation: repeat a form, color, or shape three times in a space. I had heard of this with color, but hadn't thought about it with shapes or patterns.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was helpful. I'm moving to a new home and I wanted to design it with purpose, rather than being a hodge podge of handmedowns pieced together in semblance of purpose. It helped me see my design successes already accomplished and pointed me in the direction of that little something I feel that I have been missing. It also broke it down into basic components so I know I don't miss anything important in order for my home to feel "designed" instead of decorated.

[Wendy · Rating 1 out of 5]

In an attempt to become a better homemaker - I was searching for a book that about design basics. How to best lay out furniture . . . rules of painting, color combinations, window coverings etc . . . and by the title 'design basics' I thought this one might be helpful . . . but it was not quite what I expected. This book does not give due consideration to the practical side of arranging a home . . . I got the impression that the sole goal and purpose of home design is aesthetic . . . and a little over my head.
Anyway - I'm looking for a good book in this area if anyone knows of one.

[Joanne G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

My rating might have been higher if I wasn't somewhat familiar with design, but the title does say "basics," so perhaps I'm a bit unfair in expecting more. I do wish there had been more photos, and I struggled with reading the tiny 6-point print in special sections. Even so, this is a solid starter book for amateur designers.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I personally don't like Bilhuber's interior decorating, but he states the principles behind sucessful room design and therefore I impart a generous four stars to the man. His paint swatches are also helpful.

[Anna Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read a couple different interior design books recently and I liked this book's practical approach and dispelling of common myths. The pictures are a bit dated, but still very useful nearly 2 decades later.

[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

My all time favorite interior designer!