House

I am the author, Andrea D'Allasandra, of DEATH HOUSE and I want to thank everyone whose contacted me and of course, who have purchased this book. The main question everyone asks: Did this really happen? I based this novel of six people trapped in a mountain chalet during a blizzard with a madman, on an actual incident. It supposedly occurred back in the 50s in the Blue Ridge Mountains. From what I understand, the killer was never found. He left behind five corpses. Since I worked as an aide in a mental hospital in Asheville, N.C. back in the 60s, I came across a few patients who would certainly follow the mind-set of the killer. His physical appearance is also based on one of the violent patients. Yes, he was terrifying. Until my next book...THE MASTER OF HELL MOUNTAIN.

If you're a fan of Psycho or Hannibal, then this book will scare the beejesus out of you! I think this is Andrea D'Allasandra's first book but boy, can she make you double-lock your doors. The setting is an old mountain chalet during a blizzard. Six people are trapped while a really scarcy psycho prowls around with an axe. It all takes place in just one night but by the end of the book, you're drained. A real goodie. I read this while it was raining one night here in Mobile. Couldn't sleep!

I love color and Debbie Travis' books are full of it! Don't pay any attention to the people who discount her books as garish. She is very even handed when it comes to her color schemes--this book includes a whole room done in very pale sea-foam green; an airy, almost monochromatic "zen" room; and even some white walls here and there.

But the focus is on the daring, the new, the experimental and exciting. There are traditional rooms, in which she incorporates elements based loosely on historical architechture into a very livable modern room. I especially liked the Georgian room, in which she not only shows you the typical colors used in the period, but a wall technique, how to create an inexpensive freize, and a fireplace surround.

Each room includes much the same--a wall technique and two or three other projects to tie the room to the theme. Along with historical rooms, find also contemporary, country, and themed rooms. The photography is excellent (although sometimes does not fully show the detail of specific aspects of the project).

Overall the best thing about this book is that is shows color on the walls, something a lot of decorators seem to be afraid of. Once you look at the beautiful tones of the raspberry, burgundy, ochre, and umber Travis uses long enough, you start to see that maybe that might look good in your house. Hey, maybe not for everyone or for every room--but it makes an impact.

This is a balanced overview of different styles and colors, as well as an awesome how-to book. Even if you hate the colors she picks, you can learn more practical skills in two or three pages of this book than in all of Christopher Lowell!

very informative book and doable projects.

. . . I really like this decorating guide. It's simple and easy to use - has some great tips and gave me several ideas just from flipping through the pages, reading the quick hints and looking at the pictures.
Includes sections on painting, tiling & covering walls, window treatments, covering floors, decorating woodwork and shows some great finishing touches.
The index at the back makes finding what you need simple and the numerous pictures and illustrations gives you an easy reference to follow.

If you want a book to help you get started - this is it.

This book will inspire you to go buy paints, fabrics and get started! Great instructions for the beginner on how to wallpaper, install tile, hang curtains and various painting techniques. Lots of tips to go with each section. The book begins with an overview of colors and decorating basics.

Twenty-six completely different, gorgeous and remarkably easy techniques are shown in glorious, large photos, and with very complete step-by-step instructions.

If you have (or want to have) anything to do with either working with paper or paint, stamping, embossing, decoupaging, gilding, scrapbooking, or pressing flowers or leaves, you will use these techniques for the rest of your life in millions of ways, and never tire of the creative possibilities uniquely yours with professional, stunning results possible every time.

I've only begun to get into paper crafting in the last few months, and I had no problem re-creating the techniques into projects of my own, and into three of the eighteen projects she gives to kick-start creativity with the demonstrated techniques. This book will be a favorite for years to come! It's for the person who is only thinking about trying this type of craft (by the time you're done perusing this book, you'll jump in and start doing!) all the way to the person who has done this stuff for years, as the inspiration is powerful...

I highly recommend this book to the novice or experienced decoupager. Rhonda Rainey has very thoughtfully compiled a very user-friendly guide. What impressed me most, in comparison to many other decoupage how-to books, was how clearly everything is explained and layed out in order to complete the featured techniques. Not only that, there is an easy to understand, not too technical overview of decoupaging at the start of the book. The print is very readable. All the materials, tools, and supplies needed are pictured and listed which is very helpful. Last but not least, her creative ideas with combining decoupage with faux finishes are the most appealing designs that I have seen compiled in one book. I have many other decoupage books but I regard Decorating with Paper and Paint as my decoupage bible.

Parents definitely buy this book for your college-going kids! Others will enjoy it as well, but the style will most appeal to people under 40. The style is kind of funky-modern. I just bought the book, so I have not read the whole thing, but so far so good. It has instructions and materials lists for creating all the looks in the photos which is lacking in many interior design books. It also has general decorating tips.

Bonus: It describes typical problems to look for in an apartment and how to evaluate an apartment for these problems. It describes potential problems and red tape with the landlord, and how to avoid them, and it explains the renter's contract as well.

If you have just started exploring interior decoration, or are looking for your first apartment or tips to refresh your current one, buy this book!

This book has so much information, it should have been called "Renting an Apartment".

Although this book was written for young first-time renters, the information would benefit anyone that rents their home. Even though I'm now living in my 8th apartment, and have renting experience, I found lots of tips and ideas to help make my home more comfortable and pleasing.

This book is split into two parts. The first part addresses what you need to know when renting an apartment, and includes tips on

- what to look for when scouting for a place to live, both in terms of dwelling and landlord
- how to look for a roommate
- what you're expected to pay (or not)
- what you can do in improvements
- how to keep your apartment clean

The second part, my favorite, shows you how to decorate your apartment on a budget, and includes DIY projects that are imaginative and down-right cheap, such as:

- painting walls, floors and furniture (how-to and supplies)
- window coverings (using copper pipes for curtain rods)
- separating rooms without building (hanging drapery panels)
- lighting (wastepaper basket lights)
- screens (fabric panels between dowels held straight with concrete)

The writing tone is light and fresh, and perfect for the intended audience. Photography is well done. My only (minor) complaint is that for most projects, there was only one picture of the finished project. The accompanying written instructions are detailed, but I would have preferred pictures along with them. In my view, it's easier to see how something is done, than reading it.

I recommend this book, both for the ideas, and as a starting point.

This book is a chocolate bonbon of a dollhouse book. The pictures are wonderful, the descriptions are delightful. You'll be either green with envy of the owners of the featured houses, or inspired.

Of all my miniature books, this one is the one that I always have handy. It is invaluable for the beginner and experienced miniaturist alike. The author shares hundreds of tips that are both clever and inexpensive. The photography is excellent and is especially inspirational to anyone doing a shop. Included are a grocery, fishmonger, millinery, pharmacy, bakery, hat shop, toy store, and antique shop. (I probably missed several). There are also houses and roomboxes. While this isn't a manual for particular projects, the ideas can easily be translated to your own settings. I wouldn't be without this book in my library.

This is indeed a wonderful book. Several sections are not about decorative painting specifically, but about painting in general. These sections are clearly laid out with pictures and lists of equipment needed. They were absolutely perfect for my fiancee and myself - we just bought our first home and have a lot of work to do! This book helped us learn how to sand walls, prime, remove wallpaper, and finally, paint. There's plenty in here for decorative painting too, but if you're just starting out and need a great reference, buy this book!

The Home Depot has done it again-- provided homeowners with a practical guide for inexpensive and creative solutions for our painting needs! Reminding us that 80% of project time is in the preparation, the book is chock full of tips such as safety, tool selection and organization, and the basics of painting a surface.

The book is comprised of six main sections, plus safety and paint basics, which more than covers the questions you might have as a beginning or experienced painter. Choosing colors, tools and materials, preparing to paint, room painting basics, decorative painting techniques, and cleaning up are discussed at length, making this a comprehensive resource for your painting success.

This book supplies stampers with a lot of ideas to work with. Many times, stampers find books that focus only on stamping on paper. This book gives many ideas of different thing to stamp to get your creativity flowing. Everyone serious about rubber stamping should read this book.

This is an excellent book for people who love to stamp! It has lots of great ideas for stamping every room of your home. Plus it also explains how to stamp on different material. A must for all stampers!

I have to say that out of what I have seen in decoupage books and artists, Rubena Grigg has it over all. In my book, sophisticated wins out especially after one is continually confronted with the endless stream of cutesy, mediocrity in so many "crafts" today. This lady is an artisan!

Her pictures are quite good and her decoupaged tabletop along with the black ground floral tin pitchers are BREATHTAKING....no overkill here...they are my personal favorites.

The instructions, although not pictorial are adequate and the pictures will definitely inspire you to get started....I know I want to!

For incredible inspiration alone, this book is worth the purchase.

This is not a book on technique, but I wouldn't sell it for the world. Rubena is truly an artist, and just picking up her book, makes me want to do decoupage. I actually bought it to learn more about varnishing methods, and she does explain that well, but to me it's more a source of ideas.
Every project in her book, she explains in detail how she accomplished it.
If you buy it you won't be sorry if you like decoupage.

I am a builder in Hilo, Hawaii. I have used this book for many (25) years in presenting a class at the University of Hawaii in Hilo, "The Owner Builder". It is clear, concise and brief enough that the authors are able to get their point across without without boring to the reader.

An architect friend of mine, while recommending the book to me said, "This is everything I learned in architecture school in four years, distilled into one small paperback". I couldn't agree more!

I would strongly recommend that you NOT lend this book to anyone, as it will most likely NOT be returned! I truly hope it will be back in print soon!

Aloha! Eliot Merk, Hilo Hawaii

This little book presents a complex subject with brevity and wit. It is well illustrated and primes the reader to explore the subject in more detail, while giving an overview of the process of home design. Why is it not in print? Shame! Shame!