Decorative Style: The Most Original and Comprehensive Sourcebook of Styles, Treatments, Techniques

by Kevin McCloud

Decorative Style is the most practical and innovative resource of decorating styles, techniques, and tools and materials ever created. Using innovative, easy-to-master techniques and surprisingly inexpensive materials (paint, paper, fabric, replica molding -- even photocopies!), Kevin McCloud -- a brilliant young set designer turned interior decorator -- shows you everything you need to know to design and create your own stunning adaptations of today's most popular decorating styles. There are forty styles in all -- from Santa Fe, Shaker, Miami Deco, and Caribbean to Bauhaus, Biedermeier, Mackintosh, and French Country (to name just a few) -- each designed and created especially by the author and stunningly photographed, with literally hundreds of styling options and color variations to choose from. Each style is represented by a complete floor-to-ceiling "room slice" -- a unique device that allows you to see the total impact of a scheme while easily visualizing its possibilities for your own room. The decorative effects and other components of each style are analyzed, rephotographed with a full range of imaginative alternatives, and cross-referenced to all the techniques, tools, and materials needed to create each unique effect. Even the most inexperienced and budget-conscious of home owners will be inspired by Kevin McCloud's imaginative use of inexpensive, readily available materials and amazing timesaving techniques. Whether you do the work yourself or hire it out, whether you're redoing an alcove or an entire house, Decorative Style will kindle your imagination and give you all the tools you need to create spectacular, one-of-a-kind interiors that will truly distinguish and enhance the value of your home.

352 pages, Hardcover

First published November 15, 1990

About the author

An author, broadcaster and designer Kevin is best known for Channel 4's Grand Designs and for his annual coverage of the Stirling Prize.
McCloud and his two brothers, Terence and Graham, were raised in a house his parents had built. McCloud attended Dunstable Grammar School which became Manshead Upper School, Dunstable. He originally pursued a career in music, and then went to Cambridge where he changed subjects a couple of times before hitting upon History of Art and Architecture.
After graduating, he trained and worked as a theatre designer, then set up his own lighting design practice and manufacturing business 'McCloud Lighting' - at one point employing 26 people. His work includes the carved and painted rococo-style vegetable ceiling in the Food Hall at Harrods, many projects in conjunction with J.J Desmond Interiors and lighting installations at Ely Cathedral, Edinburgh Castle, the Savoy and the Dorchester Hotel. Today he concentrates on television work, journalism and product design, including work for British manufacturers such as Fired Earth.
In 2006 Kevin formed Hab Housing. (HAB stands for Happiness Architecture Beauty) In partnership, the company is now building sustainable housing schemes across the West of England. He also devised and launched the Great British Refurb, a campaign supported by several institutions and retailers as well as the government, to promote the retrofitting of Britains's 26 million homes to low-energy standards.
Kevin is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Reviews

[Alis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun book, if you like interior design. It's basically some ideas on how to decorate for certain periods and revivals of period styling by one designer. A great side-table/waiting room book for the interior designer.

[Joanne G. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although the designer showcased many different styles, I found the rooms to be too theatrical for my plebeian tastes. For those who would want to make their rooms distinctive in a conspicuous manner, this could be very helpful.