Interior Design Book Review
The Well-Dressed Home
by Annette Tatum

My interior design book review of 'The Well-Dressed Home' by Annette Tatum.

Read my review and find out what I thought of the book...

When I saw the beautiful cover of this book, I immediately wanted it...

It actually arrived really quickly in the post (from Amazon) and I was very excited, and got stuck in straight away...

My husband, Ian, remarked how absorbed I was in the book, and I did really enjoy it - and I read it right through from start to finish in one sitting...

...sharing my own favorite looks with my husband, as I went along.

This innovative book encourages readers to create 'one of a kind interiors' inspired by your own fashion style...

I thought this was a wonderful idea, and a very creative way to come up with your interior design inspiration.

Annette Tatum (the author) helps readers to "...uncover your own distinctive interior design decor. Your home will become like your wardrobe, a unique one-of-a-kind expression of you"

Learn:

• How to use your fashion style as a source of interior design inspiration
• How to mix and match styles, to create a room which reflects your true personality
• Where to find inspiration
• How to fuel your own creativity

The book features gorgeous photos, images, collages and 'storyboards' in various styles, to inspire you...

Brief Summary of the Book

Part 1 - From Runway to Room

This part of the book discusses how to use your own preferences for clothes; including color, style, texture and patterns, as a starting point for your decorating inspirations...

Includes:

• Where to look for inspiration - clothes, films, designers, the internet
• How to translate your favorite style into interior design
• Explanations of 'Literal' and 'Inspirational' approaches to interior design inspiration, and looks at:
  • Your preferred colors, shades and tones in your wardrobe
  • How you prefer to mix colors in your wardrobe
  • How to make your fashion colors work in your home
• The basics of color theory are discussed, as well as patterns, the color wheel and colors relating to your room proportions.
• We learn how texture creates a 'mood' in a living space, and how to combine and contrast, and add accessories, to create a style that works for you
• The book does recognize that what's in your wardrobe may not work well in interior design, so talks about 'wearability' and 'livability', playing it safe, and taking risks.

Part 2 - Design Style Guide

Part 2 introduces us to 11 fashion styles that you might already have in your wardrobe, or want to consider for your decor...

Learn about:

• Romantic styles
• Couture
• Classic
• Casual
• Bohemian
• Retro
• Resort
• Modern
• Eclectic
• Vintage
• Eco

Each style section includes:

• Color palette suggestions
• Fabrics
• Fashion Designers
• Style Inspirations

Part 3 - Mixing Fashionable Home Decor

In Part 3 we get down to the 'nitty-gritty' with the actual looks...

These are real-life looks, born of real-life mixing and matching of tastes, styles and practical considerations...

In Part 3, Annette Tatum discusses how your tastes and styles evolve, and how to combine your own style, with the style of the other people who live in your home.

This concept of mixing and combining underpins the 20 real-room style-board inspirations which follow...

Each 'look' shows:

• The fashion influences behind the style-board
• Sumptuous room photos
• Explanations of the look and style, and the inspiration behind it

The rooms belong to the author herself, and to others.

I found it very useful in the way that it explained the whole creative process, rather than just giving you the style to look at...

For each room, the author discusses how the room is used, the 'mood' the room evokes and the practical considerations which influenced the room's style, as well as how the look was achieved.

The photos are beautiful - lovely, big, glossy and colorful - a real visual feast!

As you might expect, a lot of the looks are quite feminine, but there were several masculine styles included, which I thought were a great addition for anyone (like me!) wanting to try to design a room to be enjoyed by boyfriends, husbands, fathers and sons, too!

I thought the book was wonderful for inspiration, and a real kick-start for finding your own creativity...

Some looks I loved, but wouldn't like to live with full-time...

The 'Romantic Bohemian - La vie en Rose' totally absorbed me - but it would be too much for me to live in all the time (...and Ian hated it - far too pink!)

That's what it's all about, though, creating your own unique look, reflecting your own personal style and personality...

...something which I try to promote on this website, and which underpins my whole interior design philosophy!

Other looks I really liked were:

• Eclectic Bohemian - Rhythm and Blues
• Vintage Romantic - Second Hand Rose
• Vintage Casual - Home-Coming Queen
• Retro Modern - Smooth Transition
• Eco Bohemian - Conscientious Retreat

So, I guess that my personal style is a bit vintage-retro-boho-eclectic - I can live with that, I guess!

I really loved this book - ideal for reading from cover-to-cover, or just dipping into for ideas and inspiration, as and when you fancy!

A great starting point for your own creative process - it's a very good-looking book, with more than 200 truly gorgeous, color photos...

It's a book you'd be proud to have on your coffee table, and I think it would make a very thoughtful gift.

To buy the book, click below to read more Amazon reviews about the book, and to see their best price...

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More book reviews and recommendations:

Review of 'Decorate' by Holly Becker and Joanna Copestick

Have you read the above book? Which is your favorite interior design book?

Share your interior design book reviews and comments here...

You might also like my own interior design books...

Perfect Personality Palettes is a fun quiz helping you choose your own perfect decorating color palette, based on your answers, and a selection of gorgeous color palettes...

Click here to find out more about Perfect Personality Palettes (currently only available as an e-book)...

You can also buy it in a bonus edition with my main Interior Design It Yourself Book (which also comes in a convenient paperback form)...

Click here to find out more about my book...

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