From not enough space and too many things to not knowing what color to paint the living room walls, many of us struggle with our homes. Now Maxwell...
read full description
reviews
Feb 09, 2009
Sonja
rated it: 
An interesting take on home design and organization. I enjoy the apartmenttherapy website, and so had to take a look at this book. Gillingham-Ryan definitely wants you pare back what you have, and to plunk down quite a bit of cash on what you choose have. While I like the idea of choosing once and choosing good quality when it comes to larger items, his cost suggestions (for sofas, lamps, etc) seem high to me. But then, I'm really not in the position to buy or renovate.
On the other h More...
On the other h More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Sep 23, 2009
Michael
rated it:
I learned a lot of things from this book, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone. I never really think about how I'm affected by my living space. Small touches go a long way. More than anything else I learned that getting rid of stuff you don't need is essential. Although I doubt I'll place candles around the house or buy fresh flowers every week, the advice about color, artwork, and furniture placement will be useful once I settle down a bit.
Interesting tips:
Always leave More...
Interesting tips:
Always leave More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Oct 09, 2011
April
rated it:
I've never really given much thought to interior design; my apartment has been mostly just functional.
However, I've decided to make improvements, so I started with this book. I enjoyed the friendly and encouraging tone of the book and the helpful suggestions.
My main criticism is the structure. In my opinion, the 'Deep Treatment' and the 'One Room Remedy' parts should not have been in the same chapters, especially since they were often not related. It would have been better to More...
However, I've decided to make improvements, so I started with this book. I enjoyed the friendly and encouraging tone of the book and the helpful suggestions.
My main criticism is the structure. In my opinion, the 'Deep Treatment' and the 'One Room Remedy' parts should not have been in the same chapters, especially since they were often not related. It would have been better to More...
Jun 03, 2009
Megan
rated it: 
It is not often that I read a book more than once - in fact, pretty much never. There are too many books in the world to do that! This book is an exception. It also catapulted me into action one Sunday. I rearranged our living room and reconfigured our guest room. Watch out, this book is dangerous!
The author is a consultant who calls himself an Apartment Therapist. He goes into peoples' homes and helps them create a home they are happy with. He has a very holistic way of looki More...
The author is a consultant who calls himself an Apartment Therapist. He goes into peoples' homes and helps them create a home they are happy with. He has a very holistic way of looki More...
0 comments
like
(4 people liked it)
May 21, 2008
Alexis
rated it:
I found this book really useful, and will definitely be using it again when I move to a larger apartment. It made me think a lot about living spaces, and the creation of home. It has also inspired me to pay more attention to cleaning my kitchen!!
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Mar 31, 2009
Grace
rated it:
Although the specific tips in this book are mainly non-revolutionary, the author suggests a good system for a complete reworking of one's home to suit one's needs better, no matter how good or bad the home may start out. In other words...if you live in a home that more resembles a trash heap, you can use his advice. But if you live in a perfectly decorated home, you can also find helpful tips inside.
Most helpful, however, is the basic attitude of observing one's home in different w More...
Most helpful, however, is the basic attitude of observing one's home in different w More...
Nov 20, 2008
Lillian
rated it:
if you are twenty-something and interested in "nesting" in your apartment, this book is the guide. a great read and a great reference.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 18, 2010
Ewurama
rated it:
nest: a place of rest, retreat, or lodging
nest: to build or occupy a nest: settle in or as if in a nest
I have a latent nesting impulse that I was seeking to cater to by reading this book. I envision caring for myself and others through the creation of a lovely home. I didn’t complete the actual interior design for the most part but picked up some good tips and was able to spend some time thinking through how I might create the home I dream of, one that’s a warm, cozy, neat, well-organi More...
nest: to build or occupy a nest: settle in or as if in a nest
I have a latent nesting impulse that I was seeking to cater to by reading this book. I envision caring for myself and others through the creation of a lovely home. I didn’t complete the actual interior design for the most part but picked up some good tips and was able to spend some time thinking through how I might create the home I dream of, one that’s a warm, cozy, neat, well-organi More...
Dec 30, 2008
Danielle
rated it:
Really good! Apartment Therapy was as enjoyable to read as it was edifying.
I'd recommend this book to a person interested in improving his or her lifestyle via a living space revitalization.
While its language is at times a bit trendy, the basic message is really timeless - this isn't some Hippest Apartments of 2008 piece of trash that is going to lead you into creating some dated disaster. It's a sort of primer for making your home more "homey" and healthy for More...
I'd recommend this book to a person interested in improving his or her lifestyle via a living space revitalization.
While its language is at times a bit trendy, the basic message is really timeless - this isn't some Hippest Apartments of 2008 piece of trash that is going to lead you into creating some dated disaster. It's a sort of primer for making your home more "homey" and healthy for More...
May 28, 2009
Minty
rated it: 
there were a lot of reasonable design tips provided in a pleasant voice, but nothing was terribly useful to me and it included a lot of common sense doled out like as if it was advice. there were also a lot of tips that didn't seem particularly relevant or like the author was in any better position to provide them than anyone else (at one point he recommends gilette razors in order to enhance your bathroom and shaving experience). it's a quick read, though, and inspired me to clean up and purge
More...
Apr 21, 2008
I'm not going to rate this book with stars because I feel it would be unfair. I've been a big fan of apartmenttherapy.com, and purchased this book as soon as it was released, which also happened to be right around the time that I purchased the townhouse we'd been living in for years, so I was really excited about bringing it to its full potential. Well, I forget about the book for a couple (few?) years, and just recently remembered it when it came up in discussion again. Since that time, I've
More...
Jul 31, 2008
Wende
rated it:
This book balances precariously between being profound and precious.
On the profound side, it collects in one spot a great deal of useful information on arranging furniture, choosing paint colors, handling lighting, and decluttering. And it sets everything into a schedule to help you not bog down.
On the precious side, there are embedded assumptions that you're seeking an idealized lifestyle that involves tenderly cleaning your home with organic cleansers, strolling to the More...
On the profound side, it collects in one spot a great deal of useful information on arranging furniture, choosing paint colors, handling lighting, and decluttering. And it sets everything into a schedule to help you not bog down.
On the precious side, there are embedded assumptions that you're seeking an idealized lifestyle that involves tenderly cleaning your home with organic cleansers, strolling to the More...
Nov 14, 2011
Megankellie
rated it:
Very helpful and interesting. I got this after seeing the apartment of a friend that is very small and unimaginably cozy, welcoming and warm. I moved to a new place and this helped me do a lot of decorating. It also helped with joke-making because most of the way through the book, I discovered my apartment is riddled with parasites and vermin. i hope he puts in a warning-signs chapter. Beware layers of paint, overfriendly roommates, giving landlord who lets you skip steps.
Still, " More...
Still, " More...
Feb 16, 2010
Mike
rated it:
Informative and probably quite helpful if read at the proper time. By this I mean, anyone interested in tackling a home project may want to put off reading this until you are actually ready to start the project (so perhaps if I reread this while working on a home project, I may be inclinded to add a star to the rating). Otherwise, it is filled with some good ideas, tips, and suggestions, but a lot of it will be a quite useless if you are not actually following his 8 week plan. Also, be weary, th
More...
Jun 20, 2010
Alpha
rated it:
Kind of "woo" at times with hints of New Age nonsense, but not overly so. Regardless, the book includes enough actual content to make it useful. The pacing is nice, and the author goes into just the right amount of depth to make his advice actually useful. I'm not sure how much of it I'll heed, but the information is presented in nice nuggets that make it easy to pick and choose what to implement.
Nov 13, 2008
Marcy
rated it: 
This book has torn my life apart for the last 2 months as I "flip" my whole apartment, go through everything I own and start over with a "NEW" apartment. It gave me the justification I needed to put some money into a rental and I think once the wood floors in my room are finished and the new countertop installed in the bathroom, (there are new floors, paint, lighting, and window treatments throughout!!!) I will feel like a brand new person. Even with all of the organize/fen
More...
Sep 13, 2007
Kristine
rated it:
This is a real neato book that can be applied to both apartment dwellers and home owners I think. This is great for anyone who wants to makeover their apartment and can benefit from an 8-week makeover plan. I participated in the Spring 07 cure and now I'm participating in the Fall 07 cure.
At times, the book can be a little hokey and "hippy-ish," encouraging readers to perform exercises such as running their hands along the walls of their apartment to determine "hot" More...
At times, the book can be a little hokey and "hippy-ish," encouraging readers to perform exercises such as running their hands along the walls of their apartment to determine "hot" More...
Nov 15, 2010
Funbrarian
rated it:
I agree with a lot of his fix it, clean it, toss it ideas. That said, this book suffers from a smug tone and a narrow audience focus. Many of these ideas are too cumbersome for those with small children. Of couse, you can think up alternative strategies but I'm tired and would have preferred the expert to do it for me.
Aug 16, 2009
Jen
rated it:
I LOVE to read apartmenttherapy.com so it's kind of surprising that this book did absolutely nothing for me. Too Feng Shui-y and lots of hippy talk about feeling the "bones" of your home (literally, he wants you to touch the walls and communicate with your apartment). Blech.
I'll stick with the website.
I'll stick with the website.
Dec 30, 2009
Cheryl
rated it:
The book has some useful tips. I especially liked the list of things to do daily that help you feel good about your apartment. Skip the anecdotes (conveniently in a contrasting typeface) unless you want to read about how the author thinks his work has cured loneliness and sterility in his hapless "patients".
Aug 19, 2009
Jessica
rated it:
I give this book five stars not necessarily for the content it self, although there was great advice and wonderful ideas, but mostly because it motivated me to deep clean, de-clutter, and start decorating with confidence. It was just the boost that I needed.
Jun 13, 2011
Maria
rated it:
While I enjoyed the spirit and intent of the book, I felt it was too step-by-step. The book would have been stronger if the author had gone deeper into some of the themes that he touches on, such as scaling down, and gaining your own sense of style.
Jul 08, 2008
Liss
rated it:
This book changed my life-literally. One of the points Max makes is that what goes on in your home is going on in your life. In one of the first chapters he shares how his apartment was stuffed and so was his life-with a languishing relationship, an unfinished thesis, and piles of work-when he pared down his apartment so did his life-the relationship ended amicably, the thesis was finished, he had time for a social life. Each time I take the course I move within the 8-week period, this has happe
More...
Oct 20, 2011
Probibliophile
rated it:
Very helpful for thinking about how to live more comfortably in your home, and has many tips for those living in small apartments. Unlike most decorating books, it is useful even if you don't have unlimited funds. Not for those wanting eye candy.
Apr 15, 2009
Joy
rated it:
A good read for anyone in nesting mode, but especially young professionals in their first place of their own. If you enjoy the blog, you'll probably find the book useful. Still, the suggestions on budget seem a bit high at times.
Apr 23, 2009
April
rated it: 
"..."being prepared" can sometimes be a euphemise for bieng scared to let go. How much we carry-is often directly realted to how little we trust in life to guide us well, and in others to help us out in a pinch."
Jan 25, 2012
Andrea
rated it:
My house needs so much "therapy" it's overwhelming. I think I need a more down-to-earth book, perhaps written more with households with children in mind. That being said, I did enjoy learning a small bit about the concepts of flow, stuck energy, and feng shui.
Mar 11, 2010
Joanna
rated it:
a lot of the advice is impractical for people who either have children or who have homes which are too small to leave lots of open spaces. some good advice, but the vast majority was common sense.
Apr 09, 2009
Greg
rated it:
wonderful book! One of the first books I read that got me off on this home improvement/interior design/architecture obsession. Great, practical pointers and a casual, enjoyable read
Jan 17, 2009
So... I have had this book over a year now, I think...perhaps it is time to actually read it as I do LOVE the AT website (www.apartmenttherapy.com).
