Nina Campbell's Decorating Notebook: Insider Secrets and Decorating Ideas for Your Home

In her fourth book, longtime designer Campbell presents a stunningly elegant view into the decision-making process of a prominent interior decorator. Campbell details secrets of solving practical problems and shares cozy personal stories. Each chapter begins with an elegant photo essay of a redecorated space. A ""notebook"" page follows with wonderful close-ups of the fabrics and textures used in room, as well as interesting 'before' and 'after' photos and informative notes explaining what the decorator had in mind. When necessary, floor plans have been included to demonstrate where architectural changes have been made. The direct and helpful writing style gives readers many tips: ""White china with a coat of arms is both grand and simple."" Yet, just when it seems this volume is aimed exclusively towards the upper echelon of decorators (""A room of this size demands several seating areas...""), the author suddenly tosses out universally useful information: ""A good tip for buying a rug, incidentally, is to look out for one that doesn't have a central motif, as it will be less restrictive when you are arranging furniture."" Though at times the cost-saving tips liberally sprinkled throughout the text seem incongruous with the magnificent and stately homes pictured, Campbell wisely notes that ""few people want to start completely from scratch and there are often real budgetary constraints, even in very grand homes."" For readers tasked with redecorating their penthouse apartments or country homes, this is a 'must have' volume. Decorating enthusiasts will enjoy reading the text as well as studying the luxurious pictures, and anyone with a flair for decorating will find this volume fascinating midnight reading.