The Welcoming House: The Art of Living Graciously

If you are like many people who can pick gorgeous pieces of furniture or decor but then you are stuck with how to pull it all together, this book is definitely for you. It will help you to see what works with what and how to achieve a consistently gorgeous result that you can replicate at your own home.Stick to what you see, follow the character of the pieces, select the right colors and pay attention to the scale and harmony of the color and light and you will get there!For those who are afraid to walk on their own or have no one to hold their hand, this book will do wonders, it is like interior design guru that you can listen to, follow what you see and achieve perfect results.You don't need to know the first thing about color, design or any of those fancy things that the designers suck up with their mother's milk. All you need is this book and just imitate and emulate!That is why it is great. How do I know? Because I have all the due education and experience and can tell that the book has all that you need to have without the years needed to learn it all.Fabulous visual resource book. I bough it for few friends who always were asking me where to begin their decorating journey, the book answered all their questions and they pulled it all without any extra help but this book.Just look and listen to it, look really carefully! Watch how the pieces work together!

I collect books on Interior Design, but they have to be extraordinary if they are to become part of my library and home office. I am a designer, and the daughter of an exceptional designer himself. We were taught how to "see" by my father and somehow learned the art of balance and scale, authenticity and the importance of adding the unexpected, when and how to break the rules and how to bring charm to rooms that don't offer that up easily. This book does all of that in spades. My heart races each time I sit and scan photos of this remarkable book's beautiful design. I bought an extra copy for my coffee table and even bought a third copy requested by a friend who came by for tea as she reminded me of her birthday the following week. We giggled at the time and now find ourselves calling one another over the phone for an afternoon break with this book in hand discussing things each of us discovered on our own. I cannot recommend this book enough, especially if you lean more towards timeless traditional and true elegance. The book"s designers pay special attention to finishes and know precisely when to stop.

I could move right into the foyer on the cover. So inviting.

Beautiful Coffee Table Book as described in new condition

Easily a gorgeous coffee table book... Photography is spectacular, and book is excellent. Only complaint would bethe front cover shows a photo I'd catagorize as elegant traditional, and the other styles covered are much more casualand not to my personal taste. However, I contacted them to get a paint color used in the first chapter with thisfront cover in this section too... to my surprise I got a wonderful response! Can definitely recommend.

If you love reading about interior design and its processes, you will love this book. The authors take you step by step through eight homes that they have designed---all have neutral backgrounds allowing the color to come from the art, rugs, and fabrics. They are all exquisitely timeless and comfortable. You will learn the "whys" of the design decisions made by these talented design partners. I am two-thirds of the way through the book and am reading every last word and loving it!! I won't tell you how many design/architectural books I own that have not been "read"!

"The Welcoming Home" is now a treasured possession and resource in our home. The text contains countless ideas for improving entertaining and decorating our home with fantastic photos of rooms that are beautifully appointed. All who love to welcome family and friends will enjoy and learn from this excellent book. Buy it, learn from it, and enjoy the result! We will be sharing this wonderful resource with many in the days ahead.

I just received this book today and I am so upset that I must go out tonight. I so want to curl up with this book for the next week. It is absolutely stunning. Each room is more beautiful than the next and each is one that you will want to live in. The photography is wonderful and the descriptions of the homes are clear and instructive. A great book that I highly recommend.

However I had to return it as it has arrived with a puncture through the back cover. Pictures were ok but definitely not what I am drawn to. Therefore even if it wasn’t faulty I would return it. If you’re into classical design aesthetics than this book is definitely for you and you won’t regret buying it.

This is a beautifully presented, high quality production packed with photographs of inspirational ideas for gracious living. The interior design team / authors show rooms furnished with period and contemporary furnishings in their own homes along with those of some of their clients - all chosen from a part of the US (mostly Carolina) that previously I had not consciously associated with such stunning interiors and design influences. I particularly like the way such comfortable, light and fairly neutral interiors are achieved by mixing European and American furnishings and the ideas for extending the home into the garden. A great reference book that has already influenced decisions about the approach to furnishing our new garden room.

For anyone who loves to curl up with a good design book...this is it.Exquisite taste, as Bunny Williams has discovered...and, she should know!Lovely relaxing hour enjoying every page.