This edition is now fully revised and updated. Already half a million copies of this book have been sold worldwide. Now they have included an extra 64 pages of innovative suggestions on how to improve your home with unique decorating discussions.

This book is written in a step-by-step style and is a contemporary and practical guide to beautiful adventures in home decorating.

The contents include:

Soft Furnishings
Basic Sewing techniques
Curtains and Draperies
Shades
Bed Furnishings
Pillows and Cushions
Simple Upholstery
Table Linens
Lampshades
Decorating
Painting
Wallpapering
Tiling
Hard Floors
Carpets and Rugs
Shelving
Lighting
Care & Maintenance

A discussion on the types of fabrics is followed by a pictoral guide to the basic sewing kit. Then you enter the world of hand sewing and machine techniques. It is reminiscent of home economics courses in high school, but they go into slightly more detail.

If you are thinking of putting up curtains, there is a section on hanging systems. While curtains take a bit of work, if you have a sewing machine and a bit of patience, you can create exactly what you imagine. The sewing sections in this book are a real highlight. It seems that most of this book is about sewing!

For the adventurous new decorator, there is a visual list of what you need for a household tool kit. Already I see I should purchase a few more items if I'm going to get any of these projects completed. Yes, I have a wire brush on my "to buy" list now.

Bagging is an interesting technique for painting. Sponging and glazework is also explained in detail. The painting section is less detailed than the sewing section, but
equally useful.

Once you get to the "tiling" section, you have to ask yourself if you really want to attempt this yourself? The flooring and tiling sections look quite advanced and perhaps these sections are more to help you decide on which types of flooring or tile you would prefer to install.

Shelving is not that difficult to install in reality and this section was short, sweet and practical.

If you are up for the challenge or are just looking for more
inspiration, this is your book.

I have read just about every book that our public library carries on home decorating. I never found one book that could address the issues in such detail with visual aids for every step of a project, until I came across "Step-by-step Home decorating book" by Nicholas Barnard. This is the best decorating book that I ever read. My search for the most satisfying decorating book has ended. It makes very good reading. A must for your library.