Tom Scheerer decorates

Scheerer's rooms are not mere curios, styled for effect only. As Read writes in her introduction, "Scheerer doesn't try to bowl you over.. He's the decorator for the long haul, the one who can compose a great-looking room that you never want to leave." Read's tribute to Scheerer's work more than proves her point; she presents 16 of the decorator's most successful interiors. Scheerer's practical attention to detail is apparent in a New England summer cottage furnished in elegant but durable items that will wear over many seasons-paisley-printed slipcovers that will extend the life of a hard-working couch, for example. In an Upper East Side Manhattan apartment, the living room is neutral without being boring, furniture is formal in style but covered in unfussy fabric, and the arrangement has a sense of order without being overly composed. In a foyer he is likely to include "a warmly lit table, a mirror, a tray for mail, a dish for keys, and a chair for boot removal." Read has a skill for pointing out why these elements work in Scheerer's rooms, educating the reader on what makes him so good. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Read, a writer who has contributed to a variety of decorating publications, presents a review of recent commissions undertaken by interior designer Tom Scheerer. A casual elegance is evidenced in the interiors designed for 16 clients' homes located in New York, Maine, Florida, and the Bahamas. Read explains Scheerer's design approach, depicted in more than 200 color photographs, and how he accommodates his clients' needs and wishes. A list of resources is included. VERDICT A welcome look at the work of an East Coast-based contemporary interior designer. (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.