Home: The Way We Live Now

by Kate Watson-Smyth

The Way We Live Now is an innovative new sourcebook for modern living. Interiors expert Kate Watson-Smyth looks beyond the estate agent's floorplan and shows how to use the space you have to revolutionise the way you live, whether you own or rent. Use the space you have to revolutionise the way you live. A unique and innovative split-format page design allows you to mix and match ideas and plans for working from home, making the most of small spaces and finding temporary solutions in a rented space. By choosing from over 250 practical solutions, you will be able to make your rooms multi-purpose and get the most out of your home, at every stage of your life. The three key elements to the way we live now – the rising rental market, the issue of working from home and of living in small spaces – are inextricably linked. This book allows you to configure the sections to what you need from your temporarily zoning an open-plan kitchen, working in a small bedroom, decorating a tiny rental. By using this book, you will avoid costly mistakes, so you can buy furniture, storage and decorations well and buy once. Packed with invaluable tips and ingenious space-saving solutions, and accompanied by gorgeous illustrations, Home also includes in-depth advice features from hoteliers, interior designers, bloggers and influencers. With helpful hints and intelligent knowledge on building regulations, lighting, multi-functional furniture, getting around rental regulations, finding space for office equipment and using decor to improve your mood, Kate explains how to use the space you have to change the way you live, for a happier, more productive home life.

Genres: Nonfiction

144 pages, Hardcover

Published May 9, 2023

Reviews

[Emmkay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nifty little guide with some useful ideas about use of space when you live somewhere that is small (as I do), spend time working from home (as I do), or rent your home (I don’t, but have). It is geared to the British market in terms of its recommendations of suppliers, but the information is still likely to spark thought and ideas. It doesn’t have photos like most interior design books. Rather, it is spiral-bound with some drawings, some brief essays/chapters, and then the rest of the book is like those children’s flip-books where the page is cut in 3. You can mix and match them to suit your circumstances - small spaces, working from home, renting, and by room - to combine various ideas and tips). I liked some of the ideas, for example for wall-mounted shelves, proper use of mirrors, and so on. There was an odd focus on transforming things through wrapping them in vinyl, everything from appliances to table top: I’ve never heard of this, perhaps it is British, but not inclined to try it.

[Aaron Hart · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very strange book. There are good tips in here, but there isn’t really a lot of evidence for why those tips are useful. In general, there is a lot of professionalism that seems to be lacking - there are plenty of quotes and anecdotes from people who don’t seem to have any formal interior design experience or education. There are multiple times when she quotes extensively from random people on Instagram or copies Twitter threads. She also tells us more than once to just “look on Pinterest” for inspiration, which also seems crazy. I would have loved more specific examples and pictures of the principles she puts forth, but there aren’t any

[Rachel B · Rating 1 out of 5]

The split page format was so obnoxious and overwhelming. It felt like utter chaos. So glad I checked this out from the library instead of buying it.

[Jomeow · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea and the structure are good. the content could be better.