Fresh American Spaces

That's the sub-title of this fun book on interior design. Published by Clarkson Potter /Random House, author Annie Selke's book is big, bright and colorful. Fresh American Spaces is a delight to peruse for all types of decorating styles. Her goal is to help us make a happy home and you can't help but be happy with one of the rooms shown in the book. One of my favorite things about the looks in this book -- is that they all seem very doable. You don't need huge rooms, large budgets or a crew of workers to incorporate most of these ideas.

Instead of a book that targets one or two stuffy decorating styles, Selke picks five different points of view and shares ideas on how to bring that theme or look into your life. The different sections will focus on the colors, art, details and fabrics that can make a room perfect. It's funny how each decorating personality (my word, not hers) fits different folks I know. I can see my daughter-in-law happily decorating a room in Nuanced Neutral style, meanwhile Everyday Exuberance fits another friend to a "t". I can't wait to share this book with them.

From the author:
The point is to explore what works for you -- mix and match, borrow and blend -- until you discover your own Fresh American Style.

Shown below are the five different decorating styles that Selke explores and shows the reader how to utilize in their own home.

Everyday Exuberance
Color, color and more color could be the title of this chapter. Learn how to use exuberant fabrics, think multi prints, stripes and wovens, on upholstery, windows, lamps and rugs, to color on places you might not ever think as colorful.

Paint palettes are shown, as well as ways to use color in art.

No, I would have never thought about using a pink bench (with gingham yellow/white cushions), blue chairs and a white table in a tangerine hued dining room with yellow curtains -- but it works. Beautifully.

Several other rooms that are equally exuberant are shown, along with ways to achieve the various looks. This is definitely not my style, but I love the way it looks. How-to in this section is painting stripes on the wall.

Romantic decorating -- think soft colors, flowers and age, objects that have a patina and perhaps a few nicks. In this style author Annie Selke talks about using family objects, hand-me-downs and those sparkly things that dress up a home. Flowers, silver and details make a big difference in pulling off this look and a how-to in this chapter is "dressing the refined romantic bed".

Happy Preppy
Although the name of this section had me laughing out loud, the tips and examples are preppy, but with a twist. Use the classics and the functional, but don't be boring. Go for the fun with a bit of pep. And Selke's examples are fun indeed, let's just say I may steal the dolphin idea. The how-to for this section includes adding stripes to towels.

Nuanced Neutral
Shapes, textures and nature are the strong parts of the design mentioned in this book. Lots of neutral paint colors are shown, as well as a straight forward explanation on how even neutrals can be cool, warm, have mid tones or deep colors. Four different examples are shown on dressing the nuanced neutral bed.

I'll have to admit that this is my section, lifestyle and decorating theme. The author says how every room tells a story, "displaying objects an art that resonate with and tell about the occupant". I think that statement fits many collectors and she tells how to share your personality, curate your collections, unearth curiosities and embrace art.

Numerous ways are shown on how to display and showcase different collectibles. And many of the displays are not high dollar pieces, but things like displays of bottles caps in glass vases, paint-by-number paintings on a black wall and using inexpensive prints for impressive displays. The how-to in this chapter is an easy way to hang a collection of framed art.

Bottom Line
There are so many great ideas, how-tos, and pictures in this book that I can't wait to get busy and try a few of them out! As mentioned above, I think I know folks who fit every decorating personality in this book and it will be my mission to share this book with them and also see if they agree with my assessment. It's all in fun!

Fresh American Spaces
Publisher: Clarkson Potter
Format: Hardcover
Published Date: August 2011
ISBN 978-0-307-71606-4