This book is written for the girl who has high hopes of being a domestic diva, but for whatever reason (time and/or money constraints, laziness, lack of space, etc.) just isn’t. Or doesn’t know where to begin. There are three sections: 1) Home-ify your pad, 2) Impressive Acts of Domesticity, and 3) Life after restaurants and I’ll briefly touch on each one.
The first chapter is the reason I looked into this book. I love a well-decorated house and can appreciate good design, but if you didn’t tell me that an orange plaid wall tapestry doesn’t belong in the same room as a hot pink shag carpet, I wouldn’t be the wiser. Not that I don’t have good taste, I just lack good judgement and know-how. This is where I fall into the “don’t know where to begin and get overwhelmed quickly” category. This chapter breaks it down room by room, with plenty of fast crafts, and some more long-term redecorating ideas.
The next chapter is where it gets a little hippie on us. This section is devoted to cleaning, but using your own cleaning supplies. It also touches on sewing/mending a la Martha Stewart, fixing things (what? you don’t just ask your neighbor?), and generally how to keep a tidy house that you wouldn’t be embarrassed to show to friends who just stop by. Not a ton of new information here for me, but there were some gems.
The last chapter was the coolest one for me, but also the least useful in terms of new information. It is all about the kitchen. Making your own meals (check), baking (check), canning (check…kind of), and entertaining guests (check).
The writing style made me want to hang out and can tomatoes all afternoon with the author. Or sew her and apron and bake muffins together for our neighbor. Even the domestic-est diva will find something in this book.
Pingback: Crafts: Do you have 2 minutes? « Cookies and Crafts