Book Review: Simple Sustainable Style by Randy Florke

First book on homemaking/decorating that I've read written by a man. I wish more were because I'd like to know what they think.

The author buys old homes and fixes them up and decorates them in a country fashion. He has a good sense of how to make a home comfortable and welcoming. He has a goal of his homes being calm, beautiful places to be, so each chapter is decated to a different room and starts out explaining the point of the room. He uses the concept of economy, comfort, and color to judge how well a room is composed. He makes suggestions on staying true to a homes design based upon when it was built, and talks about how to shop flea markets and antique stores.

Elements of his style were appealing to me because I enjoy a but of country, rustic, and distressed detailing, but most of his designs are far too cluttered for me, like way too cluttered. His willingness to put a couch or chair in a room that needs to be refinished or reupholstering and declaring it cozy would make both me and my husband nuts. To him it looks welcoming. To me it looked trashy and unfinished. Every room he did looked like a crazy antique store to me.

A quick easy read, and fun to see a totally different style from mine. Great points about how and why creating beautiful spaces is important. If you’re not into the country/antique look this probably isn't worth the time investment, but if you are, this is a good book of inspiration.