Feels Like Home: Relaxed Interiors for a Meaningful Life

by Lauren Liess

The third design book from Lauren Liess, the TV and social media star and author of Habitat and Down to Earth , Feels Like Home explores the emotional connection that a home can have to a person’s life.

A house is a feeling. That is the conceit behind designer Lauren Liess’s third book, which explores the emotional connection between the way we decorate our homes and our daily lives. She advises readers to think beyond just the objects in their homes and explore how design informs an intentional, happy, and authentic life.

The book includes practical design information, with never-before-seen case studies on a variety of homes including a farmhouse, a home in the woods, a Spanish colonial, and other more traditional homes. Each case study explores a hardworking design aspect (such as proportion, scale, and color), while also focusing on the emotional aspect of the home. The chapters are inspired by the following comfort, calm, excitement, belonging, carefree, love, and contentment.

Includes Color Photographs

Genres: Nonfiction, Design, Interior Design, Coffee Table Books, Architecture

288 pages, Hardcover

Published October 19, 2021

Reviews

[Denise Wilbanks | This Is My Everybody · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOOK REVIEW: Feels Like Home: Relaxed Interiors For A Meaningful Life by Lauren Liess

Loved the connection this book nurtures between our heart and our home... Focuses on that emotional connection between the way we decorate our homes and our daily lives. It really shows how design can inform an intentional, a happy and authentic life... ✨😎✨

T.I.M.E. Favorite Books To Read
Most Anticipated Books Of 2021

Pages: 288
Genre: Minimalism
Sub-Genre: Home Design

IF YOU LIKE THIS BOOK THEN TRY…
Book: Make Life Beautiful by Syd & Shea McGee
Movie: Under The Tuscan Sun

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All my reviews can be seen at This Is My Everybody | Books, Lifestyle & Home Ideas for Simple Living | Denise Wilbanks at www.thisismyeverybody.com

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think Lauren Liess is a more talented Joanna Gaines. All of her rooms have that chic farmhouse-y vibe that's so hot right now, but I think she actually pulls it off. Everything is bright white and brown; she hardly ever uses color or pattern... but the rooms are pleasing. They are also really lovely because the architecture of these mansions is so striking. Most of these choices would look deflating in a normally sized house. I dunno. I like her. Her writing is nice; her perspective is appealing; her kids are super-beautiful. This is not my vibe or style, but I appreciate what she can do with a room nonetheless.

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lauren Liess definitely has a specific style. As a result, I felt like I was looking at the same rooms repeatedly.

I liked some of the rooms, but Liess seems to favor rough, unfinished wood which does not appeal to me.

[Laura Haske · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third Lauren Liess design book I've read. To me, she can do no wrong as a designer. I love her natural, relaxed approach to creating homes. Objectively, I can see that she has an approach that stays within a narrow range. But I don't mind because I love that range; I enjoy her perspective.

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have her other one, down to earth, and loved it. I actually didn’t know this one was out but randomly saw it for 20 bucks at Home Goods and had to have it. Her pictures are effortless. Great use of color here and coziness. Things just work in the spaces and corners of the homes styled. It’s a great one to have a display too. When you need inspiration, it’s easy to grab this one.

[Haylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Similar aesthetic to Lauren's Habitat book - lots of neutrals but very beautiful presentation.

[Lara Burke]

Enjoyed it, but it was very much a fluffy advertisement in the "Oh my God my life is so incredible and I have young kids AND white furniture" vain. I'd never heard of her, though, and I am not in the market for an interior designer. Also, I didn't love her taste when it came to decorating, though it could also be that I'm mystified by the idea of hiring someone to choose the objects that fill your home. That said, there were some substance here, like some interesting outdoor-room landscape design such as a front-yard seating area, a backyard dining area featuring pea gravel, no grass, and shallow raised garden beds, and a private, walled-off patio and outdoor shower just off the main bedroom. I was also impressed by some bold wallpaper that, apparently, she drew/designed. Cool, but still advertising.

[Rachelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feels Like Home... a personal exploration to the countless homes she's bought, renovated and lived in temporarily with her family over the past decade, making each one feel like home. She has a clear minimal, neutral style, reflected in her homes and spaces of her clients. The text was thorough, exploring her design aesthetic and rationale for approaching spaces the way she does. Enjoyed reading her perspective, but disappointed by the final few designs and layout - it felt rushed, not her best work.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lived-in, textured and natural interiors are featured in this enjoyable to read (and look at) home design book.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Appreciate the author's insight into chosen decor, aesthetics, etc., even if it at times sounds like next-level neurosis (e.g., displaying books spines in--so you can't see titles--because the book covers were too colorful and disliking colored kitchen sponges because they clash with her preferred neutral tones). I loved the photos and how she decorated each of the houses, but this could have used a more heavy-handed editor to reel in rambles and catch typos.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liess explores how the emotional connection to home can be enhanced through thoughtful design which is illustrated in the beautifully staged photos (of her own homes and those of clients). Some suggestions seem a bit oversimplified and the overall style is a bit repetitive and sparse but it is still creatively inspiring. Chapter 4, "Do You", is perhaps the most interesting and empowering section of the book.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book of Lauren's yet! I've always been a huge fan of how she organizes her books, and this one is no different. I felt like there was more color and more variety in the photos of this book, and I loved how the interiors reflected the lives of her clients (and her own family). I fully intended just to look at the pictures and the captions, but I found myself devouring every word of the personal essay-like chapters. So inspirational ... really loved this one!

[Suzanne Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book! I love Lauren Leiss’s style and approach to design. She truly takes a lifestyle approach and encourages everyone to make their spaces unique to themselves and their family. I learned some helpful things that I can apply in my home. This design book is full of eye candy, practical advise for design and lifestyle, and you get to walk alongside several renovations and get the details. Loved it!

[Victoria]

First design book I’ve read. I enjoyed hearing the author’s personal journey through design of her own homes she had to live in and flip with five kids to make ends meet in the beginning. It was also a combination of building her portfolio on top of the flip. Pretty ballsy, and it worked out. Her design is grounded yet airy. She lives to incorporate lots of whites with lots of solid wood elements. Acrylic furniture and vintage art.

[Mary Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not too much different from the author’s previous books but if you liked them, you’ll like this. I also would recommend for the kitchen and lighting design choices which are a bit different from many mainstream design books, yet relatively accessible on a moderate budget.

[Emily Fell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren's decor books are more than just beautiful to the eye, they're full of depth & thoughtful creation. I absolutely fall in love with her design concepts throughout every book she's written. Excellent book!

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book. I love Lauren’s style and her philosophy on what makes a house a home. I felt so many of the things she expressed in her book. The pictures are both gorgeous and inspiring. It’s not just another coffee table book at all.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't enjoyed a book this much in a long time! The interior design part of the book was fab (like always!) and made me want to get up and start creating but it was the honest soulful part of the book that truly inspired. How the book connected home to who we are, I just loved!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the author's favourite things are also my favourite things (natural light!! in every room!! as much as possible!!) Loved that. I enjoyed the pictures. I'm just not sure how realistic this is for the average family.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I reserved and borrowed this from the library and I wanted to climb inside the pages and live there.
It must be a very popular book as I wasn't able to renew - someone else wanted it.
Probably my favourite design style book that reflects an achievable modern but cosy aesthetic.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of helpful advice.

[Lcharlson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I need a interior decorator!

[Crystalvuletichotmail.com · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of good take aways & good design pictures. Design does feel like a hotel room.

[Tina Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice book but nothing said that I’ve not read multiple times before.

[Dawn Foster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just okay.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous!

[Alli White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved her classic, natural, style. I also connected with so many of her “life style thoughts.” Worth the read in a slow savor.

[Helen Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning book

Incredible ideas and photography. A real idea book full of good sense. Love it. Will be a go to for years to come.

[Jackie Novak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful coffee table book!

[Julia Jilek-Proue · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gem of a book from a talented and down-to-earth designer! I got so many ideas from her words and the beautiful photographs and stories shared on the pages of this text. A breath of fresh air!!