Etcetera: Creating Beautiful Interiors with the Things You Love

I was planning on putting one star, but I "didn't like it" was a better description than "I hate it" for me.This is a book that I would not have bought if I had picked it up and flipped through it at a book store. The description on Amazon led me to believe it was a decorating book of a style I like-I mean look at that pretty picture on the cover! But alas, it wasn't. It was mainly diary entries of things and places the author liked. There were also a lot of pictures, but most of those were just artistic pictures of things the author liked (think silverware, rocks, and old letters). That's OK, but not what I thought the book was about. I know some people will love how unique this book is, other people however will not find the decorating ideas all that practical.She did have some pretty color combinations, I will rip those pages out before I recycle the book (easily done because it was made out of cardboard and thick card stock).If you were interested in the decorating part, I can quickly sum it up for you right now:-Gather together lots of stuff that you like.-Next, paint sections of your walls with colors that you like (as if you were you are trying to decide on a new paint color for your walls) then just leave it unfinished.-Now find some wallpaper you like (preferably vintage) and thumb tack it haphazardly to the wall -no need to line anything up, this is artsy.-Now find some prints (from your global adventures or a second hand store) and tape those babies to the wall with some washi tape, or if you don't have any try masking tape, and if you are out of that, hopefully you are using the color combination with silver in because then you can use duct tape!-"Amass" a collection of little things that you like, then load them prettily onto a shelf.-Get lots of area rugs. I guess you don't have to like them all, because you will be layering them, and will only have to look at the top rugs. This will feel very cushy underfoot. According to the pictures, there is no need to worry about smoothing out the humps, folds, or curling-edge-tripping-hazzards of the rugs either.

Wow! This book blew me away. I had been waiting and waiting and waiting for my Amazon delivery and after several months of delayed shipping I finally cancelled and went with another seller which cost me more money. I could care less about that. I would have gladly paid double. Someone stated that you really have to love this style to love the book. I completely disagree. While I do love flea market style, mixing high with low and vintage with modern I don't think you need to love that style to be able to appreciate and absorb the material in this book. My home looks more Hollywood Regency than Flea Market Chic but I adore this book just the same. It takes you on a journey through the artists process of design and it was a trip I was all too happy to take. I've read about 30 design books since my obsession with this field began earlier this year and this is the only book where I felt a part of the designers process. The actual book itself is a work of art with heavyweight paper, the cover itself reminds me of paper bag material and was just a pleasure to handle, translucent paper etc... You can literally feel the love that went into creating this. I don't understand how anyone couldn't find something inspiring from it (beautiful color palettes, fabric choices, wall art, decorative objects) but then again sometimes people get too wrapped up in having everything presented in a cookie cutter fashion. Personally, I enjoyed this real artistic approach and I'm looking forward to the author's next work.

Well, here's the thing. I love the book. The author has a philosophy of home design which not only acknowledges that some of us have "stuff" but even embraces the concept. This is no book for minimilists or those with a desire for a home that looks like pristine and ordered like an advertising catalogue. Not that there is anything wrong with that look - i also love that too, but it doesnt work for me and my desire to be surrounded by material versions of my memories. This book is in sections, each of which have a different colour pallette. Each group of colours is fairly neutral, but the book is full of ideas about how you can group your beloved possessions in ways that are guided by colour. Thats just one of the directions this book takes. Other ideas are for grouping like with like, wall displays, shelf displays, fabrics, objects from the world of nature - a true treasure trove of soft, understated ideas that will show your treasures to their best advantage. So, whats not to like? well, the cost of postage made the price of this book skyrocket. It wasnt clear when i made the transaction - looked as though it was going to be a cost of $4.50 but turned out to be over $30.00!! i still need to go back to see how this could have happened when i was being so careful, but a word of warning - when you are purchaing from overseas, watch those postage rates.

This is not your average decorator book. Ms. Court has crafted a beautiful book to inspire you to create a home from within yourself and your life, and how to bring it all together in different, innovative, and very lovely ways. The photography is gorgeous, it truly sets the emotional stage drawing you into her artistic installations and curations. It's also full of very useful tips, and a guide to seeing the subtle colors, shapes and potential in things we often overlook.The different papers used in the book are all part of the interesting magic.The only problem I had with the book was the BINDING!! The pages came loose from it after less than a week, and I am careful with my books, I don't abuse them! I would suggest that Ms. Court's agent find a different book publisher or make sure that the quality of the manufacturing is corrected. Her work is far above the standards of the shoddy glue used in the binding.

I purchased this book used along with a few other used books. It was the first to arrive and was well packaged. I recommend this used book dealer and the inspiring work of Sibella Court.

This is one of the most gorgeous, carefully-produced books I have ever seen. From the thick card covers, printed in a way that makes them look hand done, then wrapped in brown paper, to the inside of the book, this is a labour of love. Every page is either a wonderful photograph, a collage of type-written notes, stamped images, edges of lace, luggage tags and wingdings or a mixture of all of these. The hand-typed words are printed on pattern paper, sacking, tracing paper and little notes. The whole thing is a lavishly-photographed scrapbook, a treasure you might stumble across in an old trunk in a dusty attic.It's not for those who like their interiors slick and smart as fresh new paint. This is a book for collectors who didn't know where to stop, for hoarders, for magpies, for devotees of junk shops and car boot sales. Through the alchemy of the stylist's eye, a hotchpotch of miscellaneous objects, many of little or no intrinsic value (shells, stones, feathers, trinkets, old photos, strings of beads, birds' nests, ribbons) is transformed into ravishing interiors full of quirky interest. Somehow, Sibella Court brings a discipline to her random collections, rendering the mundane, magical. Hopefully, some of her skills will eventually rub off on me. In the meantime, I'll just enjoy this wonderful book.

The interior creations of Sibella Court are interesting, unique and thought provoking and the photographs of her setups in this book allow you to delve into her world as a designer. This book in itself is a work of art, each page has been beautifully designed, the backgrounds look like collages - with different textures, torn elements, photographs and layering, creating a beautiful 'handmade' scrapbook feel. The text in some places is hard to find at first glance against all the different elements of the page, but this makes it more fun to read :) There are also tracing paper pages scattered here and there throughout, with what looks like rubber-stamped inky lettering (could pass for the real thing) A lot of the focus of this book is on the things that Court herself collects- so in a way this book is very personal, and although I do not have an interest in some of the things that seem to be a staple in this book (eg. rope and shells) I can really appreciate the inspiration this book gives to collect and display the things you love in an arty way. I am definatley proud to own a copy - well worth the money in my opinion :)

There are certain things I appreciate about this book, the photography is lovely and the style is very unique. I don't really think it can be described as an 'interior design' book though.There are certain themes that are useful- using colours, making collections and finding inspiration in what you already own. However, many of the rooms are put together in such a way they make me want to reach in and tidy them up. There's A LOT of clutter and talk of 'collecting' in this book. I appreciate an artistic approach to organising a room and displaying your favourite objects, but could I actually live in any of these rooms? Maybe not.Having said that. I do love the book as a glimpse into someone else's dream rooms, and I do find inspiration within these pages- I just don't think I'll be decorating my home with bird skulls and insects. Looking to nature for colour- inspiration is a nice idea and I do appreciate this book and I'm glad I own it. I think for me, it's more a lovely escapism, than real-life decorating.

I'm with the people who find this book more irritating than inspirational. I bought it because I saw some exciting pix - and there are - but most of the book is extraordinarily self-indulgent. Court really does think any thought of hers is worth 'sharing'. She also thinks that here taste is unique whereas Hans Blomquist and a batch of other stylists have all exactly the same 'alternative' style. I judge a book by whether or not I will read it again. If it sufficiently interesting I will - I can't imagine I will this book.

Not really what I was expecting but ok few ideas for home style.