by Shelley Civkin Richmond Public Library

Ideas for the home enthusiast

Who says relaxation can't come in the form of vicarious decorating?

When the powers of concentration are at a low ebb and the words are just a blur on the page, it's time for some lazy, no-brain entertainment.

I found mine this past weekend in the form of two coffee table books. The first one, called More is more : an antidote to minimalism by Mary Schoeser, is a magnificently illustrated look at how abundance (or overabundance) can be transformed into capital "C" Chic.

Schoeser divides the book up into chapters on personal style, colour, textures and materials, retro looks, personal treasures, and collecting. The most engaging thing about the book is that there's a plethora of cool decorating ideas for those that aren't clutter-phobic.

The offbeat and unusual ideas outnumber the more traditional ones, and some ideas are definitely classier than others, but the most important thing is that you need to have a fun-loving spirit to engage in this type of decorating. I mean, using trophies as cactus planters, and old pennies to garnish a wooden toilet seat takes a bold sense of adventure and nerve.

Naturally, there are words in this book too, but truth to tell, I was just in it for the pictures. Concentration was not on my "to do" list this past weekend, so I just indulged in a little decorating eye-candy. I figured, even if I only come away from this book with one or two things to try, it will have been a successful venture. And it was.

The other fun book I spent some time with this weekend was Color in small spaces : palettes and styles to fit your home by Brenda Grant-Hays and Kimberly A. Mikula. The styles in this book are far more conservative, elegant and mainstream than

those found in the other one.

Not only do Grant-Hays and Mikula give room-by room decorating ideas, they also go into the psychology and principles of colour at great length. The photographs are quite lovely and there are lots of practical ideas worth borrowing.

It's definitely not as playful as More is More, but for the sophisticated amateur decorator, it has lots to offer. The authors cover themes and motifs, as well as geographical influences. So, for instance, if you live near the ocean, they have ideas for decorating in a coastal theme. Or for a weekend retreat that's filled with bare wood and stone, they offer up ideas that will blend naturally with the existing structure.

Lighting is given a fair bit of attention, as are walls, wallpaper and floor coverings.

These two books are aimed at the large audience of home decorators who would rather get ideas and do it themselves, than pay some high-priced decorator to do it for them.

The ideas are accessible and cover a wide range of budgets and styles. All it takes is an open mind and a sense of adventure.

Shelley J. Civkin is the head of the Readers' Advisory Department at the Richmond Public Library. For other popular reading suggestions, check out Richmond Public Library's Web site at www.yourlibrary.ca/goodbooks.