Decorate Happy: Bold, Colorful Interiors

by Anthony Baratta

The first solo book by celebrated interior designer Anthony Baratta, Decorate Happy showcases Baratta's preppy-chic style in a pattern-filled guide to decorating with verve and style.

Anthony Baratta's rooms are happy. Whether they are found in the country or the city, these maximalist rooms are designed to make you smile. In his first solo book, Anthony Baratta, whose work has graced more than fifty magazine covers and been celebrated in the Cooper-Hewitt, shares twelve of his most recent houses, all in their own way perfect examples of his classic high-color, high-pattern all-American style. Some nod to the historical importance of centuries past, like an eighteenth-century house in Colonial Williamsburg; some are nautical chic. Some are glorious pop art, with mod rooms and bright primary colors, while others are chicly rustic. Although all the houses are unique, their rooms share one consistent underpinning: joy.

Colorful, pattern-filled, life-affirming--these are rooms where life is meant to be lived to the fullest.

Genres: Nonfiction

240 pages, Hardcover

Published September 27, 2022

Reviews

[Ligaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I thought this would be a book that I'd just look at the photos for inspiration but I ended up reading all the text, despite my decorating style (and budget) being wildy different from the author's. As a woman of color, the dozen homes featured all struck me as EXTREMELY white-bread European, not to mention top-dollar. The photos were styled practically into sterility. I could find evidence of only two lamp cords shown (or rather, not hidden as well as all the others) and NO electrical outlets even in the kitchens and baths. So, clients must be vampires. What madness is this? What I learned just in looking at the photos is that quality pieces really make a room, sensitive reuse/reupholstery can make a lesser piece a standout, and, most importantly, that plaid furnishing fabric is not my thing. Lots of silly advice included in each chapter's "Four Fearless Decorating Ideas" like "Start a Book Collection." How about "Read" and keep the titles you like? "When in Doubt, Keep It"—obviously hasn't heard about Marie Kondo and how the majority of us are trying to declutter.

[Michele Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

With lovely photographs and accessible decorating ideas, Anthony Barratta provides boatloads of wonderful inspiration for any home. Each chapter includes a section entitled "Four Fearless Decorating Ideas" to guide homeowners on their quest for beautiful spaces.

[Sahara Khan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I generally enjoy reading design books from authors with different tastes from me (in this case, someone with a bold, maximalist style), but this was pretty awful. The design advice is terrible and impractical for most people. It also didn't really present an applicable thesis of design principles. At best, this was a guide to designing show rooms for rich people who have more space than they know how to use.