Review by Booklist Review
These days, the dearth of just-published interior-design books seems to signify the real-estate crunch and a real need to watch pennies and dollars. Yet home ownership is not a forgotten American dream. Country Living magazine contributor (and interior designer) Florke proves it with his tripart philosophy: a triple focus on comfort, economy, and color. Through this well-photographed series of essays (based on his real-estate properties across the Midwest and the East Coast), he continuously emphasizes how to countrify each room in the house: a rustic Iowa kitchen with an indoor birdhouse, a living room featuring side tables that accept a drink, and calm and comfortable bedrooms filled with fresh flowers and decluttering wall sconces. In each room's chapter, sidebars frame the solutions: quick fixes (e.g., how to hide an ugly built-in bathtub) and hidden treasures, such as a retrofitted vintage radiator. Attention, too, is paid to how to shop well and frugally as well as safety in renovation. Not so much country as comfort with a capital C.--Jacobs, Barbara Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
In his previous book, Restore. Recycle. Repurpose.: Create a Beautiful Home, Florke discussed his decorating style with an eye toward sustainability. Here he focuses on his "three muses of design: comfort, economy, and color," as demonstrated in seven homes, from an Iowa farmhouse to a Harlem, rowhouse. Accompanied by more than 150 color photographs, Florke describes the renovation and decoration of the kitchens, living and dining rooms, bedrooms (including kids' rooms), bathrooms, and porches with decorating advice and tips on the restoration process. Safety concerns, flea market shopping advice, and exterior design suggestions are also included. VERDICT Recommended for those with a continuing interest in country-style decorating. (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
