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The Comforts of Home: Thrifty and Chic Decorating Ideas for Making the Most of What You Have
"The Comforts of Home" is a book that enters into the spirit of how we want to live now, at a time when excess is no longer desirable. Author Caroline Clifton-Mogg puts a welcoming and beautiful haven within everyone's reach. The first section, The Elements, extols the joys of an orderly haven, covering both decorative aspects such as textiles and finishing touches, and practical topics such as storage and cleaning. The second section, The Rooms, shows how to create a home that's cosy and easy to live in - from the welcoming hallway, to the cozy kitchen, comfortable living room, satisfying study, practical bathroom and peaceful bedroom - through to the garden. "The Comforts of Home" offers clever decorating ideas that rely on imagination and style rather than a deep purse and suggests ways of making the most of what we have to put the heart back into our homes.
159 pages, Hardcover
First published March 11, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 16, 2015
I really liked this book. Half the books I pick up with "thrifty" or "cheap" in the title strike me as ads for various products; not so this one. Many of the ideas here are indeed thrifty. Plus "Comfort" really is the focus -- while I wouldn't find some of the suggestions comfortable, I can see where they'd work well for others, and there's consideration of the underlying principles of what makes a space comfortable.
The author prefers a whiter and generally paler palette than I do, but the pictures are crisp and clear and the interiors portrayed are interesting, so I enjoyed them anyhow.
The author prefers a whiter and generally paler palette than I do, but the pictures are crisp and clear and the interiors portrayed are interesting, so I enjoyed them anyhow.
October 28, 2023
A nice book (3.5 stars) with lovely suggestions for making your house homier and more practical. Plenty of photos.
June 18, 2023
British-based, which to me means: more uphostered furniture with slipcovers, more "shabby chic" furniture and Laura Ashley prints, comfortable, rather than new and latest fashions. Re-do (?) of a 2010 book with chapters on elements (order, what you have, senses, friendly, storage, cleaning, textiles, finishing touches), and then room by room. Best takeaway for me: 'study' instead of 'office' or even 'home office' as a richer, cozier, more-books-than-files, space.
February 19, 2020
The author has good advice.
June 1, 2023
I enjoyed reading this cosy book full of homely (British meaning) photos of homemaking and decor.
August 7, 2026
Shabby chic, recycled, and simple focus. Definitely best for an older home.
February 14, 2017
p. 38 A friendly home
A friendly home is one where everyone who enters it feels comfortable. It is, or course, what this book is about in general, but there are certain things that you can do when friends come round to make them feel glad to be with you. When people say, ‘I want you to feel at home’, what they mean is that they want you to feel that your surroundings feel familiar to you—even on a first visit. The way to do this is to create an atmosphere of familiarity with the physical environment and also with the sort of items within the room that might interest and amuse them as a guest.
A friendly home is, after all, one where, when people come into it, they do not feel alienated even if they have never visited your home before. It is a place where they immediately feel comfortable; physically comfortable first of all. This means a warm room and somewhere easy to sit, such as an armchair that is not piled high with old newspapers, with a table beside it at the right height, all well lit—indeed, all the things that you need in order to feel properly relaxed in your own home.
And next, the guest should be soothed, so to speak, by the surrounding attractions: speaking personally, for me the most welcoming thing to see when I come into a room—apart from a lightly chilled glass of white wine and a comfortable chair—is a half-finished jigsaw. There is something about the sight of a jigsaw on a table that is so inviting—few can walk past without the temptation to look and see if they can find the key piece that everyone else has missed—and the very fact that it is there at all speaks volumes about the sort of companionable house they find themselves in.
Books too are an extension of the jigsaw syndrome; not only on bookshelves but also arranged in small, inviting piles on tables and surfaces around the room. They seem to invite a guest to browse through them and to relax for a moment or two—or even longer.
If you have asked your guest to eat with you, bring them to a table laid with care—that in itself shows concern for a guest’s welfare and wellbeing. Use interesting china and glass, large napkins, flowers and candles—all the things that you would like to be greeted with in someone else’s house. But while at a small gathering it is comparatively easy to greet each new guest and make he or she feel welcome, it is when you are holding a larger party that care must be taken to see that everyone feels immediately at home. For most people, the moment of entering a party is often the hardest part of the whole occasion—I have known many people who, upon entering a crowded, seemingly unfriendly room, have simply turned around and gone home again. And it is during the first five minutes or so that most people decide whether or not they are going to enjoy themselves.
To make certain your guests do want to stay, always ensure that you, or someone else who knows at least some of the guests, is on hand to greet everyone as they arrive. Only the most confident of souls can actually sweep with pleasure into a sea of turned backs. Secondly, do try to make sure that new arrivals are offered a drink immediately—a tray by the door is a simple solution—for a glass in the hand is absolutely vital, both for a dose of party courage and as a social prop.
The first impression of a party room is very important, which is where lighting comes in. Many people forget about this aspect of entertaining or think that cheery bright lights are the best way for everyone to see one another and have a good time. Nothing could be less true; party lighting—whether for a large party or supper for four—should always be on the low side, and with as much candlelight as possible. Candles lend an air of interesting expectancy to any party and they also make every woman’s complexion look its best.
A party is not for the host or hostess—it is for those he or she has invited, so ensure that each guest has someone to talk to, is guided and helped if necessary and is generally given a good time. That is what a friendly home is all about.
A friendly home is one where everyone who enters it feels comfortable. It is, or course, what this book is about in general, but there are certain things that you can do when friends come round to make them feel glad to be with you. When people say, ‘I want you to feel at home’, what they mean is that they want you to feel that your surroundings feel familiar to you—even on a first visit. The way to do this is to create an atmosphere of familiarity with the physical environment and also with the sort of items within the room that might interest and amuse them as a guest.
A friendly home is, after all, one where, when people come into it, they do not feel alienated even if they have never visited your home before. It is a place where they immediately feel comfortable; physically comfortable first of all. This means a warm room and somewhere easy to sit, such as an armchair that is not piled high with old newspapers, with a table beside it at the right height, all well lit—indeed, all the things that you need in order to feel properly relaxed in your own home.
And next, the guest should be soothed, so to speak, by the surrounding attractions: speaking personally, for me the most welcoming thing to see when I come into a room—apart from a lightly chilled glass of white wine and a comfortable chair—is a half-finished jigsaw. There is something about the sight of a jigsaw on a table that is so inviting—few can walk past without the temptation to look and see if they can find the key piece that everyone else has missed—and the very fact that it is there at all speaks volumes about the sort of companionable house they find themselves in.
Books too are an extension of the jigsaw syndrome; not only on bookshelves but also arranged in small, inviting piles on tables and surfaces around the room. They seem to invite a guest to browse through them and to relax for a moment or two—or even longer.
If you have asked your guest to eat with you, bring them to a table laid with care—that in itself shows concern for a guest’s welfare and wellbeing. Use interesting china and glass, large napkins, flowers and candles—all the things that you would like to be greeted with in someone else’s house. But while at a small gathering it is comparatively easy to greet each new guest and make he or she feel welcome, it is when you are holding a larger party that care must be taken to see that everyone feels immediately at home. For most people, the moment of entering a party is often the hardest part of the whole occasion—I have known many people who, upon entering a crowded, seemingly unfriendly room, have simply turned around and gone home again. And it is during the first five minutes or so that most people decide whether or not they are going to enjoy themselves.
To make certain your guests do want to stay, always ensure that you, or someone else who knows at least some of the guests, is on hand to greet everyone as they arrive. Only the most confident of souls can actually sweep with pleasure into a sea of turned backs. Secondly, do try to make sure that new arrivals are offered a drink immediately—a tray by the door is a simple solution—for a glass in the hand is absolutely vital, both for a dose of party courage and as a social prop.
The first impression of a party room is very important, which is where lighting comes in. Many people forget about this aspect of entertaining or think that cheery bright lights are the best way for everyone to see one another and have a good time. Nothing could be less true; party lighting—whether for a large party or supper for four—should always be on the low side, and with as much candlelight as possible. Candles lend an air of interesting expectancy to any party and they also make every woman’s complexion look its best.
A party is not for the host or hostess—it is for those he or she has invited, so ensure that each guest has someone to talk to, is guided and helped if necessary and is generally given a good time. That is what a friendly home is all about.
July 28, 2013
Thrift and chic are my middle name and when it comes to decorating I think the best creativity springs forth. I love the idea of making the most of what you have with the pieces you own. Soft colours and fabrics drape these pages and show just how small, inexpensive touches add a new dynamic. (Painted my bedroom a white with a hint of lilac and was astounded at the immediate change in the room vibe)
Some may be turned off by the use of rustic or battered furniture, however I find it charming and reminiscent of the country.
Some may be turned off by the use of rustic or battered furniture, however I find it charming and reminiscent of the country.
November 20, 2010
I loved this book. Her style of writing is a bit formal, which is a fun change. I found every single picture beautiful. I could move in to any one of those room. Plus, I REALLY, REALLY want the pink sofa on the cover. Loved this book.
May 21, 2013
Cozy, pleasant, welcoming spaces from an English designer. Really like her aesthetic and simple choices. None of the rooms she features here look overstuffed or overdone, as seems to happen so frequently with so many American-designed spaces.
December 13, 2023
This is really just a reprint of the same book published in 2010, with an updated cover.
The interiors are okay, but are very English. I'm not sure how well these looks would translate to an American-style house, with higher ceilings and nondescript architectural details.
The interiors are okay, but are very English. I'm not sure how well these looks would translate to an American-style house, with higher ceilings and nondescript architectural details.
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November 11, 2011nicely narrated; all lived-in photos, not magazine-perfect; no new ideas for me
November 6, 2013
Lovely photos, practical ideas. Advocates getting rid of clutter to make room for more attractive rooms. The one thing I didn't like was that there were no photos of the author's own home.
April 24, 2016
Don't like any of the pictures, but what she actually says is quite good.
May 17, 2016
even though this book feels outdated , it is a Much better book, clean, classic cottage White style. love the blue and white chairs, seating area
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews