Trade Secrets From Use What You Have (R) Decorating

by Lauri Ward

Shows readers how to give their living space the look they want on a shoestring, by identifying and correcting the ten most common decorating mistakes quickly and easily, using real before-and-after examples, photographs, and drawings. Reprint.

Genres: Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2002

Reviews

[Lizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll soon be moving into a much smaller place than I've been living in. Since I've had to downsize my possessions severely, and I've never really gotten the hang of decorating, this is a great opportunity to learn to do it properly. After looking at lots of books, I realized the beautiful photographs most of them have are too overwhelming to be a good source of inspiration for me.

But instead of photos of gorgeous living spaces, the advice in "Trade Secrets" is very basic! That's what I need - simple tricks that probably everyone else in the world either knows instinctively or learned from a friend or relative. The author doesn't speak down to the reader at all and her advice is simple enough that even though some of the things she mentioned are no longer in style (storage for video tapes for instance), the groundwork she lays makes sense to me so I feel confident I can follow it.

Maybe this book isn't as good as her first one, which I see got better ratings - the "Use What You Have" book - but I really enjoyed this one and am very much looking forward to incorporating her room-by-room advice in my new place.

[Denise · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book did reveal some common interior design "rules" and made good points like use a U-shape in your living room to sit around the focal point (as opposed to the popular L-shape). But, I think some of the suggestions have become a bit outdated. Nonetheless, if you want a quick reference for common ways to update or reorganize your interior space, there are a few nuggets of gold in this book.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little outdated now but lots of easy to enact tips for refreshing your home. A lot of it stems from thinking through how you actually use your rooms before deciding what to put in it.

[Charlotte · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this book offered a few easy, clear, concise decorating tips, overall it was a big disappointment. The title of the book is "Use What You Have Decorating"; however, I didn't notice that the advice or instructions had anything to do with using what you have! Granted, the suggestions were usually not terribly expensive or complicated, but the idea of using existing furnishings to decorate a home was never specifically addressed. My other huge gripe about this book is that it had NO PICTURES!!! How in the world can you write a book about residential interior decorating without including photographs?! I kept reading and reading, hoping to find some advice I could use (we just moved into a new home), but alas I finished it little wiser than before.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Initially I was disappointed with this book because it is in black and white and has no photographs just line drawings, however after reading it I changed my mind. Lauri Ward's numerous tips on how to successfully decorate your home are divided by subjects such as "kitchens and baths", "flooring", and lighting. I was surprised by how many of these tips I naturally followed in my decorating, but also there were a number that I completely disagree with. I suggest this book to readers interested in improving their decorating ability. I agree with the previous reviewer who said it does not really help you "use what you have" as the title implies.

[Whitney · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping for inspiration...but didn't really find ideas that fit the spaces in my house.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful 'sequel' of sorts to her first book, Use What you Have decorating. I apply many of her principles to my own home with great success!

[Rissi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not terribly original, but it works for small projects.

[Stephanie Shaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had some good ideas for decorating. I wanted a bit more theory! Perhaps her first book would be better?