Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
Living a Beautiful Life: 500 Ways to Add Elegance, Order, Beauty and Joy to Every Day of Your Life
One of America's most sought-after designers offers more than 500 ways--big and small--to turn a daily routine into a lifetime of beauty, serenity and efficiency. Black-and-white illustrations.
Hardcover, 192 pages
Published
September 12th 1986
by Random House
(first published January 1st 1900)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
535)
Dec 08, 2009
GoldenjoyBazyll
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
inspirational
This book came into my life 15 years ago- right after I separated from my husband. It helped me to focus on the beauty that was right in front of me in all of my daily routines. Step by step I started looking with new lenses at everything like a child full of wonder. Walking my dog in a light sprinkling rain and smelling the grass and flowering trees..... really noticing what was happening around me. I think sometimes we rush along and it becomes oh so easy to forget to appreciate all that is ha...more
What the title should have said was, "Make yourself sick by my rubbing your nose in my beautiful life."
Those who have lots are constaintly tossing out tips that you cannot possibly use if you don't have the reasources (family,money,art)
Walden Pond's simple living ideas would not have been a great success if the author hadn't eaten at the Emerson's full table at least once a week--roughing it isn't fun if its all you have.
In the same way--getting some cute little accessories from an artist friend...more
Those who have lots are constaintly tossing out tips that you cannot possibly use if you don't have the reasources (family,money,art)
Walden Pond's simple living ideas would not have been a great success if the author hadn't eaten at the Emerson's full table at least once a week--roughing it isn't fun if its all you have.
In the same way--getting some cute little accessories from an artist friend...more
I can't be unbiased about this book. It's been 12 years or so, I think, since I first discovered it, at a time in my life when I greatly needed self-nurturing. I've read it six or seven times since.
I just love it. I always feel inspired while reading it, but also serene. It was interesting rereading it this time, after several years, and seeing how it has influenced me over the years...my kitchen glasses, my pillowcases, the soap dish in my bathroom, and so many other things.
I just love it. I always feel inspired while reading it, but also serene. It was interesting rereading it this time, after several years, and seeing how it has influenced me over the years...my kitchen glasses, my pillowcases, the soap dish in my bathroom, and so many other things.
This book contains so many do-able ways to live a simple life as related to homekeeping. Stoddard suggests that we spend 85 percent of our time at home between three rooms--bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. Yet, we spend 85 percent of our decorating budgets on other rooms--living room, dining room, etc. She challenges her readers to rethink where they spend their decorating budgets. She also gives her views on what items the budget should be spent on. A great read! I hope to add the book to my hom...more
The edition I read was totally 1990s so I'd like to get my hands on a newer copy, but I was surprised at how relevant her suggestions were to today. I read this while housesitting at Lisa's and noticed that she embodies this type of living in her house: decorating to stimulate all of the senses. Full of great ideas on how to make a house a beautiful, sensory-stimulating home.
my favorite decorating book ever. she encourages you to decorate with the things you love - not just obtaining a "fake "decorator-generic look. i was encouraged to decorate my laundry room, which I spend quite a lot of time in. it never occured to me to make it a place i actually liked to be in! i love her book and read it over and over! angie stull
I read this book 25 years ago at age 14 and it has shaped my life every single day after. I've been previlidged to meet Alexandra and correspond via old fashioned stamp mail. I've given it as gifts loads. The sections of grace notes are my favorite parts. No other book has ever come close.
My mom gave this to me years ago. I just love this book. In a gentle, inspiring voice, the author, an interior decorator, suggests ways to create beauty and ease in your daily life. I especially enjoyed the "Grace Notes" at the end of each chapter.
Absolutely LOVE all of Alexandra Stoddard's writing and inspiration. It's my little escape before drifting off to sleep at night, my slice of heaven-on-earth, and hopes for a future haven of my own to invite others into.....
How to take time to enjoy the small things in life. To just enjoy every moment. This is a truly "beautiful" book. I read it every year, once in the spring and again in the fall. Enjoy it each and every time.
I read this book years ago, but just reread it again for new ideas as the new year begins. I appreciate some of the suggestions and find they help me in areas I overlook.
Alexandra Stoddard is one of the best lifestyle authors...so many ideas that apply to any kind of style or home...she helps you see things differently.
Sep 27, 2009
Dory
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
anyone who finds winter depressing and wants to enjoy their indoor surroundings more
Recommended to Dory by:
possibly a college friend, over 10 years ago
A favorite of mine! Great for reminding myself that beauty is an investment, not an expense, when I'm considering what to spend my time and energy on around the house.
I have several memories of reading this book while growing up. I love getting that feeling that everything you do can have a twist of beauty with it!
I really enjoy Alexandra Stoddards books, and this was the first one I read....her grace notes and tips are so uplifting!
Quaint, charming book on how to make everyday rituals beautiful. Celebrating life. Good to read over and over. A favorite!
I love the concept of this book- making your regular life special and meaningful. Having enjoyable routines keeps us from getting in a rut. Some of the specific ideas in this book were either dated or just not my style, but the principles are timeless.
This is a beautifully written book. I enjoyed reading it all at once, and now I intend to sift through for ideas for specific areas in my home. I also want to look through some of her other books!
Nice enough if a bit dated.....and really says it all in first chapter - pleasant to read though if not massively useful.
Dec 01, 2009
Fran
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
books-i-own,
self-improvement
This book was a gift from my daughter, who loves to add elegance, order, beauty and joy to everyday life. This book inspires you to do just that. Using examples, the author creates beauty and joy in the areas of life that mean the most to you day to day.
Inspirational and inspirational book to savor and read over and over again over the years.
Oh how I love this book! Only book I could read more than once. Feel good book for sure!
This book enriched my life and opened my world to many wonderful and beautiful things.
I've read this book several times over the years and it always inspires my domestic side!
Full of simple ideas to help you lead a beautiful life!
Okay: here's what I love about modern life. It used to be that if you enjoyed looking at pictures of pretty rooms you had two options, books and magazines. The number of designers and stylists was somewhat limited, and you rarely saw anything that wasn't by a designer. Now, anytime I want to, I can see a gazillion different pictures of different kinds of rooms, some decorated and staged by pros, others by talented amateurs. And what I know now is that Stoddard's taste isn't mine. But I still tha...more
The basic message of this book is so, so useful. My only reservation is that some people quite obviously overdo her message, and end up with 'fussy', not beautiful - just look at some homes advertised on the internet...
If I can follow her advice correctly, my home will benefit hugely. Loved the book.
If I can follow her advice correctly, my home will benefit hugely. Loved the book.
view 1 comment
When I am mired in the everyday, Alexandra Stoddard's books remind me that I can choose a life that's gracious and beautiful. I don't read them from cover to cover, but rather I use them as a reference when I feel like I'll never be in control of my world (in a good way) again.
I loved these books by Alexandra Stoddard. (they are self-help type) They are about beautifying your life and the home around you in simple, meaningful ways. They talk about writing and many other things. I loved them.
Alexandra Stoddard seems at times a little out of touch with the realities of life, but her recommendations to add little touches of beauty (fresh flowers every day!) are inspirational.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
ALEXANDRA STODDARD is a philosopher of contemporary living and author of many best selling books, including the classic Living a Beautiful Life: 500 Ways to Add Elegance, Order, Beauty and Joy to Every Day of Your Life, Choosing Happiness: Keys to a Joyful Life, Things I Want My Daughters to Know: A Small Book About the Big Issues in Life, and You Are Your Choices: 50 Ways to Live the Good Life. A...more
More about Alexandra Stoddard...
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
