[.uk] Yes/No Design : Discover Your Decorating Style With ... (ISBN 0847823008)

most useful to novices:
Unlike some of the other people who reviewed this book, I did not find the quiz to be helpful. However, the benefit of the quiz may depend upon how knowledgeable you are about interior decoration and/or how fixed you are in a particular style. The reviewers who seemed to be helped the most were novices. That is why I gave this book 2 stars instead of 1. On the other hand, I think the basic tips provided by this book have been covered better in other books, and the pictures are only so-so. At one point the author says "listen to your intuition." That is what I suggest people do instead of buying this book. However, if you don't yet trust yout intuition the following are some good books: Color Your Home Beautiful: Ideas and Solutions - It has beautiful photos, a variety of well-chosen color combinations in a variety of styles, dozens of color swatches, useful tips, and quotes from designers. Ultimate Home Style Guide by Katherine Sorrell - Almost all styles are represented here with enough details on colors, fabrics, and other style elements to create the look your self. Better Homes & Gardens: New Remodeling Book - Despite the fact that remodeling is in the title, this is a good basic book about interior design. I like it better than BH & G: New Decorating Book.

Beauty Comes From Within:
Diane Love's "Yes/No Design" is a joy. It's a gift that I gave myself not knowing the profound effect it would have upon me. Having had little or no faith in my aesthetic sense, "Yes/No Design" helped me trust my choices through the simple understanding of my likes and dislikes (for things such as colors, sizes, shapes, space, and patterns). The book is beautiful, thought-provoking, validating and inspiring. I realized I don't have to be an "expert" to create a lovely home. "Yes/No Design" helped me get in touch with who I am, what I enjoy and appreciate, and what makes me comfortable. For me, decorating my home has become a metaphor for changing and improving my life and my attitude. Diane Love has shown me that beauty most definitely comes from within.

The journey home.:
Not only is this book intelligent, but it calls on the reader to find her own creativity. So often we are told what to like and where to buy it. While these things can be helpful, if what you really want is to express yourself in your surroundings, then Yes/No Design will lead you within to uncover and create. Living in a consumer culture, it is easy to get out of touch with our own expressive sides, and I really like how Ms. Love encourages us to take that journey back to our most original selves. If you are willing to complete the exercises and look at them as a whole, what you can find is nothing short of your self. I think Yes/No Design is a text on how to distill out the essence of design as an act of personal creation. Rather than paying Ms. Love to tell us what to like, we are gaining something far more valuable with the purchase of this book -- a guide to our own creativity which we can then use to decorate our homes and every other area of our lives.

Decorating with confidence:
After hearing Diane Love speak about her book at a book signing in San Francisco, I purchased one for each of my married daughters (3). This lovely volume offers guidance and information that allows the reader to better understand and trust his/her own taste. I can't think of a better gift for my girls.

Intuitive & Personal:
A wonderful resource and a delightful read, Yes/No Design is an unique combination of tasteful "how-to", interior design consultant, and chic best friend. Through a series of pictorial and descriptive examples and thoughtful exercises, the author encourages the reader to recognize her own taste and to trust her own sense of style. The lessons learned and new awareness are meaningful and applicable in all areas --from interior design to personal styling. Yes/No Design is a book you'll want on your bedside table as well as on your coffee table. A great gift!