Home Therapy: Fast, Easy, Affordable Makeovers

by Lauri Ward

Lauri Ward has been a "home therapist" to thousands through her books, articles, andmedia appearances for more than two decade. This inspiring guide takes readers into the real homes and lives of 25 of Lauri's clients to show a wide range of decorating challenges and the solutions that Lauri offered to meet their needs and expectations. Illustrated with more than 150 full-color and black-and-white before-and-after photos and floor plans, Home Therapy offers help in transforming living spaces for everyone from twenty-somethings to retirees, using the space and things they already have - and a budget they can afford.

Genres: Nonfiction, Design

320 pages, Hardcover

First published September 22, 2005

Reviews

[Donna Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the concept behind Use What You Have Decorating. This book is like a follow-up. The author lays out in floor plans and photos some of her jobs over the years. First, you see pictures of the before a. Ms. Ward tells in detail what she moved where, and why. Then the lovely photos display the results. Great descriptions of the process and the why.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Makeovers can be affordable with what you already have. It usually means declutering your junk, positioning lighting, moving furniture, creating better traffic pattern, using artwork appropriatley and creating balance among your possessions.

[Em · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book "cheats" by showing the "before" photos in black and white and then showing the "after" photos in color. It's an annoying editorial choice that makes the book less helpful than it could be.

This book wasn't that helpful to someone like me who is expecting large photos and color in a home design/decorating book. So many of the photos in here are tiny.

This book annoyed me because of the B&W photos. I'm being generous it giving it two stars.

[Gayle · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author, Lauri Ward, has apparently made a name for herself with the concept of Use What You Have (r) decorating. Home Therapy has a promising premise: that you can redecorate with what you have, and addressed some problems that interest me: decluttering, creating a home office, downsizing, etc. So I dove in.

Well, I probably had unrealistic expectations. But it seemed like the solution to most problems was rearranging the furniture and placing the area rug at an angle. There were also some tidbits of advice that to me were fairly obvious, such as: Tavor's souvenirs from his travels are all large scale indigenous artworks, and they have taken over the apartment. What to do? Create an attractive display with some, and store the rest. Well, duh.

I didn't actually read the book cover to cover; it's not that kind of book. But I read enough to know that I have exhausted the possibilites for me.

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring, waiting-room-esque room arrangements which look mildly interesting only because "befores" are all black & white photos and "afters" are all color. Totally unimpressive.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gave me some ideas on using what I have to "redecorate".

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, I'm rereading it gave it to my daughter (and goodreads friend, Melanie, and will show it to my daughter-in-law at easter.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creative ways to use what you have to give a new look to your home.

[Mary Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Building on her original premise. Still good, but not a departure from her earlier titles.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite as useful as "Use What You Have Decorating," her other book. You can see my comments on that one, if you care.

[Darla · Rating 2 out of 5]

boring

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

747 WAR

[Martha]

overly repetitive descriptions; some good photos