Everyday Decorating

I was skeptical about the format of Bilhuber's new book. Typically books that focus on a specific design concept in each chapter with photos to illustrate that idea feel like a cheap attempt to sell a book, or (as in a case of another purchase last year) the photos on adjoining pages conflict with each other and it just seems like a mess. I was pleasantly surprised, though, to see that the concept works very well in this book.In the introduction, Bilhuber describes his idea for the book. In today’s world we can be subjected to all sorts of online images and it can be difficult to know how to use those images and translate them into ideas for our own homes. In this book he describes what works about these photos and why they are alluring. I recognize some of the photos as being from homes featured in his previous books, but there are also plenty of new images to delight.There are 8 chapters or concepts presented in the book. There is a one page introduction that describes the concept and then numerous photos with large captions to illustrate the idea.• Comfortable: the need to feel relaxed and at ease in our homes. The illustrations and captions include ideas for comfortable seating, decorating an entry hall, and not having too many pillows.• Happy: A room should be used, loved, and enjoyed. Ideas include using a spirited mixture of furniture and materials, use of pattern and color, and libraries can be happy too.• Colorful: No such thing as colors that don’t go together – learn your comfort level: black is a color, when using a bold color as the backdrop to the room not everything in the room should shout, etc.• Personal: Personalize your home! Show your personality in the entry way, editing is important, build a narrative around a collection, etc.• Lighter and Brighter: Includes how to use white and adding sparkle.• Sexy: Bilhuber explains that this concept takes effort and planning and provides examples.• Charming: Spontaneous and reflects who you are.• Cozy: A sense of well-being. Ideas include making a big room cozy, using bedside lamps, tonality, cozy doesn’t have to equal casual, etc.I should note that there is one minor quality issue with the book I received. On the first page of each chapter, the chapter title is printed in bold letters at the top of the page. The tops of the letters are cut off. I’m assuming this isn’t intentional because the impression is that someone missed on some quality check in the factory.I have three of Bilhuber’s previous books (all except Design Basics), and The Way Home is still my favorite. However, I highly recommend Everyday Decorating. The photos are fantastic and the book is one of those where you can enjoy a few photos and concepts as time permits, as opposed to feeling you need to read the book from cover to cover or the full chapter to get the full feeling. I also enjoyed the writing in the book – while it is jointly written with Jaqueline Terrebonne, the writing is from the designer’s perspective (as opposed to the feeling that someone else is telling me about the designer), making it more personal.

I must make a confession: when it comes to most interior design books, I’m pretty superficial and just look at the pictures. This book was set up in such a way that even someone with a short attention span such as myself would read it from beginning to end. I must say that I definitely enjoyed it, but that is not much of a surprise since I have all of his books. Two enthusiastic thumbs up!

I love Jeffrey Bilhuber, which is why I bought the book. However, the rooms were all photos I was already familiar with. The text was good, helpful, but again, nothing really new to me. Not sorry about the purchase because I'm such a fan, but I probably wouldn't buy it again.

I read, study and use social media daily about interior design. I got this book from the library with my usual plan: review and buy if I like it. I had to go back to the copyright page to see how old this book was. 2019?! The ideas are mostly dated, the rooms overstuffed and over-thought. The rooms display a designer only doing work for the wealthy. The author is highly opinionated and states many of these as his personal discoveries. I think it’s annoying when he (or his ghost writer) try to be cute constantly. There are so many more exciting and creative designers around working at financial levels the average person could use their decorating ideas in their own home. Try: Design Sponge by Grace Bonney, Domino has two fun books out. Even the oldest one looks new and fresh!

Compré este libro porque los interiores que diseña -y sus casas- Jeffrey Billhuber siempre me han encantando. Sin embargo no ha habido tanto nuevo que destacar e incluso, algunos interiores ya aparecen en otros libros de él

Very useful, great pics, well written/ easy to understand. I get tired of the usual condescending, pretentious BS most good Designer/Decorators think they have to spout in the text of their books. That’s all. Very handy , useful ..HOORAY!

Buenas fotos y recomendaciones prácticas. Especialmente recomendable por 9 euros!