One of my favorite things is turning the pages of a decorating/design book and enjoying the photos of wonderfully created and recreated rooms.
Nate Berkus’s The Things That Matter had lovely photos…but all in black and white in this Advanced Reader Copy, which made it challenging to imagine the rooms in color, as they will be in the final version.
However, after the initial disappointment about the photos, I was immediately captivated by the text and the author’s story. For his mission in designing a home came through very clearly: “each object tells a story and each story connects us to one another and to the world.”
And as he leads us through his back story and through the wonderfully captivating tales of his friends whose homes are featured, I could feel the passion, the zeal, and the sense of how each object connected to this person’s life and how putting everything together became a denouement of their life moments.
We can imagine how the things that surround us do tell a lot about who we are. We have probably experienced these feelings in our own lives. I know I have in mine.
When Berkus describes how his pursuit of harmonious homes is a lifelong one, I can relate to him. He says:
“Some people sit in their family rooms at night rehashing their day or thinking about what’s on TV. I sit in mine, and wonder, Would that wicker table look good in the bedroom? Should I put two more chairs here? Should this bookcase be moved two inches to the right? Why are there two chests of drawers in here?”
When I closed the final page–and even during my perusal–I found myself leaping up to rearrange something that I had seen with new eyes as I read this book. And I know that I will grab it frequently to reread a passage or check out the rooms. It will find a home on one of my tables where it is readily accessible. Five stars!
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Oh boy…I can not wait to see what you will rearrange next! Don’t forget to share!
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Oh, I was so happy to read that Nate Berkus is always rearranging stuff, too…lol
Thanks for visiting, Patty.
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I love rearranging my rooms. I declutter and move things around and it feels like I`m almost in a different room. This book would be very inspirational for me.
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That is how I felt as I read it, Laura, and I know that I’ll pick it up from time to time for a fresh look. Rearranging my rooms makes me feel as though I have been shopping for new things.
Thanks for visiting! Hope you enjoy this book, too.
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I love to look at decorating books – maybe because I’m not that good at it.
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I know that I need to find my inspiration in books, magazines, and even TV shows and movies. Whatever it takes! lol
Thanks for visiting, Kathy.
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I like Nate. I wish he would come to my house and rearrange a few rooms… I could use the help! My husband will move furniture around but I tend to leave it in the same place for years.
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I am like a restless”compulsive rearranger”…lol
When I was married to my second husband, he was the one who had that compulsion. Sometimes I would come home from work and find everything in a different place. I guess I “caught” it from him, along with moving constantly.
Now I think moving things around is what I do instead of buying new stuff. Rearranged, it all looks new! Thanks for stopping by, Leslie. Maybe it’s good to leave things alone….but I know I can’t!
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That’s a good idea, I certainly don’t need more stuff! I did move around a few bookcases when I remodeled my office… I felt very proud of myself! lol
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I used to only do the smaller things, but recently I tackled the living room sofa (large) and loveseat. Probably wasn’t my best idea….pulled a muscle or two But I didn’t want to wait for help! I’m bullheaded that way…lol
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This sounds so good to me. I love design and am always on the lookout for fresh ideas. Wonderful review, Laurel-Rain! I’m sure the book will be (or already is) glorious in living color.
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I adored this book….and the idea of how much our interiors tell us about who we are. Thanks for stopping by, Suko.
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