Faux Chic

Polysterene beams mimic the heavy wood on rustic Provencal ceilings; a slipcover soaked in tea poses as aged upholstery; shoe polish masquerades as""accumulated grime"" on dresser knobs; and tricks of paint do all manner of wonders in this decorating ode to everything faux. The latest design book from this mother-daughter decor team encourages readers to help the""secret melodies of your soul resonate"" in rooms filled with a melange of furnishings, accessories, embellishments and color schemes evoking""the indomitable spirit of chic style"" and celebrating""amiable clutter"" and plucky do-it-yourself craftsmanship. Showcasing rooms both formal and casual, the authors lead readers through the kinds of decorating tricks--pinning costume jewelry on pillows, using cut-outs of wallpaper flowers for a homemade mural,""aging"" walls and furniture with color washes and sponge painting--that look good in photographs but might, in real life, look like what they are: fake. But those who find themselves undaunted by potentially obvious counterfeits will find lots of ideas highlighted in numerous attractive rooms. The authors discuss the various techniques enthusiastically, but offer directions that feel somewhat desultory;""Creating Faux Striped Wallpaper on Faux Plaster,"" for example, might actually warrant step-by-step photographs. Still, this is a bright and quirky look at design tricks for the artistically inclined fan of romantic rooms and shabby chic.