The Joy of Home

by Ashley Gilbreath, James T. Farmer (Foreword)

Creating homes that bring families together, where they can celebrate life’s joys. Interior designer Ashley Gilbreath’s fresh approach to Southern decorating is guided by her respect for family and tradition with an eye on practicality and warmheartedness. Her first book reveals the breadth of her casually elegant style. Whether it’s in town, on the water, or in the countryside, each home exhibits thoughtful planning and attention to detail in harmony with the client’s vision. Gilbreath gives readers insight into her design process, striking a balance between functionality, comfort, and beauty. From using a client’s favorite color as a unifying thread throughout, to offering guidance on designing a forever home that can mature with the family over time, every space is influenced by her passion for gracious everyday living. Inviting readers into her family beach home, Ashley explores the impact of small architectural updates, and the use of thoughtful injection of color and pattern to achieve the perfect mix. Ashley’s signature design strategies are distinguishable in each home. She artfully mixes new and old pieces and utilizes favorite custom treatments to create a welcoming spirit grounded in tradition. Bringing family together is the reason Gilbreath designs. “Balancing form and function with memory and emotion, home is a place for people to embrace family and celebrate life’s joys,” she says. The Joy of Home gives readers insight and inspiration to create their own joyful home. Home

Genres: Interior Design, Nonfiction, Design

240 pages, Hardcover

Published April 18, 2023

Reviews

[Mindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The rooms seemed "meh" and sterile. The entire book is focused on extremely wealthy who don't clean their own homes. Everything looks very impractical. I am not sure why in these giant houses the children rooms often have two sets of bunkbeds. With that much space why put four children in the same room. If you like lots of heavy drapes at windows and around all kinds of other things, you might find this book helpful. I took this book out of my library. The book was printed and bound in China.

[Justina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Home decor for rich people

This book may provide inspiration to those who can afford to spend obscene amounts of money to turn a house into their dream showcase. None of the book’s photographs were of places that I’d want to spend extended time in. Perhaps I’m not sophisticated enough to appreciate this style of home decor.

[L · Rating 2 out of 5]

Skip this and see Bunny Williams’s work instead. These rooms felt dull, overly sterile, lacking in human connection and color. I was not convinced that anyone actual lived in any of these greige rooms.

[Allie Carlisle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really really enjoyed this book! I think it was really well done, and Ashley seems to do beautiful work (I say “seems” because I doubt that I’m a reliable interior design expert). Her writing about the spaces really opened my eyes to new ways to think about decor.

I gave it 4 instead of 5 as a matter of personal preference. Some of the pieces that were put together in certain spaces I would’ve never chosen or put together, but that probably speaks to my overly matchy ideas of decorating and design. I definitely prefer a slightly more traditional style than what Ashley leans towards in this book. But she was educated by Auburn University so I’m sure she knows exactly what she’s doing. War Eagle!

[Mindy Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye candy. Pure joy.

[Roxana Rathbun · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful book, but unrealistic for someone of my stature.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely decor.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice book.