Feeling at Home: Defining Who You Are and How You Want to Live

by Alexandra Stoddard

Most decorating books omit the most important element of the you. Does your home reflect who you really are? Feeling at Home focuses on this most essential aspect of creating a home that is truly your emotional center. Every room and object should answer your needs and make you feel more human and whole. Alexandra Stoddard gently leads us through a process of self-attunement and self-expression in which we discover not only our practical needs, but also our yearnings--perhaps a sunny spot for reading; a colorful nook for ironing; an inviting place for paperwork. She urges us to question the rules and to never "pre-compromise" by talking ourselves out of our true desires. With imaginative and practical examples from her personal and professional life, she helps us discover countless ways to express ourselves at home and instantly feel comfort, pleasure, and ease. Why settle for merely being "in" our homes when we can be "at home?" Feeling at Home puts us on the path to home as we've always dreamed it could be.

Genres: Nonfiction, Interior Design, Self Help, Lifestyle, Philosophy

320 pages, Hardcover

First published October 6, 1999

About the author

ALEXANDRA STODDARD is a philosopher of contemporary living and author of many best selling books, including the classic Living a Beautiful Life: 500 Ways to Add Elegance, Order, Beauty and Joy to Every Day of Your Life, Choosing Happiness: Keys to a Joyful Life, Things I Want My Daughters to Know: A Small Book About the Big Issues in Life, and You Are Your Choices: 50 Ways to Live the Good Life. Alexandra's newest book Happiness For Two: 75 Secrets for Finding More Joy Together, published in January 2008, is now in its second printing.

Reviews

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love her books. She always gives me food for thought. I try to take away two new ideas a book otherwise I would be overwhelmed.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very inspirational. Stoddard has her heart in the right place and makes lots of good points about making a home THE place you want to be. Really enjoyed all the quotes in the margins of every page. Down side (as with her other books) is lack of organization. Not well edited in the structure of the book. But worth reading, nonetheless.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a long time to read this book, as the author encourages you to write a journal as you go. I cannot throw in with all the fluffery in here, but over all, a great think-through-things read. Now, I have to go and read the book I wrote in the meantime. :)

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started off and on again but well worth several read throughs. I’ve read many of her books and I have to say, Alexandra Stoddard, you are one of my most favorite authors! Her books will be priceless heirlooms in our home!

[Evelyn Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book. It's more than a decorating book, but the whys and the hows, and in doing so, rediscover yourself, love yourself and pamper yourself more.

[Kaethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty picture books about houses, whether interior design or architecture, are one of my weaknesses. I simply cannot walk past one on the New shelf at the library without checking it out. And yet the text usually makes me crazy.

[Lisa]

Life

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seems similar to Daring to Be Yourself - but a good reminder of how one needs to work on making their house a home.

[Marcy Graybill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I used to love her books, but I think I've maybe outgrown them.